Beterbiev-Hot Rod Weigh-In Results

• Artur Beterbiev 174.4 lbs vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic 173 lbs
(Beterbiev’s IBF Light Heavyweight world title – 12 Rounds)

• Gabriel Flores Jr. 132.8 lbs vs. Eduardo Pereira Reis 130.8 lbs
(Lightweight – 6 Rounds)

• Jerwin Ancajas 114.2 lbs vs. Ryuichi Funai 114.4 lbs
(Ancajas’ IBF Junior Bantamweight world title- 12 Rounds)

ESPN+ (6:30 p.m. ET)

• Felix Valera 175 lbs vs. Mario Aguilar 175.2 lbs
(Light Heavyweight – 10 Rounds)

• Brian Mendoza 149.4 lbs vs. Carlos Rodriguez 151 lbs
(Welterweight – 8 Rounds)

• Vislan Dalkhaev 123.4 lbs vs. Vincent Jennings 123.6 lbs
(Super Bantamweight – 6 Rounds)

• Blake McKernan 194.6 lbs vs. Joey Montoya 197.2 lbs
(Cruiserweight – 8 Rounds)

• Marco Arroyo 110.2 lbs vs. Jesus Godinez 111.4 lbs
(Flyweight – 4 Rounds)

Swing Bout
• Quilisto Madera 160 lbs vs. Osbaldo Gonzalez 160.8 lbs
(Middleweight – 6/4 Rounds)

Promoted by Top Rank, remaining tickets priced at $175, $100, $65, $40, and $25 are on sale now and can be purchased online via Ticketmaster.com or at the Stockton Arena Ticket Office Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and beginning three hours prior to event time on event days.




Presser Notes and Quotes: Artur Beterbiev, Jerwin Ancajas and Gabriel Flores Jr. Set for Stockton Fight Night Saturday on ESPN


STOCKTON, Calif. (May 2, 2019) – Boxing’s only world champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio (Artur Beterbiev), the longest-reigning junior bantamweight world champion (Jerwin Ancajas) and the sport’s youngest ticket-seller (Gabriel Flores Jr.) took center stage Thursday at the final press conference for Saturday’s ESPN-televised card at Stockton Arena (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) .

IBF light heavyweight world champion Beterbiev (13-0, 13 KOs) will take on the hard-hitting Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic (24-1, 17 KOs) in the main event, while Ancajas (30-1-2, 20 KOs) will make the seventh defense of his IBF junior bantamweight world title against No. 1. contender Ryuichi Funai (31-7, 22 KOs) in the co-feature.

Flores (12-0, 5 KOs), the 19-year-old Stockton native making his grand homecoming, will fight Eduardo Pereira Reis (23-5, 19 KOs) in a six-round lightweight special attraction. At the press conference, Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs presented Flores with a key to the city and the NBA G League’s Stockton Kings gave the hometown hero a custom jersey and belt.

Flores and his adviser, Rick Mirigian, did not want this event to pass without giving back. They awarded a local high school senior, Sherwood Ruffin-Turner, with a scholarship check to assist with his collegiate studies. Ruffin-Turner is a straight-A student who works two jobs and dreams of becoming an immigration attorney.

This is what the fighters had to say.

Artur Beterbiev

“My preparation was excellent. I want to thank my new promoter, Top Rank, for this opportunity. I look forward to showing the American fans my talent, and I am glad to be fighting in such a great light heavyweight division.”

“I have a great opponent on Saturday night, but of course, I want to unify the titles. There are many great light heavyweights, and as a fighter, I want to test myself against the best. I want to be No. 1 in the division.”

Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic

“About two years ago, I quit boxing. I had a really bad injury, got a job and went up to 225 pounds. Mentally, physically, I was done. Then, I had this procedure, stem cells, and over time it did a miracle. Look at me now. I’m on ESPN fighting for a world title. Life is great.”

On his reaction when he was offered the fight

“I was excited because I had been telling my manager that {Beterbiev} was one of the guys that I would pick if I could. When I got the call, I didn’t hesitate. I took the fight. It’s going to be a fun fight. He comes forward. I come forward. It’s going to be a fun fight for the fans.”

“I tuned some things up, and you guys will see on Saturday night.”

Jerwin Ancajas

“My last fight – my sixth title defense against Alejandro Santiago Barrios – was a hard fight for me. This will be my seventh title defense. We are confident, but we respect the challenge in front of us. Funai is a good, tough fighter.”

On what he hopes to show this Saturday

“The last time I fought, I was not happy with the result. For this fight, we did some different things in training to prepare 100 percent for the challenge in front of us. We prepared for all different types of styles, which will help me adjust as the fight goes on. My sparring partners were excellent, and you will see the result of that training on Saturday night.”

Ryuichi Funai

On his first world title shot

“I am extremely excited to put on a great performance. I have a strong heart, and I will be aggressive. I thank Ancajas for the opportunity, but I am here to become the new champion.”

On Ancajas

“I see him as a very talented fighter who can do many different things in the ring. It is my job to make his job more difficult.”

Gabriel Flores Jr.

“Since I was in elementary school, since I was an amateur, I always looked at this beautiful arena with a dream of fighting here. I was born and raised in Stockton, California. I’ve never lived in any other city. I had tough times here, but I love my city. I lost my mom, I lost an uncle. So, I’ve been through a lot, and I’ve overcome it. I just want to fight in my city, so come May 4, there’s going to be a lot of kids in attendance, a lot of parents, the whole community. They’re going to see me do something great, which is go after my dreams. I’m becoming successful. I’m going after my dreams. They’re going to see that they have a lot of opportunities out there. They’re not limited. They’re in this city and they can stay hungry and fight for what they want.”

On his opponent

“I’m ready. I’ve seen his tape. I see what he’s going to try and do. When I go in there, my boxing IQ is high. It’s definitely something he hasn’t seen before. I’ve fought in national and international tournaments {as an amateur}. I’ve seen every style.”

Rick Mirigian

“Gabriel has come a long way to put this many people in this building. It’s no small achievement. We have a big world championship night of boxing, and there will be a full house come Saturday night.”

ESPN and ESPN Deportes, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Artur Beterbiev (champion) vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic (challenger), 12 rounds, Beterbiev’s IBF light heavyweight world title, MAIN EVENT

Gabriel Flores Jr. vs. Eduardo Pereira Reis, 6 rounds, lightweight, SPECIAL ATTRACTION

Jerwin Ancajas (champion) vs. Ryuichi Funai (challenger), 12 rounds, Ancajas’ IBF junior bantamweight world title, CO-FEATURE

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

Felix Valera vs. Mario Aguilar, 10 rounds, light heavyweight

Brian Mendoza vs. Carlos Rodriguez, 8 rounds, welterweight

Vislan Dalkhaev vs. Vincent Jennings, 6 rounds, super bantamweight

Blake McKernan vs. Joey Montoya, 8 rounds, cruiserweight

Marco Arroyo vs. Jesus Godinez, 4 rounds, flyweight

Swing Bout

Quilisto Madera vs. Osbaldo Gonzalez, 6/4 rounds, middleweight

Promoted by Top Rank, remaining tickets priced at $175, $100, $65, $40, and $25 are on sale now and can be purchased online via Ticketmaster.com or at the Stockton Arena Ticket Office Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and beginning three hours prior to event time on event days.




Media Workout: Gabriel Flores Jr. Set for Stockton Homecoming

STOCKTON, Calif. (May 1, 2019) – Gabriel Flores Jr. celebrated in his 19th birthday Wednesday at Los Gallos Boxing Academy in his hometown, three days before he makes his ESPN-televised homecoming in front of an expected crowd of more than 10,000 at Stockton Arena.

Flores (12-0, 5 KOs) will take on Eduardo Pereira (23-5, 19 KOs) in a six-round lightweight showdown, which will be televised in between a pair of highly anticipated world championship bouts.

In the main event, IBF light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev (13-0, 13 KOs) – the only current world champion in boxing with a 100 percent knockout ratio – will fight the hard-hitting Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic (24-1, 17 KOs). And, in the co-feature, Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas (30-1-2, 20 KOs) will make the seventh defense of his IBF junior bantamweight world title against No. 1. contender Ryuichi Funai (31-7, 22 KOs).

Flores, a one-time standout amateur who signed with Top Rank in 2016 at the age of 16, is now one of the sport’s top young ticket-sellers. This is what he had to say.

Gabriel Flores Jr.

“Not many fighters can sell tickets, so for me to do it in my hometown at such a young age is a blessing. I have a great team behind me, and having ESPN come to Stockton is a dream come true.”

“Pereira is a veteran who has fought many top prospects. He’s an aggressive fighter, which will make for a crowd-pleasing fight. I want to show out for my hometown. There hasn’t been a boxing event like this is in Stockton for many years.”

“I honestly don’t feel pressure fighting in my hometown. If anything, it gives me more motivation. I want to put Stockton back on the boxing map.”

“I can feel myself growing into my man strength now. I am 19 years old now, and I have learned so much in my two years as a professional. I have faced a lot of different styles and types of fighters, which has helped my development.”

“I am honored to be on a great card like this with two world championship bouts. One day, I’ll return home to Stockton as a world champion.”

“Me, I want to go into the ring and make my mother proud (Flores’ mother, Juanita Maldonado, passed away in 2013). I will go into the ring against a very experienced opponent. There will be bright lights and lasers flashing when I get into the ring and there will be bright lights and lasers flashing when I start fighting. Since I’ve been a small boy, I have dreamed of this day, and here we are at last.”

Rick Mirigian (Flores’ adviser)

“This city loves its young king. No one this young is selling this many tickets, and Saturday will stand as one of this year’s biggest shows period across the board. A star has been born.”

ESPN and ESPN Deportes, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Artur Beterbiev (champion) vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic (challenger), 12 rounds, Beterbiev’s IBF light heavyweight world title, MAIN EVENT

Gabriel Flores Jr. vs. Eduardo Pereira, 6 rounds, lightweight, SPECIAL ATTRACTION

Jerwin Ancajas (champion) vs. Ryuichi Funai (challenger), 12 rounds, Ancajas’ IBF junior bantamweight world title, CO-FEATURE

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

Felix Valera vs. Mario Aguilar, 10 rounds, light heavyweight

Brian Mendoza vs. Carlos Rodriguez, 8 rounds, welterweight

Vislan Dalkhaev vs. Vincent Jennings, 6 rounds, super bantamweight

Blake McKernan vs. Joey Montoya, 8 rounds, cruiserweight

Marco Arroyo vs. Jesus Godinez, 4 rounds, flyweight

Swing Bout

Quilisto Madera vs. Osbaldo Camacho, 6/4 rounds, middleweight

Promoted by Top Rank, remaining tickets priced at $175, $100, $65, $40, and $25 are on sale now and can be purchased online via Ticketmaster.com or at the Stockton Arena Ticket Office Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and beginning three hours prior to event time on event days.




May 4: Beterbiev-Hot Rod, Ancajas-Funai and Hometown Hero Gabriel Flores Jr. Headline ESPN Card at Stockton Arena


STOCKTON, Calif. (March 19, 2019) — IBF light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev, the only current world champion with a 100 percent knockout ratio, will take his iron fists to California for the second defense of his title.

Beterbiev, who recently signed a long-term pact with Top Rank, will face top contender Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic in the main event Saturday, May 4 at Stockton Arena. In the co-feature, Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas, the world’s longest-reigning 115-pound world champion, will make the seventh defense of his IBF junior bantamweight title against No. 1 contender Ryuichi Funai.

And, in a six-round lightweight special attraction, 18-year-old Stockton native and blue-chip prospect Gabriel Flores Jr. will face off against Eduardo Pereira.

Beterbiev-Kalajdzic, Ancajas-Funai, and Flores-Pereira will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (Spanish) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m PT. The soon-to-be announced undercard will stream live beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT on ESPN+, the direct-to-consumer sports streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment and ESPN.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets priced at $175, $100, $65, $40, and $25 go on sale TODAY, March 19 at 12 p.m. PT, and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000 or at the Stockton Arena Ticket Office Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and beginning three hours prior to event time on event days.

“Top Rank is really excited to bring big-time boxing to Stockton on May 4,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “The light heavyweight championship between Beterbiev and Hot Rod will be a thrilling brawl. Gabriel Flores Jr. will have the opportunity to perform before his hometown fans, and we welcome Jerwin Ancajas back in a great fight against Funai.”

“I am very excited to defend my IBF light heavyweight title on May 4 against a high-quality opponent like Radivoje Kalajdzic,” Beterbiev said. “This will be a great fight, and I can’t wait to get in the ring and show once again why I am the best 175-pound boxer in the world.”

“I’m thrilled to get this opportunity to challenge for a world title against a great fighter like Artur Beterbiev,” Kalajdzic said. “It will be a very exciting fight. Both of us hit hard, so expect fireworks. I am focused on securing a victory and will take full advantage of this shot. A win opens so many doors for me and will change my life. On May 4, the light heavyweight division will have a new world champion.”

Beterbiev (13-0, 13 KOs), a 34-year-old native of Russia, turned pro in 2013 following an amateur career that included a pair of European Championships gold medals and a gold medal at the 2009 World Championships. In only his sixth pro bout, he knocked out former world champion Tavoris Cloud. He won the IBF crown in November 2017 with a fourth-round stoppage over Enrico Kölling in Fresno, California. Beterbiev defended his belt the following October, recovering from a second-round knockdown to stop Callum Johnson in the fourth. Kalajdzic (24-1, 17 KOs) has won three in a row since a highly controversial split decision loss to Marcus Browne, including a fifth-round stoppage over then-unbeaten Travis Peterkin.

Flores (12-0, 5 KOs) was one of the great U.S. amateurs in recent memory, a boxing prodigy who signed with Top Rank in 2016 at the age of 16. He became the youngest fighter ever to sign a pro contract with Top Rank and will turn 19 three days before his bout against Pereira. He went 6-0 in 2018 and last fought on Feb. 10, cruising to a six-round unanimous decision over Alex Torres Rynn. Flores is returning home to raise awareness for bullying in his community, a cause that is near and dear to his heart.

“I was born and raised in Stockton, and it is the city I still call home. To get the opportunity to fight at the big arena in front of my friends, family, and biggest fans is a dream come true,” Flores said. “This is only the beginning of my journey. One day, I will fill up that arena as a world champion. I am excited to use my platform to show kids that bullying is unacceptable and that we must treat everyone with dignity and respect.”

“This fight card in Stockton is two-and-a-half years in the making,” said Rick Mirigian, event organizer and Flores’ adviser. “This gorgeous arena sits on the waterfront, and Stockton is a real fight town. Look for fireworks from Flores Jr. in his homecoming in what will be the biggest televised sporting event the city has ever seen.”

Ancajas (30-1-2, 20 KOs), a 27-year-old Filipino native, has been one of the most active world champions in modern boxing, defending his belt three times apiece in 2017 and 2018. Unbeaten in 18 fights dating back to 2012, Ancajas is coming off a competitive draw versus Alejandro Santiago and is seeking to rebound against Funai (31-7, 22 KOs), who has won seven consecutive fights. A native of Tokyo, Funai is a former Japanese super flyweight champion who earned top contender status last June with an eighth-round KO over Warlito Parrenas. In his last bout, he knocked out Victor Emanuel Olivo in the second round to extend his KO streak to three.

“I was hard at work three weeks after my last fight with Santiago,” Ancajas said. “I am going to be in the best shape in my upcoming fight with Funai. Coming off my last fight, I really want to give a great performance and defend my world title in style for the fans in Stockton and everyone watching on ESPN.”

“I am excited for this opportunity to challenge for a world title and to make my professional debut in America,” Funai said. “I know I have the experience and the skills to become the new IBF champion of the world. Jerwin and I respect one another, but this is boxing, and I am going to fight my heart out.”

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