Category: Bob Trieger

Ryan Roach’s Fighter Locker Inks Miami super lightweight Erny Matos

BOSTON (MARCH 18, 2021) -- Miami super lightweight Ernesto “Erny” Matos is the latest boxer to sign a managerial contract with Ryan Roach’s Fighter Locker. A standout amateur who captured top honors at the 2014 and 2019 USA National Championships, Matos will soon make his professional debut. “I signed with Ryan Roach because, ever since I met him, he has been very attentive towards me, always checking up on me, and I realized how well he treats his fighters. Ryan definitely has the right head on his shoulders, and I believe he can definitely help me make some noise in the sport.” The 25-year-old Matos, who trains at the famed 5th Street Gym in Miami, started boxing at the age of 12. He was introduced to boxing by his father, who trained his son everyday at a park Read more [...]

Bryan Vera at the “Crossroads”

QUINCY, Mass. (March 18, 2021) – Veteran Texas fighter Bryan “The Warrior” Vera is in a win-or-retire fight April 17th versus former New England middleweight champion Kendrick “Peppa” Ball in the 8-round main event for the vacant World Boxing Council USNBC (U.S.) Silver super middleweight title at New England Sports Center in Derry, New Hampshire. Fighting out of Austin, the 39-year-old Vera has rejuvenated his career by winning his last two fights, both at New England Sports Center, his last this past November. Vera burst upon the boxing scene 16 years ago in the first season of The Contender, Reality Television series. He went on to defeat a trio of world champions – Andy Lee, Sergio Mora (twice) and Serhiy Dzinziruk – capturing five regional titles including Read more [...]

Oscar Rivas turns in KO performance in Bridgeweight class debut “The Homecoming: Rivas vs. Louis 2”

QUEBEC CITY, Ontario, Canada (March 18, 2021) – World Boxing Council (WBC) No. 1 rated bridgeweight contender Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (27-1, 19 KOs) returned to the ring last night for the first time in 20 months on top of “The Homecoming: Rivas vs. Louis 2” card, promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) in association with New Era Fighting & Promotion and Lee Baxter Promotions, at Quebec Plaza Hotel in Quebec City, Ontario, Canada. The 8-round main event was a rematch between Rivas (26-1, 18 KOs) and Sylvera “Sly” Louis (8-4, 4 KOs) of a fight Rivas, a 2008 Colombia Olympian, won by way of a 4-round majority decision nearly nine years ago. Making his bridgeweight debut, Rivas outclassed his Read more [...]

Texas Twins Jordan & Josh Jenkins on Special Mission to Write American Boxing History

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 1, 2021) -- Texas twins Josh (L) and Jordan (R) Jenkins are on a mission to become the first twins ever to be on a Team USA Olympic Boxing Team.   They will both be competing in the elite division at the 2020 USA Boxing National Championships, postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic from last December to March 25 - April 3, in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Jenkins twins have overcome numerous obstacles in Dallas, primarily their father’s long incarceration, subsequently getting into trouble and constantly fighting others in school. And that doesn’t even include COVID-19 restrictions that limited gym time and eliminated tournament competition this past year. They were fortunate to have their grandfather, the late Guilford Read more [...]

Undefeated RayJay Bermudez super lightweight prospect flying under the radar

BOSTON (February 25, 2020) - Undefeated RayJay "The Destroyer" Bermudez (12-0, 9 KOs) has tried to stay busy and progress, developmental-wise, fighting three times during the pandemic, including a recent title-winning performance south of the border. The 22-year-old Bermudez, fighting out of Albany (NY), stopped journeyman Rynell Griffin in five rounds last November in New Hampshire, and he followed that up in December with a third-round technical knockout of Ever Ceballos in Mexico to capture the vacant American Boxing Federation's (ABF) Americas West super lightweight championship. "Mexico was a humbling experience," Bermudez said after his ABF title-winning performance. "I'm honored to have had the opportunity to go to another country and fight for a professional Read more [...]

USA Boxing Alumni’s 1988 USA Trials Virtual Reunion Review

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (February 25, 2021) - USA Boxing and the USA Boxing Alumni Association recently held a virtual reunion via Zoom for competitors at the 1988 USA Boxing Trials. Among the 25 boxers who participated were 1988 Olympic gold and silver medalist, respectively, light heavyweight Andrew Maynard and light flyweight Michael Carbajal. The group was comprised of fighters who competed at the 1988 USA Olympic Trials, plus a few administrators, many of whom hadn't seen nor spoken to most of the others for more than 30 years. They updated each other on what they've done since the 1988 USA Trials, remembered fighting each other, and looked forward to remaining in touch. In addition to Maynard and Carbajal, taking part in this virtual reunion were "Iceman" Read more [...]

20-1 California super flyweight Rocco Santomauro signs with Ryan Roach’s Fighter Locker

Rocco Santomauro (R) BOSTON (February 23, 2021) - Ryan Roach's Fighter Locker has announced it has signed California super flyweight Rocco "So Cal Kid" Santomauro (20-1, 6 KOs) to an exclusive managerial contract. The 33-year-old Santomauro, fighting out of Apple Valley, CA, is riding a 7-fight win streak since suffering his only loss as a professional to then 14-0 Diego De La Hoya nearly five years ago. "I'm 33," Santomauro said, but I definitely feel I'm in my prime. My skill level is at its best and I'm always improving. When it comes to getting in there with top guys, I've been in the ring with many world champions, outside of fights, and I've more than held my own. It's all a matter of timing and I feel mine is here. I believe I'm very close to a major Read more [...]

Jason “The Kid” Knight to headline iKON 5

LAS VEGAS (February 18, 2021) – Mississippi featherweight Jason “The Kid” Knight will headline iKON 5, streaming live and exclusively March 5th on UFC FIGHT PASS®, starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, from Biloxi Civic Center in Biloxi, Mississippi. To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports.  iKON 5 is presented by iKON Fighting Federation in association with Roy Jones Jr. Boxing. “We’re thrilled to return to where iKON Fighting Federation started last September,” iKON president Keith Veltre said. “We’ve improved each show from then and are prepared for a breakout year in 2021. We were able to successfully launch a new MMA company during a pandemic, despite all of the challenging Read more [...]

Texas middleweight John Vera headlines 2021 RJJ Boxing opener in Biloxi

LAS VEGAS (February 15, 2020) -- Texas middleweight John “The Phenom” Vera returns to the ring March 4th to headline the first 2021 show presented by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions, streaming on UFC FIGHT PASS® from Biloxi Civic Center in Biloxi, Mississippi. The first 2021 installment of RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS® will be streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. To sign-up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com. The 32-year-old Vera (19-1, 11 KOs), fighting out Forth Worth (TX), will take on California veteran Cleotis “Mookie” Pandarvis (21-7-2, 9 Read more [...]

Richie “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera finds a new home in Orlando

Returns to ring Feb. 12th in Orlando on Christy Martin-promoted card ORLANDO, Fla. (February 4, 2021) - It seems only appropriate that undefeated cruiserweight Richie "Popeye The Sailor Man" Rivera (18-0, 13 KOs) has found a new home in Orlando (FL), although his heart remains in his native Hartford (CT), since he followed his partner/head trainer Tony Blanco there nearly six months ago. "I recently went to Universal Studios and it's definitely Popeye-friendly," the charismatic Rivera reported. "They had Popeye rides, souvenirs and novelties. I felt like it's my part of town." Due to financial strains associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hartford Boxing Center (HBC) was closed by the state March 15 and it never reopened. Blanco Read more [...]

Undefeated Jamaine Ortiz Made his bones in the amateur ranks vs. Edgar Berlanga, Teofimo Lopez and Jaron Ennis

WORCESTER, Mass. (January 25, 2021) - Success in amateur boxing doesn't necessarily insure a great professional career. Some fighters are much more suited to be better pros than amateurs, most often power punchers, but it's usually clear early on if a fighter is especially skilled or not. Undefeated lightweight prospect Jamaine "The Technician" Ortiz (14-0, 8 KOs), fighting out of Worcester, MA, displayed his tremendous gifts in the amateurs against some of today's most talented, young boxers. Back in 2012, for example, 14-year-old, 106-pound Ortiz defeated the hottest pro prospect in the world today, 16-0(16 KOs) Edgar Berlanga, of Brooklyn, at the Junior Olympics National Championships held in Lake Placid, New York. Ortiz went on to win 100 of 114 Read more [...]

SFT Middleweight Champion Irwing “King Kong” Machado, Joshua DaSilveira & Reginaldo Junior other award winners

  2020 SFT MMA Fighter of the Year Manoel "Manumito" Sousa   SAO PAULO, Brazil (February 1, 2021)- SFT MMA (Standout Fighting Tournament) middleweight champion Irwing "King Kong" Machado won the most 2020 SFT awards, however, undefeated lightweight Manoel "Manumito" Sousa was named its Fighter of the Year.  SFT Tournament) is the only Brazil-based MMA promotional company to have a panel of mixed-martial-arts experts, as opposed to a popularity vote, select its annual winners. "Under challenging conditions due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and protocols," SFT president David Hudson said, "many of our male fighters excelled and boosted SFT's stock in mixed martial arts. Manoel Sousa is a rising star, and Irwing 'King Kong' Machado shocked the MMA world, Read more [...]

Rafael “Dengue” Silva and Bianca Sattelmayer Dominate SFT Xtreme 2020 Awards

SAO PAULO, Brazil (January 27, 2021)- Brazilian fighters Rafael "Dengue" Silva and Bianca Sattelmayer completely dominated the SFT Xtreme 2020 Awards. SFT (Standout Fighting Tournament) is the only Brazil-based promotional company to have a panel of mixed-martial-arts experts, as opposed to a popularity vote, select its annual winners. The popular, uniquely entertaining SFT Xtreme competition allows striking, kicking and knees, fighters wear 4-ounce gloves, and clinching and fighting on the mat is prohibited. "Fans love Xtreme fighting," SFT president David Hudson said. "I believe it is going to really take off in 2021. Xtreme fighting is the best of MMA, standing, and kick boxing. 'Dengue' and Bianca were clearly the best male and female Xtreme Read more [...]

Kendrick Ball, Jr. vs. Bryan Vera highlight Granite Chin Promotions doubleheader

QUINCY, Mass. (January 26, 2021) - Granite Chin Promotions will kick-off 2021 with a day-night doubleheader April 17, highlighted by a vacant World Boxing Council USNBC (U.S.) Silver super middleweight title fight between former New England middleweight champion Kendrick "Peppa" Ball, Jr. and veteran Texas fighter Bryan Vera, at New England Sports Center in Derry, New Hampshire. "Undoubtedly, over the last two years, Granite Chin has been rapidly outgrowing its 'local club promoter' shell," Granite Chin Promotions president Chris Traietti said. "The key to that has been the willingness to work with other promoters openly and in good faith. This bout (Ball vs. Vera) is a testament to that. We are putting a young CES prospect in with one of our veterans in a dangerous Read more [...]

Ortiz Made his bones in the amateur ranks vs. Edgar Berlanga, Teofimo Lopez and Jaron Ennis

  WORCESTER, Mass. (January 25, 2021) - Success in amateur boxing doesn't necessarily insure a great professional career. Some fighters are much more suited to be better pros than amateurs, most often power punchers, but it's usually clear early on if a fighter is especially skilled or not. Undefeated lightweight prospect Jamaine "The Technician" Ortiz (14-0, 8 KOs), fighting out of Worcester, MA, displayed his tremendous gifts in the amateurs against some of today's most talented, young boxers. Back in 2012, for example, 14-year-old, 106-pound Ortiz defeated the hottest pro prospect in the world today, 16-0(16 KOs) Edgar Berlanga, of Brooklyn, at the Junior Olympics National Championships held in Lake Placid, New York. Ortiz went on to win 100 of 114 amateur Read more [...]