Category: Bob Trieger

CORK, Ireland (June 1, 2021) – The Dominican Republic has produced 22 world boxing champions and two Olympic medalists. The latest prospect from the Caribbean island is Dominican Republic Olympic Team member Rohan Polanco, who has already turned pro but is also heading to Tokyo to compete in the Olympics. The 22-year-old Polanco, ranked No. 5 in the world by AIBA, is on a special journey for a Dominican fighter. Neither of the two Dominican Olympic medalists, Felix Diaz (gold in 2008) and Pedro Nolasco (bronze in 1984), became world champion as professional boxers; none of the 22 Dominican world champions won a medal at the Olympics. Polanco has officially qualified to compete in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. His main competition in the welterweight division includes Pat Read more [...]

PITTSBURGH (May 19, 2021) – Pittsburgh super featherweight Matt “Sweet Child” Conway will headline the June 4tth “Battle of the Fairgrounds” card, presented by Gionta Management, at Washington County Fairgrounds in Washington, Pennsylvania. This will be the second installment of “Battle of the Fairgrounds” for Gionta Management having launched the series this past February 6th. The 25-year-old Conway (18-2, 7 KOs) faces Colombian knockout artist Jonathan “Popeye” Perez (38-26, 30 KOs), the former Colombian Super Bantamweight Champion, in the 8-round main event for the vacant International Boxing Association (IBA) Intercontinental Super Featherweight Championship. Conway, who has never been stopped as a professional, is coming off a win by way of Read more [...]

WORCESTER, Mass. (April 29, 2021) – Despite a disputed draw with unbeaten Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno (14-0-2, 12 KOs) last Saturday night in Kissimmee, Florida, lightweight prospect Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (14-0-1, 8 KOs) displayed his vast skills and courage on ESPN+. Recovering from two knockdowns (the first from an illegal punch behind the head) and still taking the fight to the promoter’s fighter, Ortiz won six of the eight rounds but, unfortunately, he had to settled for an 8-round majority draw with (76-74, 75-75-75) Adorno. Ortiz, fighting out of Worcester, Massachusetts, is the reigning WBC USNBC (U.S.) Silver lightweight champion, as well as a former WBC World Youth lightweight titlist. “I didn’t fight my fight,” Ortiz evaluated Read more [...]

WORCESTER, Mass. (April 22, 2021) – Rocky Gonzalez, the head trainer for undefeated lightweight prospect Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (14-0, 8 KOs) is confident that, despite the obvious risk, his boxer is ready for unbeaten Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno (14-0-1, 12 KOs) this Saturday night (Apr. 24) at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida. The 8-round Adorno vs. Ortiz fight, streaming live on ESPN+, will be part of the Top Rank card headlined (on ESPN) by WBO World featherweight champion Emanuel Navarette (32-1, 24 KOs) defending his title against challenger Christopher Diaz (26-2, 16 KOs). The 24-year-old Ortiz, fighting out of Worcester, Massachusetts, was a decorated amateur boxer who is the reigning WBC USNBC (U.S.) Silver lightweight champion, Read more [...]

DERRY, N.H. (April 18, 2021) – Former New England middleweight champion Kendrick “Peppa” Ball, Jr. turned in a career-best performance in last night’s main event against dangerous Bryan “The Warrior” Vera on the evening portion of the “Crossroads” day-night doubleheader, presented by Granite Chin Promotions, at New England Sports Center in Derry, New Hampshire. The pre-fight plan was followed as Ball (16-1-2, 11 KOs) boxed and moved, while Vera (28-17, 18 KOs) applied pressure, right from the opening bell. Ball took control in the second round, when he stayed in the pocket, snapping off crisp combinations. Ball fired more effective combinations in the third round as Vera started chasing his opponent. Ball started moving around the ring and fighting from the outside Read more [...]

LAS VEGAS (April 13, 2021) – Rising, young boxing trainer Julian Chua believes he’s working with the No. 1 light heavyweight in the world, 41-0 Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (27 KOs), who was Mexico’s first world super middleweight champion. Better than Artur Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol and even Ramirez’ fellow countryman, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, if he returns to the 175-pound division in the near future. The 29-year-old Ramirez, who recently signed an exclusive promotional contract with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, is currently ranked No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, by the WBA and WBO. Working out of Churchill Boxing (formerly Wild Card West) in Santa Barbara (CA), Chua became Ramirez’ head trainer two months prior to Gilberto’s’ fourth-round Read more [...]

LAS VEGAS (April 13, 2021) – Rising, young boxing trainer Julian Chua believes he’s working with the No. 1 light heavyweight in the world, 41-0 Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (27 KOs), who was Mexico’s first world super middleweight champion. Better than Artur Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol and even Ramirez’ fellow countryman, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, if he returns to the 175-pound division in the near future. The 29-year-old Ramirez, who recently signed an exclusive promotional contract with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, is currently ranked No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, by the WBA and WBO. Working out of Churchill Boxing (formerly Wild Card West) in Santa Barbara (CA), Chua became Ramirez’ head trainer two months prior to Gilberto’s’ fourth-round Read more [...]

QUINCY, Mass. (April 8, 2021) – Granite Chin Promotions is bringing old-time, local rivalry pro boxing back Saturday night, April 17, with the presentation of the “Crossroads” day-night doubleheader, featuring seven regional and local title fights, at New England Sports Center in Derry, New Hampshire. Former New England middleweight champion Kendrick “Peppa” Ball (15-1-2, 11 KOs) steps up in terms of competition against Texas veteran Bryan “The Warrior” Vera (28-16, 18 KOs) in the 8-round main event for the vacant WBC USNBC (U.S.) Silver super middleweight title. Fighting out of nearby Worcester, Massachusetts, Ball is 11 years younger than Vera, who needs to win or retire, and riding a 6-fight win streak with a 3-inch height and reach advantages. Fighting Read more [...]

LAS VEGAS (March 31, 2021) – Former world super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (41-0, 27 KOs) is on the hunt and his targets are undefeated Russians, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, respectively, the reigning WBC/IBF and WBA Super light heavyweight World champions. The 29-year-old Ramirez, who recently signed an exclusive promotional contract with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, is currently ranked No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, by the WBA and WBO. Ramirez was unimpressed by Beterbiev’s recent fight and he wonders where Bivol has been the past 1 ½ years, because he hasn’t been in the ring. In his first fight in 519 days (Oct. 12, 2019), Beterbiev showed signs of rust and possibly age (36) during his 10th round Read more [...]

QUEBEC CITY, Ontario, Canada (March 24, 2021) – Fresh off his recent third-round stoppage of Sylvera “Sly” Louis in their rematch, World Boxing Council (WBC) No. 1 rated bridgerweight Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (27-1, 19 KOs) is on a special mission to not only become the first bridgerweight world champion but capture the world heavyweight crown as well. A 2008 Colombian Olympian, Rivas is currently rated as the WBC’s No. 1-rated contender in the bridgerweight division (-224 lbs.), and No. 9 in The Ring magazine’s heavyweight rankings. Prior to his rematch with Louis, Rivas hadn’t fought in 20 months due mainly to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Never-the-less, “Kaboom” remained professional, training throughout his ring absence, and now he’s Read more [...]

L-R) – Ignacio and Gabriel Chairez BOSTON (March 23, 2021) – The best boxing brothers from Utah since the famed Fullmers may be Salt Lake City super lightweight Ignacio (8-0-1, 5 KOs) and junior lightweight Gabriel Chairez (3-0-1, 2 KOs), who recently signed exclusive managerial contracts with Ryan Roach’s Fighter Locker. “I signed with Ryan because he treats his fighters like family and I’m big on family,” 29-year-old Ignacio explained. “I feel that in boxing, you need someone that knows the backend of the sport and its business side as well, because it’s a dirty business and I feel he’s the guy that’s going to take me and my brother to world titles.” “I believe that it was the right choice to sign with Ryan Read more [...]

LAS VEGAS (March 22, 2021) -- RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS® returns to Mexico for the first time in 2021 on Thursday, April 1st – no April Fool’s jokes - presented by Roy Jones, Jr. Boxing Promotions and De La O Promotions, at Polideportivo Centenario, Los Mochia, Sonora, Mexico. A pair of Latino title fights will showcase a quartet of gifted boxers in the main event and co-feature, other fights are loaded with talent as well. The action will be streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. To sign-up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com. “We love promoting in Mexico with our friend, promoter Emanuel Romo (De La O Promotions),” RJJ Boxing Read more [...]