Tag: America

JOSH KELLY: I’M DOWN FOR THE YELEUSSINOV REMATCH

Post author By f/s
Post date November 28, 2018

JOSH KELLY v WALTER FABIAN CASTILLO, Super-Welterweight contest, Manchester Arena. 10th November 2018. Picture By Mark Robinson.

“I’ve won two belts but this is only the start. It’s down to Adam and Eddie about what moves we make. Getting to World level you need to make these little steps, my goal is to lift a World title. People seem to forget I’ve only had eight fights as a professional. If I skip or fight for a British Title early then so be it. I’m just developing day in, day out.”

KELLY: I’M DOWN FOR THE YELEUSSINOV REMATCH

‘Pretty Boy’ out for revenge against amateur rival

Josh Kelly says he is on a collision course with former amateur rival and Olympic Gold medallist Daniyar Yeleussinov.

‘Pretty Boy’ faces the toughest test of his eight-fight professional career on December 8 at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield when he defends his WBA International Welterweight crown against former World Champion David Avanesyan, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

The North East sensation has made a blistering start to life in the paid ranks, landing his first professional title in just his sixth fight against former World ruler Carlos Molina before stopping Kris George in his next fight to earn the Commonwealth strap in Newcastle.

And now the Adam Booth-protege has set his sights on the World title picture in 2019.

One of the greatest amateurs of modern times, Yeleussinov defeated Kelly on the way to Olympic glory at the 2016 Rio Games, but ‘PBK’ feels he has made a smoother transition to the pro game and would be keen for a rematch with the Kazakh star when the time is right.

“I’m down for the rematch with Daniyar Yeleussinov,” said Kelly. “He beat me in the Olympics but as a professional I’ve made the transition much better than he has. When’s the right time to meet? When does it make sense? Those questions are to play out but we’re definitely on a collision course. I’ll enjoy that one in particular, there’s unfinished business.

“My full attention is on Avanesyan and I’m glad to be boxing in Sheffield for the first time as a pro. I’m obviously familiar with the area from the Team GB days so it’s nice to be coming back.

“Adam is moving me quickly, it’s been a short turn around since the last fight in Manchester. Avanesyan is an ex World Champion. He’s boxed Mosley and Peterson who are at the top level. I’ve done my due diligence and we think this is the right step. I’m ready to make that leap and I’m hoping he can test me.

“The Welterweight division is stacked from top to bottom and that excites me and helps me to switch on to remain there for the coming years.

Kelly’s clash with Avanesyan is part of 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.

Unbeaten Irish star Jono Carroll faces French former European Champion Guillaume Frenois in a final eliminator to become mandatory challenger to IBF Super-Featherweight World Champion Tevin Farmer.

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 are available to purchase via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) FlyDSA Arena (www.flydsaarena.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

KELL BROOK: ‘ THIS COULD BE MY LAST FIGHT IN SHEFFIELD ‘

Post author By f/s
Post date November 28, 2018

RISE AGAIN PROMOTION FLYDSA ARENA SHEFFIELD PIC;LAWRENCE LUSTIG WBC SILVER SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP, KELL BROOK V SERGEY RABCHENKO

“This will be an emotional fight for me because I think this will be my last in Sheffield,” said Brook. “We hope that the Khan fight is next and after I’ve knocked him out I want the Spence rematch and it’s likely that will be in the States.”

BROOK: THIS COULD BE MY LAST FIGHT IN SHEFFIELD

‘The Special One’ ready for emotional Sheffield farewell

Kell Brook says his clash with Michael Zerafa at the FlyDSA Arena on December 8 could be the final time he fights in Sheffield, as he looks to pursue career-defining fights at Welterweight.

The Steel City hero is close to securing a long-awaited British battle with former two-weight king Amir Khan in 2019 and has promised to deliver a ‘blistering performance’ for his hometown fans when he takes on Australia’s Zerafa next week.

Sheffield’s FlyDSA Arena holds happy memories for ‘The Special One’, with successful defences of his IBF World title against Ionut Dan Ion in 2015 and then Kevin Bizier in 2016.

He was last in action in March when he swept away Sergey Rabchenko inside two rounds in Sheffield to claim the WBC Silver Super-Welterweight title and is aiming for a similar performance against former Commonwealth Champion Zerafa.

“There’s other huge fights out there for me at Welterweight. Shawn Porter holds the WBC belt and there’s other big names like Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia.

“For now all that’s on my mind is Zerafa – this is the moment and chance of his career but he’s meeting me at a terrible time. I’ve never been so focused and I plan of giving my Sheffield fans a blistering performance on December 8.”

Brook’s clash with Zerafa tops a huge night of boxing in the Steel City.

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

Tickets for Brook vs. Zerafa are available to purchase via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) FlyDSA Arena (www.flydsaarena.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

KAL YAFAI vows to send statement to Super-Fly rivals

Post author By f/s
Post date November 20, 2018

WBA Super-Flyweight Championship KAL YAFAI v SHO ISHIDA 28th October 2017 Picture By Mark Robinson.

“The most important thing is winning and looking good in doing so,” said Yafai. “There’s some huge fights to be made in 2019 so I just need to get in there and do what I do best and impress. I’ll be looking to put on an explosive performance to end the year in style.

BIRMINGHAM STAR VOWS TO SEND OUT A STATEMENT TO SUPER-FLY RIVALS

Kal Yafai is targeting unification fights with the Super-Flyweight division’s other World Champions in 2019 should he get past Mexico’s Israel Gonzalez this Saturday at the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco.

The unbeaten Birmingham star puts his WBA crown on the line for the fourth time against former World title challenger Gonzalez, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US, and is planning on delivering an explosive performance to end the year with a bang.

“Gonzalez looks like a tough fighter and he looks dangerous on the counter. From his record you can tell that he’s durable, so I’ve got to be on it. I’ll need to put in a solid performance to deal with him.

“I expect him to be looking to counter early on but then as the first three or four rounds go by, if it goes that far, he’ll realise that he can’t outbox me or counter me. He’ll have to resort to coming forward and applying pressure which won’t work out for him very well.”

Yafai emphatically announced himself in the US when he stopped David Carmona in seven rounds on his American debut at the Save Mart Arena in California earlier this year and is keen to fight in the States again next year.

“I really enjoyed my American debut. It was an exciting fight to be involved in and entertaining for the fans. Hopefully on Saturday I’ll do a good job on this guy, look good, and then head back over to America next year and get some big fights.

“I love the States and I love being over there. I’m looking forward to going back over there and impressing once again. I need to get the job done on Saturday and then we can look forward to an exciting 2019.”

Saturday will be the second World Title attempt for Gonzalez (23-2, 10 KO’s) after he was stopped in ten rounds by IBF kingpin Jerwin Ancajas Bank of America Center in Texas. The feisty Filipino southpaw is no stranger to these shores having wiped out Jamie Conlan in 2017 and Yafai is eager for a blockbuster showdown with the Manny Pacquiao-promoted fighter.

“Jerwin Ancajas and Sor Rungvisai are obviously the two names that stick out,” added Yafai. “They hold the IBF and WBC belts so I’d like a crack at either of them next year. Donnie Nietes and Kazuto Ioka are fighting for the Vacant WBO title on New Year’s Eve so the winner of that is another option.

“Roman Gonzalez is still a massive name in the division and that would be a huge fight for me that would bring a lot of money to the table. It’s an exciting time to be fighting at 115lbs and I just need to make sure that I shine on Saturday.”

Yafai’s clash with Gonzalez is part of a huge night of action in Monaco.

Main event sees dangerous Russian Denis Lebedev defend his WBA Cruiserweight World title against undefeated American Mike Wilson.

Former World title challenger Frank Buglioni takes on undefeated Chinese amateur star Fanlong Meng for the IBF Inter-Continental Light-Heavyweight title.

Fresh from a shock win over highly-touted Heavyweight prospect Martin Bakole, America’s Michael Hunter steps in to face Russia’s Alexander Ustinov and Kazakhstan’s Rio Olympic gold medallist Daniyar Yeleussinov faces Marcos Mojica in his fifth professional contest.

RANKIN: I HAVE THE GAMEPLAN TO DETHRONE SHIELDS

Post author By f/s
Post date November 16, 2018

WICHITA, KS - NOVEMBER 15: IBF/WBA female middleweight champion Claressa Shields and Hannah Rankin pose after the final press conference at Exploration Place in Wichita, KS for the Matchroom Boxing USA card that will take place on November 17, 2018 at the Kansas Star Casino. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA)

Scot relishing her underdog status against World ruler in Kansas

Hannah Rankin believes her team have devised the right gameplan to beat Claressa Shields and claim the WBA, IBF and vacant WBC World Middleweight titles on Saturday night at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, KS, live on DAZN.

Tickets are on sale now from ticketmaster.com starting at just $25! Click here to book!

Rankin meets Michigan ace Shields in her second World title fight, coming into the clash on the back of moving up two weights to take WBA Super-Middleweight champion Alicia Napoleon the distance in New York in August.

The 28 year old feels strong at 160lbs as she prepares to face the two-time Team USA Olympic gold medal star, and as a proud Scot, she’s relishing her underdog status.

“I’m so excited about the fight,” said Rankin. “She’s one of the top names in the game and that’s why I’ve taken the challenge at the very top level. I’m really looking forward to the fight, we’ve both got aggressive styles and I think it’s going to be great for TV. I hope she brings her A-game as I’m going to bring mine.

“I’m a massive underdog and I’m not going to say it any other way, but I can’t wait to get in there and showcase what I can do. We’ve got a gameplan to execute and I am confident that if I stick to it, I’ll hear ‘and the new’.

“Being a boxer is a very Scottish thing to do – we’re always the underdog and we love to prove people wrong. I’ve got a big heart and I am a fighter, I always have been. You are always learning in the gym and in every fight and I thrive on that, it’s what attracts me to the sport.

“I’m not a trash talker, I’ve worked on my things in camp so she better be ready for me on Saturday as I’m ready to bring it. Alicia was my first ten round title fight and I stepped up two weights for that. I’m outside my comfort zone again but I learnt a lot in my last fight and I’m going to bring all that out on Saturday.

“Women’s boxing is taking massive steps forward and being live on DAZN on a Matchroom Boxing show is another big step in the right direction. Katie Taylor is leading the way for us too and things are starting to change for the positive and slowly we’re getting there, getting the props and the airtime to build up our fanbases.”

Shield’s clash with Rankin is part of a huge night of action in Kansas in association with KO Night Boxing with a host of stars and local talents in action.

Brooklyn’s Heavyweight star Jarrell Miller meets fellow unbeaten big-hitter Bogdan Dinu in a crunch clash at the top level of the division.

Middleweight contenders Luis Arias and Gabriel Rosado clash in what promises to be a real war as the pair look to gatecrash the lucrative top table, and there’s an all-Mexican clash and a homecoming for Brandon Rios against Ramon Alvarez, brother of ‘Canelo’, as both men look to make a splash at Welterweight.

Team USA 2016 Olympic bronze medal man Nico Hernandez has raced to 5-0 (4 KOs) – the Wichita talent fights for the third time in the Kansas Star Casino and Arena since debuting there in March 2017, unbeaten Wichita Super-Middleweight and police officer Manny Thompson looks to improve his 7-0 record and Las Vegas’ Jeremy Nichols meets Wichita’s Jeremiah Page at Middleweight.

Unbeaten Light-Heavyweight contender Anthony Sims Jr. and Brooklyn’s exciting newcomer to the Middleweight scene Nikita Ababiy, fresh from a first round KO on debut in Chicago in October, are also in action.

SHIELDS: RANKIN WON’T STOP MY PATH, I WAS GIFTED TO BE A BOXER

Post author By f/s
Post date November 13, 2018

SHIELDS: RANKIN WON’T STOP MY PATH TO UNDISPUTED

T-Rex’ sets her sights on unifying the Middleweight division in 2019

Claressa Shields is aiming for a punishing win over Hannah Rankin at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane KS, on Saturday night, live on DAZN – to continue her destructive path to being the undisputed World Middleweight champion.

Tickets are on sale now from ticketmaster.com starting at just $25! Click here to book!

Shields defends her WBA and IBF crowns against Rankin with the vacant WBC strap also up for grabs. The WBC crown was in the hands of Christina Hammer, whom Shields was slated to meet this weekend in a unification blockbuster for all four belts, with the German also owning the WBO belt.

Shields has brushed off the disappointment of not facing Hammer and the two-time Olympic Gold medalist has itchy knuckles in preparing to meet the Scot Rankin, who is in her second World title fight – with DAZN showcasing a third Women’s World title bout in it’s third US show following Lightweight World title wins for Jessica McCaskill in Chicago and Katie Taylor in Boston in October.

“I’m thrilled to be able to continue my road to undisputed this weekend,” said Shields. “Christina has first in line when I win the belt on Saturday, it’s not a fight that we are looking to avoid. If she’d been fit to face me then that would be the fight this weekend. I wanted that fight bad.

“I felt that when we did the phone interview and we announced that we were fighting, I sensed in her tone that something was wrong, that she wasn’t as excited as I was about the fight. She didn’t seem happy, and as a champion I sensed something was wrong and I was right as she was sick. As soon as she comes back, we can fight.

“Hannah has been Christina’s toughest sparring partner so I am going to make her pay just for that. It’s not a let down for me, just getting in the ring and being able to fight is a joy to me, it makes me happy. Hannah has turned down another fight to take this shot and we’re fighting as a co-main event on DAZN, so it should be fun.”

Shields is not content with dominance at 160lbs – and the Michigan ace can see a return to Super-Middleweight where Alicia Napoleon, who defeated Rankin in August to defend her WBA belt at 168lbs, is a target along with the other champions.

‘T-Rex’ is also open to dropping to Super-Welterweight and inviting Welterweight ruler Cecilia Braekhus to move up in a bout to crown the pound-for-pound number one in Women’s boxing.

“None of the girls at 168lbs want to fight me,” said Shields. “We’ve offered the fight to Alicia many times and fights to so many of them, they’ve all said I’m too big and they are too little, then they say we don’t offer good money – but we have TV and we’re offering good money for sure.

“Alicia just wants to stay unbeaten and protected, I can’t even name any other fighters that she’s fought other than Hannah as I wouldn’t be approved by the commission to fight some of those girls.

“I think I can go as low as 154lbs and I would do that to fight Cecilia for the pound-for-pound spot. I don’t want to go to 147lbs as I would only be able to win the fight and not go on to defend the belts. She can keep her belts, I just want the pound-for-pound spot – she can have the belts and be number two, I’m number one. We can meet at 154lbs, that would be huge.”

Shields’ clash with Rankin is part of a huge night of action in Kansas in association with KO Night Boxing with a host of stars and local talents in

action.

Brooklyn’s Heavyweight star Jarrell Miller meets fellow unbeaten big-hitter Bogdan Dinu in a crunch clash at the top level of the division.

Middleweight contenders Luis Arias and Gabriel Rosado clash in what promises to be a real war as the pair look to gatecrash the lucrative top table, and there’s an all-Mexican clash and a homecoming for Brandon Rios against Ramon Alvarez, brother of ‘Canelo’’, as both men look to make a splash at Welterweight.

Team USA 2016 Olympic bronze medal man Nico Hernandez has raced to 5-0 (4KOs) – the Wichita talent fights for the third time in the Kansas Star Casino and Arena since debuting there in March 2017, unbeaten Wichita Super-Middleweight and police officer Manny Thompson looks to improve his 7-0 record and Las Vegas’ Jeremy Nichols meets Wichita’s Jeremiah Page at Middleweight.

Unbeaten Light-Heavyweight contender Anthony Sims Jr. and Brooklyn’s exciting newcomer to the Middleweight scene Nikita Ababiy, fresh from a first round KO on debut in Chicago earlier in the month are also in action.

‘ THIS IS THE HURT BUSINESS, I WAS GIFTED TO BE A BOXER ‘ CLICK HERE TO WATCH CLARESSA SHIELDS VIDEO

Read more on The Wild Night in Kansas HERE

HEARN PROMISES A ‘WILD’ NIGHT IN KANSAS

Post author By f/s
Post date October 30, 2018

October 27, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn announces their newest signing Alexis Espino at the press conference announcing the November 17, 2018 Matchroom Boxing card at the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, KS. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA

Matchroom Boxing and DAZN are heading to Kansas – and promoter Eddie Hearn has promised that the stacked card will deliver a ‘wild’ night – with tickets for the action on November 17 at the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, Kansas, live on DAZN.

Tickets are on sale now from ticketmaster.com starting at just $25! Click here to book!

Heavyweight star Jarrell Miller tops the bill as he continues his march to World honors against fellow unbeaten banger Bogdan Dinu, with chief-support provided by two-weight World ruler Claressa Shields who looks to add the WBC Middleweight strap to her WBA and IBF crowns against tough Scottish challenger.

Middleweight contenders Luis Arias and Gabriel Rosado clash in what promises to be a real war as the pair look to gatecrash the lucrative top table, and there’s an all-Mexican clash and a homecoming for Brandon Rios against Ramon Alvarez, brother of ‘Canelo’’, as both men look to make a splash at Welterweight.

Promoter Eddie Hearn told a press conference on Saturday that a big reason for taking the show to Kansas was the rise of Team USA 2016 Olympic bronze medal man Nico Hernandez, the 22 year old who has raced to 5-0 (4KOs) – the Wichita talent fights for the third time in the Kansas Star Casino and Arena since debuting there in March 2017.

Rankin has some high-profile support from home on the bill in the shape of three-weight World champion Ricky Burns in his 51^st pro fight and a second fight in the paid ranks for Commonwealth bronze medal man John Docherty – with unbeaten Light-Heavyweight contender Anthony Sims Jr. and Brooklyn’s exciting newcomer to the Middleweight scene Nikita Ababiy, fresh from a first round KO on debut in Chicago earlier in the month.

Eddie Hearn: I watched Nico Hernandez box in Kansas on YouTube and I saw what we love at Matchroom Boxing – passion, excitement and a city that is behind the sport and their fighters. Then I realized that Brandon Rios is from Kansas, and we decided to take this event to the KSA and I am really, excited.

We’ve got about 6,000 seats to sell, and I believe we’re going to sell every one of them. This is part of our plan and process, to go to cities where we can get excitement. We’ve been to Chicago and Boston and they were great, people are happy that we are there and thanking us for bringing boxing to those cities. With Kansas, it’s a whole other level of excitement, and the one word I use to describe this show is wild.

FIGHTER QUOTES:

Nico Hernandez: Kansas has never seen a card like this. I’ve been getting a lot of support back home and I can’t wait to be part of a great show. Claressa and I put in work at the 2016 Olympics so it’s great to have her on the show and another Kansan in Brandon, it’s going to be a brilliant night and I can’t wait.

Brandon Rios: I’m going back to Kansas! It’s the middle of nowhere, but it’s Kansas! I’m excited to be going back to fight there for the first time since 2009. I always come to fight and fighting Canelo’s older brother is great, everyone knows how I fight, and I am ready, I’m honored to be part of a bill stacked with talented fighters.

Luis Arias: Losses are over-rated – unless you have 11 of them like Gabe has – it’s about who you fight. I took a chance in my last fight against Daniel Jacobs, I had the opportunity to skip the line and jump into the mix with the top guys.

Even though it was the worst performance of my life, I fell short, you take the best out of the situation. I was able to go 12 rounds on one foot with a top guy. I know what kind of fighter Gabe is and what kind of fight this will be, he’ll bring it. I asked for this fight when I was 10-0 and honestly, his chances of beating me would have been better back then.

I’m stronger, I’m in my prime, and there’s nothing he can bring that can hurt me, that I haven’t seen. I know he’s tough, I’ve seen more of him than he has of me and we’re going to steal the show

Gabriel Rosado: It’s been a long time since my last fight but in that time, I’ve been able to re-group, focus, get back with my original trainer and I’m looking forward to this opportunity. Luis has said a lot about my losses, but win, lose or draw, everybody respects me.

He ran in his last fight, remember that. He doesn’t know what he’s got coming. I like that all the Middleweight titles are with DAZN – congratulations to Demetrius Andrade for his win, that’s a fight I’d love, Danny Jacobs too and Canelo – I want to smash this clown and then meet the top Middleweights.

Hannah Rankin: It’s an amazing opportunity for me to fight Claressa Shields, it’s one that I wanted so I am thrilled that we have got it. It’s going to be a fantastic fight, we both have aggressive come-forward styles, so I am looking forward to putting that into action as I think we’ve got one hell of a fight here.

Claressa Shields: Eddie said I am an Olympic gold medalist – I’m a two-time Olympic gold medalist, the only one in the US – but it’s cool, I have so many accomplishments it’s hard to keep up with them myself. I don’t know right now if I am a unified champion, close to being an undisputed champion – I just know I have a lot of belts at home.

Only being 6-0 and having two world titles at both Middleweight and Super-Middleweight, trying to become unified World champion – I don’t have to keep saying that I am the greatest woman boxer of all-time because you can see it. When you talk about women that box the way that I do there’s only one that’s with me at the top and that’s Katie Taylor, anyone else is further down the ladder. I’m number one, and Katie is 1 ½, that’s how great she is.

All the respect to the women that box though, we have more than one fight to fight, we’re fighting each other but also fighting for equal pay, equal TV time, equal sponsorship as the men. Everybody wants us to play nice, but, you know I am not really that nice, and when I get inside the ring, I’m a beast.

Come November 17, I’m going to show Hannah that she may be tough, but she’s too damn tough, she wants to stay in there. I hope she works on her head movement because I’ve got a hell of an uppercut that I’ve been working on and it might out her down. I’m not training to be at HR level. The girl HR got beat by, I’d take her out within four rounds. I hope she comes in to box me – if she comers forward, it’ll be an early night, if she’s smarter, maybe she’ll last a little longer.

Jarrell Miller: Credit to Bodgan for taking the fight – I’m fighting people I have no animosity to! He’s undefeated, he’s been in camp for a fight last weekend, so I know he’s in shape. it’s been a long journey to get to where we are today, I’m finally at the stage where I am getting that title shot and being in a place to fight the big guys. The proof is in the pudding, being big is not a crime. Big Baby is big and I’m going to keep throwing big punches and getting big wins.

I’m finally getting the chance to headline a big card thanks to Eddie and Matchroom and I am going in for the kill. I’ve been in the gym since winning in Chicago and my hands feel good, so as always, I’m going for the KO. I want those big names, the Anthony Joshua’s, the Dillian Whyte’s, Deontay aka Beyonce Wilder – you know I can’t stand that guy. So, let’s get this win and then if Dillian doesn’t fight AJ, I can turn that English Muffin into toasted strudel.

Read more on Miller, Shields & Rios HERE

Read more on Matchroom Boxing Event HERE

Images by Ed Mulholland of Matchroom Boxing

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