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‘BORN FIGHTER’ MATI BACK IN ACTION IN CHICAGO’

Jan 19, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Reshat Mati celebrates his victory over Benjamin Borteye during their fight for the vacant WBO Super flyweight championship at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA

 

‘BORN FIGHTER’ MATI BACK IN ACTION IN CHICAGO
‘The Albanian Bear’ returns on Saturday from shoulder injury

 

Reshat Mati is back in action at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Saturday night, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK – and Mati told ‘Born Fighter’ that he’s ready to thrill again after a frustrating time out through injury.

 

Mati raced to 3-0 with two KO wins in three months after making his debut a year ago in the arena he returns in on Saturday.

 

‘The Albanian Bear’s’ progress was checked by a shoulder injury suffered in training after his first round KO win in New York in January, and the 21 year old has faced a frustrating spell on the sidelines while fellow youngsters in the Matchroom Boxing USA stable added to their growing reputations.

 

Mati has recovered from his injury and is itching to get back on track, starting in the Windy City where it all began one year ago.

 

“It was tough,” said Mati. “I was watching all my teammates winning and going to the fights, thinking that could have been me. But it is what it is, that time has passed and I’m back in shape and ready to put on another show.

“Rehab was tough, they were saying ‘don’t do this or this’, there was very specific on what I could or couldn’t do. They would say ‘don’t go for a run’ and I would say ‘how am I going to get back in shape without going for a run?’ They would just say ‘do you want your shoulder to get better? Then don’t go for a run!’ New York Sports Science Lab fixed my shoulder up and I feel better than ever, and I’m ready to KO someone again.

“I’m just here to put on a great show. There’s no ceiling for me. I want to be Albania’s first world champion, that’s the main thing for me, put Albania on the map for boxing. It’s tough, when I get punched in the face my Dad is getting hit too, that’s how he feels. He’s been on it with me and the boxing since day one and I cannot pay him back for what he’s done for me. It’s a job for me now and hopefully I can make everyone proud.

“Trust is very important to me, and that’s what it’s like with Coach Sosa. If I feel like we don’t fit and there’s something not quite right, then it’s not going to work. Sosa has been with me since I was around 12 and we’ve been all good, now we’re going up and up the levels together.

“I wasn’t nervous on my debut in Chicago, I don’t get nervous before fights anymore. I’ve had hundreds of fights now and i just go in and have fun, putting on a good show is all that matters to me. It’s a job, no-one gets nervous going to their job.”

 

Mati is the third fighter featured on season two of ‘Born Fighter’ following Devin Haney and Michael Hunter as the second series focuses on the American stable at Matchroom Boxing USA after 11 episodes from the British and Irish stable featuring Katie Taylor, Luke Campbell, Dillian Whyte, Joshua Buatsi and more.

 

The series will be presented by Lauren Gardner, a familiar face to sports fans in America as the host of DAZN’s nightly live baseball program “ChangeUp” as well as a contributing reporter for DAZN’s boxing coverage. The Colorado native has worked with CBS Sports, AT&T SportsNet, Fox Sports Ohio, MTV2, MLB/NHL Network and ESPN, where she covered NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, College Football, College Basketball and two Super Bowls. The American series of ‘Born Fighter’ will also appear on DAZN 24 hours after premiering on Matchroom Boxing’s YouTube channel.

 

 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH ‘BORN FIGHTER’ WITH RESHAT MATI ON MATCHROOM BOXING’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL

 

Read more on Usyk HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE

 

 

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Smith to defend world titles in Liverpool Homecoming

Callum Smith Open Public workout in New York Ahead of his World Title fight against Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam at Madison Square Garden on 1st June 2019. 29th May 2019 Picture By Mark Robinson.

 

SMITH MEETS RYDER IN LIVERPOOL HOMECOMING
Domestic World title clash lands on November 23
 

 

Callum Smith will defend his WBA World, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight titles against WBA mandatory challenger John Ryder at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on Saturday November 23, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

 

Smith (26-0, 19 KOs) landed the WBA World title and was crowned World Boxing Super Series Champion following a stunning seventh round knockout victory over British rival George Groves in Saudi Arabia last September – a win that also saw the Liverpudlian claim the vacant Ring Championship.

 

He put those titles on the line for the first time against two-time Olympian and former Middleweight World ruler Hassan N’Dam on his US debut at Madison Square Garden in New York earlier this year, flooring the French-Cameroonian three times in three rounds as he delivered a clinical display.

 

‘Mundo’ returns home to fight in his native Liverpool for the first time since outpointing Sweden’s Erik Skoglund in September 2017 knowing that a win over his fellow Brit Ryder is vital if he is to secure a dream fight at Anfield next year.

 

Ryder (28-4, 16 KOs) earned the number-one ranking with the WBA with a seventh round technical knockout win against previously undefeated Russian Andrey Sirotkin in their final eliminator clash at the Copper Box Arena in London last October.

 

‘The Gorilla’ stopped Bilal Akkawy to win the vacant interim WBA Super-Middleweight title last time out on the undercard of Saul Alvarez-Daniel Jacobs at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and in doing so kept himself in line for Smith’s crown.

 

 

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to return to Liverpool as World Champion to defend my titles,” said Smith. “It’s always been a dream of mine to bring World Championship boxing to the city and hopefully this is the first of a big run of fights here.

‘My last three fights have been on the road in Germany, Saudi Arabia and New York and whilst they have been incredible experiences, there is nothing quite like a big fight night in Liverpool. It’s also pleasing that I get to be involved in a domestic fight against a tough opponent in John Ryder.

“He has fought his way to mandatory challenger and is on a big run of knockout wins that make him full of confidence. I’m working hard in camp to be at my best and make a statement as we head into a huge 2020. Right now the focus is on Ryder and defending my belts in style in my city on November 23.”

 

“I’m buzzing to be fighting for the full World title,” said Ryder. “I’ve worked hard to get myself into the mandatory position and keep myself there. I feel like I’m in the form of my life and this opportunity has come at the perfect time. Callum Smith is a great opponent and a great champion but I feel unbeatable at the moment. 

“He’s an undefeated World Champion and he hasn’t put a foot out of line so far, so I know what I’m up against on November 23. With the form that I’m in now, I believe that I can beat anyone. I’m confident that I’ll get it right on the night and get the victory. 

“People will see me beating Callum as a big upset but I don’t see it like that. I believe that I’ve got the ability to win and that’s what I plan to do. This is the chance that I’ve taken. I’m heading into the lion’s den to get the win and shatter his Anfield dreams.”

 

“I always love coming to Liverpool but when one of their own headlines in a World title fight, there’s nothing quite like it,” said Eddie Hearn. “I’m so happy Callum gets this chance to return to the city as champion in a brilliant domestic fight. Callum has established himself as the number 1 Super-Middleweight on the planet right now and John Ryder is on a brilliant run that has seen him become the WBA interim champ and the mandatory challenger. It’s Liverpool vs. London in what I expect to be an intriguing fight for the 168 marbles.”

 

Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing, said: “Callum Smith returns to Liverpool as the world’s best Super-Middleweight for an exciting domestic clash against John Ryder, who is in red-hot form.

 

“It’s brilliant to have Smith back on Sky Sports, in one of the pivotal nights in our stacked boxing schedule. An Anfield night could lie ahead for him, but Ryder has really transformed his fortunes in recent months and has earned his shot at a World title. 

“We’re expecting another electric atmosphere on November 23 in Smith’s home city, a thriving hotbed for sport as Liverpool target the Premier League title.”

 

 

Read more on John Ryder HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE

 

 

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USYK: I’VE BEEN PREPARING FOR HEAVYWEIGHT ALL MY CAREER

 

 

USYK: I’VE BEEN PREPARING FOR HEAVYWEIGHT ALL MY CAREER

Ukrainian pound-for-pound star knew he’d join the big hitters back in his amateur days

 

Oleksandr Usyk is closing in on a Heavyweight debut that he’s been preparing for since his amateur days as he faces Tyrone Spong at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Saturday October 12, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

 

Usyk (16-0 12 KOs) has made the move to Heavyweight after dominating at Cruiserweight, ending his spell at 200lbs as the undisputed king with a phenomenal run of victories in his opponents’ backyard against Marco Huck, Mairis Breidis, Murat Gassiev and Tony Bellew.

 

The Ukrainian pound-for-pound star begins his bid to become a two-weight World ruler against Spong (14-0 13 KOs) in the Windy City, but Usyk says his rise to Heavyweight began back in his amateur days, so moving to join the big guns holds no fear for the 32 year old.

 


“There have been no problems in order to move to the Heavyweight division,” said Usyk. “At least to me there have been no problems. I simply moved to the Heavyweight division, and that was it. Virtually nothing has changed in my training, we’ve simply started doing even more work. Different, and hard work, which is practicing with big guys who pose a great threat.

“We’re working hard, smiling, going crazy during the training camp, and doing our job. Everyone who is in my camp does their job 100 per cent meaning that they give everything so that I feel comfortable. Everything is as comfortable as possible; the food, rehab, resting, massage, training. My team is looking after all of it and we are working hard together.

“Before the Olympics, and even before the World Championships, when I was boxing at 91 kilos, we were experimentally boxing in the Heavyweight class specifically so that it would be more dangerous. I weighed in at a competition, for example, not 91 kilos but 91.5, and was boxing against the guys weighing 100-102-105, which was our objective. And it was not only I who was boxing one class up, Vasiliy Lomachenko was, Oleksandr Gvozdyk and all of those who were part of that golden Ukrainian team.

“I’m really looking forward to boxing on October 12. I very much missed the boxing. I love boxing, and really there is a lot of talk about it, but I’m not paying attention to it. My objective is to do my job in the gym in order to show all the enthusiasts and fans great boxing in the ring.”

 

Usyk’s Heavyweight bow against Spong is part of a huge night of action in Chicago as unified Super-Lightweight champion Jessica McCaskill defends her WBA and WBC titles against old foe Erica Farias, unbeaten Super-Middleweight talent Anthony Sims Jr returns to action against Morgan Fitch, Charles Conwell defends his USBA Super-Welterweight title against Patrick Day, an all-Chicago Super-Featherweight clash between Josh Hernandez and Giovanni Mioletti and a fourth pro outing for rising starlet Otha Jones III.

 

Tickets are on sale now for Usyk vs. Spong HERE: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/070057139FF02C5D.

 

WATCH USYK’S INTERVIEW FROM HIS LOS ANGELES TRAINING CAMP HERE

 

Rad more on Oleksandr Usyk HERE

Read more on Lomachenko HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE

 

 

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SCARDINA BACK IN ACTION IN MILAN ON OCTOBER 25

 

SCARDINA BACK IN ACTION IN MILAN ON OCTOBER 25
Patera defends European crown against Valentino
 

 

 

The Allianz Cloud in Milan will host another evening of Championship Boxing when Matchroom Boxing Italy and OPI Since 82 return on Friday October 25 for a stacked card full of title action to be shown live on DAZN.

 

Previously known as the PalaLido, the historic venue played host to an electric night of boxing in June as rising star Daniele Scardina outpointed Alessandro Goddi and European Lightweight Champion Francesco Patera stopped Paul Hyland Jnr in six rounds.

 

Scardina (17-0, 14 KOs) retained his IBF International Super-Middleweight title with a classy unanimous decision over Goddi earlier this summer and ‘King Toretto’ puts his ranking title on the line once more as he looks to secure a World title shot.

 

Patera (22-3, 8 KOs) returns to make the third defence of his European title against Campania’s Domenico Valentino (8-0, 1 KO), a former amateur World Champion, three-time Olympian and current Italian Lightweight Champion.

 

Ukraine’s rising Welterweight talent Maxim Prodan (17-0-1, 14 KOs) was last seen decisioning Nika Nakashidze and now gets the opportunity to fight for his second pro title when he meets Welshman Tony Dixon (12-2, 3 KOs) for the full IBF International Welterweight Championship.

 

Verbania Super-Middleweight Ivan Zucco (9-0, 8 KOs), Milan Super-Middleweight Luca Capuano (10-0, 2 KOs), Milan Middleweight Riccardo Merafino (6-0, 3 KOs), Bonemerse Super-Welterweight Nicholas Esposito (10-0, 5 KOs) and Navora Super-Welterweight Samuel Nmomah (11-0, 3 KOs) all feature on the undercard.

 

“Daniele Scardina is quickly establishing himself as one of the stars of the resurgence in Italian boxing and this year we have seen him score impressive back-to-back wins in Milan,” said Eddie Hearn. “We’re building something exciting in Milan after two successful shows and Daniele is at the forefront of that success. It’s another show full of title action as Francesco Patera defends his European title in an all-Italian clash with plenty more action further down the card.”

 

Salvatore Cherchi of OPI Since 82 said: “It’s always a pleasure to return to this historic boxing venue in Milan. Once again, we have three title fights topping the card with the popular Daniele Scardina back in action. The European Lightweight title is an all Italian affair between Franceso Patera and Domenico Valentino and knockout artist Maxim Prodan is looking for another big win.”

 

Veronica Diquattro, EVP Southern Europe DAZN, affirmed: “With this event in Milan, it will be a pleasure to conclude the first year of our collaboration with Matchroom Boxing Italy and OPI Since 82, which saw the return of Italian boxing to the spotlight with eight great nights, after years in which it had lost interest. We have guaranteed great visibility for Italian boxers and boxing not only on a national level but, also internationally within the other eight countries where DAZN is present. We are looking forward to continuing our adventure in the next season.”

 

Tickets will be available to purchase next week via www.ticketone.it

 

Read More on Matchroom boxing HERE

 

 

 

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TERRI HARPER SIGNS WITH MATCHROOM – DEBUTS IN MANCHESTER

 

TERRI HARPER SIGNS WITH MATCHROOM – DEBUTS IN MANCHESTER
Denaby talent defends World title on Taylor vs. Linardatou undercard
 

 

 

Undefeated Denaby Super-Featherweight talent Terri Harper has signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and will make the first defence of her IBO World title against Vivian Obenauf on the Taylor vs. Linardatou undercard at Manchester Arena on November 2, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

 

Harper, South Yorkshire’s first female professional boxer, joined the paid code in November 2017 after a successful stint in the amateurs that saw her win three national titles and take home a silver medal for England from the European youth championships in Poland in 2012.

 

The 22-year-old has won all eight of her pro contests to date and picked up the WBC International Lightweight title with a sensational stoppage of Nina Bradley in March earlier this year before taking out Nozipho Bell in eight rounds to earn the IBO Super-Feather World title in July.

 

Obenauf (14-5, 7 KOs), a two-time World title challenger from Brazil, is no stranger to fighting on these shores. She took Irish star Taylor the distance in Manchester back in 2016 and returned to the UK a year later to challenge Chantelle Cameron for the IBO Lightweight World title in Leicester.

 

In her next fight she stopped Liverpool’s Natasha Jonas in four rounds to earn the WBA International Super-Featherweight title in Cardiff before challenging Maiva Hamadouche for the IBF Super-Featherweight World title in Paris.

 

“I was in disbelief when I found out that I’d be signing a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing,” said Harper. “I got the news shortly after I won my IBO World title in July and I was delighted. It’s crazy how much has happened in the short space of two years.
 
“I always expected to go quite far with my boxing but not as quickly as I have done. Everyone dreams of signing with Matchroom and I believe I’m in the perfect place to fulfil my potential. We originally planned on having around ten fights before pushing on towards titles but opportunities came up and we knew we were ready.
 
“Katie Taylor has paved the way for women’s boxing in recent years and to be defending my World title on her undercard on my Matchroom debut is absolutely massive and I can’t wait to get out there in front of the TV cameras again. 
 
“I’ve been in the gym for a solid two months waiting for my fight date to be confirmed. They’re all going to be tough fights from now but that’s what I’m in this sport to do, prove myself against the best names out there.”
 
Stefy Bull, Manager of Terri Harper, said: “It’s a pleasure to be working with Matchroom Boxing again. I’ve had a long relationship with them through Gavin McDonnell and I believe they are the best promotional outfit out there. Terri is a special talent and I know that Eddie will deliver World title opportunities for her on the biggest stage. Terri will grab those opportunities with both hands.”

 

Harper vs. Obenauf is part of a huge night of action in Manchester.

 

 

Main event sees Katie Taylor (14-0, 6 KOs) attempt to become a two-weight World Champion when she meets Christina Linardatou (12-1, 6 KOs) for the WBO Super-Lightweight World title, Manchester favourite Anthony Crolla (34-7-3, 13 KOs) bids farewell at the venue he was crowned World Champion, rising Light-Heavyweight star Joshua Buatsi (12-0, 10 KOs) steps up again to take on another former World title challenger in Blake Caparello (30-3-1, 13 KOs), Felix Cash (11-0, 7 KOs) defends his Commonwealth Middleweight title against English Champion Jack Cullen (17-1, 8 KOs) and Gamal Yafai (16-1, 9 KOs) and Qais Ashfaq (7-0, 3 KOs) continue their march towards titles.

 

General sale tickets are available NOW via Manchester Arena (www.manchester-arena.com), StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com).

 

 

Read More on Katie Taylor HERE

Read more on Matchroom boxing HERE

 

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WATCH: FACE-TO-FACE – CHISORA VS. PARKER

 

 

WATCH: FACE-TO-FACE – CHISORA VS. PARKER
 

 

On October 26, Derek Chisora will meet Joseph Parker in a highly-anticipated Heavyweight showdown in which the victor will cement themselves as a top contender in the division.

The pair sat down with Amber Dixon to preview their upcoming clash at The O2 in London which has captured the interest of fight fans worldwide and as has come to be expected with sit downs like this, the Face to Face gave us of bit of everything, with unpredictability and trash-talk aplenty.

 

Chisora has won over the hearts of British fight fans after his two enthralling clashes with Dillian Whyte and his sensational KO win against Carlos Takam. ‘WAR’ Chisora was most recently seen destroying Artur Szpilka in two rounds back in July and will step through the ropes on October 26 with great self-belief and confidence.

 


“He’s going to run! We know how he boxes from the amateurs to the pros, this guy has never stood there to fight and when it’s time for him to step-up he chokes”, said Chisora. “I’m crazy! He hasn’t got anything which can bother me and I am willing to eat leather to get to him and the moment that I do, he’s f***ed.

“He’s coming to my house and has just jumped into a big pond. There is real fighters over here and I am ready to take him to war, if he doesn’t knock me out then I’m going to put him out.”

 

For the former WBO World Champion, October 26 is Parker’s opportunity to catapult himself back into the mix to challenge for World honours in 2020. The New Zealander penned a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn in June to join the growing list of elite level Heavyweights fighting out of the Matchroom stable.

 

“Chisora always brings it and I know that will bring the best out in me” said Parker. “I want to knock him out cold.

“He can’t box, he can only fight and he’s not even that good at it anyway! He is going to get caught. I’ll outbox him, catch him and put him away. I’m excited for October 26 and I am ready to put him into retirement.”  

 

The Heavyweight showdown has all the ingredients to be yet another barn-burner in boxing’s blue ribbon division and is just part of October 26’s stacked night of action.

 

Main event sees Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis contest the coveted Ali Trophy in the final of the World Boxing Super Series with one man leaving The O2 as unified Super-Lightweight World Champion. Lawrence Okolie steps up to European level to take on the unbeaten Yves Ngabu for the Cruiserweight crown and two former World Champions Ricky Burns and Lee Selby collide in an eagerly-anticipated domestic dust-up on a card which also features rising Welterweight prospect Conor Benn, who looks to take his professional record to a perfect 16-0.

 

Tickets priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £200 and £500 (VIP) are available to purchase from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com).

 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE CHISORA VS. PARKER FACE TO FACE ON MATCHROOM BOXING’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Read More on Derek Chisora HERE
Read more on Joseph Parker HERE
Read more on Lee Selby HERE
Read more on Matchroom Boxing HERE