Understanding just who is Dominic Breazeale & Why he should fight Deontay Wilder next!!

Dominic Breazeale is the WBC #1. Contender. Breazeale has been the mandatory challenger to unbeaten WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, who has been champion for more than four years. The two may finally meet, as Wilder’s team recently announced that the champion will fight again in May following a recent breakdown in the recent WILDER vs. FURY II negotiations.

So just who is Dominic Breazeale?

Before anyone can criticize why Breazeale is getting another world title shot, the first thing people tend to ignore is the fact that he started boxing late as beginner at age 23, which was 10 years ago. He turns 34 in August.

Ten years ago, Wladimir (IBF/WBO) and Vitali Klitschko (WBC), along with Nikolai Valuev (WBA) split the world heavyweight championship atop the division. David Haye. The heavyweight division was cluttered with guys ranking from Matt Skelton, Juan Carlos Gomez, Samuel Peter, Alexander Povetkin, and Chris Arreola – good, but beatable fighters.

Deontay Wilder, then an Olympic bronze medalist, had less than 10 professional bouts and was still learning how to fight at a high level and Anthony Joshua was still an amateur learning how to fight like a pro. There was nobody on the horizon coming up, as it appeared as though the Klitschkos would rule the heavyweight championship landscape forever until 2015.

Breazeale learned how to box professionally, earning a National Super-Heavyweight Title to secure a bid into the 2012 Olympics in London. Although Breazeale lost in the opening round, there wasn’t a whole lot of talent on the rise that would be better than the 6’ 7,” heavyweight. Breazeale turned pro late in November 2012 having has his first two bouts just two weeks apart.

While the Klitschkos continued to dominate the heavyweight division, Wilder continued his rise, Joshua had become an Olympic Gold medalist, and Breazeale was making strides as well. Remember. Breazeale, by 26 and having begun fighting at age 23, was already a former Olympian-turned professional fighter.

Within four years after his professional debut and less than one-year following Tyson Fury’s dreadful upset of Wladimir Klitschko to win the unified WBA/WBO and IBF/IBO heavyweight championships in November 2015, Breazeale found himself in the biggest fight of his career in June 2016.

After Fury vacated the unified heavyweight titles because of a cocaine addiction and PEDs, Joshua, who defeated Charles Martin for the IBF belt, made his first heavyweight title defense against Breazeale at the O2 in London. It was an entertaining fight between two massive heavyweights over 6’ 5,” and 250-lbs. each. Breazeale showed good technical skills, but was limited against the more diverse, more explosive, and more seasoned fighter in Joshua.

Joshua may have stopped Breazeale in the seventh-round, but one thing has proven to be true since… Joshua beats everybody, but not everybody beats Breazeale, who has won 18 of his 21 professional fights by knockout, while losing only to Joshua, who is currently the unified WBA/WBO and IBF/IBO champion.

Since the loss to Joshua, Breazeale has won his last three fights by knockout. Guys like Izuagbe Ugonoh, Eric Molina, and Carlos Negron were all aggressive against Breazeale, who relies heavily on his amateur boxing experience and developing skills to knock guys out. Breazeale is heavy-handed, knows the difference between a jab, a hook, and an uppercut. He can be explosive. Dominic Breazeale is a conditioned big man that knows how to fight professionally. There are times when he looks beatable, but nobody (other than Joshua) has been able to beat him as easily as it looks. It takes a lot to prepare and compete against Breazeale because of his size and skills.

In his previous fight in December at the Barclays Center, Negron started fast. Negron had the lead, but Breazeale took his time to break Negron down and stopped him in a highlight reel finish. Breazeale had words for Wilder, who was sitting front row for that fight. . Even the WBC champion had to stand-up and acknowledge Breazeale with a menacing facial expression as if he was wearing ‘The Mask.’

Speaking of ‘The Mask,’ which Wilder wore the wrong one for his first-fight with Fury last December, wouldn’t it be interesting to see Wilder return to that gold venetian mask the night he destroyed Bermane Stiverne at the Barclays Center? How about the ‘King Kong’ Ortiz fight? Wait a minute, how about Arthur Szpilka? He was gone.

‘The Mask,’ the Barclays Center has become synonymous with Deontay Wilder. Imagine Wilder, ‘The Mask’ staring straight across the ring against a fearless and determined Dominic Breazeale no one ever saw going into the Olympics and coming straight for a world heavyweight championship.

WILDER vs. BREAZEALE, whose camps once had a brawl in a hotel lobby after one of Wilder’s fights two years ago in Alabama, is a fight that should happen.

WBSS Release: Cruiserweight Extravaganza Dorticos-Tabiti Semifinal heads to Riga

Cuba’s Yunier Dorticos (23-1, 21 KOs) and USA’s Andrew Tabiti (17-0, 13 KOs) join Mairis Briedis & Krzysztof Glowacki when they continue their quest for the Ali Trophy in the 200lb division on June 15 at the Arena Riga in Riga, Latvia.

With the Judgement Day semi-finals taking place the same night the winners will go head-to-head after the battles have been settled.

Yunier Dorticos won a tough twelve round unanimous decision over Germany’s Mateusz Masternak in his quarter-final with scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113. And Andrew Tabiti won a hard-fought decision by scores of 116-111, 115-112 and 114-113 over Russia’s Ruslan Fayfer to advance to the semi-final. Now the ‘KO doctor’ and ‘The Beast’ are about to clash in the Latvian capital

“It’s an honour and I’m extremely excited to fight in Riga, it’s a beautiful country with amazing people and culture,“ said Dorticos, the tournament No. 2 seed. “My game plan will be simple: Tabiti will learn why I’m called the ‘KO Doctor’. A doctor can operate at any level. It can be a quick procedure or a prolonged procedure. Regardless it will be very painfully for Tabiti.

“I can’t wait for the bell to ring because he’s an obstacle into the final and I will run him over like a train! I will win the semi-finals at all cost.”

The KO artist has the ultimate occasion of redeeming himself after last year’s semi-final defeat against Murat Gassiev.

“Once and for I will showcase why I’m the best and most exciting cruiserweight in the world to watch. To all the fans all over the world and to all the fans in Riga you can expect the best version of ‘The KO Doctor’. I’m bringing the fireworks on my fist and it will be a historic night in Riga!” said Dorticos.

“I’m looking forward to this fight in Riga,” said Tabiti, a rising star among legendary Floyd Mayweather’s promotion stable. “I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to prove I’m one of the best out there in my division since the beginning of my career. I believe this is the fight where I’ll show the world that I’m world champion material. My discipline and patience along with my boxing IQ make me confident that I will get the victory over Dorticos.”

June 15 marks the third time for the World Boxing Super Series to travel to Riga after a Season 1 quarter-final and semi-final, Mairis Briedis vs Mike Perez and Aleksandr Usyk vs Mairis Briedis, previously having been held at the Arena Riga in front of ecstatic capacity crowds.

Kalle Sauerland, Comosa’s Chief Boxing Officer said: “We said we wanted to make Riga into a fight city and I think we have already done that, but now we have raised the bar again and we truly make Riga into Las Vegas for one night. We are very excited to continue the Ali Trophy tradition in this great and now established fight city.

Tickets for the hotly-anticipated semi-finals on June 15 will soon go on sale. Fans in the U.S. and Canada can watch the Ali Trophy semi-finals LIVE, exclusively on DAZN.

Fans are encouraged to sign-up for Ticket Alerts to receive an email reminder when tickets can be purchased.

WBSS Season 2 Semi-Finals

Bantamweight
Nonito Donaire vs Zolani Tete – 27 April, USA
Naoya Inoue vs Emmanuel Rodriguez – 18 May, SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland

 Super-Lightweight
Regis Prograis vs Kiryl Relikh – 27 April, USA
Josh Taylor vs Ivan Baranchyk – 18 May, SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland

Cruiserweight
Mairis Briedis vs Krzysztof Glowacki – 15 June, Arena Riga, Riga, Latvia
Yunier Dorticos vs Andrew Tabiti – 15 June, Arena Riga, Riga, Latvia

http://www.WorldBoxingSuperSeries.com

TYSON FURY’S ESPN deal opens the door to WILDER vs. BREAZEALE

Apparently, the long-awaited rematch between WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury will not happen anytime soon. It appeared as though the rematch would have been easy to make, since the first fight was rather agreed to quickly last December. Fury, who fought Wilder on SHOWTIME Pay-Per-View in Los Angeles, wasn’t tied to any U.S. network until he recently signed an exclusive deal with Top Rank/ESPN. Fury, suddenly changed his tune about an immediate rematch with Wilder, but is open to renegotiating a second fight late 2019.

“I’m delighted that Frank and Queensberry Promotions have teamed up with Top Rank to promote my fights in America,” Fury said. “With ESPN and BT Sport behind me, the biggest sports platforms in the world are now linked up with the best heavyweight in the world!”

Fury is set to make ‘millions’ fighting here in the U.S. on ESPN, while BT Sport will continue to have broadcast rights to all of Fury’s fights in the United Kingdom.

“Top Rank is very excited to enter into the promotional arrangement along with Queensberry Promotions for the lineal heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury,” Arum said. “He is a generational heavyweight talent at the peak of his powers. We also look forward to our growing relationship with MTK Global, which represents so many world-class fighters.”

ESPN, who are increasing their stock in boxing televising fight-cards put together by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden boy Promotions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Boxing, are making a serious push to fulfil the void left following the abrupt departure of HBO Boxing.

ESPN is competing with DAZN (Da-Zone), an online streaming service for worldwide sports programming, by having introduced ESPN+. As opposed to DAZN, which charges an online monthly rate of $9.99, ESPN+ charges $4.99 for greater access to NBA, UFC, NCAA events, exclusive documentaries, and select fights featuring guys promoted by De La Hoya and Arum.

“This is a great move for Tyson Fury and a great move for Queensberry Promotions,” Warren said. “By partnering up with ESPN and Top Rank in America, we’re giving our boxers, including Tyson, the opportunity to perform on the biggest and most powerful platforms on both sides of the Atlantic and become truly global stars.”

So what does this mean for Wilder, America’s first world heavyweight champion, since Shannon Briggs more than a decade ago?

There is talk of Wilder returning to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn before the summer to face WBC mandatory challenger, Dominic Breazeale, a former U.S. Olympian and IBF heavyweight title challenger. The fight could happen as early as May.

Last December, with Wilder watching from the front row at ringside, Breazeale electrified the Barclays Center with an impressive KO of Carlos Negron. The 33-year-old Breazeale is 6’ 7,” 250 lbs. compared to the equally tall, but 30+ lb.-lighter champion.

A fight between Wilder and Breazeale will end with an explosive KO. Both camps had a brawl in a hotel lobby just hours after they each had separate fights on a PBC fight-card at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. There is definitely bad history between the two.

“I’m excited,” Breazeale said. “That was the biggest thing that’s happened in the last 15 months. A situation like that, where Fury kind of pulls out of his situation with the rematch is the best thing for the WBC mandatory.”

Matchroom Release: Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams signs with Matchroom Boxing USA

Houston talent to join paid ranks in April

Austin Williams has signed a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing USA.

Former Team USA member and #1 ranked 165lber Williams is the latest amateur talent to pen promotional terms with promoter Eddie Hearn, and the 22 year old Houston talent brings a formidable body of work into the paid ranks.

‘Ammo’ landed a plethora of titles in just 47 fights as an amateur and enters the pro game as a two-time USA Boxing Western Regional Champion, two-time Houston Golden Gloves Champion, two-time Houston Open Ring National Champion and 2017 Gulf Association Most Outstanding Boxer amongst his honors.

Williams’ will campaign at Middleweight with an eye on dropping to Super-Welterweight and his debut will be announced shortly, with fighter, promoter and manager excited to start the journey.

“My goal is to be the greatest, most influential fighter of all time!” said Williams. “Eddie Hearn noticed my talent and provided me the platform needed to make this a reality – for that I am forever thankful and I cannot wait to strut my stuff live on DAZN.”

“I’m delighted to welcome Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams to the Matchroom Boxing USA team,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Ammo is one of the most exciting young amateur fighters I have seen and in just 47 amateur fights has established himself at #1 in his weight class.

“He is a huge puncher and has all the attributes to be a star in the sport. We look forward to keeping him nice and busy why he learns his trade all around the world.

“We are assembling the strongest young team of fighters in America and I’m excited to watch them all grow live on DAZN at home and in the UK on Sky Sports.”

“Austin Williams possesses all the qualities you want in a fighter” said Sam Katkovski from Churchill Management. “Beyond his viciousness in the ring, he will amaze fans with his personality and quickly become must see tv. We at Churchill are excited to partner with Matchroom Boxing USA to begin his career journey.”

Eubank, Jr. too aggressive, too much for DeGale

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Chris Eubank, Jr., the son of the legendary Chris Eubank, Sr., one of Britain’s most accomplished and decorated boxers ever, earned the biggest victory of his career on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London, England. Eubank (28-2, 21 KOs) won a unanimous decision against former two-time, super-middleweight champion James DeGale (25-3-1, 15 KOs). The judges scored the bout, which was aired in America on SHOWTIME, 117-109, 115-112, and 114-112.

The big question heading into Saturday’s contest was whether James DeGale, a former Olympic Gold Medalist and IBF two-time super-middleweight champion, is done as a professional boxer. It appeared as though DeGale’s talent and experience had led him to everything that he could ever possibly ever achieve and that he was at the end of a special career.  Nobody expected him to win Olympic Gold. Nobody expected him to win a world title and reign as long as he did, but DeGale defied the odds.

When I watched DeGale at the Olympics, he looked fresh, energetic, and appeared to have something offer the sport. He developed his talent, good skills, and was a decent fighter. When I watch DeGale fight now, it appears as though every punch hurts him. It looks like a difficult chore for him to box to his potential. Maybe DeGale has already maximized his potential and that he simply cannot take his body, his mindset, and his talent to a new level? Maybe he has already maximized that potential and stopped growing as a fighter? Maybe we’ve already watched the best James DeGale there could be?

Perhaps Eubank, desperate for a career-defining victory, caught DeGale at the perfect time. Eubank may not have DeGale’s experience, but having DeGale’s name on his resume may propel Eubank to unprecedented heights. Remember Eubank has two losses – a decision loss to Billy Joe Saunders, who went onto win the WBO middleweight championship and made three defenses. Eubank also lost to George Groves in the finals of the World Boxing Super Series last year, ending an eight-fight undefeated streak.

Eubank, Jr., under the guidance of his father Chris Eubank, Sr., a former WBO middleweight and super-middleweight champion; veteran of more than 20 world title fights, and one of the all-time great British fighters, faced a lot of criticism following his dreadful performance, losing to Groves, who beat him with one arm after suffering from a dislocated left shoulder early in the fight.

Eubank finally won a big fight. Eubank proved that he is talented enough to fight on a professional level while improving his style. Eubank was aggressive, could have been more accurate, but fought much better than DeGale did, scoring two knockdowns (rounds two and ten).

After an uneventful opening round that was highlighted by a cut on the side of DeGale’s left-eye following an accidental clash of heads, an aggressive Eubank rocked DeGale with a straight-right, left-hook combination and dropped him following a barrage of punches into a corner.

“I knew he was going to come at me like that,” Eubank said.  “He’s a slick southpaw, but my game plan worked. Smart pressure and not getting too ahead of myself.  He’s a hell of a fighter, hell of a competitor but at the end of the day my head and my heart won this fight.”

Eubank looking to launch his right-hand over DeGale’s left. DeGale struggling to land his right-jab effectively, as he lunged in with is head repeatedly. DeGale simply followed Eubank, as his speed and reflexes often surprised DeGale. Eubank was looking to simply be aggressive, throw lots of power punches, and land the bigger shots.

DeGale had a much better fourth round. He controlled the pace of the round, as he started finding consistency with his right-jabs and made Eubank miss with his counter right-hand. Eubank did rally late to apply pressure against DeGale at the end of the stanza.

DeGale had a good round in the fifth, but was caught with another accidental clash of heads that further opened a cut over his left eye. DeGale’s plan was to clearly control the fight with his right-jab and make Eubank miss. Eubank was simply looking to close each round with a huge rally in the final 30 seconds each round.

A monster left-hook rocked DeGale clean toward the end of the tenth-round. DeGale went down following a barrage of punches. In the eleventh, Eubank shoved DeGale against the ropes before rocking him with a big uppercut. Eubank was later docked one point for throwing DeGale onto the canvas. Eubank was determined to close the show in style, as he tried hard to knock DeGale out in the final round. He had him wobbly and on rubbery legs, but Eubank couldn’t finish the fight in the manner he truly wanted.

“There was a lot of animosity leading to this fight,” Eubank said. “I told him, ‘This is my time,’ and it was.  He’s a veteran of the game, he throws big shots and he manages to stay up.  To get up after those knockdowns is a statement about his tenacity and the type of fighter he is.”

In addition to the main event, undefeated heavyweight contender Joe Joyce (8-0, 8 KOs) resumed his fast-track toward a world heavyweight title fight. The former Olympic Silver Medalist stopped former WBC heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne (25-4-1, 21 KOs) in the sixth-round. In the opening round, Stiverne appeared determined to bang with Joyce from close range from the inside. However, Stiverne, Haiti’s first world heavyweight champion, proved to be target practice for the younger man. Joyce, who once sparred with Stiverne, battered him with a variety of punches from close range until the fight was stopped at 2:26 seconds into the sixth-round.

Big respect to Stiverne – like a true champion, he’s very tough and was still throwing shots, but I guess I was just a bit too much,” Joyce said.  “It was about being patient.  He’s such a tough guy that he took those shots no problem.

Joyce added: “I was hitting him with everything I had, including the kitchen sink.  I listened to Abel (Sanchez) in the corner, did everything he said and it went well.  My jab was really effective.  I’m a seasoned vet. I picked up my poise and remained calm along the way.

Joyce entered the contest ranked #5 by the WBA, which is impressive after having just seven professional fights. Joyce has won all of his fights as a professional by KO. It’s only a matter of time before Joyce is further accelerated into a major fight.

“Big things are coming,” Joyce concluded. “My next one will be for the WBA Regular (Title) and I’ll be back in the gym soon. I need to have a couple more fights like this and then I’ll be ready for the big champions.”

Photos Credit: Ian Walton/SHOWTIME

 

 

Heavyweight Joe Joyce: moving fast & making strides past ‘stepping stone’ Stiverne

Undefeated heavyweight contender and 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist Joe Joyce (7-0, 7 KOs) will battle former WBC heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne (25-3-1, 21 KOs) on Saturday, February 23, live from the O2 Arena in London, England. Joyce-Stiverne will be part of a SHOWTIME Championship Boxing doubleheader that will also feature James DeGale battling Chris Eubank, Jr. in the main event beginning at 3:45 PM/ET.

“Bermane Stiverne, all respect to him, he’s a former WBC Champion,” Joyce said. “I have a lot of respect for him for taking this fight.  It’s the perfect fight right now for my situation.  It’s a great stepping stone for my career.”

Joyce (#5 WBA) is being fast-tracked toward a mandatory heavyweight title shot without having fought 10 professional bouts. Previously on the WILDER vs. FURY undercard in Los Angeles in December, Joyce knocked out Joe Hanks in the first-round for his sixth victory of 2018.

“I’m top five in the WBA at the moment, I’m moving fast,” Joyce said. “Each fight is getting me closer and closer to the top three names in the heavyweight division.  I’m just going to keep on working hard in the gym and if everything goes well I’ll be back training for the next one soon.  This year I’m going to make big strides.”

Much has been made about Joyce and Stiverne sparring one another, but the reality is it really doesn’t matter because, Saturday will be for real.

“It was four rounds [of sparring] but I think that’s all he could do at that stage,” Joyce said. “He says he took me to school but I went to university, if you know what I mean.  When we sparred in his camp in Las Vegas he was a bit lethargic.  I don’t really care, though – they can talk however they want but we’ll see what happens Saturday night.”

Abel Sanchez, the trainer of former World Middleweight Champion Gennady Golovkin (GGG), currently trains Joyce. Sanchez has high expectations of Joyce and sees plenty of potential.

“We’ve prepared for the Bermane that fought Chris Arreola,” Sanchez said. “These are the types of fights that will prepare us for the elite later this year. I wasn’t with Joe when his sparring with Stiverne took place, but if it got a guy like Stiverne heated up, it must have been something.”

“We feel he’s ready for the next step,” Sanchez added. “Stiverne is the kind of test we have to go through to move forward with his career. Joyce is probably the most decorated fighter in the U.K. He’s smart, very athletic and he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with just like George Foreman was.”

Stiverne, a former WBC heavyweight champion defeated Chris Arreola in May 2014 to win the vacant crown before losing it in his first title defense to current champion Deontay Wilder in January 2015. At least that fight lasted the entire twelve-round distance, but the rematch was a completely different story. Stiverne hasn’t fought since he was destroyed by Wilder within one round when they rematched each other 15 months ago.

“He’s towards the end of his career,” Joyce added. “He’s going to want to beat me to get back in the mix, but good luck to him.  I’d be happy if I beat him before seventh or eighth round.  I’m not going to be Wilder. I won’t beat him in under a round.”

Stiverne believes “I’m a stumbling block, not a stepping stone.” The 40-year-old is boxing’s first Haitian-born heavyweight champion, but his reign was extremely short. Perhaps his best days are long past, but a victory over Joyce may rejuvenate Stiverne’s career. He needs to do something significant to erase everyone’s fresh recollection of the Wilder rematch.

“Obviously they are taking this fight based on what happened in the last fight with Wilder and I’m glad,” Stiverne said. “They are underestimating me.  We could go back and forth all day but that’s not what matters.  What matters is what happens on Saturday at The O2.”

Stiverne promises that Saturday he will be better prepared and that his experience will be too great for Joyce. Let’s see what happens on Saturday.

“I’m glad he thinks I’m here as a gatekeeper or stepping stone,” Stiverne added. “I’m not really worried about that.  They didn’t call me last minute – I was already in the gym.  However they view me, I’m ready.  I’ll tell you one thing, they didn’t catch me with my pants down.  I’m ready. I would have packed it up or hung it up if I wasn’t ready.  I’m coming to fight.”

Photo Credit: Ian Walton/SHOWTIME

The JOSHUA vs. MILLER Grudge Match at the Garden in June is the BIG TICKET

Unified IBF/WBA and WBO/IBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (22-0, 21 KOs) and ‘Big Baby’ Jarrell Miller (23-0-1, 20 KOs) both had to be separated, as Miller shoved the champion to kickoff what was a wild press conference on the grounds of Madison Square Garden to announce their highly anticipated encounter on Saturday, June 1. DAZN will live stream what will be Joshua’s U.S. in-ring debut against an undefeated 300-lb. contender in his hometown of New York City. Sky Sports Box Office will also televise JOSHUA vs. MILLER in the U.K.

“Jarrell Miller is a little b*tch,” Joshua said. “I am going to throw this jab down his throat. For a guy that is 300 pounds, he punches like a fairy. June 1st – this is going to be a show. Come out and watch this one New York. I am not up here playing the gangster role. I really knock people out, look at his little hands. This is the first time he will sell out a show and it’s because of me. Of course he spends all day thinking about me and watching my fights, he has to – but it still won’t be good enough.”

Joshua and Miller have been at each other’s throats since last summer at a press conference to announce DAZN’s launch in the U.S. as an online streaming service for sports that include boxing, soccer, and MMA. Joshua was there to announce his fight with Alexander Povetkin last September and Miller, also contracted to fight on DAZN, and engaged Joshua into a heated exchange of words. Miller has fought twice since, knocking out former two-division champion Tomaz Adamek and an unbeaten Bogdan Dinu.

Miller has been hot on Joshua’s trail and when the two me faced off at the Garden, it was no surprise there would be onstage theatrics. Joshua, surprisingly, was unfazed.

“June 2 he’ll be irrelevant,” said Joshua, who also referred to Miller as a “bitch.” “So he’s relevant for the next 14 weeks. And then when it’s all done, I’ll be moving on to looking at Wilder, Fury or Luis Ortiz. I don’t see why we don’t see it (Joshua against Wilder) now. The ball is in his court. When he’s done freezing me out, he knows where to find me.”

The big question is whether Miller can keep pace with the 6’ 6,” 250-lb. Joshua, who is arguably the most athletic and perhaps most powerful puncher in the heavyweight division? We’ve seen guys try to box and outlast Joshua and every time, Joshua has caught-up with his opponents and distanced himself toward an exciting victory. Even as wild a battle he had against the legendary Wladimir Klitschko in front of 90,000 at Wembley Stadium in London, Joshua arose from the canvas, boxed Klitschko before setting up an explosive finish in the eleventh-round. Only Joseph Parker last twelve rounds with Joshua, but the gap in skills and athleticism wasn’t even close.

Miller has defeated four former heavyweight title challengers during his last five fights, while knocking out 11 of his last 12 opponents dating back to 2015. Miler is at his absolute best right now and believes that he is virtually an unstoppable force.

“He punches like a fairy,” Joshua said. “Fury knocked him down seven times. He’s the softest puncher in the division. I am going to knock him the f*ck out. He is a drug abuser. He’s a kickboxer. I am going to knock him out. (Miller screams about Anthony’s mother.) Where’s your mother? I am paying her rent with this. She will come here and watch a real champion fight.”

Obviously, JOSHUA vs. WILDER is the fight that everyone has been talking about during the past two-plus years, but a lot of happened since. New faces have emerged and reemerged onto the heavyweight championship landscape. Tyson Fury, 2-0-1 during his comeback following a near 3-year absence, nearly upset Deontay Wilder for the WBC heavyweight championship in December. They two appear headed toward an eagerly-anticipated rematch in May, possibly at the Barclays Center. That may change now that Fury will be co-promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank and signed a deal to fight on ESPN.

Dillian Whyte was the leading man to have a rematch with Joshua in April at Wembley Stadium, but rejected a reported $5 million offer from Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing. As a result, Miller, a native of Brooklyn, NY, co-promoted by both Hearn and Dimitry Salita of Salita Promotions, got the call an accepted the offer to fight Joshua for the unified heavyweight titles at the Garden, the World’s Most Famous Arena for a reported $8 million.

“I’m home, I’m ready,” Miller said. “You have no idea. I breathe, eat, sleep Anthony Joshua. I have a screen saver of Anthony Joshua. I wake up and think about Anthony Joshua. I see my mother go through some stuff that none of you would survive. I grew up in a third world country. I see my family starving with no shoes on their feet. This is bigger than a fight with Anthony Joshua. It is bigger than me. It is bigger than money.”

Miller added: “There were many years that I didn’t know what I was doing with my life. I’ve always had this anger and drive in my stomach though that would keep me going. I knew that I must be fighting for something. Man, God has a plan for everybody, remember that. It’s bigger than me though, and AJ is just in my way.”

JOSHUA vs. MILLER is a big fight. It’s being promoted that way, as ticket prices were initially on sale ranging from $106 to $2500, but recently became the as highest grossing pre-sale for a boxing event at the Garden’s history. The resale value through Ticketmaster has ballooned up to $300+ to nearly $5,000 for a ringside seat.

Feature Photo Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing

 

SHIELDS vs. HAMMER will further evolve women’s boxing

Boardwalk Hall has played host to some of the biggest names in boxing from Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Bernard Hopkins, Hector Camacho, Julio Cesar Chavez, Lennox Lewis, Roy Jones, Jr., and Arturo Gatti, but never before in the history of this famed venue in Atlantic City has played host to a significant women’s boxing match.

Until now…

On Saturday, April 13, live from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ, two-time U.S. Olympic boxing gold medalist and WBA/WBC and IBF champion Claressa Shields (8-0, 2 KOs) of Flint, MI, will challenge WBO/WBC champion in recess Christina Hammer (24-0, 11 KOs) of Germany to unify the women’s 160-lb. division. SHEILDS vs. HAMMER: THE UNDISPUTED WOMEN’S WORLD MIDDLEWIEGHT CHAMPIONSHIP will be broadcast live on SHOWTIME beginning at 9PM/ET.

In women’s boxing history, we have seen significant fights such as Laila Ali vs. Jackie Frazier-Lyde, the daughters of the legendary Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier each other 18 years ago. Christy Martin, Mia St. John, Belina Laracuente, Ann Wolfe, Alicia Fox, were all wonderful, exciting to watch, and established a platform where women’s boxing should be taken seriously. In recent years, the rise of Katie Holmes, Heather Hardy, Holly Holm, the Serrano Sisters, as well as the transition from Boxing to MMA have opened many doors for women to compete on bigger platforms.

There is much more work that has to be done to broadcast women’s boxing on TV, but the future is sparkling, as both Shields and Hammer will attempt to continue taking women’s boxing to a higher level the way Hardy and Shelly Vincent did in their two fights that culminated with the first women’s fight to be broadcast on HBO last November at Madison Square Garden. Hardy walked away with the WBO women’s featherweight championship.

The winner of SHIELDS vs. HAMMER will become only the sixth boxer to have unified all four major world titles in any weight class; including women’s welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus.

“I always seek the biggest challenges and set the highest goals. I will be ready like never before and will defeat Christina Hammer on April 13,” said Shields. “Nothing will stop me from becoming undisputed champion and continuing my journey to carry women’s boxing to never-before-seen heights. I want to be the greatest of all time and change the game forever for all women in sports, and April 13 is an important step on that road to history.”

Hammer is confident of victory, as well.

“I have waited a long time for this moment,” said Hammer. “I am bigger, stronger and more experienced than Claressa Shields. I am undefeated and have been a champion for over eight years. I can’t wait to show the world that I am the best and undisputed middleweight champion of the world.”

 

 

 

“SHOWTIME Sports has a long history of featuring the best in women’s combat sports, whether it was with Laila Ali and Christy Martin in boxing, or Gina Carano, Cris Cyborg and Ronda Rousey in MMA,” said Gordon Hall, Executive Producer of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION. “More recently, since 2016 we have featured today’s elite with Claressa Shields, Christina Hammer, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano appearing in an industry-leading 10 presentations of women’s boxing. Male or female, SHOWTIME has delivered the best fighters in their toughest matchups, and April 13 will be no different. We have two of the best pound-for-pound female fighters in the world facing each other with all four middleweight titles at stake. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

Promoter Dimitriy is calling this fight the biggest women’s fight in history.

“The biggest women’s fight of all time is set to take place on April 13 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City,” said promoter Dmitriy Salita. “Claressa Shields and Christina Hammer, both champions, both in their prime, are not only taking on the biggest challenge in their respective careers by meeting each other in the ring, but are breaking barriers for boxing and for women in sports. April 13 is destined to be an electric and historic night of boxing live on SHOWTIME.”

Shields and Hammer were scheduled previously in November, but a ‘medical-issue’ forced Hammer to withdraw.

Shields is 23 years of age and what she has done in less than 10 professional fights since turning professional in Nov. 2016 is truly impressive. Hammer, at 28, has been one of the biggest names in women’s boxing and has been a champion for close to a decade. They’re both sound fighters and really, really tough to beat. They really don’t like each other for a number of different reasons. One reason is because, they’re trying to take away each other’s title belts.

This fight going to be so good! Too good to miss out. Ticket prices and on-sale date will be announced next week by Boardwalk Hall.

Photo Credit: Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHOWTIME Release: Shohjahon Ergashev outlats Mykal Fox in main event of ShoBox: The New Generation Friday

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MULVANE, Kan. – February 15, 2019 – Shohjahon Ergashev overcame a five and a half-inch height advantage recording a unanimous decision victory over fellow undefeated prospect Mykal Fox in the 10-round super lightweight main event of ShoBox: The New Generation Friday on SHOWTIME from the Kansas Star Casino.

With famed trainer Sugarhill Stewart shouting instructions from his corner, the Detroit-based power-punching Ergashev (16-0, 14 KOs), by way of Fergana, Uzbekistan, did enough to beat the rangy 6-foot-4 Fox (19-1, 5 KOs) in a matchup of two exciting undefeated prospects.  The scores were 96-94 and 98-92 twice (Click HERE to watch).

“I didn’t think it was a close fight,” said Ergashev, who was only able to land two jabs the entire fight missing more than a hundred times. “He was awkward and his head was very low. He was very long and tall too, so it was hard to hit him in the head. I expected him to run all fight and he did.” 

Ergashev did connect on 29 percent of his power punches (66 for 225) compared to Fox at 27 percent (41 for 153).

Ergashev said he was disappointed in his performance. “I come to fight,” he said. “I like fighters who stand and fight. I’m a fighter. I like guys who let me showcase my skills and bang. Fox wasn’t even boxing. He was just running around the ring. I wanted to sit down and fight.”

The 23-year-old Fox of Forest Hill, Md., one of the tallest fighters in the 140-pound division, said he agreed with one of the judges’ cards, but not the two 98-92s. “I knew it was close, and thought maybe I did enough to win,” said Fox, who did a nice job slowing the pace of the fight. “I think it was closer than 98-92. I took a few shots, but I knew he was going to be strong.”

Fox became the 186^th fighter to lose their undefeated record on the prospect developmental series.

Fox, who had his father Troy and brother and fellow professional boxer middleweight Alantez in his corner, became the ninth fighter in ShoBox history to have a brother who also fought on ShoBox joining brother duos like Jermall and Jermell Charlo, Andre and Anthony Dirrell and Glenn and Nonito Donaire.

In the opening bout of the telecast, England’s Thomas Ward (26-0, 4 KOs) put on an impressive performance and showed U.S. fight fans he will be a force to be reckoned with in the wide-open 122-pound weight class as he won a unanimous decision against ShoBoxveteran Jesse Hernandez (11-2, 7 KOs). Click HERE to watch a recap.

Fighting for the first time in the States, the WBO No. 4-ranked Ward of West Rainton, England, scored a fourth-round knockdown and took the 10-round super bantamweight fight easily against Fort Worth’s Hernandez. The scores were 100-89, 99-90 and 98-90.

“I came to America and fought a home fighter and won quite comfortably, I even got a knockdown,” the 24-year-old Ward said. “He was supposed to be the puncher and I was supposed to be the boxer. A lot of people think I can’t punch, then they get over-confident and get clipped. Then they realize I can punch. Look at his face compared to mine. That will tell you something.”

Ward started strong, and seemed to get better as the fight went on. “He’s been on the gas from the opening bell, and he hasn’t gotten off it,” said International Boxing Hall of Famer and ShoBox play-by-play commentator Barry Tompkins in the final minutes of the 10^th and final round.

Ward exceeded double-digit connects in every round and topped 30 in five of the final six rounds while Hernandez reached double digits just three times.

It was a clean left hook that sent Hernandez to the canvas in the final seconds of the fourth round (ClickHERE to watch). Ward controlled the middle of the fight and landed consistent three-punch combinations against Hernandez, who at the end of round six was warned by referee Bill Clancy that he was taking a lot of punishment and had to show him something or he would stop the fight. At the top of the ninth, the referee still concerned about Hernandez lack of action, called the doctor and asked once again the same question. The doctor cleared Hernandez to continue.

Hernandez said he felt Ward’s power, and was impressed. “Yeah, he got me with that left, but I recuperated,” he said. “But all the credit to him. A knockdown is a knockdown.”

Ward said Hernandez asked for the fight, but wasn’t prepared for the it. “I knew he was a good, experienced fighter,” Ward said. “He’s fought some good guys and knocked out some good guys. He’s supposed to be a puncher, but I was just on another level tonight.

“I wanted a good fight to showcase my skills and I’m glad the people on ShoBox got to see it.”

Farhood interviewed undefeated middleweight world champion Claressa Shields before the main event. Shields and fellow undefeated champion Christina Hammer will meet on Saturday, April 13 live on SHOWTIME to crown the women’s undisputed 160-pound world champion. The blockbuster unification from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. will be the main event of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION live at 9 p.m. ET/PT and is arguably the most significant women’s boxing event in history (Clickhttps://s.sho.com/2UVWXtE to watch full interview).  

Shields talked about her disdain for Hammer. “I’m going to keep it 100 percent professional,” she said. “I don’t like her as a person but that doesn’t matter. I want to beat her well. She’s just mad because I’m meaner that her and I’m better than her. I’m the GLOAT. Greatest lady of all time. I’m fighting every person that they say I can’t beat. I’m going to unify my division. I’m going to be the undisputed champion and nobody is going to be able to say otherwise.”

Friday’s fights were promoted by Salita Promotions. The full telecast will replay on Monday, February 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available on SHOWTIME ANYTIME^® and SHOWTIME on DEMAND^®. 

Barry Tompkins called the action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer was Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

Photo Credit: Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME

Introducing Filip Hrgović

When we speak of the heavyweight division, there isn’t a single conversation that does not involve either Anthony Joshua, or Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury, and recently Jarrell Miller. That’s understandable, of course. However, boxing is a sport in which you always have to be mindful of the guys coming up.

Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and Team Sauerland will showcase unbeaten 2016 Olympic bronze winner Filip Hrgović for all to see. The 26-year-old from Croatia is unbeaten. Hrgović’s fights will be broadcast exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the U.S.

“I am very happy and honoured that my promoter Team Sauerland will be working with Matchroom Boxing, DAZN and Sky Sports to deliver me big fights as I continue my World title quest,” said Hrgović. “This will be great for my career and proves I am one of the best prospects in the business.

“My goal is to become World Champion and to hold all the belts in the Heavyweight division. I know to be the best, I will have to beat the best, and as I have proven so far in my professional career, I am willing to fight any Heavyweight out there. I look forward to being involved in huge fights all around the World and showing boxing fans what Filip Hrgović can do!”

Hrgović is truly being fast-tracked toward the top of the heavyweight class. Since turning professional in 2017, Hrgović has defeated two unbeaten fighters, defeated heavyweights Kevin Johnson and Amir Mansour to earn top 20 rankings in the WBC and WBO.

“I’m excited to team up with Team Sauerland to work on an exceptional young Heavyweight in Filip Hrgović,” said Eddie Hearn. “Everyone in the sport knows what a threat this man is and he is already willing to jump in big fights at such an early stage in his career. Fans will get to watch Filip all over in the World competing in all major fight cities – don’t blink!”

“Heavyweight boxing is currently enjoying a huge resurgence and we believe Filip Hrgović is the most exciting up and coming fighter in the division,” said Nisse Sauerland. “We’re delighted to be working with Eddie Hearn and Sky Sports, with whom we have always enjoyed an excellent relationship, and DAZN, who are doing great things for boxing, and plotting a route forward that will take Filip to the top of the Heavyweight pile.”