Month: June 2018

Sirenko Destroys Didier, Mayala Barely Retains WBF All Africa Crown

The Mistico Equestrian Center in Paarl, South Africa, about sixty kilometres from Cape Town, set the scene for two World Boxing Federation (WBF) championship fights on Friday night, June 28, promoted by Kalakoda Promotions and televised live by Kwesé Sports.  Billed as “Seek & Destroy”, the evenings main event had heavyweight-punchers Knife Didier and Vladyslav Sirenko, from D.R. Congo and Ukraine respectively but both fighting out of South Africa, square off for the vacant WBF International Heavyweight title. Seek and destroy is exactly what 23-year-old former amateur-standout Sirenko did, taking his record to 8-0 (7) in devastating fashion by completely obliterating the normally teak-tough Didier only 57 seconds into the first round. Having gone ten tough rounds with WBF Read more [...]

Tacoma’s Gavronski to face Hart in battle of super middleweight world contenders in Atlantic City

TACOMA, Wash. – Mike Gavronski is headed to America’s Playground.   Gavronski (24-2-1, 15 KOs) will take his biggest step towards a potential world title shot when he faces super middleweight contender Jesse Hart (24-1, 20 KOs) in the 10-round co-featured event during TopRank Boxing on ESPN, Aug. 19 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.    Headlining the card at the new Ocean Resort Casino will be a main event between heavyweight contenders Bryant Jennings (23-2, 13 KOs) and Alexander Dimitrenko (41-3, 26 KOs). Both fights will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10 p.m. ET. The entire card will be streamed live on ESPN+ beginning at 7 p.m. ET.  The bout between Gavronski, ranked No. 11 by the World Boxing Association, and Hart, who is ranked third in the world by the WBC and 10th by Read more [...]

World Title Looms for 19-Year Old Devin Haney (19-0, 13 KOs) Ranked IBF #15

LAS VEGAS, NV (June 29, 2018) - 19-year-old undefeated sensation and USBA Lightweight champion, Devin "The Dream" Haney (19-0, 13 KOs), has captured his second title before age 20, but even more impressive, is his ranking at # 15 by the IBF, meaning a title shot is near. Photo by Stephanie Trapp - Showtime "It means the world to me to be ranked in the top 15 by a major sanctioning body like the IBF," said Devin Haney. "I work extremely hard. I have dedicated my life to the sport of boxing, and the fact that sanctioning bodies are taking notice of my hard work, reaffirms all the sacrifice I have made. I am very excited for what the future holds." In his last bout Haney defeated Mason Menard (33-3, 24 KOs) by way of ninth-round technical knockout, and earned the victory when Menard's corner Read more [...]

Jaron Ennis vs. Armando Alvarez Face Offi in Main Event of July 20 Shobox: The New Generation Tripleheader

NEW YORK  - A battle of unbeaten welterweight prospects will headline a ShoBox: The New Generation tripleheader on Friday, July 20 live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT when Jaron Ennis squares off against Armando Alvarez in the 10-round main event from WinnaVegas Casino in Sloan, Iowa.  Philadelphia's Ennis (20-0, 18 KOs) has knocked out 10 consecutive opponents and was the 2015 National Golden Gloves Champion before turning professional in 2016.  The 20-year-old former amateur standout will face his first undefeated opponent in Alvarez (18-0, 12 KOs), a native of the Florida Keys who has knocked out six of his last seven opponents.   The three-fight telecast features six prospects with a combined record of 82-1, with all six fighters facing what is likely the toughest tests of their careers. In Read more [...]

Mark Burnett’s 12-Episode Boxing Competition Series From MGM Television and Paramount Television Set to Premiere on August 24

LOS ANGELES - JUNE 27, 2018 - Premium pay television network EPIX® has announced the 16 fighters who will be facing off with one another for the championship belt on the revival of boxing franchise series The Contender this fall. The highly anticipated 12-episode season, from MGM Television and Paramount Television, will premiere on EPIX on Aug. 24, 2018 at 10 PM ET/PT. Hosted by undefeated boxing champion Andre "Son of God" Ward, the first-of-its-kind competitive documentary series for the network will feature 16 fighters pushing their limits in grueling elimination-style fights and testing their grit and determination to achieve their boxing dreams. The fighters will be overseen by legendary boxing coach Freddie Roach, and renowned Philadelphia trainer Naazim Richardson. "The Contender Read more [...]

Undefeated Welterweight Prospect Blair Cobbs Gearing Up for LA FIGHT CLUB Bout July 6

LAS VEGAS, NV (June 25, 2018) - Undefeated prospect, Blair "The Flair" Cobbs (7-0-1, 5 KOs), who is managed by Prince Ranch Boxing's Greg Hannley and promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, is gearing up for his second fight of 2018, when he faces Jhon Sanchez Leon (3-1-1, 2 KOs) at the Belasco Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, CA, on the July 6 edition of LA FIGHT CLUB. The 4-round bout will be off TV. Cobbs, who hails from Philadelphia but now trains in Las Vegas with former two-time world champion, Bones Adams, is excited to be making his return to the ring. "Training camp is going great and I'm healthy," said Blair Cobbs. "I'll be ready and willing to let my hands go when I step in the on July 6th in LA." Blair will be making the move up to welterweight, where he will be campaigning Read more [...]

Ardreal Holmes Destroys Dominique Forster in Two Rounds

New York, NY (June 24, 2018)-Junior Middleweight Ardreal Holmes (6-0, 4 KOs) of Flint, Michigan remained undefeated as he stopped  Dominque Foster after the 2nd round  of their scheduled four-round bout at The International Banquet and Conference Center in Detroit.  Holmes landed hard straight shots from the southpaw stance on Foster, who had to retire on the stool after the 2nd round with a possible broken nose. "I am very happy to get back in the ring and get some of the rust off," said the victorious Holmes. "Hopefully my promoters can put me right back because I want to make up for lost time. It's only a matter of time when everyone in boxing will know the name, Ardreal "Bossman" Holmes! " Holmes is managed by Split-T Management, and CEO David McWater was very happy to have 6'2" Read more [...]

Interview with prospect Anthony “Action” Laureano By ‘Iceman’ John Scully

Anthony "Action" Laureano.  7-0 (3), Age 23, East Hartford, CT, - 140 lbs/Junior Welterweight, 2016 Western New England and New England Golden Gloves 152 pound champion,  2016 National Golden Gloves Semi-Finalist, Trainer: Angel Gonzalez, Manager: Nate Torres, Promoter: Joe DeGuardia/Star Boxing Action shot by David Spagnolo Anthony Laureano is a 23 year old rising prospect in the boxing game today. An extremely hard working and focused young man, Laureano is a throwback type of fighter. He put the hard work in each and every day, strives to learn the finer points of the game and approaches each fight like a Do Or Die event. Thus far Anthony and his team have chosen a unique path to success in the boxing world. They have not shied away from tough competition thus far and, Read more [...]

Anthony Laureano to Fight at “Slugfest at the Sun” June 30th at Mohegan Sun

The buzz is growing for STAR BOXING'S "SLUGFEST at the SUN" as it features the much anticipated return of the Long Island Union Laborer, the "Common Man," light heavyweight, JOE SMITH JR. (23-2 19KO's).  The co-feature bout highlights former WBC Women's World Champion, KALI "KO MEQUINONOAG" REIS (13-7-1 4KO's). Adding to this buzz, STAR BOXING is pleased to announce East Hartford, Connecticut native "ACTION" ANTHONY LAUREANO (7-0 3KO's) will return home to the Mohegan Sun, and fight on the undercard of the already stacked, "SLUGFEST at the SUN" card on JUNE 30th. Laureano is looking for his third victory at Mohegan Sun, having previously defeated Sidney MaCcow and John Hernandez at Mohegan Sun.  Most recently, Laureano traveled to Massachusetts, where he took a tough fight against TOBIAS Read more [...]

Tough First WBF Defense For Hanshaw On July 14

World Boxing Federation (WBF) Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Champion Travis Hanshaw could be in for a tough time when he takes on Roy King in hist first title-defense on July 14 at Boyd County Community Center in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, USA.   Hanshaw, 13-1-1 (7), pitched a shut-out when winning the vacant title against David Markert last November, boxing excellently as he won every round on all three judges cards. He is expected to face much more resistance from King. Roy King, born in New York but now residing in Johnson City in Tennessee, is 10-1-1 (5) since turning professional four years ago. A durable and aggressive campaigner, he has gone undefeated in his last nine outings and will surely come to upset the local favourite. Also known as “The Rattlesnake”, 26-year-old Read more [...]

Toot, Toot! Richard “Popeye” Rivera smokes Jaime Solorio in 8th round

HARTFORD, Conn. (June 17, 2018) - Rising Hartford folk hero Richard "Popeye The Sailor Man" Rivera kept his pro record perfect (8-0) intact, knocking out his tough opponent,Jaime "Zarco" Solorio (12-4-2, 9 KOs), in the eighth round to capture the vacant ABF Continental cruiserweight title, last night (Saturday) in the main event on the "Fight Night at The Capital" pro boxing card, at Xfinity Centre in Hartford.  The reigning UBF All Americas light heavyweight champion, Rivera (8-0, 7 KOs) is arguably the hardest pound-for-pound puncher in New England, if not the entire Northeast. After breaking his last opponent's ankle with the force of his power, the incredibly popular Hartford fighter. Boxing trainer Tony Blanco and his Hartford Boxing Center gym partner, Michael Tran, recently teamed Read more [...]

Hizni Altunkaya challenges 2-division World Champion Beibut Shumenov for Vacant WBA Cruiserweight World title

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (June14 , 2018) -- World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 3-rated cruiserweight Hizni "The Warrior" Altunkaya (30-1, 17 KOs) isn't concerned about hitting the road to fight local hero and two-division World Boxing Association (WBA) World Champion, Beibut Shumenov, for the vacant WBA World cruiserweight title, July 7 in Astana, Kazakhstan. A 2004 Kazakhstan Olympian, Shumenov (17-2, 11 KOs) retired a year ago due to an eye injury that required surgeries, forcing him to relinquish his WBA cruiserweight world title. Shumenov has fully recovered and he's on a mission to recapture his WBA world cruiserweight title. Shumenov vs. Altunkaya is a presentation of Shumenov's company, KZ Event Productions, Inc. The July 7th gala event will be part of the 20th anniversary celebration Read more [...]

Ewell hopes to silence the crowd Friday at Twin River

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (June 14th, 2018) -- Andre Ewell is fully aware the entire crowd at Twin River Casino will be rooting for hometown favorite Dinis Paiva when the two face one another Friday for the vacant CES MMA Bantamweight World Title.  "Sweetbread" Paiva (11-6, 6 KOs) practically owns the arena, having fought there 17 times, more than any fighter in CES MMA history.   The cage? Ewell (12-4) says that still belongs to him. "When I'm on that stage, I don't get nervous," Ewell said. "I'm at home." "Even though I'm coming out to his hometown, it's more like, hey, you're actually visiting my house." The Riverside, Calif., native is beaming with confidence as he prepares for the fight of his life against the red-hot Paiva, the East Providence, R.I., bantamweight who has won four Read more [...]

Hizni Altunkaya challenges 2-division World Champion Beibut Shumenov for Vacant WBA Cruiserweight World title

ASTANA, Kazakhstan -- World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 3-rated cruiserweight Hizni "The Warrior" Altunkaya (30-1, 17 KOs) isn't concerned about hitting the road to fight local hero and two-division World Boxing Association (WBA) World Champion, Beibut Shumenov, for the vacant WBA World cruiserweight title, July 7 in Astana, Kazakhstan.  A 2004 Kazakhstan Olympian, Shumenov (17-2, 11 KOs) retired a year ago due to an eye injury that required surgeries, forcing him to relinquish his WBA cruiserweight world title. Shumenov has fully recovered and he's on a mission to recapture his WBA world cruiserweight title. Shumenov vs. Altunkaya is a presentation of Shumenov's company, KZ Event Productions, Inc. The July 7th gala event will be part of the 20th anniversary celebration of Astana being Read more [...]

Devin Haney Delivers Powerful Speech to At-Risk Youth at Booker T. Washington Community Center

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (June 13, 2018) - Yesterday undefeated lightweight contender, Devin "The Dream" Haney (19-0, 13 KOs), who is the current WBC Youth and USBA champion, presented an influential speech to at risk youth at the Booker T. Washington Community Center in San Francisco, CA. Devin spoke about the importance of staying away from gangs and drugs, in addition to setting goals and working hard. Haney, who attended Booker T. as a young child, was thrilled to give back to the organization, as he spent three hours with the kids, talking about living a healthy life style while keeping a positive attitude. "It was great hanging out with the kids at Booker T.," said Devin Haney. "I spoke to all of them about staying out of trouble and following their dreams. I was once in their shoes, so Read more [...]