Early Results from Minneapolis (Morrell Jr. – Yerbossynuly)
David Morrell Jr. retained the WBA Super Middleweight title with a 12th round stoppage of challenger Aidos Yerbossynuly at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Morrell bloodied and battered a tough and game Yerbossynuly all over the ring. The fight could have been stopped on several occasions.
In round 12, Morrell dropped Yerbossynuly with a perfect left hand. Yerbossynuly was deducted a point for holding. Later in the round, another left dropped Yerbossynuly again and the bout was stopped at 2:34.
Morrell, 166.5 lbs of Minneapolis, MN is 8-0 with six knockouts. Yerbossynuly, 167.25 lbs of Almaty, KAZ is 16-1.
Yerbossynuly left the venue on a stretcher to the hospital.
Brian Mendoza stopped former unified world champion Jeison Rosario in round five of their 10-round middleweight fight.
In round two, Mendoza dropped Rosario with a left hook to the body. In round five, Mendoza landed a vicious right uppercut that planted Rosario on the canvas. Rosario tried to get up, but fell back on the canvas and the fight was stopped at 35 seconds.
Mendoza, 159.25 lbs of Las Vegas is 21-2 with 15 knockouts. Rosario, 160 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 23-4-1.
Fiodor Czerkaszyn remained undfeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Nathaniel Gallimore in a middleweight bout.
Czerkaszyn, 158.75 lbs of Warsaw, POL won by scores of 100-90, 98-92 and 97-93 and is now 21-0. Gallimore, 158.25 of Des Plaines, IL is 22-6-1.
Andre Dirrell stopped Yunieski Gonzalez in the 10th and final round of their light heavyweight bout.
At the end of round nine, Dirrell unleased a big flurry punches which made referee Dave Smith administer an eight-count. In round 10, Dirrell continued the assault on the bloody Gonzalez and Smith stopped the bout at 1:37.
Dirrell, 174 lbs of Flint, MI is 29-3 with 19 knockouts. Gonzalez, 174 lbs of Miami is 21-5.
Former unified world champion Julian Williams won a eight-round unanimous decision over Rolando Mansilla in a middleweight bout.
In round five, Mansilla was deducted a point for spitting out his mouthpiece.
Williams, 159.5 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 80-71 and 79-72 twice and is now 28-3-1. Mansilla, 158 lbs of Parana, ARG is 18-12-1.
Kent Cruz and Enriko Gogokiha fought to their second consecutive draw in a super lightweight bout.
Gogokhia took a card 78-74. That was overruled by two 76-75 scores.
Cruz, 143 lbs of Saint Louis, MO is 16-0-3. Gogokiha, 141.5 lbs of Woodland Hills, CA is 13-0-2.
VIDEO: David Morrell vs. Aidos Yerbossynuly: Weigh-In | SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
DAVID MORRELL JR. VS. AIDOS YERBOSSYNULY FINAL WEIGHTS AND COMMISSION OFFICIALS FOR SATURDAY’S SHOWTIME® TRIPLEHEADER
WBA Super Middleweight World Championship – 12 Rounds
David Morrell Jr. – 166 ½ lbs.
Aidos Yerbossynuly – 167 ¼ lbs.
Referee: Tony Weeks; Judges: Mike Fitzgerald (Wis.), Patrick Morley (Ill.) Don Trella (Conn.)
Middleweight Bout – 10 Rounds
Jeison Rosario – 160 lbs.
Brian Mendoza – 159 ¼ lbs.
Referee: Mark Calo-Oy; Judges: Scott Erickson (Minn.), John Mariano (Minn.), Gary Ritter (Okla.)
Referee: Dave Smith; Judges: Patrick Morley (Ill.), Kyle Shiely (Minn.), Don Trella (Conn.)
Middleweight Bout – Eight Rounds
Julian Williams – 159 ½ lbs.
Rolando Mansilla – 158 lbs.
Referee: Mark Calo-Oy; Judges: Brian Cosgrove (Minn.), John Mariano (Minn.), Gary Ritter (Okla.)
Super Lightweight Bout – Eight Rounds
Kent Cruz – 143 lbs.
Enriko Gogokhia – 141 ½ lbs.
Referee: Gary Ritter; Judges: Scott Erickson (Minn.), Kyle Shiely (Minn.), Don Trella (Conn.)
Note: Contracted weight is 143 pounds.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9:10 p.m. ET/6:10 p.m. PT immediately following the Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva replay. Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer will host the telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo will handle blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Three Hall of Famers round out the telecast team – Emmy® award winning reporter Jim Gray, world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. and boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer. The executive producer is four-time Emmy award winner David Dinkins, Jr. The producer is Ray Smaltz III and the director is Chuck McKean. Sportscaster Alejandro Luna will call the action with former junior middleweight world champion and SHOBOX® analyst Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez serving as expert analyst in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP). SHOBOX announcer and combat sports expert Brian Campbell and his MORNING KOMBAT co-host Luke Thomas will call the action during the live-stream bouts.
# # #
ABOUT MORRELL JR. VS. YERBOSSYNULY
Morrell Jr. vs. Yerbossynuly will see unbeaten WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. return to action against undefeated mandatory challenger Aidos Yerbossynuly in a 12-round duel that headlines live on SHOWTIME Saturday, November 5 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will begin at 9:10 p.m. ET/6:10 p.m. PT and features former unified champion Jeison Rosario taking on veteran contender Brian Mendoza in a 10-round middleweight attraction in the co-main event, plus unbeaten middleweight Fiodor Czerkaszyn battles the hard-hitting Nathaniel Gallimore in the 10-round telecast opener.
DAVID MORRELL JR. VS. AIDOS YERBOSSYNULY FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
MINNEAPOLIS – November 3, 2022 – Unbeaten WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. and undefeated mandatory challenger Aidos Yerbossynuly went face-to-face at the final press conference on Thursday, before they put their unbeaten records on the line live on SHOWTIME this Saturday, November 5 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.
The press conference also featured former unified champion Jeison Rosario and veteran contender Brian Mendoza, who meet in the 10-round middleweight co-main event, plus unbeaten middleweight Fiodor Czerkaszyn and the hard-hitting Nathaniel Gallimore, who kick off the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast at 9:10 p.m. ET/6:10 p.m. PT with a 10-round duel.
Prior to the telecast, The SHOWTIME Boxing COUNTDOWN show, hosted by award-winning MORNING KOMBAT podcast hosts, Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell will deliver a three-fight lineup streaming live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.
The streaming presentation is topped by longtime contender Andre Dirrell in a 10-round light heavyweight showdown against hard-hitting Yunieski Gonzalez, plus former unified champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams takes on Argentina’s Rolando Mansilla in an eight-round middleweight affair, while unbeatens Kent Cruz and Enriko Gogokhia rematch in an eight-round super lightweight sequel of their split-draw in February.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from Minneapolis:
DAVID MORRELL JR.
“100% I’m coming for the knockout. He’s the one that’s asking for it. It’s going to be for my team and for Cuban boxing. You don’t mess with the people of Cuba.
“I’m excited for my second opportunity fighting on SHOWTIME. I hope he’s not too hungry, because I’m not giving him anything to eat on Saturday night. I’m more focused and locked in than ever thanks to Ronnie Shields and my whole team.
“I appreciate Aidos stepping up to this fight, but now it’s time to show what I can do. I’m going to show the rest of the division what’s in store for them.
“I’m predicting an eighth-round knockout. I’m going to go into the ring as be the best version of myself.
“We’re in the home stretch now. I’m going to go in there and go for the win. Today was to show everyone how excited we are for this fight, because the fans should be pumped for this as well. We’re ready to put on a show for them.
“I feel bad for Aidos. He has no idea what’s going on and he doesn’t know anything about boxing history. I’m going to teach him on fight night. I’m taking him to school. He has it coming.
“My only focus right now is on Aidos. I’m not paying attention to any other fighters, but I’m going to be ready for them. I want to fight David Benavidez in my next fight. I respect everyone in the division, but I’m hungry for the biggest fights. I want to fight everybody.”
AIDOS YERBOSSYNULY
“I’m a hunter. I like hunting and it’s part of our culture. It’s hunting season right now in Kazakhstan, but I’m here in the United States and I’m here to hunt Morrell on Saturday night and bring that belt home.
“We respect the Cubans and their skills. But in the pros, there aren’t as many good fighters as in the amateurs. Whatever he has learned, I have those same skills. We both have power in both hands, and I’m going to let my fists speak for me.
“I’m always learning. I improved a lot with my training in Las Vegas because my coach, Kay Koroma, is a very experienced and well-known coach in American boxing. I had a good transition from the amateurs into the professional ranks and I learn something new with each fight. I grow as an athlete with each fight.
“There is nothing about David Morrell Jr. that concerns me. The danger with boxing is that every fighter is coming to hurt you. Every boxer is dangerous. There’s nothing special about him. I think that we are evenly matched fighters but the difference on Saturday night is going to be that I’m the smarter fighter and I want it more.
“If he’s promising something to his fans, he might have to apologize to them after he loses. I’m definitely coming to stop Morrell in this fight. I trained hard and I’m here to get the belt.
“If I get past David Morrell Jr. on Saturday, then I’d like to fight David Benavidez next. I’ve sparred with Canelo Alvarez before and I respect him. To get that fight, I have to prove myself first. That’s why I want to face Morrell and Benavidez back-to-back.”
JEISON ROSARIO
“I’m going to go in there to win. I don’t care if I finish the fight in the first or last round. I’m happy either way. My power will be there, but I’ll be ready for whatever happens.
“Sometimes you need to stumble not just once, but twice or more, to learn a lesson. I guarantee that I’ve learned my lesson and that you’re going to see the best version of me on Saturday night.
“This fight is just as important as when I went into Philadelphia and took the titles away from Julian Williams. That’s how serious I’m taking this fight.
“I’m staying at middleweight. I was putting my health at risk to make 154 pounds, so I’m fully committed to winning a world title at 160 pounds.”
BRIAN MENDOZA
“I’m here and I’m ready. I’ve been training in this camp since April. I’ve really been locked in this whole year. You’re going to see that I’m anything but a last-minute sub.
“I’m ready to put on an explosive performance. Everyone is going to see the work I put in it. This is where preparation meets opportunity. You’re going to see me at my best and with my hand raised.
“This is huge for me. I’m about to add a former unified champion to my resume. This changes the trajectory of my career. It’s all up from here and I’m about to show the world what I’m capable of.”
FIODOR CZERKASZYN
“Gallimore is a power puncher, but there are a lot of different skills you need in boxing. It’s not just power that decides who wins.
“This is my chance. I’m hungry and I will show it. This is like a holiday for me, because I’m here without pressure. I’m happy and I’ll show it in the ring.
“He’s had this break in his career, but I know he’s been training and sparring throughout it. Maybe he’ll feel some rust in the ring, but we’ll find out on Saturday.
“I’m very confident in the training that I’ve had. This is a step up for me and it’s something I’ve wanted for a while. I’m ready to perform on the big stage.”
NATHANIEL GALLIMORE
“Ring rust is not going to be a problem. I started my career at middleweight, so I’m not worried about that either. We’ve been working on a lot of new things and on Saturday it’s going to show.
“He can say what he wants to say, because at the end of the day, he has to get in the ring with me. Everyone is going to see what I bring to the table on Saturday night.
“I’m definitely back. As I’ve said before, it starts with this opponent. The whole world is going to know that I’m back after they watch this fight.”
# # #
ABOUT MORRELL JR. VS. YERBOSSYNULY
Morrell Jr. vs. Yerbossynuly will see unbeaten WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. return to action against undefeated mandatory challenger Aidos Yerbossynuly in a 12-round duel that headlines live on SHOWTIME Saturday, November 5 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features former unified champion Jeison Rosario taking on veteran contender Brian Mendoza in a 10-round middleweight attraction in the co-main event, plus unbeaten middleweight Fiodor Czerkaszyn battles the hard-hitting Nathaniel Gallimore in the 10-round telecast opener.
LIVE VIDEO: David Morrell vs. Aidos Yerbossynuly: Press Conference | SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
DAVID MORRELL JR. VS. AIDOS YERBOSSYNULY VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
MINNEAPOLIS – October 26, 2022 – Unbeaten WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. and undefeated mandatory challenger Aidos Yerbossynuly previewed their 12-round duel during a virtual press conference Wednesday before they headline action live on SHOWTIME Saturday, November 5 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features the 24-year-old Cuban native Morrell in his fourth-straight fight in front of his adopted hometown fans at The Armory, as he looks to deliver another KO highlight against the hard-hitting and undefeated Yerbossynuly. Kazakhstan’s Yerbossynuly most recently knocked out Lennox Allen in September 2021, after Allen took Morrell the distance in their August 2020 showdown.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster.
Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday:
DAVID MORRELL JR.
“He probably is the toughest opponent that I’ve faced. He’s faced some really good European fighters and I’m well aware of how tough he is. But I’m back in my house to give my fans a great show.
“I don’t think that he’s my most dangerous opponent, but I’m not underestimating him. Every fighter is dangerous and reaches this point for a reason. He’s been fighting well and getting knockouts, but I’m facing this challenge like I would any other.
“Right now I’m only focused on this fight. I’m not focused on David Benavidez or any other fighter. I’m just focused on getting a win on November 5.
“I don’t care about where we fight. The home arena advantage is not a thing I’m concerned about. It’s about the two fighters in there. Nothing changes because of the venue.
“I know that Kazakhstan has a great history of fighters, but I come from Cuba, who have a great history of fighters as well and I plan to honor that heritage.
“Power will be a factor but I don’t think it’s the deciding factor. It’s going to be about being versatile and using the power to your advantage.
“Aidos is going to see how loud The Armory can be on November 5. I’m going to be ready for whatever comes my way in this fight.
“Training in Texas has been nothing but exceptional. I’m very blessed to be able to train with my team here. It’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me and it’s allowed me to progress as a fighter the way that I’ve wanted to.
“My goal is to fight David Benavidez. He says that nobody wants to fight with him, but here I am. I’m ready for the fight.”
AIDOS YERBOSSYNULY
“The plan is to stop David Morrell Jr. We’re going to make this plan happen.
“Morrell is a good fighter from the Cuban boxing school. He’s got great skills and I respect him as a fighter and an athlete. It’s nothing but respect until we get into the ring.
“I train the same for every opponent. I’m working hard just like I have for each fighter before Morrell. There’s nothing special that I have to do to prepare for David Morrell Jr.
“We are descendants of Nomadic warriors. We’re not scared of any challenges. We want the belt and it doesn’t matter if we’re in his hometown. It’s the way of the warrior.
“We’re not counting on our power. We’re counting on our mind. The mindset is the most important thing in this fight.
“We need to clear out the 168-pound division before we worry about anything. I’m focused on David Morrell Jr. We’re going to show our heart in this fight. I don’t quit.
“Everybody wants to fight Canelo Alvarez for the payday. After David Morrell Jr., I’d also like to fight David Benavidez next. I want to prove myself and then make the fight with Canelo.
“Being unbeaten doesn’t mean anything. It’s about who you’ve fought. I don’t feel like the people who Morrell has fought have been anything special.
“Fans can expect less words and more action. We don’t like to talk a lot, but everyone is going to see what we’re about.”
# # #
ABOUT MORRELL JR. VS. YERBOSSYNULY
Morrell Jr. vs. Yerbossynuly will see unbeaten WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. return to action against undefeated mandatory challenger Aidos Yerbossynuly in a 12-round duel that headlines live on SHOWTIME Saturday, November 5 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features former unified champion Jeison Rosario taking on veteran contender Brian Mendoza in a 10-round middleweight attraction in the co-main event, plus unbeaten middleweight Fiodor Czerkaszyn battles the hard-hitting Nathaniel Gallimore in the 10-round telecast opener.
FORMER UNIFIED CHAMPION JEISON ROSARIO TO BATTLE BRIAN MENDOZA IN CO-MAIN EVENT LIVE ON SHOWTIME® SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5 IN PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS EVENT FROM THE ARMORY IN MINNEAPOLIS
MINNEAPOLIS – October 26, 2022 – Former unified world champion Jeison Rosario will now take on veteran contender Brian Mendoza in a 10-round middleweight bout that serves as the co-main event live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, November 5 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis. Rosario was originally scheduled to face Yoelvis Gomez, who is out of the bout due to a wrist injury.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and is headlined by unbeaten WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. returning to action against undefeated mandatory challenger Aidos Yerbossynuly in a 12-round duel. The telecast opens with unbeaten middleweight Fiodor Czerkaszyn facing the hard-hitting Nathaniel Gallimore.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster.
Rosario (23-3-1, 17 KOs) will look to move himself into title contention at middleweight after scoring knockouts in three straight fights dating back to November 2021. The 27-year-old’s current streak comes after a pair of defeats versus undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo and top contender Erickson Lubin. Born in the Dominican Republic and fighting out of Miami, Rosario captured the WBA and IBF 154-pound belts by stopping Julian Williams in one of 2020’s biggest upsets, before losing the titles against Charlo.
Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mendoza (20-2, 14 KOs) now fights out of Las Vegas as he looks to impress in his debut at 160 pounds. The 28-year-old’s last two fights have come at The Armory, as he defeated Benjamin Whitaker by fifth-round stoppage in March. His previous outing saw him take highly-touted knockout artist Jesus Ramos the 10-round distance in losing a decision in September 2021. Mendoza also owns a 10-round unanimous decision triumph over Thomas LaManna in August 2020 and began his career with eighteen consecutive victories.
WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION AND MINNEAPOLIS FAN-FAVORITE DAVID MORRELL JR. BATTLES UNBEATEN MANDATORY CHALLENGER AIDOS YERBOSSYNULY LIVE ON SHOWTIME® SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5 FROM THE ARMORY IN MINNEAPOLIS
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – October 21, 2022 – Unbeaten WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Minneapolis fan-favorite David Morrell Jr. will return to action against undefeated mandatory challenger Aidos Yerbossynuly in a 12-round duel that headlines live on SHOWTIME Saturday, November 5 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Armory in Minneapolis.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast will begin at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features rising Cuban sensation Yoelvis Gomez facing former unified champion Jeison Rosario in a 10-round middleweight attraction in the co-main event, plus unbeaten middleweight Fiodor Czerkaszyn battles the hard-hitting Nathaniel Gallimore in the 10-round telecast opener.
“The fans in Minneapolis have brought an outstanding energy and atmosphere time and time again for their favorite adopted son David Morrell Jr. and again and again he has delivered with a spectacular knockout,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “He will be looking to add to his growing resume of highlights on November 5 live on SHOWTIME against perhaps the toughest challenge of his career, when he takes on the confident and unbeaten Aidos Yerbossynuly. With two exciting undercard matchups, it’s shaping up to be another can’t-miss night at The Armory in Minneapolis.”
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Armory at http://ArmoryMN.com/ and through Ticketmaster.
Now based in Minneapolis, Morrell (7-0, 6 KOs) has shown off the prodigious talents that made him a standout in Cuba’s iconic amateur scene since arriving stateside in 2019. The 24-year-old captured an interim title by dominating the then-unbeaten Lennox Allen in August 2020 in just his third pro fight. Morell, who trains in Texas with renowned coach Ronnie Shields, has thrilled the crowd at The Armory in his adopted hometown with sensational knockouts in each of his last three fights. His most recent outing saw him deliver an electric SHOWTIME debut in stopping Kalvin Henderson in June.
“On November 5, I’m going to take another step toward solidifying myself as the best super middleweight in the world,” said Morrell Jr. “Yerbossynuly is a dangerous opponent who’s never tasted defeat. A win against him on SHOWTIME, in front of a rowdy hometown crowd at The Armory, is going to catapult me into a fight with the biggest names in the sport. I’m going to be the next big fighter to shine on the national stage. Minnesota, be ready, because your hometown son is about to put on another spectacular show.”
The 30-year-old Yerbossynuly (16-0, 11 KOs) earned a shot at Morrell after delivering a statement knockout of Lennox Allen in the 10th-round of their September 2021 showdown. A native of Zharkent, Kazakhstan who now fights out of Las Vegas, Yerbossynuly first turned pro in 2015 with knockouts in seven of his first eight outings, including two stateside triumphs. He returns to fight in the U.S. for the third time on November 5, having won his last two fights by knockout, including a stoppage of the previously unbeaten Issah Samir in December 2020.
“I’ve had a great training camp with my amazing team that inspires me to push myself every day,” said Yerbossynuly. “We are descendants of Genghis Khan, and you will see the power of the Nomads on November 5. All of our hard work and sacrifice will pay off when I defeat David Morrell Jr. and bring the world title back to Kazakhstan.”
The 25-year-old Gómez (6-0, 5 KOs) made a big statement in his U.S. debut on Christmas Day 2021, blasting out the typically durable Clay Collard in the first round of their showdown. Born in Havana, Cuba and now fighting out of Las Vegas, the southpaw showed power in both hands and relentless finishing skills, immediately making him a rising contender in the talent-laden super welterweight division. He most recently stepped up his competition again, cruising to a shutout unanimous decision against hard-hitting veteran Jorge Cota in May on SHOWTIME.
“I’m excited to be fighting back on SHOWTIME,” said Gomez. “Jeison Rosario is a former world champion who has been in the ring with some great champions, and I’m expecting a very tough fight. My goal is to throw a lot of hard punches with accuracy and bring some excitement for those watching. Like always, I’ll be gunning for the knockout, but if I have to go the distance, I’m well prepared to go rounds. Yoelvis ‘La Joya’ time is coming!”
Rosario (23-3-1, 17 KOs) will look to move himself into title contention at middleweight after scoring knockouts in three straight fights dating back to November 2021. The 27-year-old’s current streak comes after a pair of defeats versus undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo and top contender Erickson Lubin. Born in the Dominican Republic and fighting out of Miami, Rosario captured the WBA and IBF 154-pound belts by stopping Julian Williams in one of 2020’s biggest upsets, before losing the titles against Charlo.
“I’m super motivated for this fight,” said Rosario. “I’ve trained hard and I’m ready for war. Gomez is a good fighter with a lot of talent, but I’ve beaten talented fighters before. I’m not worried about what he brings to the ring because I’ve already been in there and shown I can go toe-to-toe with all the lions.”
The 26-year-old Czerkaszyn (20-0, 13 KOs) made a successful stateside debut in August, stopping Gilbert Venegas Jr. in the fourth-round of a matchup that streamed live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS® YouTube channel. Originally from Ukraine and a citizen of Warsaw, Poland, Czerkaszyn turned pro in 2015 and owns three 10-round unanimous decisions on his record, hardly losing a round throughout the contests.
“I’ve been training since my last fight and I’ve stayed in shape so that I was ready to take advantage of an opportunity like this,” said Czerkaszyn. “I’m facing a good opponent, who’s very fast. I’ve seen him train before in Chicago and watched his fights, so I know what to expect. I’m hungry and I’m ready to show off my boxing skills on November 5.”
Gallimore (22-5-1, 17 KOs) has made a name for himself challenging the best fighters at 154 pounds and using his power and skill to present stiff competition. The 34-year-old owns a stoppage victory over former unified champion Jeison Rosario, and has also faced former unified champion Julian Williams, former champion Patrick Teixeira, and top contenders Sebastian Fundora and Erickson Lubin. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Gallimore has fought out of Chicago as a pro and most recently bested the previously unbeaten Leon Lawson III at The Armory in June 2021.
“I’m very excited to be back in the ring and on this big stage on SHOWTIME,” said Gallimore. “I was raised in a family where we made it happen whether we had it or not, and that’s my mentality day in and day out. I’m looking forward to this fight and showing that my tenacity will always prevail.”
