Myquan Williams remained undefeated by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Clarence Booth in a junior welterweight bout at the Edison Ballroom in New York City.

In the final round, Williams dropped Booth with a left hook.

Williams, 139.4 lbs of East Hartford, CT won by scores of 99-90, 98-91 and 97-92 and is now 19-0-1. Booth, 139.6 lbs of St. Petersburg, FL is 21-6.

Stephan Shaw remained undefeated with an emphatic eight-round unanimous decision over Rydell Booker in a heavyweight bout.

Shaw busted up Booker as Booker’s nose was bleeding bad in the seventh round.

Shaw, 234.4 lbs of Saint Louis, MO won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 18-0. Booker. 256.6 lbs of Detroit, MI is 26-7-1.

Juan Carlos Carillo stopped Matthew Tinker in round three of their scheduled eight-round light heavyweight bout.

In round three, Carillo battered Tinker with several hard shots that resulted in Tinker falling to the canvas for a knockdown. Carillo continued his assault until the fight was stopped by Tinker’s corner at 1:16.

Carillo, 177.2 lbs of Barranquilla, COL is now 9-0 with seven knockouts. Tinker, 177.8 lbs of New York, NY is 8-2.

Mikiah Kreps remained undefeated with eight-round unanimous decision over Indeya Smith in a bantamweight fight.

Kreps, 118.5 lbs of Niagara Falls, NY won by scores of 80-72 and 79-73 twice and is now 5-0. Smith, 115.2 lbs of Dallas, TX is 5-6-2.

Fernely Feliz Jr. won a four-round unanimous decision over Cameron Graham in a heavyweight bout.

In round four, Feliz dropped Graham when he landed a right hook that was followed by a straight left.

Feliz, 22.4 lbs of Danbury, CT won by scores of 40-35 on all cards and is now 4-0. Graham, 278.2 lbs of Greenville, FL is 2-2.

Michael Pirotton scored a six-round unanimous decision over Sukhchann Sahota in a battle of undefeated heavyweights.

Pirotton, 222.8 lbs of Liege, BEL won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 and is now 7-0. Sahota, 224.6 lbs of British Columbia, CAN is 2-1.

New York, NY (November 3, 2022) – DiBella Entertainment is pleased to announce that the Big Apple return of Broadway Boxing will be available live on FITE, the largest digital sports and entertainment platform in the world. On Tuesday, November 22, International Boxing Hall-of-Famer Lou DiBella will host the 117^th edition of the longest-running grassroots boxing series from the famous Edison Ballroom in Times Square.

The entire Broadway Boxing event will air on FITE for $19.99. The livestream will start at 7:00pm ET / 4:00pm PT. To order, please visit www.fite.tv.

“As we approach the 20^th anniversary of Broadway Boxing, I am thrilled to offer this stacked card on FITE. What started out as a local club show for the New York metropolitan area has grown into an international brand. Branching outside of the United States, we’ve broadcast events from locales such as Germany, Monte Carlo, Canada, and Costa Rica,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “With FITE, Broadway Boxing will now be live broadcast to a global audience. While those in attendance will be enjoying gourmet food and drinks, fans watching at home will get a world class production with entertaining fights, featuring Broadway Boxing staples, who have developed on the series, and celebrity guest commentators calling the action.”

“When you think of boxing’s history, you think of the champions, but you also think of that long-gone atmosphere where the event itself matters. People dress up to be seen ringside and the promotion itself has class,” said Michael Weber, COO of FITE. “DiBella Entertainment is bringing back that era in time for the holidays in Manhattan. With fighters like Mykquan Williams and Stephan Shaw on the card, you know the action is going to measure up too.”

Rising junior welterweight contender “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (18-0-1, 8 KOs), from East Hartford, CT, will face Clarence Booth (21-5, 13 KOs), of Saint Petersburg, FL, in the 10-round main event. Williams, a former WBC USNBC titlist, is a Broadway Boxing veteran, having made 13 appearances on the series thus far. Booth has won six of his last seven bouts, with five by knockout.

Top undefeated American heavyweight prospect, Stephan “Big Shot” Shaw (17-0, 13 KOs), co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Top Rank, will be featured in the co-main event against Rydell Booker (26-6-1, 13 KOs).

Tickets are on sale now. Tables of 10 and individual seats at various levels are available by calling (212) 947-2577. VIP, Platinum, Gold tables, and VIP ringside seats, include dinner and open bar. Other ringside patrons can sample a buffet dinner with drink tickets available for purchase. A limited number of General Admission tickets without dinner are also available. Edison Ballroom is located at 240 West 47^th Street, New York, NY 10036. Doors will open on the night of the event at 6:00pm ET, with the first bout scheduled for 7:00pm ET.

Celebrity chef and boxing enthusiast Chris Santos will be doing ringside commentary on FITE, alongside New York Yankees reporter Justin Shackil and Dan Canobbio, of Jomboy Media.

“Broadway Boxing is back, and I’m so excited to be part of it, doing ringside commentary for DiBella Entertainment at the Edison Ballroom,” said Santos, Co-Founder and Executive Chef of Beauty & Essex. “You may know me as a judge and TV personality in the culinary world, but I’m also a passionate lifelong hardcore fan of boxing and I can’t wait to once again transition from judging food to judging fights as your unofficial scorer. DiBella Entertainment is going all out with an upscale night of dinner, craft cocktails and, of course, bell-to-bell action in the ring and I can’t wait to see you there.”

Santos has over 25 years of experience as an executive chef in New York City’s hottest restaurants as well as his expansions on the West Coast. He is the Co-Founder and Executive Chef of Beauty & Essex Restaurants in the Lower East Side, at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, and in Hollywood, CA. Santos released his first cookbook in 2017 to critical acclaim, titled, “SHARE – Delicious and Surprising Recipes to Pass Around Your Table”. In addition to his three restaurants, he has been a series regular and sitting judge on Food Network’s hit series “Chopped” since its 2008 debut. Santos has also been featured on NBC’s TODAY Show, CBS’s Early Show, The Martha Stewart Show, and The Rachael Ray Show, among many others.

Since its inception in 2003, Broadway Boxing has featured many boxing luminaries and world champions, including George Kambosos Jr., Bakhodir Jalolov, Vitali Klitschko, Gennady Golovkin, Sergio Martinez, Jose Pedraza, Amanda Serrano, Heather Hardy, Andre Berto, and Paulie Malignaggi.

FOR TICKETS AND TABLE RESERVATIONS, CALL (212) 947-2577.

ABOUT FITE

FITE is the premium global platform for live sports and entertainment offering many of the industry’s marquee PPV events and SVOD packages with over 6MM registered users. FITE is available worldwide through its iOS and Android mobile apps, Apple TV, Android TV, ROKU, Amazon Fire TV and Huawei apps. In addition, FITE supports Samsung, LG, Cox Contour, Vizio SmartCast™, Virgin Media, Shaw Communications’ Blue Curve IPTV, Foxxum, Chromecast, PS4, XBOX, ZEASN, Netrange, Vidaa/Hisense, VEWD, Netgem TV, Comcast’s Xfinity 1 and Xfinity Flex as well as 7,000 models of Smart TVs. Available online at www.FITE.tv. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIN and Facebook.

Social Media

DiBella Entertainment

Instagram: @DiBellaEnt

Twitter: @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt

Facebook: @DiBellaEntertainment

New York, NY (October 20, 2022) – Banquet. Booze. Boxing. Broadway Boxing returns to New York City Thanksgiving week and DiBella Entertainment is pulling out all the stops with dinner, full bar, and world-class professional boxing in an intimate environment. On Tuesday, November 22, International Boxing Hall-of-Famer Lou DiBella hosts a night of entertainment, drinking and gourmet food from the famous Edison Ballroom.

The 117^th edition of the longest-running grassroots boxing series will be headlined by rising junior welterweight contender “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (18-0-1, 8 KOs) and Brooklyn’s former world title challenger Mikkel “Slikk Mikk” LesPierre (22-3-1, 10 KOs), in a crossroads battle that will determine the future of both men. The two Broadway Boxing veterans have fought on the series 20 times between them.

Top undefeated American heavyweight prospect, Stephan “Big Shot” Shaw (17-0, 13 KOs), co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Top Rank, will be featured in the co-main event. On his march toward a world title shot, the heavy-handed Shaw has knocked out seven of his last eight opponents, appearing on widely visible platforms, such as ESPN, NBC Sports Net and UFC Fight Pass.

“It’s been too long since we’ve had a Broadway Boxing on Broadway,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “On November 22, we’re going to celebrate the return of our storied series to our city and we’re going to party during Thanksgiving week. Williams versus LesPierre is a tremendous main event between two fighters who have built their careers on Broadway Boxing. New York fight fans will also get to see heavyweight sensation Stephan Shaw in an incredible intimate setting before he returns on ESPN early next year.”

This exclusive event will sell out fast. Tables of 10 and individual seats at various levels are available now by calling (212) 947-2577. VIP, Platinum, Gold tables, and VIP ringside seats, include dinner and open bar. Other ringside patrons can sample a buffet dinner with drink tickets available for purchase. A limited number of General Admission tickets without dinner are also available.

Since its inception in 2003, Broadway Boxing has featured many boxing luminaries and world champions, including George Kambosos Jr., Bakhodir Jalolov, Vitali Klitschko, Gennady Golovkin, Sergio Martinez, Jose Pedraza, Amanda Serrano, Heather Hardy, Andre Berto, and Paulie Malignaggi.

A stacked undercard featuring heavyweight sluggers, top rated women and local favorites will be announced in the coming days.

Boston, MA (August 13, 2022)

Boston Boxing Promotions returns tonight, Saturday, August 13, 2022, with a night of professional boxing at the legendary Memorial Hall in Melrose, Massachusetts. Weigh-ins took place at Title Boxing in Burlington, Massachusetts yesterday and the card will stream live on www.combatsportsnow.com

Full Card – Subject to Change

Brandon Higgins vs. Dustin Reinhold

Chelmsford, MA Fall River, MA

6 Rounds – Welterweights

Carlos Gongora vs. Oscar Riojas

Boston, MA Laredo, TX

8 Rounds – Super Middleweights

Mykquan Williams vs. Saul Corral

East Hartford, CT. Agua Prieta, Mexico

8 Rounds – Welterweights

Juan Carillo vs. Victor Fonseca

Baranquilla, Columbia Tijuana, Mexico

8 Rounds – Light Heavyweights

Daniel Robles vs. William Parra Smith

Oxnard, CA Anchorage, AK

6 Rounds – Lightweights

Kenny Larson vs. Ryan Clark

Salem, MA Berwick, ME

6 Rounds – Welterweights

Nicolas Tejada vs. Carl Langston

Haverhill, MA Portland, ME

4 Rounds – Welterweights

Kody Koboski vs. Jay Gregory

Oxnard, CA Auburn, NY

4 Rounds – Junior Middleweights

Parade of Champions takes place tonight Saturday, August 13 at Memorial Hall in Melrose, Massachusetts. Limited tickets remain and are available at www.BostonBoxingPromotions.com/Tickets. The event will stream live on www.CombatSportsNow.com

ABOUT BOSTON BOXING PROMOTIONS

Boston Boxing Promotions was founded in 2013 and is dedicated to the resurgence of professional boxing at the regional level, particularly in the New England area. Since that time, it has presented professional boxing events in places like Boston, Cape Cod, New Bedford and New Hampshire. In 2020, Boston Boxing Promotions was the first independent boxing promoter on the east coast to hold an event during the pandemic. The event led to a popular series of empty venue shows broadcast live and for free on YouTube watched by thousands of fans around the world. Boston Boxing Promotions returned to live audiences with The Great American Boxing Bash last summer which featured 3 consecutive sold out weekends at the The Castleton

?in Windham, New Hampshire.

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New York, NY (August 12, 2022) – A trio of DiBella Entertainment fighters will compete tomorrow night at Memorial Hall, in Melrose, MA, as part of Boston Boxing Promotions’ “Parade of Champions” event. The card will stream live as a pay-per-view via combatsportsnow.com, starting at 6:00pm ET / 3:00pm PT.

“Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (17-0-1, 8 KOs), from East Hartford, CT, collides with Mexican Saul Corral, of Douglas, AZ, in an eight-round welterweight contest. Williams weighed in at 142 lbs., and Corral, 146 lbs. Williams, who captured the WBC USNBC Silver super lightweight title in 2019, is coming off of a fifth-round stoppage win in April. In January 2021, Williams earned an impressive victory on Showtime’s “ShoBox” series via 10-round unanimous decision against previously unbeaten Yeis Solano. Before his 2016 pro debut, Williams was a decorated amateur with a 45-13 record, highlighted by three gold-medal performances at the Ringside World Championships, in addition to winning the PAL Tournament and Silver Gloves Championships.

Rated #12 by the WBC, super middleweight southpaw Carlos “Carlito’s Way” Gongora (20-1, 15 KOs), from Esmeraldas, Ecuador, and training out of Springfield, MA, squares off against Oscar Riojas, of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, in an eight-round contest. Gongora tipped the scales at 170 lbs. and Riojas weighed in at 170.5 lbs. The former IBO world titlist is determined to rebound from his lone defeat last year. Gongora took up boxing at the age of 12 and had an extensive amateur career, nearing 400 fights, that included competing in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. 

Colombian Olympian Juan Carlos Carrillo (7-0, 5 KOs), of Barranquilla, Colombia, takes on Victor Fonseca, of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, in an eight-round bout. Carrillo came in at 178.5 lbs. and Fonseca, 179.5. Last year, Carrillo captured the WBA Fedecentro light heavyweight title. He advanced to the second round at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Accumulating a record of 388-23, he was among Colombia’s most decorated amateurs, winning gold at the 2012 Colombian National Games, 2012 Pacific Cup Tournament, 2011 Colombian National Championships, 2010 Colombian Youth National Championships, and silver at the 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games. Carrillo comes from a boxing family and, at age nine, followed his father and older brother into the sport.

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DiBella Entertainment

Instagram: @DiBellaEnt

Twitter: @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt

Facebook: @DiBellaEntertainment

Hartford, CT (April 3) – The homecoming king put on a royal performance Saturday at the Connecticut Convention Center.

Headlining a long day of amateur and professional boxing in front his hometown fans for the first time, unbeaten Hartford super lightweight Mykquan Williams (17-0-1) earned his eighth career knockout win by defeating New Jersey’s Tyrone Luckey (15-17-4) via fifth-round stoppage.

The event, promoted by CES Boxing, featured four pro bouts with Williams closing the show in style with his first knockout victory since 2018. Luckey fought hard, but Williams dominated the bout and controlled the pace throughout, saving his best performance for the fifth round, where a visibly fatigued Luckey had trouble warding off the body shots. Luckey’s corner threw in the towel between rounds, resulting in a victory at the 3-minute mark of the fifth round.

The co-main was as good as advertised as Springfield, MA, featherweight Josh Orta (9-0) eked out 57-57, 59-55, 58-56 majority decision win over tough Puerto Rican challenger Jayron Santiago (8-9-1) to keep his perfect record intact.

The action was intense through all six rounds as both fighters stood toe-to-toe unafraid to exchange. Orta did his best work to the body, but also opened a cut under Santiago’s left eye at the end of the fourth that, while not high enough above the eye to deter Santiago, was enough of a distraction to allow Orta to close out the final two rounds.

Judge Glen Feldman scored it even, but Robin Hayes (59-55) and Peter Hary (58-56) scored in favor of Orta.

Springfield welterweight Jalen Renaud (8-0) also remained unbeaten with a hard-fought 58-56, 59-54, 59-54 unanimous decision win over Philadelphia’s Evincii Dixon (10-29-2).

Renaud boxed circles around Dixon for the first three rounds, working his left jab to set up the straight right while Dixon spent most of his time covering up and looking for an opportunity to counter.

Midway through the fight, Renaud began working the body more consistently and withstood whatever late flurries Dixon had in the gas tank. The end result was a clean sweep that wasn’t as close as it appeared on the cards.

In the opening bout, Hartford bantamweight Angel Gonzalez (9-0) kept his perfect record intact with a decisive, yet competitive, 59-55, 60-54, 60-54 unanimous decision win over 46-fight veteran Ira Terry (27-20) of Memphis.

Gonzalez controlled the pace of the fight and was the aggressor throughout, but Terry kept pressing forward, forcing Gonzalez to use his speed and footwork to stay out of harm’s way. Gonzalez did his best work during the intense, up-close exchanges, working the body effectively and mixing in short uppercuts to momentarily stop Terry’s progress. Gonzalez is now 9-0 and now 2-0 in his hometown, where he also won in September.

Visit CESFights.com for more information. Updates on CES Boxing can also be found on Facebook in addition to Instagram and Twitter by following @CESBoxing.

INFORMATION

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions in the northeast and one of the few to successfully promote both mixed martial arts and professional boxing. Launched in 1992 by longtime boxing judge Jimmy Burchfield Sr., the promotion is the only in professional boxing to boast two reigning WBC Youth world champions in lightweight Jamaine Ortiz and featherweight Irvin Gonzalez. CES Boxing recently teamed with UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s No. 1 streaming platform for combat sports, to showcase its events to a worldwide audience, and worked as a promotional consultant for the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. pay-per-view event in November of 2020.

Opened in 2005, the Connecticut Convention Center is the Northeast’s most ideal location for trade shows, conventions, business meetings or any occasion demanding a dramatic riverfront setting. Overlooking the Connecticut River, the Center is situated in the heart of downtown Hartford’s Front Street District – a rapidly expanding entertainment hub teeming with new restaurants, bistros and entertainment venues. Limitlessly functional and endlessly customizable, the 540,000 square foot Connecticut Convention Center is the largest convention facility between New York and Boston. The Center combines ample meeting space – including 140,000 square feet of exhibition space, a 40,000 square foot ballroom and 25,000 square feet of flexible meeting space – with visually stunning touches, creating the ideal backdrop for any event.

HARTFORD (October 27, 2021) – Unbeaten super lightweight prospect “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (16-0-1, 7 KOs) has been on a long, strange trip in 2021, starting with his career-defining victory to date last January, unfortunately, followed by a car accident resulting in a wrist injury, leading to the entrepreneurial launch of his “Marvelous” merchandise and products, and last Thursday he became a father for the first time.

“It’s been very frustrating,” Williams said about his injury. “This is what I do; I’m a fighter. At times it has been hard, and I’ve been frustrated the entire time. I’m eager to fight again, but I need to be patient. When the time is right and I’m back 100-percent, I’ll be back in the ring, hopefully, early next year. Now, I have to build-up my wrist, strength-wise.”

Williams was in a car accident this past March 5th, in which he suffered a dislocated right wrist, popped into place that evening in the trauma unit. The next morning, Williams underwent surgery to insert four pins, which left him in a splint for 11 weeks, until the pins were removed May 15th. Therapy and exercises were all he could do, no boxing at all, until he returned to training, and he threw his first punch only three weeks ago.

When a boxer suffers a serious injury to his hands like Williams, it often leaves questions about his or her boxing future. No different for “Marvelous” Mykquan, as he admits.

“Personally,” Williams explained, “I worry about coming back close to where I was, but I keep faith and keep working. People have been very supportive. Sometimes I think about not being able to box again, but I try not to think about that, but that is positioned in my mind.”

“We’re in no rush,” Williams’ head trainer Paul Cichon noted. “We’re doing exactly what his doctors are saying. I believe he’ll be back stronger, and more focused than ever now that he has a son to consider. I think he’ll be back strong in 2022.”

Williams has taken advantage of his downtime to launch his “Marvelous Chili,” as well as a “Marvelous” clothing line and gear, and he’s also looking into purchasing property.

His is life was dramatically altered this past Thursday, when his girlfriend, Zuleyma, delivered his son, Attikus Williams, who weighed in at, as a ring announcer would say, a fit and ready 9-pounds.

Baby 3.jpg
Mykquan & Attikus Williams

As he prepares for his comeback, Williams and Cichon will promote an amateur show November 20th at a venue to be determined.

“We’re hosting the show to help kids at our gym, Manchester ROCS (in CT),” the DiBella Entertainment promoted Williams remarked. “We want to do a couple a year.”

The 23-year-old Williams has already overcome the murder of his father when Mykquan was only one, in addition to having his family house burned to the ground 10 years later. A dislocated wrist has no chance of making him less than “Marvelous.”

Myquan Williams won a 10-round unanimous decision over Yeis Solano in a fight featuring undefeated super lightweights at the Mohegan Sun Resort Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

As early as round four, the right eye of Williams began to swell.

In round eight, Williams scored a knockdown when he landed a jab that sent Solano to the canvas. In round 10, Solano was deducted a point for a low blow. Later in the round, Solano was credited a knockdown when both guys came together and a punch was landed with both guys hit the canvas.

Solano landed 142 of 519 punches. Williams was 200 of 646.

Williams, 139 1/2 lbs of East Hartford, CT won by scores of 97-92 and 96-93 twice, and is now 16-0-1. Solano, 139 1/2 lbs of Los Angeles is 15-1.

“The judges definitely got it right,” said Williams. “I thought I landed the bigger, sharper shots for sure. I let him do a little too much though. He was shooting that straight left a lot, but I was catching most of them. He didn’t land too much.

“I would give myself a seven or eight out of 10. I could have done a lot more. The first couple rounds were good but in the middle of the fight, I kind of let him back in. But I adjusted and picked it back up and got my second wind in the latter rounds.”

“It was definitely important not to just get the win but to look good doing it,” said Williams. “I’ve been off for 15 months and this is a big platform to fight on. It’s my first televised fight so I thought it was important to look good and showcase my skills.

“It was a little weird fighting in front of no fans. I could hear a little bit of what the announcers were saying which was different. But I think it allowed me to focus a little more, to be honest. Not hearing the crowd and playing to the crowd helped me in the end.”

Nunez and Avagyan battle to a draw

Jose Nunez and Aram Avagyan battled to an eight-round majority draw in a featherweight bout.

Nunez landed 122 of 484 punches; Avagyan was 136 of 471.

Scores were 77-75 for Nunez, while two cards were even at 76-76.

Nunez, 127 1/4 lbs of Panama is 11-0-2. Avagyan, 128 lbs of Glendale, CA is 10-0-2.

“There was no justice tonight,” said Nunez. “It’s not fair. I won the first four rounds and closed out the last one as well. I executed the game plan really well. I knew he was a tough opponent, so I needed to slow him down by attacking the body and that’s exactly what I did.

“I’m not interested in a rematch if it’s going to be another draw. It was a tough fight, but I already proved that I’m the better fighter. He was not the toughest opponent I’ve faced because the truth is that I feel like I won. At the very least, I very clearly won five rounds.”

“I definitely did enough to get the win,” said Avagyan. “It doesn’t make sense to me. He never hurt me. I got hit with some body shots, but I blocked everything. Every big shot he threw he missed. I thought I fought a good fight and deserved the win. I’m not interested in a rematch if it’s going to be judged like that. If it’s going to be fair, then yes, I would fight him again.”

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – January 19, 2021 – Undefeated super lightweight prospects Yeis Solano and Mykquan Williams both made weight a day before their main event showdown set for Wednesday, January 20, live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT) from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. as ShoBox kicks off its 20^th anniversary year showcasing boxing’s rising stars matched tough.

Making his super lightweight debut after campaigning primarily at 135 pounds over his first 15 professional fights, Solano (15-0, 10 KOs) returns to ShoBox to face the first undefeated fighter of his career in East Hartford, Conn.’s Mykquan Williams (15-0-1, 7 KOs). The 22-year-old Williams was an amateur standout who was featured in Ring Magazine’s “New Faces” column in 2019, which highlights the sport’s rising prospects.

The co-main event features Panama’s unbeaten Jose Nunez (11-0-1, 4 KOs) facing decorated amateur Aram Avagyan (10-0-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight matchup while featherweight prospects Martino Jules (10-0, 2 KOs) and hard-hitting Pedro Marquez (12-1, 8 KOs) meet in the eight-round telecast opener.

Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

The event is promoted by Sampson Boxing and Paco Presents Boxing, in association with DiBella Entertainment, Kings Promotions and Salita Promotions.

FINAL WEIGHTS

Super Lightweight 10-Round Bout

Yeis Solano – 139 ½ lbs.

Mykquan Williams – 139 ½ lbs.

Referee: Danny Schiavone; Judges: Tom Carusone (Conn.), Glenn Feldman (Conn.), Steve Weisfeld (Conn.)

Super Featherweight Eight-Round Bout

Jose Nunez – 127 ¼ lbs.

Aram Avagyan – 128 lbs.

Referee: Johnny Callas; Judges: Tom Carusone (Conn.), Peter Hary (Conn.), John McKaie (N.Y.)

Featherweight Eight-Round Bout

Martino Jules – 126 ¼ lbs.

Pedro Marquez – 126 ¼ lbs.

Referee: Arthur Mercante; Judges: Peter Hary (Conn.), John McKaie (N.Y), Don Trella (Conn.)

FINAL QUOTES:

Yeis Solano

“I feel comfortable moving up to 140 pounds because I feel that I’m much stronger at that weight. I feel that ultimately, this is a good move for me because I can be a much better fighter at 140 than at 135. In my last fight against Araujo, my legs were kind of gone. I attribute that to not properly hydrating and it affected me. He was honestly the toughest opponent of my career, but we got the job done. I learned that after weigh-ins, I can’t become careless. I need to still be disciplined with what I eat because that definitely affected me in the fight.

“I don’t think the long layoff is going to affect me at all. I’ve been training for a fight for a long time and unfortunately because of the pandemic we had a couple dates fall through. But, throughout that whole time, I’ve been in the gym training. It won’t affect me at all. I won’t start slow. I’m strong. I’ve been working hard and I will show that on fight night.

“I know that Williams is a good local fighter. I think this is going to be a good fight. Williams is very fast. He moves really well, but we have a plan to negate his speed. I’ve worked really hard on my conditioning so that I can maintain my pressure throughout the fight and I don’t think there’s going to be a round that I won’t be up on the scorecards.

“This will be my second fight in the United States. Since I’ve been training here, I’ve definitely noticed a difference in the caliber of fighters here versus in Colombia. One of the main differences is that here in the U.S., fighters are more technical. They are also more prepared, but I’ve been getting used to this style in training.

“Williams is definitely a step-up from Araujo. I look at it as an opportunity for me. It gives me a chance to show that I am in a good position now and I can’t wait to show everybody what I have.” 

Mykquan Williams

“I’m not really paying too much attention to the fact that there won’t be a crowd. The fact that I’m from Connecticut probably is a little bit of an advantage because I’m going to be a little more comfortable – I don’t have to travel from out of state or anything like that-but I still have to go out there and show the judges that I want this fight. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter.

“Training went well. We were training before for another fight that was supposed to be on December 12, so we were already in shape. We just continued the training camp. I’m not at all concerned about the layoff. We did our part in the gym. We sparred with several people. Several rounds. I’m not saying there isn’t going to be any ring rust because I’ve been out 14-15 months, but we’ve done our part in the gym to eliminate any serious problems.

“I feel like this is the perfect time for me to make a move. This is going to be my fifth year as a pro. I’m 16 fights in, 17 on Wednesday. I feel like this is the time for me to make that next step up in my career.

“I watched a round or two of Solano’s last fight, but that was it. We definitely worked on some specifics that can help me in this fight, but once we get in the ring, I’ll be able to make the necessary adjustments if need be as well.

“I’m not going to say this will be an easier fight than my last one against Wiggins. I don’t think any fight is easy. I think that I’ll have more success against this opponent, though, because of the size difference. I’ve faced about five southpaws in my pro career, so this won’t be anything new.”

Jose Nunez

“For this fight, I started my training camp in Panama during the pandemic. Later, I came to the U.S. and finished my camp in Coachella, California with Freddy Fundora. This is my first time in the United States and I’ve been training with Freddy for exactly one month. He has helped me so much already. I’ve learned a lot from Freddy, which I will show in the fight. His training camps are very rigid and very difficult, so I know that I’m going to come into the fight very prepared.

“The truth is that I don’t like to watch videos of any of my opponents. I leave that to my trainer. I trust him to do his job and come up with the right game plan. My job is to go out there and execute that game plan and come out as the victor.

“There is a different game plan every fight. Every opponent is different. I can adapt to any scenario and whatever is put in front of me. If I feel the opponent doesn’t have much power in his punches, I have no problem staying in there with them and mixing it up and giving the fans what they want to see. But I also can be a counter-puncher. It all depends.

“I’m not too concerned with the fact that my opponent seems to be a slow-starter. Yes, if I find the opportunity to get him out of there early, I will take that chance. But I am more focused on winning on that night any way that it comes. I just want to give the public a good spectacle.”

Aram Avagyan

“I made the move to train with Edmund Tarverdyan because I had a fight with him in 2019 before I started with SugarHill and I feel really comfortable with him. I have a physical coach as well, Jesse Forbes, and I need both of them. I feel comfortable with Coach Ed, so the style, the sparring partners, everything is more comfortable here. In Detroit, I didn’t have the right sparring partners. I always sparred with much heavier guys, so everything here in Glendale Fighting Club is a better situation for me.

“It’s true that I’ve been a slow-starter in the past. It’s something that we’ve worked on in sparring and I’m going to be starting a bit earlier this time, especially because it’s only an eight-rounder. It’s definitely a mental and physical adjustment that I’ve had to make. In the fight against Aguero, he caught me in the second round. At that time, all I could think about was my son who had just been born. I was fighting for him, so I couldn’t lose that fight. That’s all mental. But I also really needed to step up my aggression and throw a lot more punches. That part was physical.

“I think that I am ready to be considered at contender status now. I’m a championship-level fighter now. I’m always ready. When you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready. I’m in my prime and the time is now.

“I’m always looking to attack. I like to move forward and I’m always looking for a stoppage. If I’m up on the scorecards, I won’t be satisfied with that. We’re here to win and to get the finish.”

Martino Jules

“I wouldn’t say that my last fight gave me any added confidence that I didn’t already have. Even since the amateurs, I’ve been fighting really tough guys. I’m taking it one step at a time and seeing how I do. My last fight in The Bubble in Vegas – the biggest differences were that I didn’t have my normal routine in terms of the food I usually eat, and I wasn’t able to see my therapists after weigh-ins.

“My fight back in February 2020 was just one round, so I really wasn’t able to learn a lot about myself. I didn’t know what I had to do next. My last fight, the one in June, really showed a lot of my weaknesses. It really showed me what I have to get better at. It was a tough fight and I’m really looking forward to proving that I’m an even better fighter than I showed I was against Pedro.

“I am definitely aware of the history of ShoBox and the fighters the series has produced. My promoters want me to fight better guys, and it’s something that I’ve been asking for from my team for a long time. I think I will fit really well into the ShoBox philosophy. Hopefully, the fans will be impressed and say that I can move really well after they watch me on Wednesday night. That’s what I want to highlight.

“I haven’t seen much of Pedro but everybody keeps saying that he’s a really hard worker and that he’s a really strong fighter. I saw the fights that were available and we have a really good game plan for how to beat him. It won’t be the battle of who’s stronger. It’s going to be a battle of wits. I want to prove that I can become a strong contender and this fight is really going to show myself that I can do it.”

Pedro Marquez

“In my last fight, I beat a tough fighter who was 30-1. On paper, it was definitely considered an upset. Because of the experience he had and his record, everybody thought that he was the favorite. I never worried about the record and all of that. It didn’t really impress me. That’s the mentality I went into the fight with.

“I’ve watched a couple of Jules’ fights. The main things that I took away from watching him is that he’s a taller fighter and he uses his jab really well, so we will have to game plan for that.

“I’m not at all worried about this being my first fight in the United States. I’m just focused on my preparation and my game plan. To be honest, in a lot of my fights in Puerto Rico, I’ve been the underdog. I don’t want to put any pressure on myself just because I’m fighting here in the States on television.

“This is my first fight in the U.S. and my first fight without any fans. I’m going to treat this fight like I’m just in the boxing gym. That way, I won’t have any pressure and I won’t be worried about the  lack of a crowd. When you’re coming up in the boxing world, you don’t have a big audience anyways. For me, it’s better to just treat this as being in the gym working out. That’s how I’m going to focus and look at this fight.”

# # #

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports  

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 83 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more. 

HARTFORD (January 7, 2021) – Last month, hours after receiving the disappointing news that his first fight in 14 months had been scraped, unbeaten East Hartford (CT) super lightweight prospect “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (15-0-1, 7 KOs) received word that instead of fighting in relatively obscurity in Cancun, he would be making his ShoBox: The New Generation” debut, January 20th at nearby Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Williams, 22, will headline against undefeated Colombian knockout artist Yeis Gabriel “El Tigre” Solano (15-0, 10 KOs) in the 10-round main event on SHOWTIME, airing live at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m., to kick off ShoBox’s 20th season. Mohegan Sun is only a 45-minute drive from Williams’ home, but his fan-base won’t be there rooting him on, unfortunately, because COVID-19 restrictions ban attendees.

ShoBox is renowned for building future world champions, 83 to date and counting, including Andre Ward, Errol Spence, Jr., Nonito Donaire, Deontay Wilder, and Williams’ fellow Nutmeg State fighter, Chad Dawson.

“I was upset to learn a week before my fight in Cancun that it was canceled,” Williams explained. “I’ve been out of the ring for a while. I had trained hard and was in the zone. But the same day I found out that my fight in Cancun had been canceled, I learned that I’d be fighting on ShoBox at Mohegan Sun. It was a curse and blessing. The opportunity to fight on ShoBox only a few weeks later, on a bigger and better platform, is a great opportunity for me.

“At least I don’t have to travel now and my opponent’s coming in, I believe, from California where he’s training. Fighting on ShoBox completely elevates my exposure. I have a chance to show the nation, if not the world, who I am and how good a fighter I am. I’ll be showcasing my skills on a great platform. It just came about. I think I’m the B side fighter, but that doesn’t bother me.”

Williams’ head trainer since he was an amateur and throughout his 4 1/2-year pro career is Paul Cichon. “This is like a blessing in disguise,” Cichon commented. “We went from losing the fight in Cancun and to Mykey now fighting in the main event on ShoBox, It’s great for Mykey and our team. This change is perfect for us. If Mykey performs like he think he will, doors will open-up for him once the gates open for boxing, after he beats this kid who has a good record. This is the right time!”

The 28-year-old Solano is a southpaw who is a former World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedebol lightweight champion. He’s fought only once outside of Columbia or Mexico, back on September 6, 2019 in his most recent action, when he won an 8-round split decision against 20-1 Elias Damien Araujo in Iowa. Solano’s other 14 opponents had an accumulative record of 67-227-12.

“Mykey has fought better opponents,” Cichon noted. “Solano is a strong southpaw with a 15-0 record and 10 knockouts. We expect him to come out blazing. I don’t think he’s fought anybody of Mykey’s caliber. Mykey has been moved much better.”

“I don’t know too much about him other than he’s a lefty and coming up in weight,” Williams added “They wanted to fight at 135 and agreed to fight at 138. I don’t have any issues fighting southpaws. I’ve fought five left-handers.”

Williams had been frustrated but he became more patient in terms of being unable to fight during the pandemic. Because he turned pro at 18, he’s had 16 pro fights to date, and he’s still only 22, and experiencing a lost year doesn’t adversely affect him as much as older fighters.

“I’m still young and don’t think about running out of time,” Williams concluded. “There’s nothing we could have done differently during the pandemic.

Williams is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and managed by veteran Jackie Kallen.

“I am thrilled that Showtime is giving Mykquan this opportunity to show the boxing world what he can do,” Kallen remarked. “This is his coming out party and I think he’ll now begin to make some serious noise in the 140-pound weight class. This is an important step on his journey toward a world title. I’m very excited and proud of him.”

If you believe in things happen for a reason, Mykquan Williams could very well be “Marvelous” on Jan. 20th, and his already bright career will be even more illuminated.

INFORMATION:
Facebook: /MykquanWilliams
Twitter: @MarvelousMyke
Instagram: @M.MKW_

MANCHESTER, Conn. (March 23, 2020) – Like most professional boxers, unbeaten super lightweight prospect “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (15-0-1, 7 KOs) is making the most out of a incredibly challenging situation, as he prepares for his unknown future in boxing.

The coronavirus has shutdown boxing worldwide. Events are suspended indefinitely, boxers restricted in terms of training, and the immediate future remains tenuous at best.

Unable to train at his gym, Manchester ROCS, which is closed due to a Connecticut state order, the 21-year-old Williams is handling this pandemic in a mature manner that belies his young age. No whining, no ‘poor me’ feelings.
“This is a difficult time for everybody, including those of us in boxing,” East Hartford (CT) resident Williams said. “There’s no boxing on TV, nobody can compete, and everybody is isolated. It’s just unfortunate, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. Health concerns are and should always be the top priority.”
Williams hasn’t been in action since last October 24th, when he fought to a questionable eighth-round majority draw with Tre’Sean Wiggins, in which Williams retained his World Boxing Council (WBC) United States (USNBC) super lightweight title. Most observers felt that Williams deserved a win by decision.
Since the beginning of 2020, Williams had been training for an expected fight in the first third of the year, and he’s still training to stay in shape, albeit it not the same way as if he had a confirmed fight date.
“I’m still doing some training,” Williams explained. “I need to stay in shape for when the call comes after boxing returns. I’m in decent shape and when I get my next fight date, I won’t have to go from zero to get ready. I want to maintain 50 to 60 percent shape and then finish off training on schedule for my next fight.”
“I know Mykey has still been running,” Williams’ head trainer Paul Cichon added. “We’re going to be back training soon. I believe everything happens for a reason. Mykey and me had a conference call with (manager) Jackie Kallen and (promoter) Lou DiBella, and we trust that, as soon as possible, Mykey will be back in action.”
Because Williams doesn’t turn 22 until this April 6, in addition to already being a pro boxer for nearly four years, his young boxing career figures to resume quicker and stronger than for many older boxers. Losing six months shouldn’t hinder a prospect like Williams as much as a veteran who may not have nearly as much comparable quality competitive time left in the ring.
“I’m not sure if age is that big an advantage,” Williams countered. “If some fighters were getting burned out because they were fighting a lot, taking time off, whether it’s due to the virus or not, a break may help them come back better and stronger than when they last fought.”
Williams was a five-time national amateur champion, compiling a 45-13 amateur record, highlighted by three Ringside World titles, in addition to gold medal performances at the National PAL and National Silver Gloves championship.
“I don’t know when boxing will return,” Williams concluded, “but boxing will never die. People will always want to see guys punching each other in the face. Boxing is a sport rich in tradition and, right now, there is still a lot of talent coming up.”

And Mykquan Williams will be right at the head of that next wave when the boxing ban is finally lifted.

MANCHESTER, Conn. (February 12, 2020) – Women’s pioneer Jackie Kallen, the first and arguably most successful female manager in the boxing history, strongly believes unbeaten 21-year-old “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (15-0-1, 7 KOs) will develop into her sixth world champion.

Williams, fighting out of East Hartford, CT, is the reigning the World Boxing Council (WBC) United States super lightweight champion.

“Mykey has a lot of the qualities as some of the greats in boxing,” Kallen said. “He has some of the flash and speed of fighters like Ray Leonard, and the training habits and dedication of Thomas Hearns and Mike Tyson. He also has a killer smile and good looks like Hector Camacho, Sr.

“Mykey can go all the way to a world title. He has the speed, attitude, and heart, along with exceptional boxing ability. He has been groomed perfectly by his trainer, Paul Cichon, who has kept Mykey true to his style, working hard to perfect his skill. Mykey trains hard, eats right, and takes the game seriously.”

“Jackie’s very experienced and knowledgeable in boxing,” Williams remarked. “She’s worked with some great, world-class fighters, so she knows the route to take for me to get there.”

Cichon added, “I sought out Jackie as our manager because of her love for the sports, as well as the knowledge of that she brings to the table. She’s very well respected, as she certainly deserves to be.”

Boxing has dramatically changed since Kallen covered her first fight for a Detroit daily newspaper in 1978. The card showcased Hearns and Mickey Goodwin. She became an instant fan and wrote about boxing on a regular basis. A legendary trainer/manager based in Detroit, Emanuel Steward, hired her as a publicist for his famed Kronk Gym. Some of her best friends to this day are fighters who she worked with back then. She and Hearns still get together.

Kallen & Hearns

After serving as Kronk’s publicist for a decade, Kallen decided to branch out and she started managing fighters. Her first client was heavyweight Bobby Hitz, who today is a successful promoter and restaurateur in Chicago. She went on to manage a group of Who’s Who fighters, including world champions James Toney, Bronco McKart,Tom “Boom Boom” Johnson, Pinklon Thomas and Nonito Donaire.

Kallen, who overcame sexism in the boxing industry, is best known, perhaps, for her working relationship with Toney, largely because her life during that period was the inspiration for the popular 2004 movie, Against the Ropes, starring Meg Ryan as Kallen.

“Boxing today is a totally different animal,” she explained. “That’s not to say it’s better or worse, just different. There used to be more gyms in every city, heavy amateur programs, lots of shows on television networks, and enough local club shows to keep a young fighter active. I had guys back then who fought 8 to 10 times a year, which, of course, is almost impossible in 2020.

“There wasn’t as much information available on opponents either. If you were lucky, you could buy a tape. If the fighter hadn’t been on television, though, you were out of luck. There was no Internet, so there was nothing like BoxRec to check opponents’ records. You just had to believe the matchmaker. I had fighters expecting to fight a 14-4 guy who found out at the weigh in that he was actually 16-0.”

Boxing, likely the second-oldest profession, has continued to survive, albeit often on a roller-coaster ride.

“Today’s fighters are not as quick to fight each other as they were in the days of Hearns/Hagler/Leonard/Duran,” Kallen noted. “Back then, fighters wanted to really fight to be the best they could be. I see fighters today being more analytical and taking less chances.

“There are also more sanctioning organizations today. Back then it was most the WBA, WBC and IBF. Not to mention there was never one person who managed dozens and dozens of boxers at the same time. The game has definitely changed!”

Kallen, though is still heavily invested in the sport she loves. Confident Williams will be her next world champion, her dream is to be inducted into the Hall of Fame with Toney (pictured below).

“In 1992,” Kallen concluded, “I was named ‘Manager of the Year’ and my love for the sport has never waned. As long as there is talent out there needing guidance, I will stay active.”

INFORMATION:

Twitter: @MarvelousMyke, @JackieKallen
Instagram: @M.mkw_, @jackie.Kallen
Facebook: /MykquanWilliams, /PaulCichon, /JackieKallen

MANCHESTER, Conn. (December 3, 2019) – If everything goes according to plans, 2020 will be a breakout year for unbeaten prospect “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (15-0-1, 7 KOs), the World Boxing Council (WBC) United States super lightweight champion.

Williams, fighting out of East Hartford, CT, is arguably one of the most gifted 21-and-under fighters in the world, and he won’t turn 22 until April 6.

In 2019, he won two of three rights with a questionable draw in his last fight in October against Tre’Sean Wiggins (11-4-3, 6 KOs), in the “Broadway Boxing” main event held at Generoso Pope Athletic Complex on the campus of St. Francis College in Brooklyn.

The highlight of 2019 was capturing his title belt last May with a 10-round unanimous decision victory against Ricky Edwards (12-2) at Foxwoods Resort Casino. Overall, Williams was happy with 2019 performances, although he only fought three times as opposed to four the previous two years, and failed to register a knockout.

“I kept my belt (he retained it vs. Wiggins),” Williams spoke about 2019. “I probably would have fought four times again, if the dates were spread out a little more having my first fight in February and last in November. Quality is more important than the number of fights.

“I always look at knockouts as a bonus, if it comes, good. Not everybody goes down. I’m happy winning and looking good. I do know that my opponents felt my power and were stunned in all of my fights this year.”

Williams’ head trainer, Paul Cichon, believes his rising star is on schedule. “He’s only 21 and still has a lot to learn,” he explained. He’s right on schedule. The more experience, obviously, the better he gets. His last fight opened some eyes. He’s normally a slow starter, but now he knows that he has to start quicker. The number of fights he has is , in part, determined by who he fight and how far it goes. It could be a 10-rounder, or he could stop his opponent in three, four rounds. His last was 10 a tough, good fight.”

Williams and Cichon are looking forward to making a splash in 2020. “This coming year is going to be big for me,” Williams commented. “I’m going to be stepping up against opponents in terms of quality. I’d like to get more television exposure, too. But I’m happy with the way my career is going with 16 fights in four years.

“A lot of people forget I’m 21; they think I’m 22-23. I have no regret turning pro (rather than staying in the amateurs to try and make the USA Olympic Boxing Team) because I’ve been around for four years. Everything is going on schedule with 16 fights in three-plus years. I’d like at least three fights in 2020, one against a rated fighter, and a fight for another title by my last fight of 2020.”

Williams manager, Jackie Kallen, wouldn’t be happier with the way Williams has progressed this year and she’s looking forward to more in 2020.

“Everything is going right on schedule,” she remarked. “Mykquan has a solid team behind him and this coming year should be a stellar one. He has grown with each fight and has learned something new from each opponent. This has prepared for him for whatever lies ahead in 2020. He remains involved in his community and finds ways to give back whenever possible. He is a positive role model and a well-rounded fighter. I could not be prouder.”

MANCHESTER, Conn. (November 4, 2019) – The true test for a genuine boxing prospect is how he or she responds to adversity, whether it included a loss, cut, knockdown or, in the case of “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams, a disputed decision that tarnished his perfect pro record.

The 21-year-old Williams, now 15-0-1 (7 KOs), was recently on the short end of a highly disputed eight-round draw with Tre’Sean Wiggins (11-4-3, 6 KOs), in the “Broadway Boxing” main event held at Generoso Pope Athletic Complex on the campus of St. Francis College in Brooklyn.

Nobody claimed the questionable decision was highway robbery, yet, most non-partisan fans at the show, or those watching live on UFC FIGHT PASS®, felt Williams rightfully deserved to have his arms raised in victory. Despite having a blemish placed on his pro record, he didn’t suffer a loss, and did retain his World Boxing Council (WBC) United States super lightweight title.

Williams’ opponent was a southpaw with a five-inch height advantage. Once he felt Williams’ power, especially in the liver, Wiggins went into survival mode, clutching and grabbing every time Williams got close.

Neither Williams nor his head trainer, Paul Cichon, was pleased when the judges’ scores were announced – 77-75 in favor of Williams, 76-76 twice – for a majority draw. Never-the-less, both feel that this developmental lesson will pay dividends down the road.

“The plan was for me to work inside,” Williams said after the fight. “The first and second were feeling out rounds and then I’d adjust. I didn’t feel from the start that he could hurt me. I wanted to get inside and beat him with body punches. I did that but I think I played to the crowd a little too much. I’d change that if I could go back. And I would have let my hands go more, but I won this fight because I landed the harder, cleaner more effective shots throughout the fight. He just wanted to hold.

“I’m disappointed because I was defending my title, but I didn’t lose the fight and I still have my belt. I ll have a lot to learn and I’ll be back in the gym soon to fix errors I made so that I won’t have those issues my next fight.”

Cichon felt that Williams won five if not six rounds because he was the aggressor throughout the match. “I was surprised,” he admitted. “Mykye was the champion and I thought that he (Wiggins) would have needed to win convincingly to win rounds. He didn’t. Mykye started using his double jab to get inside and then he killed his opponent’s body. The body shots brought Wiggins’ hands down. Mykye stalked and hurt him a few times.

“Mykye learned a valuable lesson like not letting the crowd get to him, and never letting up on the gas.Wiggins was smart. Every time Mykye got close to him, he grabbed him, especially after he felt Mykye’s powerful body shots. It may have been ugly, but he fought smart.”

Team Williams agrees that there’s no sense rushing Williams, after all, he’s only 21, but that 2020 should be an active, career-changing year for the East Hartford (CT) fighter.

“I’m ready to fight at the next level,” Williams concluded. “Time will tell. Styles make fights but I hurt him (Wiggins) several times.”

“We’ll jump back in the ring in early 2020,” Cichon added. “We’re looking to fight opponents with winning records, but not another six-foot southpaw.”

“I was very proud of Mykey,” Williams’ manager Jackie Kallen commented. It was a learning experience that will make him an even greater fighter. He is still undefeated and one of the top young prospects in the 140-pound division. The next year will be a pivotal one for him.”

INFORMATION:

Twitter: @MarvelousMyke, @JackieKallen
Instagram: @M.mkw_, @jackie.Kallen
Facebook: /MykquanWilliams, /PaulCichon, /JackieKallen

Brooklyn, NY (10/25/19) – On Thursday night, DiBella Entertainment debuted its long-running Broadway Boxing series at the Generoso Pope Athletic Complex on the campus of St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY, presented by Nissan of Queens, Azad Watches, OPTYX, Christos Steak House, and Gagliardi Insurance. The 110th edition of the series was streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports.

The night included a special tribute and memorial 10-count in honor of Patrick Day, who tragically passed away on October 16, succumbing to the traumatic brain injury he suffered in his fight held in Chicago, IL.

The event also participated in a charitable cause, as a portion of each ticket sold went toward St. Francis College’s Robert J. McGuire Scholarship, which is part of the school’s mission to encourage and educate first generation college students.

(Photo Credit: Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment)

“Marvelous” Mykquan Williams, 139.2 lbs., of East Hartford, CT, headlined the card in his second trip as a pro to New York City, facing dangerous veteran Tre’Sean Wiggins, 139.4 lbs., of Johnstown, PA. What transpired turned out to be Williams’ toughest test in the 21-year-old’s young career, providing many thrills and ebbs and flows that had the boisterous crowd on their feet for much of the contest. The southpaw Wiggins, who held a five-inch height advantage, had the upper hand for the first six minutes of action, with Williams working to get on the inside. In the fourth round, Williams closed the gap to dish out a feverish attack to the body that visibly bothered his foe. Williams also found a home for his powerful left hook upstairs, which became a key weapon of his as the rounds went by. A huge left hook stunned Wiggins in the fifth and “Marvelous” Mykquan took advantage of the moment with a follow-up barrage. Wiggins recouped and pumped his jab to fire straight lefts over the next two rounds as Williams pressed forward. Williams twice staggered Wiggins with left hooks to the head in the seventh stanza. Both fighters had success in the eighth and final frame, with Williams again digging to the body. What appeared to be a close-but-clear victory for the East Hartford resident ended in a controversial majority draw, with a 77-75 tally for Williams overruled by two 76-76 scorecards. Defending his WBC USNBC super lightweight title for the first time, Williams’ record was extended to 15-0-1 (7 KOs). Managed by Jackie Kallen, Williams is trained out of Manchester Ring of Champions Society boxing gym in Connecticut by Paul Cichon. Fighting to the third draw of his career, Wiggins is now 11-4-3 (6 KOs).

(Photo Credit: Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment)

Heavyweight prospect George Arias, 241.2 lbs., of The Bronx, NY, began the co-main event against Gabriel Hernandez, 225.4 lbs., of San Diego, CA, boxing on his toes and firing a consistent jab. However, by the midway point, both boxers stood shoulder-to-shoulder and banged away at each other for the remaining rounds in an exciting battle. Arias primarily focused on his foe’s ample midsection and Hernandez’s best weapon was his overhand right. After eight rounds, Arias improved to 15-0 (7 KOs) via unanimous decision with tallies of 80-72, 79-73, and 77-75, while Hernandez, now 10-1 (9 KOs), suffered his first defeat.

Jose Roman, 150.2 lbs., of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, controlled the action with deft footwork and a stiff jab against Tanzanian Fabian Lyimo, 151.6 lbs., based in Silver Spring, MD. Whenever Lyimo tried to get on the inside, he was met with a jab-straight right combination to the chin. In the third, Roman targeted the body with left and right hooks. As Lyimo was absorbing a great deal of punishment, the referee halted the action at the 0:57 mark of the fifth frame. With the TKO victory, Roman upped his record to 10-0 (5 KOs), while Lyimo dropped to 23-11-2 (15 KOs). Roman turned pro in September 2016 and was a three-time member of the Puerto Rican National Boxing team as an amateur.

Jose Gonzalez, 123.4 lbs., of Harlem, NY, improved to 13-0-2 (4 KOs) with an eight-round unanimous decision against Ramon Contreras, 121.6 lbs., of Quellon, Chile. A point was deducted from Gonzalez in round eight for excessive holding. Scorecards read 78-73 twice, and 76-75, all for Gonzalez. Contreras’ record fell to 15-8 (6 KOs).

In his New York City debut, Colombian Olympian southpaw Juan Carlos Carrillo, 179.8 lbs., of Barranquilla, outboxed heavy-hitting Nigerian Afunwa King, 175.6 lbs., of The Bronx, NY, for four rounds to win a unanimous decision on three tallies of 40-36. Carrillo upped his record to 2-0 (1 KO), while King is now 1-1 (1 KO). Carrillo was among Colombia’s most decorated amateurs, with a record of 388-23, winning gold at the 2012 Colombian National Games, 2012 Pacific Cup Tournament, 2011 Colombian National Championships, 2010 Colombian Youth National Championships, and silver at the 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games.

(Photo Credit: Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment)

Super featherweight contender Tiara Brown, 129.6 lbs., of Washington, D.C., defended her WBO NABO title for the first time, winning a majority decision against a game Vanessa Bradford, 128.2 lbs., of Edmonton, Canada. A full-time police officer in Washington D.C., where she was named the 2019 Police Office of the Year by the Metropolitan Police Department of D.C., Brown bobbed and weaved her way inside, applying pressure and landing in combination against Bradford with speed, power and precision. Whether it was by left hooks upstairs or right hooks to the body, Brown worked to counter Bradford’s aggression. The Canadian’s offense kept the eight-round fight competitive, which resulted in one judge scoring the contest a draw. That scorecard was overruled by tallies of 79-73 and 77-75 in favor of Brown, now 9-0 (6 KOs). Bradford is now 5-2-2.

Pablo Valdez, 147.4 lbs., of New York, NY, stopped Jimmy Rosario, 145.4 lbs., of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, at the 1:58 mark of round two, to improve to 3-0 (3 KOs). Rosario left the ring with a record of 3-9 (2 KOs).

Jude “King Zar” Franklin, 128.4 lbs., of Brooklyn, NY, patiently stalked Jayron Santiago, 128.8 lbs., of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, searching for openings to land punches with bad intentions. Santiago was rocked near the end of round two with an overhand right-left hook to the body combination. In the sixth stanza, Franklin landed cracking left hooks and overhand rights with intensity. While standing toe-to-toe with Santiago, Franklin clipped his adversary with right uppercuts. To his credit, Santiago weathered the storm and fired back to hear the final bell. With scores of 59-55, and 58-56 twice, Franklin improved to 10-0-1 (8 KOs) with the unanimous decision victory, while Santiago’s record evened out at 6-6-1 (4 KOs). Before turning pro in February 2016, Franklin accumulated a 60-11 amateur record and won gold medals at the NY Metros Tournament, twice at the Bergen County Tournament, Battle of the Tri-State Tournament and at the Trinidad and Tobago National Championships, as well as a silver medal at the 2014 Junior Olympics.

As Khalid Twaiti, 121 lbs., of Brooklyn, NY, planted sharp jabs to the midsection, Jose Alfredo Flores Chanez, 117.8 lbs., of Tijuana, Mexico, quickly resorted to flailing wild haymakers in round one. In the second, Twaiti looked to cut off the ring and land in combination with his foe trapped against the ropes. Twaiti kept the proper distance throughout to keep Flores at bay and measure his straight right hand upstairs. Whenever Flores made it past Twaiti’s jab, the Brooklynite unleashed blistering flurries of punches. Going the six-round distance for the first time, Twaiti improved to 6-0 (3 KOs) with a shutout victory on three tallies of 60-54. Flores’ record dipped to 7-11 (4 KOs). Trained by Don Saxby out of Gleason’s Gym, Twaiti turned pro in February 2017 after compiling a 74-15 amateur record.

In an entertaining scrap, Ariel Lopez, 119.6 lbs., of Brooklyn, NY, let Victor Trejo Garcia, 118.8 lbs., of Tlalnepantla, Mexico, take the lead and focused on counter shots early. Lopez had the heavier artillery, but the game Trejo Garcia answered almost every punch with a flurry of his own. In the last round, a cut was opened over Lopez’ left eye. After six rounds, the scorecards read 59-55 Lopez, 60-54 Trejo Garcia, and 57-57, ending in a draw. Lopez remained unbeaten at 13-0-1 (8 KOs) and Trejo Garcia is now 17-11-2 (8 KOs).

With a consistent body attack, Melissa St. Vil, 131.8 lbs., of Brooklyn, NY, pressured her way inside to dominate Dahiana Santana, 136.2 lbs., of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, over six frames to earn a unanimous decision with scores of 60-54 twice, and 59-55. St. Vil improved to 12-4-4 (1 KO), while Santana dropped to 36-12 (15 KOs).

MANCHESTER, Conn. (October 22, 2019) – Despite their 40 years age difference, undefeated, 21-year-old “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams and his head trainer, Paul Cichon, enjoy a special relationship that started 14 years ago. Their unique journey could very well result in a storybook ending with a world title belt put around Williams’ waist and Cichon smiling by his side.

The humble, unassuming Williams and Cichon, a heavily tattooed trainer who looks more like a biker than boxing trainer, form boxing’s odd couple.

Williams has not only survived the life-altering murder of his father, when Mykquan was only eight days old, and the family house burned to the ground when he was 10. Instead of being just another victim of the streets in East Hartford, either a gangbanger, drug dealer, incarcerated or even worse; instead, the 15-0 (7 KOs) Williams is arguably the top 21-and-under prospect in boxing today.

“I’m not the average 21-year-old when it comes to street stuff,” Williams explained. “I want to buy my mother a house outside of the environment we’ve lived in. She didn’t want something to happen to me or for me to be a member of a gang. She lived scared for me, but kept me on the right path.

“I’m smarter and a better person because of the people around me like my mother, Aunt Addy (Irizarry) and Paul. He is family and plays a big role in my life. He’s been more of a father figure for me and he looks at me as a son, until it’s time to take care of business.”

At the tender age of seven, Williams attended his first boxing show with his Irizarry at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Mykey told his mother that he wanted to start boxing, so Aunt Addy, who was trained by Cichon at that time, brought him to Cichon in nearby Manchester.
Williams went on to become a five-time national amateur champion, compiling a 45-13 amateur record, highlighted by three Ringside World titles, in addition to gold medals performances at the National PAL and National Silver Gloves championship.
“Today,” Cichon quickly states, “Mykey is my best friend. Why? I put a lot of emphasis on loyalty. I lost the PAL gym (pipes burst, and boxing program was eliminated) 10 years ago, but he stayed with me. I’d pick him up and we’d go to gyms all over Connecticut for workouts until I opened my gym (Manchester ROCS). He kept calling. Mykey drives me. Honestly, if it wasn’t for Mykey, I probably wouldn’t be in boxing anymore. He keeps me young.

“We bonded right away, just clicked. I can’t explain why, but we’re together all these years later, and we have a very, very special relationship. When he was young, he was an angry boy, they called him ‘Mad Mykey’. But I’ve watched him grow into a humble, happy, grown

The Fighter: Mykquan Williams
The Fighter: Mykquan Williams

Williams will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) United States super lightweight title this Thursday, headlining a DiBella Entertainment show streaming live on UFC FIGHT PASS®, live from Generoso Pope Athletic Complex on the campus of St. Francis College in Brooklyn. Williams, who is promoted by Lou DiBella and managed by Jackie Kallen, will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) United States super lightweight title against challenger Tre’Sean Wiggins (11-4-2, 6 KOs) in the 10-round main event.

“Mykquan and Paul have one of the best fighter/trainer relationships I’ve ever seen,” Kallen commented. “They respect each other and trust one another totally. Paul is more than just a trainer. He is also a teacher, confidante, and father-figure. Together they make magic. I’m proud to be part of this wonderful team. We’re going all the way together.”

“I believe that we’re together for a reason,” Cichon concluded. “I’ve been telling people for 10 years that he’ll be world champion. We’re in no hurry, though, he’s only 21. We’re enjoying this ride, but we never lose sight of what we both want: winning the world title.”

INFORMATION:

Twitter: @MarvelousMyke, @JackieKallen
Instagram: @M.mkw_, @jackie.Kallen
Facebook: /MykquanWilliams, /PaulCichon, /JackieKallen

Brooklyn, NY (September 27, 2019) DiBella Entertainment’s acclaimed Broadway Boxing series returns to Brooklyn, NY, on Thursday, October 24, at the Generoso Pope Athletic Complex on the campus of St. Francis College. The 110th edition of the long-running Broadway Boxing series will be live streamed exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. Broadway Boxing is presented by Nissan of Queens, Azad Watches, OPTYX, Christos Steak House and Gagliardi Insurance.

Headlining the event is the Broadway Boxing return of undefeated junior welterweight prospect “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (15-0, 7 KOs), of East Hartford, CT, who will defend his WBC USNBC title against Tre’Sean Wiggins (11-4-2, 6 KOs), of Johnstown, PA, in a scheduled 10-rounder.

Tickets for the event, presented by Nissan of Queens, Azad Watches, OPTYX, Christos Steak House and Gagliardi Insurance, are priced at $160, $110, $80 and $50 and available here or by calling 212-947-2577. The Generoso Pope Athletic Complex is located at 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Doors on the night of the event will open at 6:30 p.m. with the first bell at 7:30 p.m.

“I’m very excited to bring Mykquan Williams back to New York on Thursday, October 24, and to host this card at St. Francis College, in Brooklyn, NY, for ‘Broadway Boxing at the Pope’ streamed live on UFC Fight Pass,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Mykey scored a sensational knockout in his New York debut last year and his next opponent, dangerous veteran Tre’Sean Wiggins, will be his toughest test yet. A portion of each ticket sold will go toward the college’s Robert J. McGuire Scholarship, aimed at providing deserving students with the tools necessary to build successful careers in business.

“St. Francis College is also the home of the Arthur Curry Scholarship, named in memory of my dear friend and former HBO colleague. I’ve always noted that boxers are generally not privileged young men and women and I support St. Francis College in their mission to encourage and educate first generation college students.”

“I can’t wait to fight in New York again,” stated Williams. “Boxing fans there are a special breed and not easy to impress, but the atmosphere is second to none. I know Wiggins is a very solid fighter, my toughest fight so far, but I’m looking forward to putting on a great show.”

A portion of the proceeds from “Broadway Boxing at the Pope” shall go toward the Robert J. McGuire Scholarship, which provides tuition assistance to worthy SFU students.

Said Robert J. McGuire, Benefactor and Namesake of the scholarship, “I am privileged to be a part of this wonderful effort to provide scholarship assistance to deserving students at St. Francis College. There is no more powerful combination than a great educational institution, a wonderful group of donors led by Fred and Judy Wilpon and an outstanding group of young scholars for whom the future is bright.”

Guided by legendary manager Jackie Kallen, Williams returns to the ring following a 10-round unanimous decision victory against Rickey Edwards on May 17, at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT. In his last New York appearance on February 7, 2018, Williams stunned the packed house at B.B. King Blues Club and Grill with a first-round knockout of Preston Wilson.

Fighting in Philadelphia to kick off 2019, the 29-year-old southpaw Wiggins won an eight-round unanimous decision versus hometown favorite Samuel Teah on February 23, to capture the Pennsylvania State super lightweight title. Following that up on April 26, also in Philadelphia, Wiggins battled to a hotly contested eight-round draw with popular local prospect Branden Pizarro.

Co-featured on “Broadway Boxing at the Pope”, Joseph “Mack” Williams Jr. (13-0, 8 KOs), of Far Rockaway, NY, will be making his debut in the super middleweight division. He steps back into the ring on October 24 following a six-round unanimous decision versus Jose Mario Flores on April 10, in New York City. Williams was a decorated amateur, winning the 2012 National Golden Gloves, competing at the 2012 Olympic box-offs, and serving as an alternate at the London Olympics for the United States. Williams was also a three-time New York Golden Gloves champion in addition to competing in the 2011 Amateur World Championships.

Heavyweight George Arias (14-0, 7 KOs), of The Bronx, NY, will engage in a scheduled eight-rounder in his third fight of 2019. The undefeated 27-year-old has gone the eight-round distance twice this year in dominant performances against Robert Simms on March 2 and Keith Barr on May 17. Born in San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic, Arias moved to New York City in 1996, at the age of four. After graduating from high school, he learned to box at Morris Park Boxing Gym near his home. Arias won the New York Golden Gloves tournament in 2014 then turned professional that October. He is trained and managed by Leon Washington Jr.

Fighting in an eight-round bout, Jose Roman (9-0, 4 KOs), a welterweight prospect from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, will return to the Big Apple for the first time since his New York debut on June 21, 2018. On that date, Roman earned a unanimous points victory against Marcus Beckford. He has since added three more wins to his ledger, all at home in Puerto Rico. In his last bout, on July 13, Roman defeated 9-1 Damian Sosa via six-round unanimous decision. Roman turned pro in September 2016 and was a three-time member of the Puerto Rican National Boxing team as an amateur.

Haitian-American Melissa St. Vil (11-4-4, 1 KO), from Brooklyn NY, will compete in a six-rounder at lightweight, determined to rebound from a hard-fought loss in a world title challenge to then-WBC lightweight titlist Delfine Persoon in March. St. Vil debuted in 2007 and quickly showed promise, defeating Jennifer Han, who currently holds the IBF featherweight title, in her third pro bout. She has been a road warrior for her entire career, always willing to travel to her opponent’s backyard, while fighting abroad in New Zealand, China, Haiti and Finland. It was in Auckland, New Zealand, where St. Vil captured the WBC Silver Female Super Featherweight Title in April 2016, defeating Baby Nansen, then traveling to Chengdu, China, to defend that belt against Katy Wilson Castillo in July. In April 2018, St. Vil battled then-unbeaten WBC Female Super Featherweight champion Eva Wahlstrom, losing a close, majority decision in her adversary’s home turf of Finland. Five months later, she made her hometown debut in Brooklyn, handing unbeaten prospect Mayra Hernandez her first loss.

Former amateur standout Jude “King Zar” Franklin (9-0-1, 8 KOs), of Brooklyn, NY, looks to return to the win column following the only blemish of his three years as a professional; a six-round majority draw against Aleem Jumakhonov on March 8, in Queens, NY. The 24-year-old Franklin, winner of his three previous bouts by knockout, will compete in a six-round featherweight bout. Franklin was born in the US, but spent much of his youth in Trinidad and Tobago before moving back to the States permanently at age 13, settling in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. Shortly thereafter, Franklin’s mother took him to Gleason’s Gym where he was introduced to trainer Elmo Serrano. They’ve been working together ever since and Franklin accumulated an impressive 60-11 record as an amateur. Before turning pro in February 2016, Franklin won gold medals at the NY Metros Tournament, twice at the Bergen County Tournament, Battle of the Tri-State Tournament and at the Trinidad and Tobago National Championships, as well as a silver medal at the 2014 Junior Olympics.

Popular junior featherweight Khalid Twaiti (5-0, 3 KOs), of Brooklyn, NY, will see action in his first scheduled six-round bout. The 23-year-old Twaiti began 2019 with a third-round knockout of Jeno Tonte on April 10, in New York City. Trained by Don Saxby out of Gleason’s Gym, Twaiti turned pro in February 2017 after compiling a 74-15 amateur record.

Additional information for “Broadway Boxing at the Pope”, including a full slate of televised bouts, will be announced shortly.

MANCHESTER, Conn. (September 9, 2019) – If not for a critical decision four years ago, 21-year-old “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams could very well be elite amateur training to compete for a spot on the 2020 USA Boxing Olympic Team, rather than the 15-0 rising star that he is today in professional boxing.

Williams (15-0, 7 KOs), who lives in East Hartford (CT), has overcome life-altering obstacles in which his father was murdered when Mykquan was only eight months old, and the family house burned to the ground when he was 10.

Ineligible to compete for a roster spot on the 2016 USA Boxing Olympic Team because he was too young, Williams had two choices: remain an amateur for four years without any guarantees of qualifying for the Olympics, or get a jump start on his professional career. He chose the latter route and hasn’t looked back.

Williams was a decorated amateur whose style, in retrospect, is much better suited for pro boxing than the amateurs. He had a 45-13 amateur record, highlighted by three gold-medal performances at the Ringside World Championships, in addition to capturing top honors at the National PAL and National Silver Glove championships.

“I was too young for the last one,” Williams explained his decision to turn pro when he did.” Williams explained. I ended my amateur career after there were scoring changes. I lost some tough decisions. I decided to take the next step and go pro to get paid. My style was more suitable for the pros. I don’t throw 100 punches a round; I pick my spots when I have openings.

“I didn’t want to wait several years. I chose to turn pro (when he was a senior at Prince Tech). I’m already 15-0, climbing the rankings, and I’m getting paid to do this. I was meant to do this.”

Williams is the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) United States super lightweight champion, rated No. 5 by the United States Boxing Association (USBA), and No. 12 by the North American Boxing Federation (NABF).

Williams is promoted by Lou DiBella, managed by Jackie Kallen (pictured above to left), and trained by Paul Cichon (far right).

“I believed that Mykey was ready to turn pro,” Kallen commented. “Under Paul’s tutelage he was far enough advanced and eager to tackle the pros. His style was perfectly suited for the pros and at 18 years old he was ready to take the leap. His youthful good looks made him an ideal young prospect.”

My concern at that time was the Olympic Team was no sure thing,” added Cichon, who has trained Williams for the past 10 years. I had the confidence in Mykey, but the risk wasn’t worth the gain. We decided to go pro.”

Four years later, instead of competing against America’s elite amateur boxers in his weight class – Keyshawn Davis, Bruce Carrington and Dalis Kaleiopu — at the 2020 Olympic Trials and USA Boxing’s National Championships, December 7-15, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Williams is one of the top 21-and-under prospects in boxing.

INFORMATION:

Twitter: @MarvelousMyke, @JackieKallen
Instagram: @M.mkw_, @jackie.Kallen
Facebook: /MykquanWilliams, /PaulCichon, /JackieKallen

New York, NY (May 14, 2019) This Friday, DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing series returns to Foxwoods Resort Casino with a stacked card, headlined by East Hartford, Connecticut’s “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams vying for the WBC USNBC Super Lightweight Title. The event will be streamed live exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, beginning at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT.

Tickets for the event, presented by Nissan of Queens, Azad Watches, OPTYX, Christos Steak House and Gagliardi Insurance, are priced at $150, $85 and $55, and can be purchased online at Foxwoods.com, Ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-200-2882, or visiting the Foxwoods box office. Foxwoods Resort Casino is located at 350 Trolley Line Boulevard, Mashantucket, Connecticut 06338. Doors will open to the Fox Theater at 7:00 p.m., with the first fight scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

In the main event, popular and undefeated junior welterweight prospect “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (14-0, 7 KOs), of East Hartford, CT, will fight in his first scheduled 10-rounder against Rickey Edwards (12-2, 3 KOs), of Paterson, NJ, competing for the vacant WBC USNBC 140lb. title. In his last bout, on February 28, the 21-year-old Williams ventured outside of New England for the first time as a pro, outpointing Andre Byrd over eight rounds in Dallas, TX. Managed by Jackie Kallen, Williams is trained out of Manchester Ring of Champions Society boxing gym by local legend and community leader Paul Cichon. This will be the 11th fight for Williams at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Featherweight Irvin Gonzalez Jr. (12-0, 9 KOs), of Worcester, MA, will take on Oklahoma City, OK, southpaw Elijah Pierce (8-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round contest. Gonzalez ended 2018 defeating 9-0 prospect Carlos Ramos via unanimous decision in a bout televised on SHOWTIME’s “ShoBox” series. In his last bout on January 25, Gonzalez unanimously outpointed experienced veteran German Meraz over eight rounds. Trained by his father Irvin Sr., Gonzalez was an accomplished amateur, winning the New England Golden Gloves tournament in 2015 and participating in the 2016 Olympic Trials, while compiling a 90-15 record.

Toka Kahn Clary (25-2, 17 KOs) makes his highly anticipated return to action, following a 12-round decision loss to Kid Galahad in an IBF featherweight eliminator last October. He will compete in a junior lightweight bout versus Dominican Carlos Reyes (33-5-1, 23 KOs), scheduled for eight rounds. Prior to the Galahad bout, Kahn Clary was riding a six-bout winning streak, with four by knockout, while capturing the NABA 126lb. title. Born in Monrovia, Liberia, Kahn Clary immigrated to the United States as a child, initially living in Philadelphia, PA, before settling in Providence, RI. Trained by Peter Manfredo Sr. since his amateur days, Kahn Clary entered the paid ranks in 2012. A highly accomplished amateur with a 119-11 record, Kahn Clary began boxing at age 14 and was a National Golden Gloves champion and a five-time New England Golden Gloves champion.

Former long-reigning cruiserweight world champion Marco Huck (41-5-1, 28 KOs), of Berlin, Germany, will continue his comeback as a heavyweight, facing Nick Guivas, of Topeka, KS, in an eight-round bout. Huck held the WBO World Cruiserweight Title from 2009-2015, making 13 defenses. He lost the title in a “Fight of the Year” contest to Krzysztof Glowacki, in August 2015 in Newark, NJ. In June 2018, Huck officially moved up to the heavyweight division, stopping Yakup Saglam inside four rounds in Munich, Germany. Huck’s Broadway Boxing debut on May 17 will be just his second bout in the United States.

Heavyweight George Arias (13-0, 7 KOs) will battle southpaw Keith Barr (19-11-1, 8 KOs), of Glenville, WV, in an eight-round bout. Born in San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic, Arias moved to New York City in 1996, at the age of four. After graduating from high school, he learned to box at Morris Park Boxing Gym near his home. Arias won the New York Golden Gloves tournament in 2014 then turned professional that October. Now trained and managed by Leon Washington Jr. and advised by Andre Rozier, he last fought on March 2, outpointing Robert Simms over eight rounds.

Fast-rising prospect, junior welterweight Adrian Sosa (10-0, 8 KOs), of Lawrence, MA, will fight in a scheduled six-rounder against Dieumerci Nzau, of Silver Spring, MD. The 23-year-old Sosa is coming off three straight knockout victories following his career best win, a six-round decision against previously undefeated prospect Khiry Todd on May 5, 2018. Sosa was a 2014 New England Golden Gloves champion and turned professional in July 2016 following an 18-2 amateur record.

Junior welterweight prospect Anthony Marsella Jr. (12-0, 6 KOs), trained by Victor Fagnant out of Providence, RI, will return to Foxwoods Resort Casino for the first time since his April 2016 pro debut, in a six-round contest against Bogota, Colombia’s Jean Sotelo (27-16-2, 16 KOs). As an amateur, Marsella was a four-time Southern New England Golden Gloves Champion, a 2014 New England Golden Gloves Champion, a two-time New England Junior Olympics Champion and a two-time New England Silver Gloves Champion. The 24-year-old Marsella is a cousin of former world champion and New England boxing legend Vinny Paz.

Jacob Marrero (2-0, 2 KOs), a popular 19-year-old junior lightweight southpaw from Bridgeport, CT, turned pro last October and has scored two wins by knockout thus far. Trained by Carlos Nieves out of Bridgeport’s Ortiz Boxing Gym, he will compete in a four-round junior lightweight bout versus Mexican Hugo Aguilar. Compiling an amateur record of 58-9, Marrero was a 2016 New England Golden Gloves Champion, a five-time Connecticut Silver Gloves Champion and a five-time Connecticut Junior Olympics Champion.

Puerto Rican heavyweight power-puncher Sahret Delgado (7-0, 7 KOs), a member of the Puerto Rican National Amateur Boxing Team, will compete in a four-round contest against Boston’s Tracey Johnson (4-7-5). Ending a near-three-year layoff, Delgado won all seven of his fights by knockout since turning pro in November 2014.

Junior welterweight Daiyaan Butt (3-0, 1 KO), born in Los Angeles, CA, and now based out of Philadelphia, PA, will see action in a four-rounder. Butt, who turned pro in June 2018, had amateur victories against Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney.

For more information about the event, please visit:

DiBella Entertainment UFC FIGHT PASS
Website: www.DBE1.com Website: www.UFC.TV/page/fightpass
Facebook: @DiBellaEntertainment Facebook: @UFCFightPass
Twitter: @LouDiBella, DiBellaEnt Twitter: @UFCFightPass
Instagram: DiBellaEnt Instagram: @UFCFightPass

ABOUT DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT:
In May of 2000, Lou DiBella launched DiBella Entertainment (DBE), a full-service sports and entertainment company, which has become one of the most successful promotional entities in boxing. Serving as matchmaker, television distributor, marketing advisor, and promoter, DiBella has developed an exciting stable of championship caliber, world-class fighters. DBE clearly established itself as an industry leader with the successful launch of its monthly-televised “Broadway Boxing” series in April 2004. Prior to becoming a promoter, DiBella held an 11-year tenure as the Senior Vice President of HBO Sports. He is also a well-known fixture in the film industry, having worked as an Executive Producer for the film “Love Ranch”, as an Associate Producer on “The Fighter”, and making his acting debut in “Rocky Balboa”. The President and Managing General Partner for the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team, DiBella proudly wears his 2010, 2012 and 2014 World Series rings, as his team is the class AA affiliate to the San Francisco Giants. In 2017, DiBella also became the CEO of the Montgomery Biscuits baseball team, the AA-affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. DiBella was inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015.

ABOUT UFC FIGHT PASS®:
UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 17,000 bouts from dozens of combats sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit https://www.ufc.tv/page/fightpass.