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Rios-Hovhannisyan Tickets on Sale
Tickets for the showdown between former world title
challenger Ronny
Rios (29-2, 13 KOs) and explosive
122-pound contender Azat
"Crazy A" Hovhannisyan (13-2,
10 KOs) are now on sale. This exciting and competitive battle, which is
scheduled for 10 rounds of action for Hovhannisyan's WBC Continental
Americas Super Bantamweight Title, will be the main event of the March 9
edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at
the Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, Calif.
ESPN Deportes will air the fights beginning at 9:00 ET/6:00 p.m.
PT and on ESPN2 at midnight ET/9:00 p.m. PT. ESPN 3 will live
stream the fights beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET/ 4:30 PT.
Tickets for Rios vs. Hovhannisyan start at $50 and are available for purchase at www.goldenboytickets.com, https://apps.vendini.com/u/dce97456af, the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page, or by calling 213-233-2957.
Danny Roman Preparing For WBA Title Defense
PHOTO BY: CARLOS BAEZA / THOMPSON BOXING PROMOTIONS
Danny Roman (23-2-1, 9 KOs) is inching closer to to his first world title defense when he puts his WBA super bantamweight title on the line against No. 13 rated challenger Ryo Matsumoto (21-1, 19 KOs) of Japan on Wednesday, Feb. 28.
The 12-round world championship fight, dubbed "The Challenge," is promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions in association with Ohashi Promotions and will take place from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Roman, who lives and trains in Los Angeles, caught up with the Thompson Boxing team to discuss how he handles the new found pressure of being a world champion, the sacrficies that entails, and how he plans to fight Matsumoto.
After winning a world title, some fighters have a tendency to become complacent. How do you fight that off and remain motivated?
"I've always been one to train hard so that part hasn't changed. My focus and dedication remain strong, but I still think I have a lot to prove. I want to be the best in the division. I know that I'm in the conversation, but I don't want there to be any questions. That's my goal, to be the best."
The new place that you occupy - WBA champion - came at you fast. A world title eliminator last January, followed by the title shot in September. Now it's your first title defense. How have you handled all the pressure? It seems like you never get rattled.
"As a challenger, you're so hungry for those moments that you kind of just get lost in the sport. You find yourself in such a comfort zone because you know you've prepared for the best. Now that I'm in title defense mode, it puts me in a more focused mindset because Matsumoto is after my championship. I know how hungry those guys are because that was me just a few months ago."
Your career didn't start out the way you planned. You had some early setbacks that promoters held against you. How did you remain focused and not lose confidence when basically the best judges of talent were telling you no.
"My manager [Eddie Gonzalez] was shopping around for a deal. Most of the promoters wanted undefeated fighters. Even if you had one loss, or two, they didn't want anything to do with me. I was mad about that because I knew I had the talent and desire to be great, it just was going to take me a little longer. In the end, it gave me more motivation to get better.
What's the toughest part about training camp?
"Being away from family is probably the toughest. When I'm in camp, I have very little time to do anything outside of boxing. I'm at the gym twice a day for long hours at a time so when I'm not at the gym, I'm at home resting. My older brother just had his first child a few weeks ago and I've only seen them once because I've been so busy. That's the sacrifice.
Your opponent, Ryo Matsumoto, stands nearly six feet tall. Will that pose a significant challenge for you?
"I don't think so. Shun Kubo, who I beat for the world title, was tall and I was able to out box and out maneuver him. The plan is to do the same thing that we did against Kubo and that is to knock Matsumoto out. Can't let it go to the judges."
Gassiev vs Dorticos In World Boxing Super Series Semifinals
Photo courtesy of World Boxing Super Series
Photo courtesy of World Boxing Super Series
The ultra-entertaining World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) semifinals-round concludes this Saturday, when undefeated world champions Murat "Iron" Gassiev (25-0, 18 KOs) and Yunier "The KO Doctor" Dorticos (21-0, 20 KOs) throw-down in a unification fight, at Bolshov Ice Dome in Adler, Russia.
Like all WBSS action, the Gassiev-Dorticos card will air live in Canada, starting at 2 p.m. ET, exclusively on Super Channel.
The Gassiev-Dorticos winner will advance this May to the WBSS championship final in Saudi Arabia, to fight WBO/WBC world champion Oleksandr "The Cat" Usyk (14-0, 11 KOs), winner of this past Saturday's WBSS semifinals match against Mairis Briedis (23-1, 18 KOs). The WBSS' Muhammad Ali Trophy winner will become the first world cruiserweight champion to hold all four major championship belts at the same time.
Kevin "The New England Bully" Cobbs Returns Feb. 10
Light heavyweight Kevin "The New England Bully" Cobbs (10-2, 4 KOs", representing George Foreman III's Everybody Fights gym in South Boston (MA), will be back in the ring after a relatively long hiatus, February 10th against undefeated Hartford (CT) prospect Richard "Popeye The Sailor Man" Rivera (5-0, 4 KOs), at The Palladium in Worcester.
Rivera vs. Cobbs will battle for the vacant Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) New England light heavyweight title in the eight-round "New England's Future 5" main event. "New England';s Future 5", presented by Rivera Promotions Entertainment (RPE)", is the fifth installment of the popular "New England's Future Series."
"We are very excited to be able to have put together a fight of this caliber," promoter Jose Antonio Rivera commented. "These is the kind of fight that boxing fans love to watch. Cobbs is a proven contender who has big fights experience. It's good to see he is confident in his abilities to take on Rivera, an undefeated up-and-coming prospect with a very bright future."
The 33-year-old Cobbs hasn't fought in more than two years, since he was stopped in the second round by sensational David Benavidez (19-0, 17 KOs), the 21-year-old reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Middleweight World Champion.
"People thought that I had gotten out of boxing," Cobbs explained. ""I never stopped training, I just didn't have any fights since the Benavidez fight. I'm a personal trainer and now I'm back in boxing shape. I never left boxing! This fight is a great opportunity for me. It can open doors for whatever my camp decides. My job is to do what's needed in the squared circle."
Thomas Mattice Camp Notes
Thomas Mattice (10-0 8KOs) will put his unbeaten record on the line against Rolando Chinea (15-1-1 6KOs) this Friday, February 2 in an 8-round co-feature bout live on Showtime. The bout will be Mattice's national television debut and he's been hard at work preparing to look sharp under the bright lights.
"Camp has been going great. We finished everything up over the weekend, and now we are just relaxing and getting ready for Friday," said Mattice. "I am going in like this is any other fight. The only difference is that this is a progression, a step up. Like all the other fights, I am just focused on getting the win.
Ituarte To Defend Featherweight Title Feb. 16
Erick Ituarte (19-1-1 3KOs) will defend his NABF Junior featherweight title on February 16 against Jose Ramirez (27-6-2 16KOs). The bout, promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions, will take place from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California.
"I'm expecting a tough fight there's no doubt about that," said Ituarte, who lives and trains in Santa Ana, CA. "Ramirez doesn't back down from a challenge and I've never been in a boring fight. It's going to be a back and forth fight and I'm ready for that."
Thomas Mattice (10-0 8KOs) will put his unbeaten record on the line against Rolando Chinea (15-1-1 6KOs) this Friday, February 2 in an 8-round co-feature bout live on Showtime. The bout will be Mattice's national television debut and he's been hard at work preparing to look sharp under the bright lights.
"Camp has been going great. We finished everything up over the weekend, and now we are just relaxing and getting ready for Friday," said Mattice. "I am going in like this is any other fight. The only difference is that this is a progression, a step up. Like all the other fights, I am just focused on getting the win.
Ituarte To Defend Featherweight Title Feb. 16
Erick Ituarte (19-1-1 3KOs) will defend his NABF Junior featherweight title on February 16 against Jose Ramirez (27-6-2 16KOs). The bout, promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions, will take place from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California.
"I'm expecting a tough fight there's no doubt about that," said Ituarte, who lives and trains in Santa Ana, CA. "Ramirez doesn't back down from a challenge and I've never been in a boring fight. It's going to be a back and forth fight and I'm ready for that."
DiBella Signs Heavyweight Prospect Teslenko
Undefeated heavyweight prospect Oleksandr "Sasha" Teslenko (11-0 9KOS) has formally signed a promotional contract with highly respected DiBella Entertainment. Teslenko will make his debut under DiBella's banner on February 7 when he takes on Keenan Hickman (6-2-1 2KOs) in an 8-round bout at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in Times Square, New York.
Undefeated heavyweight prospect Oleksandr "Sasha" Teslenko (11-0 9KOS) has formally signed a promotional contract with highly respected DiBella Entertainment. Teslenko will make his debut under DiBella's banner on February 7 when he takes on Keenan Hickman (6-2-1 2KOs) in an 8-round bout at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in Times Square, New York.
Ugas-Rios To Be Part of Garcia-Rios Telecast
Yordenis Ugas will face Ray Robinson in an IBF elimination bout that will open up the action on the televised portion of the Danny Garcia-Brandon Rios undercard. All the action will be broadcast live February 17 on Showtime from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Yordenis Ugas will face Ray Robinson in an IBF elimination bout that will open up the action on the televised portion of the Danny Garcia-Brandon Rios undercard. All the action will be broadcast live February 17 on Showtime from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Love vs Teah To Kick Off Showtime Telecast
Undefeated super lightweight Montana Love (8-0 4KOs) will face Sam Teah (12-1-1 5KOs) in the opening bout of ShoBox: The New Generation this Friday, February 2nd live on Showtime (10pm ET) from WinnaVegas Casino Resort in Sloan, Iowa. In the co-feature, Thomas Mattice (10-0 8KOS) will battle Rolando Chinea (15-1-1 6KOs) and Ronald Ellis (14-0-1 10KOs) vs Junior Younan (13-0 9KOS) will be the main event.
Undefeated super lightweight Montana Love (8-0 4KOs) will face Sam Teah (12-1-1 5KOs) in the opening bout of ShoBox: The New Generation this Friday, February 2nd live on Showtime (10pm ET) from WinnaVegas Casino Resort in Sloan, Iowa. In the co-feature, Thomas Mattice (10-0 8KOS) will battle Rolando Chinea (15-1-1 6KOs) and Ronald Ellis (14-0-1 10KOs) vs Junior Younan (13-0 9KOS) will be the main event.
Roy Jones Jr. Set For Farewell Fight February 8th
Roy Jones Jr.'s farewell fight will take place against Scott Sigmon on February 8th in his hometown of Pensacola, Florida. The bout will be part of a card showcasing a mixture of MMA and boxing matches and streamed live on UFC's Fight Pass service.
Roy Jones Jr.'s farewell fight will take place against Scott Sigmon on February 8th in his hometown of Pensacola, Florida. The bout will be part of a card showcasing a mixture of MMA and boxing matches and streamed live on UFC's Fight Pass service.
"Ya'll musta forgot I always said that my final fight would be in my hometown of Pensacola. I meant it then and I mean it now. This is where it all began for me, this will be my 75th professional fight and it will be my last one," said Jones.
Amir Khan To Face Phil Lo Greco April 21st
Amir Khan will return to the ring to face Phil Lo Greco on April 21st. The bout is set to take place at Echo Arena in Liverpool, England and air live on Sky Sports.
Amir Khan will return to the ring to face Phil Lo Greco on April 21st. The bout is set to take place at Echo Arena in Liverpool, England and air live on Sky Sports.
Canelo vs GGG Rematch Set For May 5th
After months of speculation regarding when the highly anticipated rematch between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady "GGG" Golovkin would take place, the official announcement has been made. As many expected, the rematch will take place on May 5th and will be produced and distributed live by HBO PPV beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT.
After months of speculation regarding when the highly anticipated rematch between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady "GGG" Golovkin would take place, the official announcement has been made. As many expected, the rematch will take place on May 5th and will be produced and distributed live by HBO PPV beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT.
"I'm delighted to once again participate in one of the most important boxing events in history," said Alvarez. "This second fight is for the benefit and pleasure of all fans who desire to see the best fight the best. This time, Golovkin won't have any excuses regarding the judges because I'm coming to knock him out."
"I am ready to battle Canelo again and am happy he took this fight again," said Golovkin. "This is the fight the world wants. This is the fight boxing deserves. I didn't agree with some of the judges' decisions in the first fight. This time there will be no doubt. I am leaving the ring as THE middleweight champion of the world."
Details regarding venue and tickets will be announced shortly.
Shumenov Announces Comeback
At a press conference held in his native Kazakhstan, two-division WBA world champion Beibut Shumenov announced his comeback to the squared circle.
"I thought a very long time before making this decision," explained Shumenov. "Having weighed all the pros and cons, in addition to consulting with my family and team, I have firmly decided to return to professional boxing. Ahead is a lot of work but our goal is obvious. I want to express my thanks to all those who've supported me. I will keep everyone up to date with more news and details of my return to the ring."
An eye injury forced Shumenov to retire last June with a record of 17-2 11KOs."The trauma of my eye affected my decision. Fatigue and emotional tension accumulated. I just needed a break. Now, I have recovered, and I am going to resume my boxing career. Negotiations are now underway for my next fight."
At a press conference held in his native Kazakhstan, two-division WBA world champion Beibut Shumenov announced his comeback to the squared circle.
"I thought a very long time before making this decision," explained Shumenov. "Having weighed all the pros and cons, in addition to consulting with my family and team, I have firmly decided to return to professional boxing. Ahead is a lot of work but our goal is obvious. I want to express my thanks to all those who've supported me. I will keep everyone up to date with more news and details of my return to the ring."
An eye injury forced Shumenov to retire last June with a record of 17-2 11KOs."The trauma of my eye affected my decision. Fatigue and emotional tension accumulated. I just needed a break. Now, I have recovered, and I am going to resume my boxing career. Negotiations are now underway for my next fight."
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