Tevin Farmer will defend his IBF World Super-Featherweight title against Jono Carroll at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia on Friday March 15, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

TICKETS WILL GO ON SALE NEXT TUESDAY (JANUARY 29)

Farmer (28-4-1 6KOs) makes the third defense of his crown in his first fight on home turf as a World champion, following a wide points win over Francisco Fonseca in New York in December, a win that followed a dominant fifth round stoppage over Northern Irishman James Tennyson in his first defense in Boston in October.

The 28 year old returns to the Temple University venue having boxed there in April 2017 against Arturo Reyes – the fight before his first World title showdown with Kenichi Ogawa in Las Vegas in December, where his controversial split decision loss was turned into a no-contest after the Japanese failed a drug test. Farmer would claim the vacant IBF title in August in Australia with a comprehensive points win over seasoned Aussie Billy Dib.

Unbeaten Dubliner Carroll (16-0-1 3KOs) fights for his first World title on St Patrick’s weekend against Farmer, with his shot at the title following a closely fought split draw in a final eliminator with Guillaume Frenois in Sheffield, England in December.

Farmer and Carroll have been involved in bitter social media spats and will finally come face-to-face for the first time at a press conference to launch the fight in Philly next Tuesday, and both fighters believe the fight will be as fiery as the build-up.

“He’s got a World title shot on St Patrick’s weekend, he should be thanking me,” said Farmer. “He’s trying to get under my skin but it’s impossible to get under my skin. He’s making himself look bad and he’s stepping up to a whole different level with me. I’m A-level and he’s going to pay.

“He says we both come from tough backgrounds, the hood, that boy hasn’t come from any struggle, no hood. I’m going to show him when he comes to Philly, he’s going to eat his words. He’s trying to get his buzz up but there’s certain things that you don’t say. He’s made this personal and you don’t want to get personal with a Philly guy like me.

“This is big for me, fighting as a World champion in Philly. When does Philly hold big World championship shows? This is big – it’s a boxing town but this is as big a show as there’s been here for a long time. I have to thank Eddie, Lou and DAZN for making this a reality, because often World champions don’t always get the chance to fight in their home city. It doesn’t happen, but it’s happening for me and that shows the level of respect that Eddie, Lou and I have for each other. It’s going to be a great night.

“I don’t care about these other champions. You never know what is going to happen with politics and people making excuses, but I’m here, I defended the title twice in three months last year and I’m headlining at home. If people really want to fight, it’s simple to do – sign the contract and turn up and fight.

“The only thing I care about is my career, keep lining them up and I’m going to keep smoking them and keep getting paid. With or without them, my career will be the best of all those guys. I’m on a high right now. Everything is good right now, I’m doing everything I’ve dreamed of.”

“It is only fitting that Tevin Farmer’s remarkable journey in boxing and in life comes back to his home city, Philadelphia,” said DiBella. “In 2018, from Australia to Madison Square Garden, Tevin established himself as one of the brightest and most active stars in boxing.

“This is the homecoming Tevin deserves, and if Jono Carroll fights with the same fervor that he talks, it will also be a fight befitting of a city that has long been synonymous with all action wars.”

“I’ll do what I want with Tevin, he’s a tiny little child and I’m not afraid of him,” said Carroll. “When we meet, if he’s respectful of me, I’ll be respectful back as that’s how I’ve been brought up – but if comes talking rubbish then I’ll put him in his place.

“I see a fakeness in him when I see him interviewed, I see a fake person. My thoughts on him are that he wants to be liked, but he’s not. I reckon he’s arrogant, that’s the man I think he is and I know he’s that sort of flashy person saying stupid things on Twitter.

“Tevin is a man that wants to be liked but he plays like he’s Floyd Mayweather, but he’s not half as good as him. He has serious holes in his armory, and I am going to poke every single one of them, I’ll break him up and stop him.

“He’s never met a man like me in his life. He came from a rough background yes, but so did I. We’re both from crazy places but we’re in the limelight now, so we have to be grown-up and responsible as we’re going to have cameras around us.”

Irish sensation Katie Taylor can take a giant step towards her goal of becoming the undisputed World Lightweight champion when she aims to unify her WBA and IBF titles against WBO ruler Rose Volante.

Taylor (12-0 5KOs) added the IBF strap to her WBA title in April against Victoria Bustos in Brooklyn, New York, and has since defended the titles three times, stopping Kimberly Connor in three rounds in London in July before shutouts against Cindy Serrano in Boston in October and ending a stunning 2018 by beating Eva Wahlstrom in New York in December.

Volante (14-0 8KOs) has defended her WBO crown twice since winning the vacant title in December 2017 and the Argentine won both her defenses in Brazil 2018 by the halfway point, with Lourdes Borbua retiring after five rounds in April and Yolis Marrugo Franco stopped in three in September.

The champions put titles and unbeaten records on the line in Philadelphia, and the winner will target Belgian WBC ruler Delfine Persoon for all the belts later in the year.

“Ever since I won my first World title as a pro my goal has been to unify the Lightweight titles so this is obviously a massive step towards that,” said Taylor. “Volante is unbeaten so I’m expecting a tough fight but that’s exactly the kind of challenge I want. I think the better the opponent and the bigger the challenge the better I will perform.

“It’s a great card to be on especially with so many Irish fighters on the bill on St. Patrick’s weekend in Philadelphia so I’m sure it will be a special occasion.

“For now my focus is on Volante but of course after that fight I would love to have all the belts as soon as possible. Hopefully the Persoon fight can finally be made for the summer and then there are some other huge fights out there as well for the rest of the year.”

A stacked card in support of the two World title blockbusters is led by a crunch Middleweight clash between Philadelphia’s Gabriel Rosado and Pole Maciej Sulecki and an all-Philadelphia Lightweight clash between Hank Lundy and Avery Sparrow.

Rosado (24-11-1 14KOs) is back in action after a controversial all-action fight in Kansas with Luis Arias in November, the former World title challenger drawing with the Milwaukee man. The 33 year old will be desperate to get his name back into contention for major honors with the 160lbs division red hot right now, but Sulecki (27-1 11KOs) will have the same designs on those title shots having bounced back from a loss against Daniel Jacobs in April with a second round KO win in Poland in November.

“I’m excited to start the year back home in Philly,” said Rosado. “This is the second half of my career and the goal is to win a World title. It’s only right that it starts here in Philly.”

Prospect Sparrow (9-1 3KOs) will be gunning to add a major scalp to his CV in the shape of former World title challenger Lundy (29-7-1 14KOs). Sparrow faces the second ten round clash of his career as he looks to step up his progress early in 2019.

“It’s been a long time since I last fought but that’s on me and I’ve learned from it,” said Sparrow. “Fighting someone like Hank Lundy is the kind of challenge I look forward to. It’s a big fight on a big stage.”

“Once again we have a great Philly vs. Philly fight and that is always good for boxing in Philly,” said Lundy. “It’s a hard fight but we’re both looking down the road because we know what winning this fight will do for our careers.”

Kazakhstan’s Olympic gold medal star Daniyar Yeleussinov (5-0 3KOs) fights for the sixth time in the paid ranks ahead of what promises to be a break out year for the 27 year old, the same of which can be said for two-time Olympian and 2012 silver medalist John Joe Nevin (11-0 4KOs) who joins fellow Irish fighters on the St. Patrick’s weekend bill.

“I can’t wait for March 15 at the Liacouras Center,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “It’s our first ever event in Philadelphia and it’s an honor to promote in this great city on St Patrick’s weekend.

“Tevin Farmer is one of the great boxing underdog stories of our generation and I’m so happy he is getting the chance to bring that World championship home against a feisty and talented Jono Carroll.

“The biggest star in World boxing, Ireland’s Katie Taylor, looks to unify the division against WBO champ Rose Volante. Philly favorite Gabe Rosado takes on Poland’s Maciej Sulecki in a thrilling Middleweight match up and Olympic stars Daniyar Yeleussinov and John Joe Nevin. It’s stacked from top to bottom and it’s going to be an electric night of boxing in Philadelphia.”

PHILADELPHIA – Junior lightweight champion Tevin Farmer has been named the “2018 Philly Fighter of the Year” and will receive the Briscoe Award on April 14, 2018. The Philadelphian also earned the award for the “Performance of the Year”, based on his title-winning effort against Billy Dib. Farmer and several other locals will be honored at the 12th Annual Briscoe Awards, a public event held at Xfinity Live! Philadelphia.

The dramatic super middleweight bout between Kalvin Henderson and Brandon Robinson was named the “2018 Philly Fight of the Year”. Henderson won the exciting struggle, but both combatants will take home a Briscoe Award.

Other winners, also determined by fan voting, include – Danny Garcia, “KO of the Year” / Christian Carto, “The One to Watch” / Jeremy Cuevas, “Prospect of the Year” / Samuel Teah, “Upset of the Year” / Paul Kroll, “Rookie of the Year” / Atif Oberlton, “Amateur of the Year”. In addition, one photographer will win a Briscoe Award for the “2018 Photo of the Year”, at the live event on April 14th.

Two honorary Briscoe Awards for lifetime achievement, will also be given at the event. Philadelphia boxing legend Stanley “Kitten” Hayward will be honored for his long and memorable boxing career, as well as his upcoming 80th birthday, and promoter J Russell Peltz will receive an honorary Briscoe to celebrate his 50th year as a boxing promoter.

The Briscoe Awards are named for Philly icon Bennie Briscoe, who had a 20-year boxing career and perfectly embodied the classic Philly fighter.

Philly Boxing History Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization and the Briscoe Awards are one of its many public programs designed to honor, remember, and celebrate local ring history in and around the City of Philadelphia.

Tickets for the April 14th event cost $10 each and are available for purchase at BriscoeAwards.com or by calling 609-377-6413. Sponsorships and program advertisements are also available, and help to fund this important public event.
For more information, please call 609-377-6413.

New York, NY (December 12, 2018) IBF Junior Lightweight World Champion Tevin Farmer tops a list of four DiBella Entertainment (DBE) fighters entering the squared circle this Saturday, December 15, in New York City, New Zealand, Spain and Toronto, Canada.

Farmer (27-4-1, 6 KOs), a native of Philadelphia, PA, will be making the second defense of his title against former world title challenger Francisco Fonseca (22-1-1, 16 KOs), of San Ramon, Costa Rica, in a 12-round clash on the undercard of the Canelo Alvarez-Rocky Fielding Super Middleweight Title bout at Madison Square Garden and live on DAZN.

“Tevin Farmer is the most active champion in boxing and one of the most skilled,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Tevin has fought 17 rounds over two championship bouts in the last four months, and the case can be made that he is yet to lose a minute, let alone a round. I expect a similar dominant performance on Saturday in Madison Square Garden as Tevin continues to establish himself among the elite of boxing.”

The 28-year-old Farmer won the vacant title with a 12-round unanimous decision against Billy Dib on August 3, in Australia. Quickly following that up with his first defense, Farmer stopped James Tennyson in the fifth round on October 20, in Boston, MA. The 24-year-old heavy-handed Fonseca has won three fights in a row, all by knockout, since challenging then-IBF Junior Lightweight titlist Gervonta Davis on August 26, 2017, in Las Vegas, NV.

Undefeated heavyweight contender Junior Fa (15-0, 8 KOs), WBO #10, of New Zealand, looks to continue his rise in the world rankings facing Rogelio Omar Rossi (20-6-1, 13 KOs), of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in a scheduled 10-round bout at the Horncastle Arena in Christchurch, New Zealand, on the undercard of former heavyweight titlist Joseph Parker’s return to the ring.

The 29-year-old Fa, who defeated Parker twice as an amateur, will be making the first defense of his Interim WBO Oriental Heavyweight Title earned with his 10-round unanimous decision against Luis Pascual on June 22. Southpaw Rossi enters the ring having scored two first-round knockouts in his last three fights.

From New Zealand to Canada: Also on Saturday, undefeated middleweight contender Steve Rolls (18-0, 10 KOs), IBF #15, of Toronto, Canada, will vie for the vacant USBA Middleweight Title versus battle-tested veteran KeAndrae Leatherwood (21-5-1, 13 KOs), of Birmingham, AL, in a scheduled 10-round bout at the Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto. Rolls returns to the ring following an eight-round unanimous decision against Damian Ezequiel Bonelli on April 18, in Toronto.

Rounding out the big weekend for DBE in Ponferrada, Spain, highly regarded junior lightweight prospect Jon “JonFer” Fernandez (16-1, 14 KOs) returns to action against Michel Marcano (17-1-1, 14 KOs), of Barcelona, Venezuela, in a scheduled eight-rounder.

Fernandez, 23, who has been a fixture on top prospect lists, will be making his first start since dropping a decision to O’Shaquie Foster on September 21, in a bout aired on Showtime. Marcano will look to re-enter the win column following his first loss against top contender Miguel “Mickey” Roman.

“I’m so proud of the DiBella Entertainment roster, which continues to showcase its talent and depth on a weekly basis,” said DiBella. “As Tevin Farmer defends his world title in New York City on Saturday, three other world-class members of the DBE stable that are on the brink of breaking through as world champions will be showcasing their skills around the globe. Tevin, Junior, Steve, and JonFer are primed to turn in excellent performances and I am excited to continue guiding them toward the top of the sport.”

Tevin Farmer will defend his IBF World Super-Featherweight title against Francisco Fonseca at Madison Square Garden in New York on December 15, on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez challenging Rocky Fielding for the WBA World Super-Middleweight title, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

Farmer (27 – 4 – 1 6KOs) makes the second defense of his crown under two months in his third fight in just over four months after he first put the belt on the line in Boston, where he blasted hard-hitting Northern Irishman James Tennyson away inside five rounds in a fantastic performance on DAZN.

The Philadelphia ace looks to crown a great year in his career in style at the Manhattan boxing mecca with a third huge win, having landed the vacant title in Australia in August with a landslide points win over local favorite Billy Dib in Sydney – erasing the disappointment of his controversial loss to Kenichi Ogawa in Las Vegas in December, with the hotly-contested split decision reversal changed to a no contest following the Japanese failing a drug test.

Farmer has set his sights on a unification clash with WBA champion Gervonta Davis in 2019 as he aims to stamp his name as the premier fighter at 130lbs, but Fonseca (22 – 1 – 1 16KOs), whose sole blemish on his career was in a clash for the IBF crown with Davis in August 2017, is confident of ruining those plans and enters the bout on the back of three stoppage wins inside five rounds.

“Another day, another big night,” said Farmer. “I’m looking to do the same thing that I did to Tennyson – but much faster.

“I’m on another level and people are starting to realize. Right now, I’m just trying to make history with every fight. December 15 I will show everyone once again that I am one of the best in the world.”

“I’d like to thanks Tevin Farmer for the opportunity,” said Fonseca. “I see his focus is on Gervonta Davis, not on me – but you have no idea the opponent that you will clash with on December 15.

“I hope you’re prepared so we can give the public a great fight. In the name of God, I’ll be the new IBF World Champion. I’ll guarantee my name will never be forgotten by the people that watch us fight and I’m ready to make history.”

“Tevin Farmer is one of the most inspirational stories in boxing,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “He’s won 20 fights in a row and is one of the fastest improving young stars in boxing. I’m pleased that, with Eddie Hearn and DAZN, he is now the most active champion in the ring. It’s a tremendous opportunity to be on the Canelo-Fielding bill.”

“It’s brilliant to Tevin straight back out after his big win in Boston,” said Eddie Hearn. “We are keeping our guys nice and active and Tevin gets his chance to go again on the biggest stage at Madison Square Garden against Fonseca.

“2019 is going to be a monster for Tevin but he must get the job done next Saturday – I can’t wait to see him light up the Garden live on DAZN.”

Canelo vs. Rocky is a 12-round fight for the WBA Super Middleweight World Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Matchroom Boxing. Lemieux vs. Johnson is a 12-round middleweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Eye of The Tiger Management. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING,” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, December 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City and will be streamed live on DAZN.

Tickets for Canelo vs. Rocky are on sale and are priced at $1,000, $500, $300, $200, $150, $100, $75 and $50 plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges. Tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com, www.goldenboytickets.com or www.MSG.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, http://www.matchroomboxing.com, and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @Rocky87Fielding, @MatchRoomBoxing, and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/MatchroomBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @Rocky_Fielding, @MatchroomBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #CaneloRocky.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/CaneloRocky into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy Promotions for any photo and/or video usage.

Jono Carroll has branded IBF Super-Featherweight World Champion Tevin Farmer a ‘joke of a man’ ahead of his final eliminator clash with Guillaume Frenois at the FlyDSA Arena on December 8.

The unbeaten Dublin star can win the right to challenge Farmer by overcoming France’s former European Champion Frenois next Saturday, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Farmer took aim at ‘King Kong’ on Twitter this week, promising to KO the former Prizefighter winner should they ever meet in the ring. A major money fight with Farmer is within touching distance and Carroll believes the American is only keeping the IBF crown warm for him.

“Tevin is an idiot, he’s a joke of a man,” blasted Carroll. “He gives backhanded compliments to his previous opponents that he’s beaten. He does a lot of immature things. He hasn’t got respect for anybody. He’s a fake person.

“All that flashiness is ridiculous. He does my head in as a person. He’s not a true Champion, he doesn’t hold himself like a Champion and he doesn’t behave like a Champion.

“I can’t wait to put him on a platform and smash him up. I’ll show everyone that he’s nothing but a heartless little b*tch. I’m going to tear him apart. I’m as real as they come but I’m a fighter, I’m a warrior.

“I’ve seen him quit before in the past. I’ve watched his fights where he was beaten. Even the commentators said that he looked to the referee for help. If you’re once soft, you’re always soft.

“For me, he hasn’t got a heart. He’s just had opponents smartly picked for him at this stage of his career and the ones that weren’t smartly picked for him smashed him up and beat him.

“I guarantee you I’m going to take that belt off him. I visualise the fight happening and I visualise winning the belt. There’s many ways it can happen. He’s literally just keeping that belt warm for me.”

Despite the heated back and forth with ‘American Idol’ on social media, Carroll remains fully focused at the task at hand and insists he is not overlooking 47 fight veteran Frenois.

“I don’t know too much about him,” admitted Carrol. “He’s experienced, that’s as much as I know. He’s experienced and in boxing you cannot buy experience. I have to be switched on and I have to be on my game.

“In some ways this is my World title fight because it’s all or nothing. He’s a very dangerous opponent, I’m not overlooking him. But at the same time I believe that I’m operating at World level. I’ve looked at one or two of his fights and I believe he is European level. I’ll adapt to him and I’ll beat him, and hopefully stop him.”

Carroll’s clash with Frenois is part of a huge night of boxing in the Steel City.

Main event sees ‘The Special One’ Kell Brook take on Australia’s former Commonwealth Super-Welterweight Champion Michael Zerafa.

Rising Welterweight star Josh Kelly steps up in class as he takes on former WBA World Champion David Avanesyan in his ninth professional contest.

Explosive Liverpool Super-Welterweight Anthony Fowler is in title action as he targets a showdown with newly-crowned British Champion Ted Cheeseman in 2019 and IBF no.1 Featherweight contender Kid Galahad stays busy with an eye on the winner of Josh Warrington vs. Carl Frampton.

Sheffield is well represented on the undercard with Welterweight Anthony Tomlinson, Super-Middleweight Callum Hancock and Middleweight Shakiel Thompson all in action, while Leeds Super-Bantamweight Qais Ashfaq and Denaby Lightweight Terri Harper also feature.

Tickets for Brook vs. Zerafa priced at £40, £60, £100 and £200 (Inner Ring VIP) are available to purchase via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) FlyDSA Arena (www.flydsaarena.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

IBF Junior Lightweight champion, Tevin Farmer will defend hist title against Francisco Fonseca on the Canelo Alvarez – Rocky Fielding card on December 15th at Madison Square Garden.

“Terms have been agreed to on both sides,” Farmer’s promoter Lou DiBella said.

“Three world title fights in 4½ months — that’s what Tevin wants to be doing and he’s getting the opportunity,” DiBella said. “Beterbiev coming off the card created an opportunity for Tevin. The last fight with Tennyson, he came out with no wear and tear and this is something Tevin wanted to do and an opening was created. I’m thrilled he will get the opportunity to fight at the Garden on the Canelo card, and it’s not too far from home for him so his fans can come out to see him. I think this is a pretty cool situation.”

“Fonseca had a fight canceled and he was already in training so this is a good situation,” DiBella said.

Demetrius Andrade became a three-time, and now two-division world champion as he won the WBO Middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated and unheralded Walter Kautondokwa at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

In round one, Andrade landed a grazing left at the same time the feet got tangled and Kautondokwa fell to the canvas. Andrade landed a left while Kautondowkwa was on the ground but it was ruled a clean knockdown by referee Steve Willis. n round three, Andrade drilled Kautondokwa with a perfect left hand that sent him to the canvas for a 2nd time. In round four, both fighters landed hard shots, but it was Kautondokwa who hit the canvas. Moments later it was an inside right hook that put Kautondokwa down again.

Andrade cruised home to the victory by scores of 120-104 twice and 119-105 to raise his mark to 26-0. Kautondokwa of Namibia is 17-1.

Katie Taylor remained undefeated as she defended the IBF/WBA Lightweight titles with a 10-round unanimous decision over Cindy Serrano.

Taylor of Ireland won by scores of 100-90 on all cards, and is now 11-0. Serrano of Brooklyn, NY is 27-6-3.

Tevin Farmer retained the IBF Junior Lightweight title with a dominating 5th round stoppage over James Tennyson.

In round four, Farmer dropped Tennyson with a hard left to the body. Farmer ended things in the next round when he landed a hard left that sent Tennyson to the canvas, and the fight was stopped at 1:44.

Farmer of Philadelphia is now 27-4-1 with six knockouts. Tennyson of Ireland is 22-3.

Kid Galahad won a 12-round unanimous decision over Toka Khan Clary in a featherweight bout.

Galahad of Sheffield, England won by scores of 118-110 twice and 115-113 to raise his perfect mark to 26-0. Clary of Providence, RI is 25-2.

Tommy Coyle won a 10-round unanimous decision over Ryan Kielczewski in a lightweight bout.

In round five, Kielczewski started to bleed from his nostrils.

In round seven, Coyle scored a knockdown with a right hand.

Coyle, 136.4 lbs of Hull, UK won by scores of 99-90 98-91 and 96-93, and is now 25-4. Kielczewski, 138 lbs of Quincy MA is 29-4.

Former world champion Scott Quigg stopped Mario Briones in round two of their scheduled eight-round junior lightweight bout.

Quigg unloaded with a hard combination on the ropes and the fight was stopped at 1:12 of round two.

Quigg, 129.4 lbs of Bury, UK 35-2-2 with 26 knockouts. Briones, 130 lbs of Mexico 29-8-2.

Mark DeLuca avenged his only professional defeat by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Walter Wright in a junior middleweight fight.

DeLuca, 153 3/4 lbs of Whittam, MA won by scores of 97-93 and 96-94 twice.

DeLuca is 22-1. Wright, 154 lbs of Seattle is 17-4.

Daniyar Yeleussinov stopped Matt Doherty in the 1st round of their scheduled six-round welterweight bout.

Yeleussinov landed several hard body shots that was followed by an explosive combination to the head and referee Arthur Mercante stopped the bout at 2:33

Yeleussinov, 148 lbs of Kazakhstan is 4-0 with two knockouts. Doherty, 146.8 lbs of Salem, MA is 8-6-1.

Niall Kennedy remained undfeated with a six-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Brendan Barrett in a heavyweight bout.

In round four, Kennedy was cut around the left eye. In round five, Kennedy landed a hard right that staggered Barrett into the ropes and then to the canvas fir a knockdown. Barrett got to his feet with a mouse under his right eye.

Kennedy, 221 lbs of Ireland won by scores of 60-53 twice and 58-55, and is now 12-0-1. Barrett, 238 lbs of Little Egg Harbor, NJ is 7-1-2.

Tevin Farmer is targeting a mega fight with Gervonta Davis – but knows he must be on his guard as he defends his IBF World Featherweight title against James Tennyson at the TD Garden in Boston on Saturday night, live on DAZN.

Farmer (26-4-1 5KOs) makes the first defense of the crown he picked up in convincing fashion in August, flooring Australian Billy Dib in the ninth round of their clash in Sydney en-route to a landslide points win.

That win for the Philadelphia ace finally saw him reach the summit after a tumultuous journey to World title glory that saw a debut loss followed by further early career defeats, a shot hand and then receiving a rough decision in his first World title battle with Kenichi Ogawa in December, where his controversial split decision loss was then overturned to a no contest after the Japanese failed a drugs test.

Now the 28 year old has a World title around his waist, ‘American Idol’ is in no mood to let it go. Tennyson (22-0 18KOs) has more than earned his crack at the champ, but Farmer wants a statement victory in Boston to lead to a showdown with ‘Tank’ Davis, and believes his new set-up with DiBella Entertainment, Matchroom Boxing USA and DAZN can deliver that blockbuster clash.

“It’s beautiful to have this support and backing now from Lou, Eddie and DAZN,” said Farmer. “We can really talk our stuff now, I’ve got the big money behind me to make any fight. It feels so good to be told I am going to be busy. Three fights – I can’t go four months without fighting, that’s great.

“I have a big fight on Saturday and I’m not over-looking James. you don’t get to this level for no reason and I know he’s going to come to fight and try to beat me, but that’s not going to be easy – he needs to make sure he
brings his A-game.

“I want to fight Gervonta Davis. I have a title, I have a great contract, so I don’t need him – but I have to have that fight. There’s been a lot of talking but I am about handling business. We’ve talked enough, I want the fight so let’s make it happen.

“There’s no more ‘get a title’ talk, there’s millions of dollars in that fight and it can be made, it’s one of the biggest fights in boxing. I don’t have to chase anyone, I’m the money out there now, get your ticket and I’ll pick it.

“The best want to fight the best and it’s got to happen. I am a fighter, that’s all I want, let’s leave the streets on the streets and doing the fighting in the ring.”

(BOSTON, MA) Tevin Farmer will defend his IBF World Super-Featherweight title against James Tennyson at the TD Garden in Boston on October 20, live on DAZN.

Farmer landed the title with a landslide points win in Billy Dib’s Australian backyard in August, gaining redemption in the process after missing out on the crown in a controversial split decision loss against Kenichi Ogawa in Las Vegas in December.

The Philadelphian ace puts the belt on the line for the first time against Tennyson in Boston on a stacked bill, with the dangerous Irish puncher fresh from ripping the European title from Martin J. Ward with a stunning stoppage win from off the canvas in London in May.

Tennyson’s first World title tilt could derail Farmer’s plans to meet the other champions in the 126lbs division – with WBA king Gervonta Davis top of his wishlist after penning a co-promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing USA and DiBella Entertainment – and Farmer knows he must be on top of his game to keep his belt and move onto the unification bouts he desires.

“I’ve worked really hard to get to this point and now we’re going to get these big fights – but I have to take care of business with James Tennyson first,” said Farmer. “James is a proud, tenacious and worthy challenger for my belt.

“I know James is going to be hungry to take my title, but there’s no way I’m going to let it go – I want to prove that I am the king in this division. I don’t need to fight the other champions – I want to fight them, no talk, I want to handle my business and I want these guys to meet me, I want Gervonta.

“Knowing that I am fighting three times in a year is great – I’m going to be busy and that’s awesome, that’s what all fighters want – I’m so thankful to Lou, Eddie and DAZN for this.”

“I feel that I’m ready for my shot and that I’ll take the world title back to Belfast,” said Tennyson.

“A lot of fighters, when they take a loss in their career they think it’s at an end when they’ve gone undefeated and been at the top but my career shows that a loss isn’t the end.

“I’ve progressed, I’ve moved on and I’m ranked number one with the WBA, European and Commonwealth champion. You just have to keep pushing forward, keep digging deep. Anybody can come from a loss and come back and push right back up to the top of the ladder.”

Farmer’s clash with Tennyson is part of a huge bill in Boston with three world title bouts on the slate.

England’s Billy Joe Saunders defends his WBO World Middleweight title against Rhode Island’s Demetrius Andrade and Katie Taylor puts her WBA and IBF World Lightweight straps on the line against Cindy Serrano.

New York, NY (08/23/18) – Tevin Farmer has signed a multi-fight co-promotional deal with DiBella Entertainment and Matchroom Boxing USA.

The newly crowned IBF World Super Featherweight champion will make the first defense of his title live on DAZN in a bout to be announced this week – another step in the remarkable career of the popular southpaw.

Farmer travelled to Australia earlier in the month to land the title in convincing fashion in the backyard of Sydney’s Billy Dib, to claim the IBF strap at the second attempt having been on the wrong end of a controversial split decision against Kenichi Ogawa in Las Vegas in December, a result subsequently change to a no-contest following Ogawa failing a drugs test.

The Philadelphian ace’s win was a sweet moment after recovering from a career-threatening injury when he was shot in the hand in July 2017 – reaching the World title status his undoubted talent has always promised.

Farmer is hunting down unification bouts as soon as possible, with champions Gervonta Davis, Miguel Berchelt and Masayuki Ito all on his radar.

“Winning that belt after everything I’ve been through brought me indescribable joy,” said Farmer. “I always felt that I was a true champion. I just had to go over to Australia, capture the title and prove it, and I did just that. I came home a champion and celebrated, but I got right back in the gym. I want to be an active champion and defend my title. That’s why I’m so thrilled about this deal. It’s a pleasure to work with both DiBella Entertainment and Matchroom Boxing USA and I know that with us working together, big things are going to happen. Ultimately, my goal is to get all the belts and I’ll do whatever it takes. I’m open to fighting anybody to unify. I’m looking forward to showing the world who Tevin Farmer is and what I can do.”

“Through all of Tevin’s hard work, heart and determination, he overcame the odds, achieved his dream, and now he can enjoy the fruits of his labor,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “This is a great deal that will help progress Tevin’s career as he begins his championship reign. Starting with his first title defense in October, Tevin will stay active as we work toward getting him the biggest and most meaningful fights available.”

“Tevin Farmer has a great story but more importantly to me the man can really fight,” said Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing USA. “He showed great heart to bounce back from that shocking decision in Las Vegas and go to Australia to win the title – and now the world is his oyster.

“We have a great fight lined up for him in October but the ultimate focus is Gervonta and other unifications. We are going to keep him nice and busy and we look forward to working with Tevin and Lou on this exciting journey.”

Newly minted junior lightweight champion Tevin Farmer will defend his title against James Tennyson on October 20th in Boston, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

The fight will be stream on DAZN.

“Tevin wanted to be an active champion and fight as often as possible and the deal we were able to work out with Eddie (Hearn) was very favorable to Tevin’s career,” Farmer promoter Lou DiBella told ESPN. “Tennyson will make for an interesting clash of styles. He’s a big puncher, Tevin is a supreme boxer. It should be a fun fight.”

New York, NY (August 3, 2018) Tevin “The American Idol” Farmer (26-4-1, 5 KOs), of Philadelphia, PA, won the IBF Junior Lightweight World Title today via 12-round unanimous decision against Australian Billy Dib (43-5, 24 KOs), at Technology Park, in Eveleigh, a suburb of Sydney, Australia.

Dominating from the opening bell, the southpaw Farmer landed at will throughout the fight. Using lateral movement and superior ring intelligence, Farmer hurt Dib with a piston-like jab and battering left hands over the course of the bout, dropping the valiant Australian in the ninth stanza en route to his first world title. After 12 rounds, scorecards read 118-109, 119-108 and 120-107. An emotional Dib announced his retirement in the ring following the decision.

“Billy Dib is a hell of a fighter, he had a great career, and he’s a two-time world champion,” said an elated Farmer. “He tried to bully me and that might have worked if I wasn’t from Philly. I’m the new champion of the world. It was a long time to get here, but there’s a long way to go.

“Nobody wanted to give me a shot, everybody was ducking me so I had to kick the door in. Now I’ve got the belt and everybody will want to start screaming my name. I’m ready to fight anyone and unify the titles.”

“I’ve never had a champion like Tevin Farmer,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “At 7-4-1, with all the odds against him, he decided he’d be a world champion. He went from 7-4-1 to 26-4-1, now with an IBF strap around his waist. Despite being shot through the hand protecting family and getting robbed in his last fight, he never stopped smiling and always believed in himself. Tevin is Philly to the core.

“I’m so proud of Tevin and I’m so proud of my friend Billy Dib, who fought the only fight that he could to give himself a shot. Dib would not quit as he hasn’t quit throughout the dark moments of his life. He went the distance with his heart, as he has and will in life. I wish him well in retirement.”

The 28-year-old Farmer had challenged for the same vacant title in his last bout on December 9, 2017, losing a very close, controversial decision to Kenichi Ogawa, of Japan. Ogawa later tested positive for a performance enhancing drug and was stripped of the title with the decision being changed to a No-Contest.

Farmer vs. Dib aired in the United States on ESPN+ and is currently available on replay HERE.

New York, NY (August 1, 2018) Tevin “The American Idol” Farmer (25-4-1, 5 KOs), of Philadelphia, PA, has the opportunity to realize his dream of becoming a world champion this Friday, August 3, when he faces off against Australian Billy Dib (43-3, 24 KOs), for the vacant IBF Junior Lightweight World Title, at Technology Park, in Eveleigh, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. The world title fight will be streamed live on ESPN+ with the telecast starting at 6:15am ET. The Farmer-Dib main event is expected to begin no earlier than 7:30am ET.

“I had the best training camp of my career. I can’t wait for Friday and to become a world champion,” said Farmer. “I know everything happens for a reason in life and everything I’ve gone through has brought me to Sydney to win the IBF Junior Lightweight World Title.”

What Farmer has gone through includes working hard to rebuild his career following a dubious start, recovering from a gunshot wound to his hand, and coming out on the wrong end of a controversial decision in a world title opportunity last year.

In his first 20 months as a pro, Farmer’s record read 7-4-1. However, he rededicated himself, signed with DiBella Entertainment, and incredibly put together 18 consecutive victories over the next five years. While on his rise up the world rankings, Farmer caught the eye of one of boxing’s best pound-for-pound fighters, Andre Ward, who told FightHype.com, “That young boy from Philly, Tevin Farmer, they sleeping on him. You better watch out for Tevin. He can do it all.”

This past July 29th marked the one-year anniversary of Farmer getting shot in the right hand while trying to intervene during a neighborhood domestic dispute. Just four months after that incident, Farmer outboxed Japan’s Kenichi Ogawa in an IBF world title bid, on December 9, in Las Vegas, only to be denied the belt when three judges disagreed with what most ringside observers and boxing pundits felt should have been a clear victory for the Philadelphian. The decision was later changed to a No Contest and the IBF 130-pound title declared vacant after it was discovered that Ogawa tested positive for two forms of androstanediol (synthetic testosterone) in a urine test.

A victory on Friday will add Farmer, a great, great nephew of Joe Gans, to the illustrious list of world champions from the City of Philadelphia that includes Tommy Loughran, Joey Giardello, Joe Frazier and, more recently, Bernard Hopkins and Danny Garcia.

“I’m thrilled for Tevin that he gets to right a wrong in this fight with Billy Dib,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “I respect Billy Dib, who’s been a friend for years. I know he’ll be bringing his A-game, but I know that Tevin is ready. When I signed Tevin almost four years ago, I promised to give him an opportunity to fight for a world title and in his last fight, he should have been crowned a champion. I look forward to watching Tevin fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a world champion this Friday.”

(July 30, 2018) — Philadelphia native Tevin Farmer will take his world title quest to Australia when he faces Sydney’s Billy Dib for the vacant IBF junior lightweight title on Friday, Aug. 3 at Technology Park in the Sydney suburb of Eveleigh.

Dib-Farmer and undercard action, including top prospect Tim Tszyu (9-0, 7 KOs) defending the WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental super welterweight title against Stevie Ongen Ferdinandus (27-15-1, 14 KOs), will be streamed live in the United States beginning at 6:15 a.m. ET on ESPN+ — the recently-launched multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. The Dib-Farmer bout will start no earlier than 7:30 a.m. ET.

Farmer (25-4-1, 5 KOs), a defensive wizard with fleet feet, has authored one of the great career turnarounds in modern boxing history. He started his career 7-4-1, then reeled off 18 consecutive wins before earning a shot at the vacant IBF junior lightweight title on Dec. 9, 2017 against Kenichi Ogawa. Most ringside observers felt Farmer deserved the victory, but the judges awarded Ogawa a split decision. Ogawa, however, tested positive for a banned substance, and the result was changed to a no contest.

Dib (43-4, 24 KOs) is a former IBF featherweight champion who won the belt on July 29, 2011 with a unanimous decision over Jorge Lacierva. He made two successful title defenses before being dethroned by Evgeny Gradovich via split decision on March 1, 2013. Later that year, he took on Gradovich in a rematch and was knocked out in the ninth round. He challenged Takashi Miura for the WBC super featherweight title on May 1, 2015, with Miura defending the title via third-round TKO. Since the Miura defeat, Dib is 4-0 with a no contest. Against Farmer, he will have the home canvas advantage, as he is 35-0 when fighting in Australia.

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According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Kenichi Ogawa has been suspended and stripped of his IBF Junior Lightweight title due to a failed drug test stemming from his December bout with Tevin Farmer.

With Ogawa facing a suspension, the IBF earlier this month had ordered Farmer, a 27-year-old southpaw from Philadelphia (whose new record is 25-4-1 with 5 knockouts), and former featherweight world titlist Billy Dib (43-4, 24 KOs), 32, of Australia, to fight for the interim title.

With Ogawa set to be stripped, the fight between Farmer and Dib will instead be for the vacant title, Peoples said. They have until May 3 to make a deal or a purse bid will be ordered.

Billy Dib will take on Tevin Farmer for the Interim IBF Junior Lightweight title, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Be advised that No. 3 Billy Dib and No. 4 Tevin Farmer are the two highest-ranked available contenders in the IBF junior lightweight division and have indicated a willingness to participate in this interim title fight,” the IBF wrote to representatives of Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, which represents Dib, and Lou DiBella, who promotes Farmer. “In an effort to determine who the interim champion will be, the IBF is ordering that a bout should be held between Dib and Farmer for the interim title. The winner will be the interim champion and must fight IBF junior lightweight champion Kenichi Ogawa as soon as he is able to defend the title.”

Said Lou DiBella, “We’re going to accept the fight and figure out a way to get it on. We have to figure out a place to put and a way to get it televised,” DiBella said. “Billy’s my friend. I’ve been friendly with Billy forever but Tevin is younger, faster and fresher. Billy always gives everything he has but I think you have to favor the younger, fresher guy. This is probably the last great opportunity of Billy’s career. It’s a make or break fight for him and we know Billy is not an easy out for Tevin.”

Kenichi Ogawa tested positive for a banned substance in his IBF Junior Lightweight title winning effort against Tevin Farmer’; which will be changed to a no-contest, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

In a urine test conducted a few days before the fight — but whose results were not returned until after the fight — Ogawa was positive for two forms of androstanediol (synthetic testosterone) and he was suspended on Thursday at the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s first meeting of 2018, the first time details of his positive test were made public.

Ogawa’s postfight drug test was negative, but the A sample and B sample of his prefight test days earlier were both positive. Ogawa will have the opportunity for a hearing at the Feb. 14 commission meeting, although if his attorney, Joseph Brown, is not ready to proceed with the case, commission executive director Bob Bennett told ESPN that the commission would move the hearing to March “as a courtesy.”

“You want to talk about a roller-coaster ride,” Farrmer’s promoter LouDiBella told ESPN after he was informed of Ogawa’s positive test. “I’m sort of stunned by this. I thought Tevin Farmer won that fight. Ogawa put out a great effort in the fight. He was like an Energizer bunny. He was aggressive but not effectively aggressive and he took a lot of peppering from Tevin, and now to find out he tested positive is remarkable. It looks like Tevin Farmer is going to get the opportunity to win that title again after all.”

“I’m always disappointed to have it re-emphasized how big of a problem we have but I think there should be zero tolerance,” DiBella said. “It’s extremely prevalent and it’s dangerous. That being said, there’s a relief. After everything this guy (Farmer) went through, and to have that tainted loss that I didn’t think was a loss at all — now I will call Tevin Farmer and say, ‘Guess what, buddy? Looks like you probably didn’t lose.'”

Representatives for junior lightweight Tevin Farmer are appealing the decision that was rendered for his fight against Kenichi Ogawa in an IBF title fight that took place on December 9th in Las Vegas.

“The basis for this request is the objectively inaccurate judging in the bout and the precedent the IBF has set, having granted immediate rematches in similar circumstances in which doing so was in the interest of fairness,” DiBella Entertainment attorney Alex Dombroff wrote. “At its request, the IBF was provided a high definition copy of the Farmer vs. Ogawa bout on December 13.”

“Of course, the damage done to both Mr. Farmer and (DiBella Entertainment) as a result of the poor judging extends well beyond the bout itself,” Dombroff wrote. “HBO had already begun discussions of defenses for Mr. Farmer and discussions of a potential bout between Mr. Farmer and former champion Gervonta Davis (had) gained traction. Those opportunities are presently off the table as a result of the bout. No matter what Mr. Farmer does next, his earning ability has no doubt been negatively impacted due to not being named IBF champion, which he so rightfully earned in the ring.

“DBE is requesting that the IBF rely on the principles of fairness that have before, in similar circumstances, led it to order an immediate rematch. We gently remind the IBF that recently it ordered a rematch of the Milan Melindo vs. Hekkie Budler junior flyweight championship bout, in which bad judging called into question the fairness and correctness of the result.”

The bright lights of Las Vegas shine on the junior lightweight division when HBO BOXING AFTER DARK: ORLANDO SALIDO VS. MIGUEL ROMAN, TEVIN FARMER VS. KENICHI OGAWA AND FRANCISCO VARGAS VS. STEPHEN SMITH is seen SATURDAY, DEC. 9 at 10:20 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from Mandalay Bay Events Center. The HBO Sports team will call all the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

The fights will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and affiliate portals.

In a night of three 130-pound clashes, the main event features four-time world champion Orlando Salido (44-13-4, 31 KOs) from Ciudad Obregón, Mexico, now living in Phoenix, taking on Miguel Roman (57-12, 44 KOs) of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico in a 10-round bout.

With 130 fights between them, veterans Salido and Roman are known for tenacity and fan-friendly styles. Salido was last seen on HBO in June 2016 when he fought Francisco Vargas in an evenly pitched consensus Fight of the Year, resulting in a majority draw decision. Roman was last seen on HBO in January, suffering a memorable hard-fought loss to Takashi Miura.

The co-main event spotlights Philadelphia’s Tevin Farmer (25-4-1, 5 KOs) and Tokyo’s Kenichi Ogawa (22-1, 17 KOs) in a 12-round world title contest. Farmer was on an 18-bout win streak until he was shot in the hand while attempting to break up an altercation at a party. Now recovered, he seeks to resume his championship quest. Fighting in the U.S. for the first time, Ogawa has won 14 straight bouts following his only loss, in 2012. The fight marks the first shot at a world title for either man.

The night opens with Francisco Vargas (23-1-2, 17 KOs) from Mexico City, Mexico taking on Stephen Smith (25-3, 15 KOs) of Liverpool, UK in a 10-round contest. Vargas looks to get back on a win streak following a majority draw against Orlando Salido and a KO loss to Miguel Berchelt in a brutal fight seen last January on HBO. Smith has knocked out more than half his opponents and is fighting in the U.S. for just the second time.

The action-packed night of boxing action continues on the HBO Latino service starting at 1:05 a.m. ET or immediately following the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast. The HBO Latino Boxing doubleheader (tape-delayed) is headlined by a scheduled 10-round junior lightweight fight between Russia’s Denis Shafikov (38-3-1, 20 KOs) and Nicaragua’s Rene Alvarado (27-8, 19 KOs). The opening bout on HBO Latino Boxing pits undefeated prospect Jaime Mungia (25-0, 21 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico, against Paul Valenzuela (20-6, 14 KOs) of Baja, Mexico, in a scheduled eight-round matchup in the junior middleweight division.

Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.

The executive producer of HBO Sports is Rick Bernstein; producer, Jonathan Crystal; director, Johnathan Evans.

® HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

PHILADELPHIA, PA (November 22, 2017) World title challenger TEVIN “American Idol” FARMER (25-4-1, 5 KOs) is spending this year celebrating a very special Thanksgiving. On December 9, the 27-year-old will challenge for his first world title against KENICHI OGAWA (22-1-0, 17 KOs), of Tokyo, Japan, with the vacant IBF junior lightweight championship on the line, at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and live on HBO “Boxing After Dark” beginning at 10:20 p.m. ET.

Slated for his first world title opportunity after having compiled an extraordinary 18-bout winning streak over the last five years, Farmer was also the victim this past July 29 to an act of senseless violence. When a neighborhood domestic dispute erupted involving Farmer’s brother, Tevin intervened to play peacemaker. The incident left him shot in the right hand and his brother shot in the face. Miraculously, neither Tevin nor his brother were seriously injured. The resilient Farmer was back in the gym training the following week, focusing on his left hand while waiting for his right to fully heal.

“This is truly a blessed Thanksgiving for me. From tearing my biceps in the second round against Ivan Redkach on April 29 to thankfully recovering from the gunshot wound to my right hand to now fighting for my first world title, I have so much to be thankful for,” said Farmer.

“I’m excited to spend the holiday with my family. They all want to talk about the fight and many of them will be in Las Vegas.”

About his unique path to the world title fight, having begun his career with a 7-4-1 record, Tevin’s message is, “I needed to get serious about my career. I always had the skills, but I needed to make the right decisions. That’s what I would tell anyone who has a dream like I do.”

Farmer, a great, great nephew of boxing legend Joe Gans, started working with Lou DiBella and DiBella Entertainment in 2014. “Lou has been terrific for me, not just as a promoter but as a person. He’s very caring about what happens to me. We’ve always been on the same page and he told me ‘keep winning and I’ll get you a title shot’ and he most certainly did.”

In regard to fighting Ogawa, Farmer said, “I’m just better and I will be victorious. None of these dudes can beat me.”

LAS VEGAS (November 10, 2017) – It was announced today by Zanfer Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Tom Loeffler that the Boxing Capital of the World, Las Vegas, will host another spectacular event Saturday, Dec. 9. Four-Time World Champion in two weight divisions, ORLANDO “Siri” SALIDO (44-13-4, 31 KOs), of Sonora, MX, will face off against fellow Mexican warrior MIGUEL “Mikey” ROMAN (57-12, 44 KOs), of Chihuahua, MX, in a 12-round lightweight clash for the vacant WBC Interim Junior Lightweight Title from the Mandalay Bay Events Center. The bout will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:20 p.m. ET.

Tickets priced at $250, $200, $150, $100 and $50 are On Sale Today At 12:00 p.m. PT and can be purchased at AXS.com or in person at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Box Office.

Also featured on the card is a bout between TEVIN “American Idol” FARMER (25-4-1, 5 KO’s), of Philadelphia, PA as he squares off against KENICHI OGAWA (22-1-0, 17 KO’s), of Tokyo, Japan for the vacant IBF Junior Lightweight World Title. Farmer vs. Ogawa is presented in association with DiBella Entertainment and Teiken Promotions.

Opening the telecast is former WBC World Super Featherweight Champion FRANCISCO “El Bandido” VARGAS (23-1-2, 17 KOs) who will return to the ring once again to make a case for title contention when he takes on former two-time world title challenger STEPHEN “Swifty” SMITH (25-3, 15 KOs) in a 12-round super featherweight fight. Vargas vs. Smith is presented in association with Matchroom Boxing.

“Roman is a good fighter but honestly I don’t care who is in front of me. I always come to fight, this is no exception. I’m rested and ready for another fight,” said Orlando Salido.

Miguel Roman said, “The fans will not be disappointed when I get inside the ring with Salido – I’m going to knock him out. I’m preparing for what could be a tremendous test with Salido because he is a tough fighter. But that doesn’t scare me, and I know that ultimately I will be the fighter to raise his hand in victory.”
Zanfer Promotions’ Fernando Beltran said, “Salido vs. Roman is a great fight. It reminds me a lot of Morales vs. Barrera I: two Mexicans who we knew how they fought and that it would be the Fight of the Year. We have the same feeling for this fight, and we believe we have another Fight of the Year.”

Oscar De La Hoya, chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, said, “Orlando Salido and Mickey Roman are both fighters who won’t back down in the ring so I expect to see a great event when they enter the ring. Salido is an action-packed fighter who has shown us time and again that he will take two punches to give one. Roman is a warrior who has tremendous power. The fans always come out on top when you have two veteran Mexican fighters that like to brawl so I expect a very entertaining event next month.”

“Francisco Vargas is a fighter that I’ve never worried will be in a boring fight because he brings aggression and action to the ring with every opponent. When he fights Smith on December 9, I think you’ll see a stronger, smarter and more aggressive Vargas than we’ve ever seen before.”

Tom Loeffler said, “We’re looking forward to promoting this sensational triple header featuring three great matchups all in the same weight class with boxing fans being the true winners on December 9.”

“Having promoted numerous events at Mandalay Bay and with Gennady “GGG” Golovkin making it his host hotel for fight week in September, it’s a pleasure to work with their great team once again and with the strong relationships which have been built over many years.”

In June 2016, Salido and Francisco Vargas engaged in the consensus “Fight of the Year” telecast on HBO from the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., as they both clashed in a fight that had the huge crowd on their feet throughout. At the end of the twelve memorable rounds the bout was declared a majority draw.

On March 1, 2014, Salido welcomed current world champion and pound-for-pound contender Vasyl Lomachenko to the professional ranks with a 12-round decision victory in San Antonio, TX. Lomachenko was seeking to capture Salido’s WBO Featherweight World Title in only his second professional bout, but was turned back by the skilled, hard-punching Mexican veteran in San Antonio.

Boxing professionally from the age of 15, the 36-year-old Salido has competed against numerous world champions and top contenders including Mikey Garcia, Lamont Peterson, Roman Martinez, Juan Manuel Lopez, Yuriorkis Gamboa and Robert Guerrero.

The 31-year-old fighter, Roman, a professional since 2003, had compiled a 19-bout winning streak prior to facing Japanese warrior Takashi Miura on January 28, 2017 in Indio, Calif. Telecast on HBO, both combatants engaged in a memorable fight through the first 11 rounds before the bout was stopped in Miura’s favor.

Roman followed up the disappointing loss with a 12-round knockout of Nery Saguilian on June 24, 2017 in Chihuahua, MX. The victory earned Roman the vacant WBC FECOMBOX Lightweight Title.

Said Lou DiBella of DiBella Entertaiment, “Tevin Farmer is truly the American Dream. Fighting inside the ring through hard work and uncommon perseverance has created this opportunity for him to challenge for a world title. Outside the ring, Tevin recently suffered a gunshot wound while serving valiantly as a peacemaker during a domestic incident in his hometown this past July.”

“I’m honored to work with Tevin and promote this long-awaited opportunity for him to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a world champion.”

Tevin Farmer said, “I’ve been waiting a long time for an opportunity like this and I’m happy that it’s now here. I’m going to seize the moment and become a world champion on December 9. Training camp has been going as planned. I’m already in shape and we still have a month left before the fight. Ogawa comes to fight and he won’t lay down. He’s coming for the victory, too, but it’s my job to do what I do best and make it look easy.

“I’ve been through a lot of adversity to reach this point in my career and it taught me how to dig deep and become a better person and better fighter. I know not to take this opportunity for granted. I’m bringing the title home to Philadelphia.”

Kenichi Ogawa said, “I am honored to be fighting for the IBF title and very excited that it will be in Las Vegas. I know Tevin Farmer is a tough opponent and I will be ready for him on December 9. This will be my first fight outside of Japan. I am training very hard to put on a good performance in my U.S. debut.”

Victorious in his last seventeen bouts, the 27-year-old southpaw Farmer has taken on all comers throughout his seven-year career, continuing to improve with each fight. Following four victories last year including a sensational victory over contender Ivan Redkach, Farmer defeated Arturo Reyes by decision on April 29, 2017 in his hometown.

Fighting for the first time in the United States, 29-year-old Ogawa is also riding a very impressive 14-bout winning streak dating back to 2012.

With two victories in 2017, most recently Ogawa stopped Hirotsugu Yamamoto on July 1 in Tokyo, Japan.

Said Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, “This is a great opportunity for Stephen Smith on a huge platform. He has put in some great performances for a world title, and badly wants another crack at the crown. A win against Francisco Vargas would 100% do that. It’s a great division and this is a great card on December 9.”

Francisco Vargas said, “Stephen Smith and the fans should expect nothing less than non-stop action from a warrior like me. On December 9, people are going to remember the reasons why I was in two Fight of the Year events as I make a comeback to the ring. I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions, Ralph Heredia Management, Matchroom Boxing and Stephen Smith for putting together this fight that I know the fans will enjoy.”

Said Stephen Smith, “It’s a great opportunity for me. Francisco Vargas always comes to fight, which I’m sure will make for an entertaining clash on December 9. The way he fights, it’s always tough. The last two years he’s been involved in the Fight of the Years against Salido and Miura, which shows the level he’s at and excitement he brings. But you don’t know how many miles are now on his clock. That’s a big unanswered question. We’re both highly ranked with the WBC so at this stage it looks on paper to be the best route back to a world title.”

Vargas, of Mexico City, is the former WBC World Super Featherweight Champion who earned the title in a spectacular Fight of the Year performance against Takashi Miura on the Cotto-Canelo undercard in November 2015. Vargas followed the victory with yet another Fight of the Year contender against Salido in June 2016 that was ruled a majority draw. Vargas will return to the ring to face Roman after the first and only loss in his career against current WBC World Super Featherweight Champion Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt in January of this year.

The 32-year-old Smith has challenged for a world title in two competitive occasions and faced some of the best fighters in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions. Smith’s taken on current IBF World Featherweight Champion “Lightning” Lee Selby, former IBF Super Featherweight Champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza and former WBA World Super Featherweight Champion Jason “El Canito” Sosa. The native of Liverpool, England will look to earn a third title opportunity if successful against Vargas.

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PHILADELPHIA – The 10th Annual Briscoe Awards will be presented tomorrow, Sunday, October 15, 2017, at Xfinity Live! Philadelphia, beginning at 1:00 PM. The event is typically attended by local boxers – past and present, other boxing people, and sports fans. Expected to attend this year are the award winners, Jason Sosa, Jesse Hart, Tevin Farmer, Bernard Hopkins, Damon Allen Jr., Jaron Ennis, Christian Carto, Tyrone Brunson, Dylan Price, and Taneal Goyco.

Additionally, former and current boxing stars like Jeff Chandler, Charles Brewer, Stanley “Kitten” Hayward, Dick Turner, Nate Miller, Charlie “Choo Choo” Brown, Curtis Parker, Mike Everett, Buster Drayton, Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, Ivan Robinson, Mike Rossman, Sidney “Sweat Pea” Adams, Hall of Fame promoter J Russell Peltz, and others typically attend.

Former two-time cruiserweight champion, Steve “USS” Cunningham will serve as the celebrity co-host of the event.

Tickets are available at the door and cost $5. Xfinity Live! is located at 1100 Pattison Avenue, South Philadelphia.

ABOUT THE BRISCOE AWARDS ON OCTOBER 15 FROM 1-4 PM

The Briscoe Awards are named in honor of legendary Philly middleweight Bennie Briscoe and the trophies given away – the Briscoe Statue and the Briscoe Medal – all bear the deceased icon’s likeness. The event brings together the local boxing community, including the award winners, their families, past and present boxers, fight fans, other boxing people, and general sports fans.

This is the tenth year for the Briscoe Awards, which are presented by Philly Boxing History Inc., a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, dedicated to preserving and celebrating Philadelphia’s great boxing legacy. Past winners at the Briscoe Awards include Bernard Hopkins, Danny Garcia, Steve Cunningham, and many others.

The event returns to Xfinity Live! Philadelphia, the central hub of Philly’s sports stadiums, located at 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia. Admission is $5, and tickets can be purchased at the door as well as BriscoeAwards.com or by calling 609-377-6413. Everyone is welcome.

For more information, please call John DiSanto, 609-377-6413 / johndisanto@phillyboxinghistory.com.

The 10th Annual Briscoe Awards will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2017, 1-4 PM, at Xfinity Live!, 1100 Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia.