MANCHESTER, England – Tuesday, March 21 – Frazer Clarke will face former WBA world interim heavyweight title challenger Bogdan Dinu this Saturday, March 25th at Manchester’s AO Arena.

The news comes as Clarke’s initial opponent Rydell Booker is sadly forced to withdraw through illness following a serious medical incident.

The American heavyweight was taken unwell last weekend. Booker had attended a boxing event in his hometown of Detroit, just days before he was due to travel to the UK, where he was taken ill with a serious medical emergency. He is now recuperating and everyone at BOXXER sincerely wishes Rydell Booker a full and swift recovery.

Undefeated Team GB Olympics hero Clarke (5-0, 4 KOs), who memorably won a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games, will now bid to take another scalp on his burgeoning resume when he faces off against his 6ft 5in Romanian rival. 

Dinu (20-4-0, 16 KOs) was beaten by Daniel Dubois the last time he fought in England when he was stopped for the vacant WBA interim heavyweight title in June 2021.

Last year, he fell short in his challenge for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title after taking on Kevin Lerena.

Based in Bucharest, Dinu fought former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev in 2019 and has stood opposite American Jerrell Miller too during his 24-fight career since turning professional in 2008.

Outside of the ring, the 36-year-old has served as an Independent Special Actions and Intervention Service Agent (SIIAS), which is a Romanian police task force created in 1995 as part of the Counter-Organised crime squad. Its roles include seizing dangerous or armed criminals, handling hostage crises, disaster rescues, the protection of police, witnesses and others involved in criminal investigations.

Whether Dinu will be able to handle the might of ‘Big Fraze’ in Manchester remains to be seen, however. Standing at a mean 6ft 6in, Clarke has been triumphant in his last two successive fights at the AO Arena and will be looking to make it a hat-trick when he returns this Saturday.

“Unfortunately Rydell Booker had to pull out of the fight. He’s had a medical problem, so I’m sending my best wishes to him and I hope he can get better soon,” said Clarke, speaking today on Sky Sports News.

“We’ve got a new opponent in Bogdan Dinu, who is a very credible opponent. He has boxed some great names including the likes of Daniel Dubois, Kubrat Pulev and Jerrell Miller. It’s a good fight for me and I’m looking forward to it.

“This is professional boxing – you can’t bank on anything. I’m accustomed to it now and throughout my career I am used to fighting people at a day’s notice. My job is to go out there and win. People can talk about looking fantastic and making a statement. But I’m a winner and that’s my job every time. If I can perform how I know I can then I will do that. I’m looking to go out there and make a statement.

“It’s been an up-and-down start to my career. Everytime I’ve got in there and I’ve won. This is heavyweight boxing. It’s dangerous. It’s up to me to be professional and do my job.

“It doesn’t matter who I’m getting in with this weekend, I’m ready to go and do my job.”

Final tickets are on sale now at BOXXER.com starting at just £25 – a bargain price for a blockbuster night of elite boxing, headlined by Lawrence Okolie defending his WBO world cruiserweight title against New Zealand’s David Light.

This event is presented in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

– – – – – – – 

CONTACT BOXXER PR

Matty Lawless, Head of PR & Communications

+447393764765 | matty@boxxer.com

FULL CARD FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 25 AT THE AO ARENA IN MANCHESTER

*Please note: Below list is not the running order

12 x 3 mins  WBO World Cruiserweight Championship

LAWRENCE OKOLIE vs DAVID LIGHT

8 x 3 mins Heavyweight Contest

FRAZER CLARKE vs BOGDAN DINU  

10 x 3 mins Vacant English Super-Featherweight Contest 

MICHAEL GOMEZ JR vs LEVI GILES

6 x 2 mins  Featherweight Contest                                       

KARRISS ARTINGSTALL vs LINZI BUCZYNSKI

8 x 3 mins  Super-Middleweight Contest

CALLUM SIMPSON vs CELSO NEVES

6/8 x 3 mins  Featherweight Contest                     

RHYS EDWARDS vs BRIAN PHILLIPS

6 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest

SHAKIEL THOMPSON vs ROBERT TALAREK      

8 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest

AARON McKENNA vs LUCAS NDAFOLUMA             

6 x 3 mins Welterweight Contest

SAMUEL ANTWI vs OMIR RODRIGUEZ

6 x 3 mins  Lightweight Contest

FRANKIE STRINGER vs TBA                                       

4 x 3 mins Super Welterweight

HARVEY LAMBERT vs CASEY BROWN

Manchester, England – (February 23, 2023) – A thrilling English championship bout, two Olympians and the promotional debut of an exciting super-middleweight prospect have today been announced for the undercard of the BOXXER Fight Night: Manchester event taking place Saturday March 25 at the AO Arena.

Headlined by Lawrence Okolie (18-0, 14 KO’s) defending his WBO World Cruiserweight Championship against undefeated, 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medallist David Light (20-0, 12 KO’s), today’s announcements revealed a March card packed with quality from top to bottom.

English title fights have a deserved reputation for producing some of the most exciting contests in boxing and that tradition looks set to continue in the evening’s chief support bout when Michael Gomez Jr (18-1, 5 KO’s) and Levi Giles (13-0, 3 KO’s) enter the ring to contest the vacant English Super-Featherweight Championship.

Michael Gomez Sr was a firm favourite of fight fans in his home city of Manchester thanks to his all-action, no-nonsense fighting style. His son Gomez Jr – the current Central Area Super-Featherweight title holder – is continuing the family business and will have the Manchester Arena crowd behind him for his English title tilt.

Manchester’s storied arena played host to many a Gomez Sr bout and also hosted Gomez Jr’s professional debut in 2014, making it a fitting scene for his bout against the undefeated Grimsby man Giles, who is taking the first title shot of his career in this ten-round contest.

Hard-hitting heavyweight prospect Frazer ‘Big Fraze’ Clarke (5-0, 4 KO’s) – a bronze medallist for Great Britain at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics – is another fighter who counts Manchester’s arena as his second home, with three of his five professional bouts to date having taken place there. 

His sixth outing is by far his toughest test to date. Experienced American Rydell Booker (27-7-1, 14 KO’s) has shared the ring with some of the biggest names in the sport. He lost a decision to Hall of Fame heavyweight James Toney in a 2004 world heavyweight title fight and went the distance with the highly-accomplished Filip Hrgovic and Kubrat Pulev.

Clarke’s fellow 2020 Olympic bronze medallist Karriss Artingstall – now 2-0 in the professional ranks – also returns to the ring in Manchester, with her opponent set to be confirmed in the coming days. 

Hotly-tipped super-middleweight prospect Callum Simpson (10-0, 8 KO’s) – the reigning Central Area champion – recently signed an exclusive promotional agreement with BOXXER. Yorkshireman Simpson trained alongside former world champion Josh Warrington when he entered the professional ranks and has stopped 80% of his opponents thus far. 

Other names confirmed for the March 25th card today include Welsh featherweight Rhys Edwards (2-2), who faces Liverpool’s Brian Phillips (12-3, 3 KO’s), and the return to the BOXXER ring of welterweight Samuel ‘True Sensation’ Antwi (14-2, 6 KO’s), middleweight Aaron McKenna (15-0, 8 KO’s) and former Team GB member and Tri-Nations amateur champion Harvey Lambert (1-0), with opponents for the trio to be confirmed in the coming weeks. 

The confirmed card for BOXXER Fight Night: Manchester is as follows – with more to come:

12 x 3 mins  WBO World Cruiserweight Championship

Lawrence Okolie vs David Light

10 x 3 mins Vacant English Super-Featherweight Contest

Michael Gomez Jr vs Levi Giles

8 x 3 mins Heavyweight Contest

Frazer Clarke vs Rydell Booker

6 x 2 mins  Featherweight Contest

Karriss Artingstall vs Linzi Buczynski

6 x 3 mins  Super-Middleweight Contest

Callum Simpson vs TBA

8 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest

Aaron McKenna vs TBA

6 x 3 mins Welterweight Contest

Samuel Antwi vs TBA

6/8 x 3 mins  Featherweight Contest

Rhys Edwards vs Brian Phillips

4 x 3 mins Super Welterweight Contest

Harvey Lambert vs TBA

The event takes place Saturday, March 25 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

This event is presented in association with official partners bet365, Everlast, WOW HYDRATE and Village Hotels.

NEW YORK (November 28ken, 2022) -Last Tuesday night at The Edison Ballroom in New York, Stephan Shaw remained undefeated with an emphatic eight-round unanimous decision over Rydell Booker in a heavyweight bout.

Shaw is managed by Split-T Management.

Shaw dominated the action boxed very well and showed why he is one of the top American heavyweight prospects as he busted up Booker with good jabs and right hands that Booker’s nose was bleeding badly 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.

Shaw is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Top Rank.

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 (November 22, 2022) -Tonight at The Edison Ballroom in New York City, undefeated heavyweight Stephan Shaw will be back in action when he takes on veteran Rydell Booker in a bout scheduled for eight-rounds.

Shaw is managed by Split-T Management.

The 30 year-old Shaw of Saint Louis, Missouri, has a record of 17-0 with 13 knockouts. The nine-year veteran has wins over Danny Kelly (9-2-1), Jonathan Rice (4-1-1), Donovan Dennis (12-3) Willie Jake Jr. (8-2-1), Gregory Corbin (15-2), Lyubomyr Pinchuk (12-1-1), Joey Dawejko and his outing when Shaw stopped Bernardo Marquez in the opening round on July 15th in Temecula, California.

Booker of Detroit is a veteran of more than two decades, and has a record of 26-6-1 with 13 knockouts. Booker has wins over former world champions Uriah Grant and Arthur Williams. Booker lost his last outing to Otto Wallin on May 26th in Dearborn, Michigan.

Shaw, who is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Top Rank, weighed 234.4 lbs. Booker was 256.6.

The bout can be seen live on FITE.TV at 7 PM ET.

11-rated heavyweight Otto Wallin of Sweden cruised to a clear and workmanlike unanimous 10-round decision over disappointed hometown hopeful Rydell Booker tonight in the main event of Salita Promotions’ Detroit Brawl event in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan.

Booker (26-6-1, 13 KOs) started out having some limited success, but the superior conditioning and harder punches of the world-class Wallin (24-1, 14 KOs) eventually wore the Detroiter down to an ever-worsening degree as the rounds progressed. By the end of the final round, Wallin had things all his way, landing punishing shots to the head and body of his fatigued foe.

The scores were 99-91, 100-90 and 99-91.

“I want to say thanks to everyone who came out,” said a happy Wallin, post-fight. “It’s my first time in Michigan and I really enjoyed it. (Tyson) Fury forgot about me. He doesn’t want to fight, but I’m still going to be the next heavyweight champion from Sweden, no matter who I have to beat.”

IBF #4, WBA #13, WBO #11 and The Ring #7-rated contender Shohjahon Ergashev kept his world championship run alive and moved to 22-0, 19 KOs with a unanimous eight-round decision over Luis Alberto Veron (19-4-2, 9 KOs) of Argentina.

Despite having never been down before, Veron found himself on the canvas twice from the power punches of Ergashev, once in the second from a straight left and again in the fifth from a body shot. Veron was also cut over the right eye in round seven. Ergashev lost a point in round seven for pushing down on the head of Veron.

Although he saw his current knockout streak come to an end, Ergashev was never in any danger and cruised to a 79-70 unanimous victory from all three judges.

In with a “step-up” opponent, fast-rising super welterweight powerhouse Marlon “The Savage” Harrington (8-0, 7 KOs) of Detroit passed the test with flying colors by dismantling former contender Azael Cosio (21-10-2, 18 KOs) Santa Marta, Panama via a dominant fourth-round KO.

Showing good ring generalship, Harrington was in control throughout, landing several choice uppercuts and body shots before a hard right hand left Cosio in a heap in the neutral corner at the :38 second mark. No count was necessary, as Cosio was pouring blood from the right ear from the force of Harrington’s blows.

Former amateur star turned undefeated professional middleweight Joseph Hicks Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs) put on a body-shot clinic while taking out Argentinean veteran Bruno Leonardo Romay (21-10, 18 KOs) of Buenos Aires at 2:12 second round.

Boxing smoothly, Hicks was considerably faster than his South American foe. He whipped uppercuts to the chin and body shots to the pit of the stomach around his southpaw opponent’s wide left hands. He dropped a gasping Romay twice before referee Gerard White reached the 10 count.

Undefeated super welterweight Husam Al Mashhadi (3-0, 3 KOs) of Dearborn ran through pro debuting Milton Banks of Conroe, Texas. The power punching Mashhadi landed a pair of body shots, each producing a knockdown. And although Banks rose bravely from both, referee Frank Garza called a merciful halt at just 1:26 of the first.

Other Results:
Da’Velle Smith (3-0, 3 KOs) KO 1 (time 1:50) over Brandon Baue of Troy, Missouri.
Ferris Dixon Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs) KO 2 (time :38) over San Antonio’s Daniel Arriaga.
ABOUT THE FORD COMMUNITY & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER:

The mission of the Dearborn Recreation & Parks Department is to help fulfill the social, educational and recreational needs of children, adults and families by providing quality programs and activities in clean and well-maintained facilities and to achieve this through exemplary customer service. For more information, visit their OFFICIAL SITE.

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS:

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

WBC #11-rated heavyweight Otto Wallin says he’s taking his upcoming fight with Rydell Booker as seriously as the world championship fight he’s on the verge of securing with one or two more victories.

Sweden’s Wallin (23-1, 14 KOs) will take on hometown veteran Rydell Booker (26-5-1, 13 KOs) in the 10-round main event of Salita Promotions’ Detroit Brawl event on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan.

Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” start at $40 and can be purchased by clicking HERE. PLEASE NOTE: Tickets ordered online will be placed in will call at the box office for pick-up. A limited quantity of VIP tickets is also available by calling 313.529.7604.

“I always enter the ring knowing I’ve done all I can in training and that brings me confidence to perform at my best and makes me willing to do what it takes to win,” said Wallin. “My preparations for fights, both physically and mentally, are always 100%. This fight doesn’t have the magnitude that I’ve been hoping for, but it’s great for me to be active. I need that to keep developing and to be ready when the bigger fights come.”

Wallin says despite the fight having no championship implications, he’s ready for anything the capable Booker can throw his way.

“Booker is a well-schooled boxer and a skillful one,” added the 31-year-old southpaw Wallin, “and anything can happen in heavyweight boxing, so I cannot underestimate him. I expect me to be the busier guy with Booker trying to counter my shots. I’m ready for whatever he will bring.”

Best known for coming heart-stoppingly close to defeating lineal and world-recognized heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in their September 2019 battle, Wallin says Fury’s retirement, and the possibility of a rematch disappearing with it, don’t overall affect the big Swede’s mission.

“My plan has always been to become heavyweight world champion so that doesn’t change with Fury’s potential retirement. I’m here to work my way up the rankings and force the champions to fight me.”

“Otto Wallin is the biggest heavyweight name to fight in Detroit since Mike Tyson, which was October 20, 2000,” said event promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “I’m very excited about our upcoming event, which is stacked with local and international talent.”

A 10-round super lightweight co-main event has been added to the already stacked card, as IBF #4, WBA #13, WBO #11 and RING #7 super lightweight slugger Shohjahon Ergashev (21-0, 19 KOs) of Detroit via Rakhmon, Uzbekistan will take on South American Champion Luis Alberto Veron (19-3-2, 9 KOs) of Jose Leon Suarez, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

On the undercard, rising super welterweight powerhouse Marlon Harrington (7-0, 6 KOs) will be appearing in an eight-round showdown, as will fast-tracking former national amateur champion and undefeated professional middleweight Joseph Hicks Jr. (1-0, 1 KO) of Grand Rapids, Michigan in a six-round bout.

Fighting in supporting bouts will be a trio of undefeated Michigan prospects, including super welterweight Husam Al Mashhadi (3-0, 3 KOs) of Dearborn, as well as super lightweight Ferris Dixon Jr. (2-0, 1 KO) and also undefeated super welterweight Da’Velle Smith (2-0, 2 KOs), both of Detroit.

All opponents will be announced shortly and all bouts are subject to change. The Ford Community & Performing Arts Center is located at 15801 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. On fight night, doors open at 6:00 pm and the action starts at 7:00 pm.
ABOUT THE FORD COMMUNITY & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER:

The mission of the Dearborn Recreation & Parks Department is to help fulfill the social, educational and recreational needs of children, adults and families by providing quality programs and activities in clean and well-maintained facilities and to achieve this through exemplary customer service. For more information, visit their OFFICIAL SITE.

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS:

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

A 10-round heavyweight main event has been added to Salita Promotions’ special Memorial Day weekend-kickoff Detroit Brawl event, as WBC #11-rated heavyweight Otto Wallin (23-1, 14 KOs) of Sweden will face Detroit’s own Rydell Booker (26-5-1, 13 KOs) on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan.

Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” start at $40 and can be purchased by clicking HERE. PLEASE NOTE: Tickets ordered online will be placed in will call at the box office for pick-up. A limited quantity of VIP tickets is also available by calling 313.529.7604.

An athletic southpaw heavyweight who does everything well, Wallin hails from Sundsvall, Sweden. The 31-year-old Wallin made the world stage and captured headlines in 2019 when he waged a thrilling war with linear world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and came extremely close to scoring a monumental stoppage upset. Then unknown and a 10-1 underdog, Wallin took the fight to Fury early and cut the superstar Englishman for 47 stitches with a surprise left in the third round. What followed was a nail-biting back-and-forth war of attrition that Fury eventually pulled out via close, controversial unanimous decision.

Wallin now lives and trains in New York under the tutelage of popular former two-division champion Joey Gamache at Mendez Boxing in Manhattan. He captured the EBU European Union Heavyweight Title with a 12-round unanimous decision victory over Adrian Granat in April 2018, and has also held the WBA Continental Heavyweight Championship. Wallin was last seen in February of this year, scoring a unanimous decision over Polish veteran Kamil Sokolowski

“Training is going really well,” said Wallin during a break in preparations. “I’ve been getting a lot of work in over the last few months. I saw Booker when he fought Franklin and I know that he’s an experienced and skilled boxer. He’s not someone I will underestimate, but this is a fight I need to win. I appreciate my promoter, Salita Promotions, keeping me active. This is the first time I fight twice in a year since 2019. I’m looking to put on a good performance.”

Inactive for over a decade, in 2018, Rydell Booker won three comeback bouts before losing a televised close 10-round decision to undefeated heavyweight Jermaine Franklin. As an amateur, Booker was the former number one ranked heavyweight in the United States and won the Michigan State and Regional championships every year from 1992 through 2000 and his first national title in 1999.

A capable boxer with excellent counterpunching skills, Booker fought all-time-great James Toney for the IBA World and WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Championships and lost a 12-round decision in 2004.

All of the Detroit slugger’s losses have come to former champions or undefeated top contenders. An upset victory by the still capable Booker over Wallin would reignite the Detroiter’s once promising career.

“He’s a southpaw that boxes well,” said Booker of Wallin. “Everybody thinks they know how to fight a southpaw, but I fight them totally differently. I’ve been fighting them for years. I’m sparring with lefties every day and training is going well. It would mean a lot to beat Wallin. He’s rated in the world and it would let everybody know Rydell Booker is still here.”

Booker also says his trainer, former female fighter Kara Ro, is making sure he shows up in great shape for the battle. “Kara is getting on my nerves,” he admitted jokingly. “Not in a bad way. She’s a workhorse and it’s good because she’s always pushing.”

“I’m excited to add a heavyweight matchup featuring one of the best heavyweight fighters in the world, Otto Wallin, against battle-tested Detroiter Rydell Booker,” said event promoter Dmitriy Salita. “This fight card is packed with world-class talent and I’m honored for it to take place in Detroit, the city of boxing legends.”

Rising super welterweight powerhouse Marlon Harrington (7-0, 6 KOs) will be appearing in the night’s eight-round co-main event.

Fast-tracking former national amateur champion and undefeated professional middleweight Joseph Hicks Jr. (1-0, 1 KO) of Grand Rapids, Michigan, will continue his rapid climb up the 160-lb ranks in a six-round bout.

Fighting in supporting bouts will be a trio of undefeated Michigan prospects, including super welterweight Husam Al Mashhadi (3-0, 3 KOs) of Dearborn, as well as super lightweight Ferris Dixon Jr. (2-0, 1 KO) and also undefeated super welterweight Da’Velle Smith (2-0, 2 KOs), both of Detroit.

All opponents will be announced shortly and all bouts are subject to change. The Ford Community & Performing Arts Center is located at 15801 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. On fight night, doors open at 6:00 pm and the action starts at 7:00 pm.
ABOUT THE FORD COMMUNITY & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER:

The mission of the Dearborn Recreation & Parks Department is to help fulfill the social, educational and recreational needs of children, adults and families by providing quality programs and activities in clean and well-maintained facilities and to achieve this through exemplary customer service. For more information, visit their OFFICIAL SITE.

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS:

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

Devin Haney retained the WBC Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa at the Seminold Hard Rock Resort in Hollywood, Florida.

Haney was dominant throughout the contest as kept Gamboa at bay by landing jabs and right hands.

In round 11, Gamboa was docked a point for holding.

Haney landed 133 of 401 punches. Gamboa was 84 of 472.

Haney, 135 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 120-107 twice and 118-109 to raise his udefeated mark to 25-0. Gamboa, 135 lbs of Miami, FL is 30-4.

“I’m pleased with the performance because I didn’t take any punishment,” said Haney. “I came out of there looking like I did when I went in, I was ready to fight again if I had to.
 
“I knew that he would go into survival mode and he was successful with that, he was in there trying to survive as much as he did. I pitched a shut-out and I didn’t get hit with any big shots, it is what it is. 
 
“Of course I wanted the KO but every fight can’t end like that. Gamboa is a crafty opponent, he showed that he can survive, he showed why he has been in the game for a long time. Anyone that has knocked him out has taken punishment while doing it, I didn’t take any punishment and maybe that’s why I didn’t get the KO.
 
“I beat him the smartest. The jab, the reach, the speed and the ring IQ were the keys to victory. I showed that I am able to go 12 rounds, to hit and not get hit, you can talk about landing big shots but Gamboa didn’t land anything.
 
“There’s always going to be pressure, every fight is going to have everyone watching and critiquing what you do, I understand that. I am ready to put on a big 2021 and fight best and put on a statement to show the world that I am the best.
 
“I am interested in my mandatory of course but I want all the belts, Teofimo Lopez has the rest of the belts so I want to make the undisputed fight.”

Hrgovic stops Booker in 5

Filip Hrgovic remained undefeated with a 5th round stoppage over Rydell Booker in a heavyweight bout.

In round two, Hrgovic dropped Booker with a chopping right to the head. Hrgovic continued to pound away at Booker until the bout was stopped at 47 seconds.

Hrgovic, 242.6 lbs of Zagreb, CRO is 11-0 with nine knockouts. Booker, 248 lbs of Detroit, MI is 26-3.

After the fight Hrgovic said “I have a message to the heavyweight division. Fight me. There are big fights out there, I am ready for all of them. I can out box and I can knockout. Tonight, Rydell was good and it was good to get the win against him, but now I want to look to who is next. I am ready.

Promoter Nisse Sauerland followed “Tonight we saw Filip do what he said he was going to do at the press conference. He was going to outbox and knockout a man who hadn’t been knocked out before. He showed his ability to control fights, he has 10 knockouts from 12 fights, 5 now consecutive.”

“Credit to Rydell Booker, he took the fight and tried to come forward. He’s a good boxer with a good record, but tonight he had no way of finding a way through. Filip belongs at the top table, and soon he’ll be there.”

Zhilel Zhang remained undefeated by stopping Devin Vargas in round four of a scheduled 10-round heavyweight fight.

In round four, Zhang landed a counter right and left that dropped Vargas, and the fight was over at 49 seconds.

Zhang, 259.6 lbs of Las Vegas is 22-0 with 17 knockouts. Vargas, 226 lbs of Sylvania, OH is 22-7.

Reshat Mati stopped Marcos Mojica in round two of their scheduled six-round welterweight bout.

In round one, Mati dropped Mojica with a shirt left hook In round two, Mati dropped Mojica with an uppercut, and shortly thereafter, the fight was stopped at 44 seconds.

Mati, 146 lbs of Staten Island, NY is 8-0 with six knockouts. Mojica, 146.4 lbs of West Palm Beach , FL is 17-6-2.

Raymond Ford remained undefeated with a 3rd round stoppage over Rafael Reyes in a featherweight bout.

In round one, Ford dropped Reyes with a straight left. In round three, it was another left that sent Reyes to the canvas. Ford then landed about 12 unanswered punches, and the fight was stopped at 1:26.

Ford, 125.8 lbs of Camden, NJ is 7-0 with three knockouts. Reyes, 123 lbs of Clovis, MX is 18-11.

Arthur Biyarslanov stopped Juan Jose Martinez in round one of a scheduled six-round super lightweight fight.

Biyarslanov dropped Martinez with a right hook to the side of the head and the fight was stopped at 59 seconds.

Biyarslanov, 141 lbs of Toronto, CAN is7-0 with six knockouts. Martinez, 141.8 lbs of Mexico City is 28-10.

Filip Hrgovi? (11-0-9 KOs) weighed in at 110kg (242.6lbs) on Friday, ahead of his clash with Rydell Booker (26-3-13 KOs) in Hollywood, Florida this Saturday, as the Croatian seeks a fifth straight knockout victory. His opponent Booker weighed 112.4kg (248lbs).

‘El Animal’ has declared he “will not be friends” with Rydell Booker and that he aims “to finish him” when they meet in the ring this Saturday, insinuating he’ll be seeking another highlight reel finish against the man who went the distance with Kubrat Pulev last time out.

Coming face to face with Booker for the final time before fight night, Hrgovic said “I’m feeling very well, I want to thank my coach Pedro Diaz for preparing me very well and to the organizations Eddie Hearn and Team Sauerland and my manager.  I’m feeling very good and happy to be here.”

“You’re going to see a great performance (tomorrow night), before the knockout I need to out box him, I will not just knock him out, I will out box first, and show my boxing ability.”

When asked who he would like next, ‘El Animal’ said “I want to come out on top, I want to become champion. Which way we’re going to go, no one knows, it is up to my management and promoter to match me up with the best in the division and I feel ready for everyone”. 

Promoter Nisse Sauerland has previously described his fighter as “the best in the heavyweight division”, and stood by him again after the weigh in.

“He’s sensational” said Sauerland, who predicts a big 2021 for the Croatian powerhouse, “he’s light on his feet, heavy in his hands and when you combine his heart and his boxing intelligence you have a champion in the making. We believe he will impress again on Saturday night and it is only a matter of time before he is going for major honours.”

Filip Hrgovic faces slippery heavyweight Rydell Booker on November 7th, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida, live on DAZN in the USA and RTL in Croatia, as a world title charge in 2021 beckons.
 
‘El Animal’ heads into the fight with a perfect record, 11 fights, 11 wins, 9 by way of huge knockout – a streak he says will continue into 2021. The man in his way went the distance with Kubrat Pulev last time out, in a tough fight where he took rounds off the man next up for Anthony Joshua, Hrgovic says that won’t happen this time.
 
“He will not hear the final bell” said the Croatian, “I want to get this job done early, and I believe I can do that. I hit harder than Kubrat Pulev, I move faster than him. I believe Rydell had some successes against Pulev, against me he’ll have none.”
 
“I have sparred with him before, but this won’t be like sparring. The heavyweight division is very exciting right now, with a lot of big names – I am here to come out on top of those names.”
 
With eye catching wins against Eric Molina and Alexandre Kartozia, the latter being an eye watering knockout of the year contender, Hrgovic is one of the most talked about fighters in the division, with Gypsy King Tyson Fury touting him as “a future World Champion”.
 
Promoter Nisse Sauerland is backing his fighter to continue his ruthless streak and go through the gears next year.
 
“It’s the heavyweight division, the most exciting, most discussed, most powerful division of them all, and Filip Hrgovic is making a charge to the top of it.
 
It isn’t just his power, but the way he can adapt, he’s big, tall and strong but he’s also quick and light on his feet. He’s quick on his feet, very dangerous and has more heart than anyone in the division.
 
It’s only a matter of time before we see him causing real problems for the biggest guys out there on the world scene.”

Filip Hrgovi? (11-0, 9 KOs) will face Rydell Booker (26-3, 13 KOs) on November 7th behind closed doors at the Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida, live on DAZN in the US and RTL in Croatia.

The Croatian heavyweight sensation known as ‘El Animal’ will fight for the second time in just three months following a spectacular second-round knockout win against Alexandre Kartozia last Saturday in Struer, Denmark.

The 2016 Olympic Bronze medallist returns to America for the second time in his paid career, having previously claimed a stunning first-round knockout victory over Gregory Corbin at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland.

Hrgovi? will be looking to extend his four fight KO streak as he squares off against former sparring partner Booker, the Detroit-native, who pushed World title challenger Kubrat Pulev to a points decision last November in Fresno.  

“I can’t wait to go back to America to fight again,” said the 28-year-old from Zagreb. “Booker is a skilful fighter. He had a good fight with Kubrat Pulev. He went the distance and won the first few rounds. I think I can do better. I want to make a statement and finish the fight early.

“Booker was one of my sparring partners before I fought Gregory Corbin. I know him well and he knows me, so I’m looking forward to the fight. He has good skills and technique, but I will be better prepared and in better shape. I don’t think he’ll be able to handle my power and my pressure!”

Hrgovi?’s promoter Nisse Sauerland believes a busy end to 2020 will be the perfect preparation for a World title assault in 2021, as he predicts another knockout performance from the Croatian giant. 

“Filip has the style to trouble every heavyweight in division,” said Sauerland. “He has dynamite in both hands as he showed in his last fight, and I think he will demonstrate that power again against Booker. It’s important for Filip to stay busy as we’re expecting a huge 2021 for him. He’s ready for the World title.”

Zeljko Karajica, Hrgovi?’s manager, said: “After his knockout of the year against Kartozia, I’m happy to have Filip back in the ring so quickly. He is very excited to fight in America once again and we are looking forward to him putting on a show on November 7th for the US fight fans.”

Hrgovi?, who is co-promoted by Team Sauerland and Matchroom Boxing, fights as part of a huge night of boxing in Florida that features American star Devin Haney defending his WBC World Lightweight title against Yuriorkis Gamboa.

Jamel Herring retained the WBO Junior Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over mandatory challenger Lamont Roach Jr. at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, California.

Herring, 129.8 lbs of Coram, NY won by scores of 117-111 twice and 115-113 to raise his mark to 21-2. Roach, 129 lbs of Washington, DC is 19-1-1.

“I won {the title} on Memorial Day Weekend and I defended it on Veterans Day Weekend, so it definitely means a lot to all of our troops out there defending our country and still in harm’s way,” Herring said. “This is for ya’ll. I couldn’t lose it on our weekend. It means a lot to still be a world champion.

“Like I said, Miguel Berchelt is considered number one, the best super featherweight in the world. In order to be the best, you have to keep testing yourself.”

Said Roach: “We knew we had to dig down. When I hurt him, all that was on my mind was finishing him. I’m coming into unchartered territory.”

IBF number-one ranked heavyweight Kubrat Pulev won a 10-round unanimous decision over Rydell Booker.

Pulev, 248.4 lbs of Sofia, BUL won by scores of 98-92 twice and 99-91 and is now 28-1. Booker, 248.2 lbs of Detroit is 26-4.

“It’s been eight months from my last fight. I think my opponent was not bad,” Pulev said. “I respect him. It was a very nice fight.

“I controlled the whole fight, and I was the much better boxer. I showed everyone I’m at the world level, and I must fight the winner of Joshua and Ruiz.”

Gabriel Flores Jr. won an eight-round unaimous decision over Aelio Mesquita in a junior lightweight bout.

Flores 133.5 lbs of Stockton, CA won by scores of 80-72 on all cards, and is now 16-0. Mesquita of Brazil is 19-5.

Janibek Alimkhanuly stopped Albert Onolunose in round six of a 10-round middleweight bout.

Alimkhanuly dropped Onolunose with a flurry of punches in round six. Onolunose continued by took a pounding and the bout was stopped at 2:31.

Alimkhanuly, 159 3/4 lbs of Almaty, KAZ is 8-0 with four knockouts. Onolunose, 158 1/4 lbs of Calgary, CAN is 24-3-1.

Two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner Robeisy Ramirez stopped Fernando Ibarra in the 6th and final round of their featherweight bout.

Ramirez pounded Ibarra, especially to the body until he dropped him in the final round and the bout was stopped at 1:37.

Ramirez, 124 3/4 lbs of Cuba is 1-1 with one knockout. Ibarra, 122.5 lbs of Fairfield, CA is 2-2.

“I have a new trainer, Ismael Salas, and we worked hard in the gym together,” Ramirez said. “What happened in my pro debut is in the past. I am looking forward to a bright future.”

Esquiva Falcao stopped Manny Woods in round three of their scheduled eight-round middleweight bout.

In round two, Woods began to bleed from his nose. Falcao continued to beat and batter Woods until the towel was thrown in by Woods’ corner at 2:18 of round three.

Falcao, 160.5 lbs of Votoria, BRA is now 25-0 with 17 knockouts. Woods, 161.5 lbs of St. Petersburg, FL is 16-9-1.

Former world title challenger Amir Imam stopped Marcos Mojica in round four of their scheduled eight-round welterweight bout.

In round four, Imam dropped Mojica with a left hook to the body.. Seconds later, Imam landed a combination that sent Mojica down in the corner and the bout was stopped at 56 seconds.

Imam, 144 lbs of Albany, NY is 22-2 with 19 knockouts. Mojica, 143 lbs of Managua, NIC is 16-5-2.

“I just have to be consistent at this point in my career. I’m coming back in January, and I need to take advantage of the opportunities that are given to me,” Imam said.

David Kaminsky stopped Travis Jerrig in round two of a scheduled four-round middleweight bout.

The time of the stoppage was 26 seconds after a series of unanswered blows

Kaminsky, 162 1/4 lbs of Los Angeles is 6-0 with three knockouts. Jerrig, 162 lbs of Zanesville, OH is 3-4-1.

FRESNO, Calif. (Nov. 7, 2019) — Under the bright lights, above where a pitcher’s mound normally stands, Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring will enter the ring for the first time as a champion.

Herring, who makes the first defense of his WBO junior lightweight world title against Lamont Roach Jr. Saturday evening (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+) at Chukchansi Park (home of the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies), is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served two tours of duty in Iraq. He won the world title on Memorial Day Weekend earlier this year and, in fitting fashion, will defend his belt on Veterans Day Weekend and the eve of the Marine Corps Birthday.

In the 10-round co-feature, IBF No. 1 heavyweight contender Kubrat Pulev (27-1, 14 KOs), seeking a 2020 world title shot, will face Detroit-based veteran Rydell Booker (26-2, 13 KOs). Pulev is angling for a shot at the winner of the Andy Ruiz Jr.-Anthony Joshua rematch, while the 38-year-old Booker is 4-1 since coming back to the ring following a 12-year prison sentence. 

In other action, after the main event takes place, 19-year-old lightweight sensation Gabriel Flores Jr. (15-0, 6 KOs) will face Aelio Mesquita (19-4, 17 KOs) in an eight-rounder. Flores, from nearby Stockton, Calif., will have a rabid cheering section.

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

Jamel Herring

On sparring with the likes of Terence Crawford and Maurice Hooker

“Those guys, they really helped. {Super middleweight contender} Steven Nelson being a veteran helped as well. He motivated me and pushed me… camp has been great. It’s probably been one of the best camps that I’ve had.”

On defending his title on the eve of the Marine Corps Birthday

“It’s all about what happens in the ring. All that will go in vain if I don’t play my part and perform to the best of my abilities and handle my business. It’s definitely great to be a Marine and basically be one of the only Marines on this type of platform. Of course, that’s a great feeling.”

Lamont Roach Jr.

“It’s truly a blessing fighting on Veterans Day weekend just to honor my cousin, who was my late trainer. He was in the Army and dedicated his life to boxing. He was an All-Army champ in, I think, 1983, one of those years. Way before I was born. But he learned the game from them, and he gave the game to me. That old Army training is definitely in me. This weekend is a big weekend for all vets, but at the end of the day, it all boils down to one thing to me, and that’s inside the ring. It’s for that belt right there. Julie {Goldsticker, Herring’s publicist}, hold that belt up for me. It’s gonna go home with me, and I am going to go celebrate with the Washington Nationals and the Mystics, who won the WNBA championship.”

“I’m glad that my promotional company moved me the right way. I earned this spot. I wasn’t given this spot. All the hard work that I put in from 9 years old to now is going to show.”

“We know Jamel is a crafty fighter, but we’re gonna bring it to him. I think I can do anything in the ring better than him. I can be a better, taller fighter than him even though I’m shorter than him. I can beat him on the inside, I can beat him all around the ring. So, we’re going to see.”

Kubrat Pulev

“This is boxing. Nothing is sure, but I am here to fight, and I am here to win. That is why I prepared well, and I believe in myself. I know who I am. I’m one of the best in the heavyweight division. And, yeah, my opponent is good also, but I think I’m much, much better.”

“For me, this is one fight and more experience. I must stay in the ring and wait to fight the winner of Joshua and Ruiz. Who wins, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m now concentrated on Booker. He’s a serious opponent.”

Rydell Booker

“This {opportunity} means a lot. Everyone understands my story. I went away to prison for 12 years.  In two years home, I’ve been very active. This fight couldn’t have come at a better time because I was just in camp with {Oleksandr} Usyk when I got the call. I left Usyk’s camp and went to Deontay Wilder’s camp, and so I stayed busy. I get a lot of calls to go help the greats. I was just in camp with Anthony Joshua, learning something from him and vice versa. So I’ve been around the game 31 years, and I come to bring my experience and talents.”

“I don’t take nothing away from nobody’s talent because everybody has their own talent in certain ways. He hasn’t fought a heavyweight like me, slick as me. I understand he lost to {Wladimir} Klitschko. Klitschko was taught by a great who taught me and my coach, Emanuel Steward. They still don’t have the athleticism that I have. I’ll let my talents speak for itself.”

Gabriel Flores Jr.

“This means a lot to me. I’ve fought in Fresno a few times already, and every time I come to Fresno, they treat me real well. It’s like a second home to me. I enjoy it here, and I feel the love. To fight on Veterans Day {Weekend} means a lot because I get to pay some respect to veterans. That’s something I always wanted to do, and to go to the veterans hospital {VA Central California} and talk to them and shake their hands, it was nice… just to hear their stories. I met a man who was a 100 years old, so it was nice to interact with them.”

“Each fight, I get better and better. I fix my mistakes. Every fight, there are mistakes. It’s hard to be perfect. Not everyone sees {my mistakes}. Maybe my father and I do, so come Saturday night, you’re going to see another step up from Gabriel Flores. To beat him, I just have to be myself. He’s got a nice right hand, but it takes more than a right hand to beat me.”

ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Jamel Herring vs. Lamont Roach Jr., 12 rounds, Herring’s WBO junior lightweight world title

Kubrat Pulev vs. Rydell Booker, 10 rounds, heavyweight

ESPN+, 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT

David Kaminsky vs. Travis Jerig, 6/4 rounds, middleweight

Robeisy Ramirez vs. Fernando Ibarra, 6 rounds, featherweight

Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Albert Onolunose, 10 rounds, Alimkhanuly’s WBC Continental Americas and WBO Global middleweight titles

Esquiva Falcao vs. Manny Woods, 10/8 rounds, middleweight

Amir Imam vs. Marcos Mojica, 8 rounds, welterweight

OFF TV (After Herring-Roach)

Gabriel Flores Jr. vs. Aelio Mesquita, 8 rounds, lightweight

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Golden Boy, tickets are priced at $200, $96, $46 and $29 (not including applicable fees). Tickets can be purchased by visiting mpv.tickets.com, charge by phone at 559.320.TIXS (8497) or at the Chukchansi Park box office (open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m PT to 5 p.m. PT). In honor of Veterans Day and the Marine Corps Birthday, any active or retired service members will receive up to four free tickets to the event by presenting their military ID at the Chukchansi Park box office (while supplies last).

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

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

FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 22, 2019) — IBF No. 1 heavyweight contender Kubrat Pulev returns to the ring to face Rydell Booker in a 10-round clash Saturday, November 9 at Chukchansi Park in downtown Fresno, California.

Pulev-Booker will serve as the co-feature to the Jamel Herring-Lamont Roach Jr. WBO junior lightweight world title bout and both fights will live stream on ESPN+, the leading multi-sport streaming service, starting at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

The entire undercard will stream on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

“Kubrat Pulev is ready to fight for a heavyweight title today, but he has one final test before that can become a reality,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “He is motivated to knock out Booker and get ready for his title shot in early 2020.”

“This fight with Rydell Booker is very important because of what’s at stake,” Pulev said. “Everything is on the line. I am the top contender in the heavyweight division, and I am the mandatory challenger for the winner of the Andy Ruiz Jr.-Anthony Joshua rematch. I want the winner. It doesn’t matter who it is.”

“It’s a big deal for me. This is a chance for me to show everyone that I still have it,” Booker said. “I haven’t missed a beat. This opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time. I was in camp with Oleksandr Usyk for six weeks before I got the fight. The numbers made sense, so I jumped at the opportunity.”

Pulev (27-1, 14 KOs), one of Bulgaria’s most prominent sporting figures, has won seven fights in a row since challenging Wladimir Klitschko in a failed bid for the unified heavyweight title in November 2014. He earned the IBF No. 1 ranking last October with a unanimous decision over Hughie Fury in his hometown of Sofia, Bulgaria.

Pulev maintained his ranking with a seventh-round knockout over Bogdan Dinu in the main event of a Top Rank on ESPN telecast March 23 in Costa Mesa, California. He faces Booker (26-2, 13 KOs), a 38-year-old Detroit native who is 4-1 since returning in February 2018 from serving a 12-year prison term for a drug conviction. A cruiserweight contender in the early 2000s, Booker now hopes a return to boxing can help him outside of the ring as well.

In other undercard action:

• Middleweight sensation Janibek Alimkhanuly (7-0, 3 KOs) hopes to bring his brand of “Qazaq Style” to Fresno when he defends his WBC Continental Americas and WBO Global belts against former NABO and Canadian middleweight champion Albert Onolunose (24-2-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Alimkhanuly is trained by Hall of Famer Buddy McGirt and has knocked out two of his last three foes.
   
• Longtime middleweight contender and 2012 Olympic silver medalist Esquiva Falcao (24-0, 16 KOs) will continue his march up the rankings in a 10-rounder against Manny Woods (16-8-1, 6 KOs). Falcao was the first Brazilian boxer to reach an Olympic final and is ranked No. 7 by the IBF and No. 6 by the WBC.
   
• The pride of Stockton, California, Gabriel Flores Jr. (15-0, 6 KOs), will see his hometown fans head south to watch him face Aelio Mesquita (19-4, 17 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight fight. The 19-year-old Flores packed more than 10,000 fans into the Stockton Arena back in May and is perhaps the sport’s top ticket-selling prospect.
   
• Former world title challenger Amir Imam (21-2, 18 KOs) will make his long-awaited ring return versus Marcos Mojica (16-4-2, 12 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight fight. Imam, who recently signed with Top Rank, hasn’t fought since a March 2018 decision loss to Jose Ramirez for the vacant WBC super lightweight world title.

• Robeisy Ramirez (0-1), a two-time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba, will look to rebound from a shocking defeat in his professional debut against Fernando Ibarra De Anda (2-1, 0 KOs) in a six-rounder at featherweight.
   
• David Kaminsky (5-0, 2 KOs), the 19-year-old Israeli-born middleweight prospect, will face an opponent to be named in a six-rounder.

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

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Golden Boy, tickets are priced at $200, $96, $46 and $29 (not including applicable fees). Tickets can be purchased by visiting mpv.tickets.com, charge by phone at 559.320.TIXS (8497) or at the Chukchansi Park box office (open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. PT to 5 p.m. PT). In honor of Veterans Day and the Marine Corps Birthday, any active or retired service members will receive up to four free tickets to the event by presenting their military ID at the Chukchansi Park box office (while supplies last).

Use the hashtags #HerringRoach and #PulevBooker to join the conversation on social media.

About ESPN+

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Claressa Shields dominated Christina Hammer over all 10-rounds and won a unanimous decision to unify the IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO Middleweight titles in the what was billed as the most significant woman’s boxing match in history.

The bout took place at the Adrian Phillips Theater at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

After the 1st round, which was much of a feel out round, Shields dominated the action and had Hammer in trouble several times throughout the 2nd half of the fight. Shields hurt Hammer in rounds eight and nine, and it seemed like she could get the stoppage, but Hammer was able to survive and last the distance.

Shields, 159 1/2 lbs of Flint, MU won on all cards by 98-92 tallies, and is now 9-0. Hammer, 159 lbs of Dortmund, GER is 24-1-0-1.

“I am the greatest woman of all time,” said Shields, who nearly earned a stoppage during a barrage in the closing moments of the eighth round. “I did it. She didn’t win a single round. I almost knocked her out. I swear I feel like I’m dreaming right now. Thanks to Christina Hammer and her team. They said she had a hard jab and they weren’t lying. Her jab is off the chain.

“I was just calculating in the first round and after that I started picking her apart,” she continued. “I knew I could hurt her. I thought I finished her in round eight. I thought the fight should have been stopped. She was holding onto me. I just told myself, stay cool, stay cool. I was trying to get the perfect punch to get her out of there.

“Women’s boxing, we’re on fire. I cannot wait to see the next super fight. Give me Cecilia Brækhus at 154 pounds. That’s who I want next. Either her or Savannah Marshall.”

“I didn’t fight very good or fast,” said a subdued Hammer. “That’s boxing, anything can happen. I wanted this fight. She won, respect to her. She’s a tough, strong woman and that’s all I can say.

“She’s fast, she comes forward. She has fast hands. I couldn’t land my jab as good as I expected. I’ll come back and I’ll be back stronger.

Jermaine Franklin won a 10-round unanimous decision over Rydell Booker in a heavyweight fight.

There were some good exchanges on the inside, but it was Franklin who got the better of the action as he outlanded Booker 146-94.

Franklin of Saginaw, MI won by scores of 99-91 and 98-92 twice and is now 18-0. Booker of Detroit is 25-2.

“I think I had a decent performance,” said the Saginaw, Mich. native. “There’s some stuff I could work on. I over-crowded myself a little bit and I was a little over-anxious. He had a lot more experience than me and used it to his advantage. He could see what I was doing.

“I learned to stay more patient because I had him hurt a few times, but once I got over-anxious, my whole game plan went out the window. I started messing up and making crazy mistakes I shouldn’t have. Now it’s back to the drawing board to work on my mistakes and come out bigger and badder next time.”

“I felt he out-hustled me, but it was a lot closer than how the judges scored it,” said Booker. “He was missing me a lot more than it looked. I slipped a lot of shots and hit him clean.

“I knew he would bring the pressure, but he needs a lot of work. He stays too centered with his head. He’s alright. What he has on his side is youth. I’d rate my performance about a seven. I had a training camp injury I was dealing with. I’m going to stay active and come back stronger than ever.”

Heavyweight’s Otto Wallin and Nick Kisner fought to a no-contest after one round due to an accidental headbutt.

Kisner was cut over his right eye and Wallin was cut on his forehead from an accidental headbutt in the 1st round. After the round was over, Kisner could not continue due to his cut.

Wallin, 227 1/4 lbs of Sudsvall, SWE is 20-0 (1 NC). Kisner, 221 lbs of Baltimore is 21-4-1-1

“To me, his cut didn’t look that bad,” said a disappointed Wallin, who was making his U.S. debut. “It’s a shame because I trained really hard for this fight and was looking to put on a show for fans in America. I just didn’t have time to get going.

“I’d like to get back in there soon and show what I can do. I’m going to take this as a learning experience.”

“I caught a headbutt and the referee came to me,” said Kisner. “He saw me swiping at my eye and said ‘can you see?’ I said, ‘soon as I get the blood out of my eye, sure.’

“I feel horrible after training so hard. I felt good in the first round. The judges probably gave him the first round, but I always take off the first round. I was feeling like I could get to him eventually. You saw me land my overhand right.”

Brenda Karen Carbajal won the IBF Featherweight title with a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Elena Gradinar.

Carbajal won by scores of 97-93 twice and 96-94 and is now 16-4-1. Gradinar is 9-1.

Jarico O’Quinn won an eight-round unanimous decision over Vicente Alfaro in a super flyweight bout.

O’Quinn won by scores of 80-72 on all cards, and is now 12-0-1. Alfaro is 9-5.

Mario Heredia scored a eight-round split decision over former heavyweight titlist Samuel Peter

In round three, Peter decked Heredia with a booming right to the chin. Heredia was able to survive and gut out the slugfest by scores of 77-74 and 76-75, while Peter won a card 79-72.

Heredia is now 16-6-1. Peter falls to 37-7.

Marcus Bates stopped Jose Angel Hernandez after round three of a scheduled eight-round super bantamweight bout.

It was a good action fight that had Hernandez pressing, and Bates looking to counter. Hernandez for some reason could not continue after round three.

Bates is now 9-1-1 with eight knockouts. Hernandez is 12-3.

Isiah Seldon got off the deck to win a six-round unanimous decision over Bryan Goldsby in a middleweight bout.

In round one, Goldsny dropped Seldon with a combination in the corner that was started by a right to the chin. Seldon was able to come back and win every round and in round four almost had Goldsby out as he landed a flurry of hard shots only to have Goldsby saved by a low blow.

Seldon won each card 58-55 and is now 13-2-1. Goldsby is 5-10.