New York, NY (April 10, 2015) – Already a marquee event featuring Murat “Iron” Gassiev (20-0, 13 KO’s) defending his IBF Intercontinental Cruiserweight Championship vs. Felix “Bad News” Cora Jr. (25-6-2, 14 KO’s) in a 12-round main event along with a musical performance by a name artist, the April 17 edition of throne boxing from The Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino just got even bigger. In an intriguing televised co-featured bout, Philadelphia southpaw Ray “The New” Robinson (19-2, 9 KO’s) and Sherzodbek “The Lion” Alimjanov (22-2, 12 KO’s) of Uzbekistan will battle it out over 10 rounds for Robinson’s NABO Welterweight Championship. Fans can catch the action live on FOX Sports 1 in the United States and internationally on TIDAL.com, the newly launched music streaming service that combines the best high fidelity sound quality, high definition music videos and expertly curated editorial.
Since his professional debut in 2006, Robinson has had an impressive career as NABO Welterweight Champion and the USBA Welterweight Champion. Robinson dominated opponents during his first three years on the professional circuit, compiling a record of 11-0 before losing a majority decision to still-undefeated Brad Solomon in a hotly contested eight-round bout in December 2009. In his next fight, Robinson again went the distance, this time losing a 10-round unanimous decision against heralded now former World Champion Shawn Porter. That would be the last fight Robinson would lose as he rebounded in impressive fashion with a new undefeated streak of eight consecutive victories including his last fight, a win over Daniel Sostre in November of 2014. Alimjanov will look to end that streak as he makes his American debut on April 17 and challenges Robinson for his NABO Welterweight Title. A dominating force on the Eastern European circuit, Alimjanov enters the ring with only two losses coming at the hands of then 21-1 Viktor Plotnykov via majority decision in 2009 and still-undefeated Dmitry Mikhaylenko by unanimous decision in a WBO European Championship bout in 2012. In his most recent bout on March 14 of this year, he scored a victory over Felipe De La Paz Teniente when his opponent was unable to answer the bell for the sixth round.
In undercard action, Washington, DC’s Dusty Hernandez-Harrison (25-0, 13 KO’s) will face Henry “Mamba” Auraad (16-9-1, 13 KO’s) of Cartagena, Colombia in an eight-round welterweight bout. Hernandez-Harrison made his professional debut as the youngest licensed professional fighter in the United States on June 11, 2011, less than a month following his 17th birthday. Most recently, Hernandez-Harrison headlined Roc Nation Sports’ inaugural throne boxing event at The Theater at Madison Square in a fight televised by FOX Sorts 1 on January 9, 2015, capturing the vacant WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Championship with a dominant ten-round unanimous decision victory over Tommy “The Razor” Rainone. Auraad will look to tarnish Hernandez-Harrison’s undefeated record when they clash on the 17th.
Wellington “W.A.R.” Romero (5-0-1, 3 KO’s) represented his native Dominican Republic at the 2012 Olympics in London. Now fighting out of Newburgh, New York, the undefeated junior welterweight most recently maintained his unbeaten run against Lee Kreisher on January 9, 2015 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden when a viscous right hook lead to a knockout less than two minutes into round one. Soon after the fight, Roc Nation Sports announced that it had signed Romero to an exclusive promotional agreement. He will now look to continue his professional rise when he takes on James Hope (7-12-1, 4 KO’s) of Rock Hill, South Carolina in a six-round junior welterweight bout on April 17.
Local unbeaten favorite Khiary Gary-Pitts (6-0, 4 KO’s) joins the undercard after scoring a first-round technical knockout victory against Greg McCoy at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island on April 3. Born and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, Gary-Pitts will look to extend his undefeated streak to seven fights on April 17 when he takes on an opponent to be named in a six-round middleweight fight.
Standing 6’2’’ with power in both hands, Toledo, Ohio’s Sonny “Pretty Boi” Fredrickson (7-0, 5 KO’s) compiled an outstanding amateur record of 120-8 (60 KO’s) along with numerous accolades, including the 2013 National PAL Bronze Medal, the 2013 National Golden Gloves Final Eight, five Toledo Golden Glove Championships and two Ohio State Junior Olympics Championships, before making his professional debut in February 2014. A year later, in February 2015, Roc Nation Sports announced that it had signed Fredrickson to an exclusive promotional agreement. In his most recent fight on March 7, Fredrickson knocked Eric Palmer down twice en route to a six-round shutout unanimous decision victory. He will look to improve on his record on April 17 when he takes on Juan Rodriquez (6-2-1, 5 KO’s) of Haymarket, Virginia in a four-round junior welterweight clash.
Hailing from Central City in Toledo, Ohio, undefeated featherweight Tyler “The Golden Child” McCreary (4-0, 4 KO’s) won the Title National Championship in 2009 and 2010, captured a bronze medal at the Under-19 National Championships, was a two-time Toledo Golden Glove Champion and won the Ohio State Junior Olympics Championship before making his professional debut on August 15, 2014. In February 2015, Roc Nation Sports announced that it had signed 21-year-old McCrary to an exclusive promotional agreement shortly before he scored a first round knockout win over Anthony Crowder. On April 17, he faces Rigoberto Miranda (0-4) of Albany, New York in a four-round bout.
Undefeated New Haven, Connecticut native Jimmy Williams (9-0-1, 5 KO’s) is excited to again fight in front of a home crowd on April 17. Once a standout cornerback for the Southern Connecticut State football team, Williams next turned his sights to boxing and continues to build on a promising career. Coming off of a fourth-round technical knockout win over Eddie Caminero on February 13, 2015, Williams hopes to keep the momentum in his favor when he takes on Rahman Yusubov (11-20, 9 KO’s) of Dallas in a four-round junior middleweight fight.
Roc Nation Sports presents the second edition throne boxing on Friday, April 17, 2015 at The Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, televised live on FOX Sports 1 at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT. Headlining the event will be undefeated Russian cruiserweight sensation Murat “Iron” Gassiev defending his IBF Intercontinental Cruiserweight Championship against veteran Felix “Bad News” Cora Jr. of Galveston, Texas in a 12-round main event. In addition to the great action inside the ring, the April 17 edition of throne boxing, sponsored by Jaybird, TapouT Muscle, Tequila CAZADORES®, Sparkling Ice, Techno Home and Casa de Campo, will feature several notable Roc Nation touches that offer an unprecedented fan experience, including a live musical performance and a name DJ to keep the energy at a high level throughout the event. On fight night, doors open at 6:30 PM with the first bout to take place at 7:00 PM.
Tickets priced at $90, $60 and $30, plus any Ticketmaster charges, are on sale now and are available for purchase at ticketmaster.com, foxwoods.com or by calling (800) 200-2882. One dollar from each ticket sold will be donated to the Muhammad Ali Center.
For more information please visit www.rocnation.com. Follow Roc Nation on Twitter and Instagram @rocnation and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RocNation.
About Roc Nation Sports
Roc Nation Sports, a sub-division of Roc Nation, launched in spring 2013. Founder Shawn “JAY Z” Carter’s love of sports lead to the natural formation of Roc Nations Sports, helping athletes in the same way Roc Nation has been helping artists in the music industry for years. Roc Nation Sports focuses on elevating athletes’ career on a global scale both on and off the field. Roc Nation Sports conceptualizes and executes marketing and endorsement deals, community outreach, charitable tie-ins, media relations and brand strategy. Roc Nation Sports launched its boxing division, a full service promotional company which represents world champions Miguel Cotto and Andre Ward, in August 2014. Roc Nation Sports’ roster includes premiere athletes such as Robinson Cano, Skylar Diggins, Kevin Durant, Geno Smith, Victor Cruz, CC Sabathia, James Young, Dez Bryant, Ndamukong Suh, Rusney Castillo, Yoenis Cespedes, Jaelen Strong, Todd Gurley, Wilson Chandler, Erick Aybar and Frances Tiafoe.
About FOX Sports 1
FOX Sports 1 is the fastest growing sports cable network in television, reaching over 85 million subscribers. Premiering in August 2013, the national sports network puts fans first with 24/7 coverage of the most compelling sporting events in the world – MLB, NASCAR, UFC, college football and basketball, world-class soccer and more. FOX Sports 1 is proud to be the home for The Ultimate Fighter in addition to covering LIVE main card fights; college football including Big 12, Pac-12 and Conference USA games; and Big East, Big 12, Pac-12 and Conference USA college basketball including the Big East men’s basketball tournament. FOX Sports 1 features consistent coverage from the world’s most prestigious soccer competitions like the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and CONCACAF Champions League, as well as coverage of FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019 and FIFA Men’s World Cup in 2018 and 2022. For more information, visit www.foxsports1.com.
About Foxwoods Resort Casino
Foxwoods Resort Casino is one of the premier entertainment destinations in the Northeast. As the largest resort casino in North America, Foxwoods offers a vast array of gaming in six casinos; AAA Four-Diamond hotels, restaurants from gourmet to quick service, world-renowned spas, award-winning golf, state-of-the-art theaters, and exclusive retailers. Perfect for both recreation and business, Foxwoods provides modern and versatile convention and meeting space to infuse new life into any meeting or event. Foxwoods Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. For a comprehensive look at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation visit Foxwoods.com.
