DETROIT – March 11, 2020 – Undefeated heavyweight power puncher Apti Davtaev talked about the skills he has developed while training at the famed Kronk Gym in Detroit as he prepares to take on veteran Lucas Browne in the 10-round co-main event live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) Saturday, March 28 from Park Theater at Park MGM in Las Vegas in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

“Training in Detroit has made me stronger,” said Davtaev. “I have a fresh new look on boxing. I’m more confident and experienced, and my power has grown immensely. I’ve also become a more aggressive fighter. I go after opponents and try to finish them, rather than just beating them.

“Most of my day is taken up by training. We have a boxing session at Kronk in the morning, and I follow that up with cardio or strength and conditioning training in the evening. I will be in peak condition for this fight.”

Davtaev stepped in to face Browne after he was originally scheduled to face Otto Wallin, who withdrew because of an injury. However, Davtaev comes into the matchup already in fighting shape, having put together two knockout victories so far in 2020.

“Training is going well and I feel great fighting so regularly,” said Davtaev. “I’m definitely turning up the intensity for this important fight with Lucas Browne, but I was already in great shape. I fought in Moscow in February and before that in Atlantic City in January.”

The hard-hitting Browne presents the toughest opponent of Davtaev’s career so far, which has served to motivate the 30-year-old Russian heading into March 28.

“A victory over Lucas Browne is very important to me,” said Davtaev. “The heavyweight division is very exciting right now with many top names, and I believe I am one of them.

“I’ve only seen a few of Browne’s fights. He’s a tough experienced boxer. I have been looking for a step-up opponent for a very long time. It’ll be an exciting fight while it lasts. On March 28, I intend to put on a spectacular performance. The fans will love it.”

“The heavyweight landscape is changing at a rapid pace,” said Dmitriy Salita, Davtaev’s promoter. “I believe Apti has the size, power and skills to be a real force in the heavyweight division. He will have to put all of that on display to be victorious in his big test against Lucas Browne.”

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, are now on sale and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com. Davtaev vs. Browne is promoted in association with Salita Promotions.

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ABOUT NERY VS. ALAMEDA
Nery vs Alameda will see unbeaten former bantamweight world champion Luis Nery facing undefeated contender Aaron Alameda in a WBC Super Bantamweight Title Eliminator headlining live action on SHOWTIME Saturday, March 28 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Park Theater at Park MGM in Las Vegas.

The SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION® tripleheader begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and features heavyweight contenders squaring off as undefeated heavyweight power puncher Apti Davtaev and Lucas Browne battle in a 10-round attraction in the co-main event, plus rising light heavyweights go toe-to-toe as Joseph George faces Marcos Escudero in a 10-round rematch.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions, @MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing

NEW YORK – February 26 – Undefeated heavyweight power puncher Apti Davtaev will face veteran Lucas Browne in the 10-round co-main event of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION on Saturday, March 28, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Park Theater at Park MGM in Las Vegas. Davtaev replaces heavyweight contender Otto Wallin, who was forced to suspend training and withdraw from his scheduled bout due to an injury to his foot.

From Kurchaloi, Russia, Davtaev (20-0-1, 19 KOs) has earned a 90-percent knockout ratio with his aggressive style and devastating power. The athletic, 30-year-old has remained active since moving his camp to the United States in 2017 after signing with Salita Promotions. He trains at Kronk Gym in Detroit, Mich., under the tutelage of SugarHill Steward, nephew of legendary Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward.

“Otto suffered a minor injury and suspending training was the smart thing to do,” said Wallin’s promoter Dmitriy Salita. “He will be back in the ring in no time. Fortunately, Apti was in top shape and ready to go. He is a gifted heavyweight and he’ll be on everyone’s radar after March 28.”

In his last outing on February 21, the six-foot-five-inch Davtaev handed previously unbeaten John Napari his first defeat with a vicious second-round knockout. A few weeks prior, on January 10, he scored an impressive third-round stoppage over veteran Keith Barr. This is his fifth start in the U.S. and first nationally televised bout.

Fighting out of New South Wales, Australia, Browne (29-2, 25 KOs) most recently scored a knockout victory over John Hopoate in November, his second win of 2019. He’s won four of his last five bouts, with his only career losses coming to Dillian Whyte and David Allen in the U.K. Browne won his first 25 pro fights, including a stoppage of Ruslan Chagaev in 2016 to capture a WBA Heavyweight Championship. He will be making his U.S. debut.

The three-fight SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION telecast features unbeaten former bantamweight world champion Luis Nery (30-0, 24 KOs) taking on undefeated contender Aaron Alameda (25-0, 13 KOs) in a WBC Super Bantamweight Title Eliminator main event. Rising light heavyweight prospects Joseph George (10-0, 6 KOs) and Marcos Escudero (10-1, 9 KOs) open the telecast with a 10-round rematch of their November ShoBox showdown that saw George win a narrow-split decision.

Veteran broadcaster Brian Custer will serve as telecast host with versatile combat sportscaster Mauro Ranallo calling the action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former two-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi. Rounding out the telecast team are Emmy® award winning reporter Jim Gray, unofficial ringside scorer Steve Farhood and world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. David Dinkins Jr. serves as Executive Producer with Ray Smaltz producing and Bob Dunphy directing.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, are now on sale and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com. Davtaev vs. Browne is promoted in association with Salita Promotions.

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For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions, @MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing

On Friday, February 21, Russian heavyweight destroyer Apti Davtaev will make a quick return to the ring in an important eight-round showdown against fellow undefeated John Napari of Accra, Ghana.

Davtaev (19-0-1, 18 KOs) and Napari (21-0, 15 KOs) will meet as a chief supporting bout on Akhmat Promotion Company’s stacked event at the Dynamo Palace of Sports in Krylatskoye, Moscow, featuring undefeated Russian super welterweight champion Islam “The Sniper” Edisultanov’s (9-0, 6 KOs) domestic battle against tough southpaw Evgeny Terentiev (15-2, 7 KOs).

Ever improving under the tutelage of SugarHill Steward, the powerful Davtaev will be looking to continue the brutal momentum he has been building since signing his co-promotional deal with Salita Promotions in late 2017.

“I’ve continued training at the Kronk Gym for this fight,” said Davtaev. “I look forward to another Detroit-style knockout victory over an undefeated opponent.”

Davtaev was last seen January 10 of this year, scoring a thudding TKO 3 over West Virginia-based veteran Keith Barr at Ocean Resort Casino, Atlantic City. Showing improved ability to corner opponents trying to avoid his fearsome punching, 6’ 5” Davtaev looked to be rounding into world-class form.

“Apti is one of the biggest heavyweights and hardest punchers in the division,” said his co-promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “This will be his second fight in as many months. He will continue to stay busy and I believe he has all the ingredients to be a force in the division. This is going to be a big statement-making year for Apti.”

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Both of Salita Promotions undefeated Detroit-based welterweights, twin brothers Joseph and Jacob Bonas, and Russian heavyweight destroyer Apti Davtaev, remained undefeated with impressive victories last Friday night.

Fighting on the untelevised undercard of the Claressa Shields vs. Ivana Habazin showdown at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J., Joseph “Detroit Bad Boy” Bonas moved his record to 7-0, 6 KOs by stopping Steubenville, Ohio’s Glenn Mitchell (3-5, 3 KOs) via TKO 2. Meanwhile, brother Jacob Bonas (now 5-0-1, 2 KOs) had to work a bit harder to gain a unanimous four-round decision over Highwood, Illinois’ Christian Rivera (1-1-1).

Showing marked improvement from his work in Detroit with SugarHill Steward, heavyweight crusher Apti Davtaev (19-0-1, 18 KOs) from Kurchaloi, Russia, overpowered Glenville, West Virginia’s Keith Barr (20-13-1, 8 KOs) in three brutal rounds.

Joseph Bonas showed some newfound patience in waiting for the right moment to pounce on the long-limbed Mitchell. And when the opening finally presented itself, he lowered the boom with a three-punch combination that brought things to a decisive end at 1:55 of round two.

Jacob Bonas survived a momentary scare when a surprise right hand from opponent Rivera got his attention quickly in round one. Showing his extensive amateur pedigree, however, Bonas made adjustments and eventually cruised to a comfortable four-round decision (scores 39-37 x 3).

Early on, Barr looked ready to rumble with his big Russian foe until a few punches from the Eastern Bloc strongman had him in full survival mode. 38 seconds into round three, the super naturally powerful Davtaev had his most impressive victory to date.

“All our fighters had terrific nights on Friday,” said Dmitriy Salita. “The Bonas brothers look to be turning into excellent professional fighters. They did what they are supposed to do with their early opponents by dominating. And Apti Davtaev is clearly getting stronger and stronger as his career advances. He is ready for a step-up fight against another up-and-coming heavyweight. His power is something the boxing world should have a look at soon.”

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Last Thursday night, September 19, at the Uvais Akhtaev Sports Palace in Grozny, Russia, WBO #4-, IBF #6- and WBA #10-rated light heavyweight Umar Salamov successfully defended his WBO International Championship with an impressive TKO 3 over Ghana’s Emmanuel Danso.

Fighting in front of his hometown fans, Salamov (24-1, 18 KOs) was too much for the shorter Danso (now 31-5, 28 KOs) and dropped him three times with perfectly timed right hands in round three. The fight was waved off at 2:44.

Two other Salita Promotions’ Russian fighters were victorious on the undercard as well.

Another hometown hero, WBO #8-rated super middleweight Aslambek Idigov (17-0, 7 KOs) overcame a strong start from Slovakian challenger Robert Racz (21-2, 19 KOs) to pull out a unanimous 10-round decision and successfully defend his WBO and IBF European Championships.

Racz had some moments early on, but the world-class conditioning and superior skills of Idigov allowed him to take over as the rounds went by, eventually winning by scores of 98-94, 97-93, and 98-92.

Kurchaloi, Russia’s heavyweight crusher Apti Davtaev (18-0-1, 17 KOs) successfully defended his WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental title for the first time by demolishing American opponent Daniel Martz (18-8-1, 15 KOs) in just 69 seconds of the first round.

Showing the size and power that make him a force to be reckoned with on the heavyweight landscape, Davtaev went straight at Martz who could only turn his head to avoid the double sledgehammers flying his way.

Martz was down three times in the brief but brutal affair.

“All three fighters are closing in on world championship fights,” said their promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “They are all clearly a step above domestic-level competition and have developed into serious threats to any world champion they will all eventually face. Tireless hard work and total dedication make the difference in tough tests like these and all three passed with flying colors.”

An explosive trio of Salita Promotions fighters will be back in action Thursday, September 19, in Grozny, Russia, as Umar Salamov, Aslambek Idigov and Apti Davtaev will all be featured in important fights.

In the night’s main event, Grozny’s own WBO #4-, IBF #6- and WBA #7-rated Salamov (24-1, 18 KOs) will attempt to make the third defense of WBO International Light Heavyweight Championship in a 10-round battle against WBO #5-rated Roamer Alexis Angulo (24-1, 21 KOs) of El Bordo, Colombia.

In the co-main event, Idigov (16-0, 7 KOs), also of Grozny, will look to make the first defense of his WBO European Super Middleweight Championship in a 10-round showdown with Robert Racz (21-1, 19 KOs) of Galanta, Slovenia.

And in a very special 10-round heavyweight attraction, undefeated crusher Apti Davtaev (17-0-1, 16 KOs) of nearby Kurchaloi, Russia, will face Meyerton, Gauteng, South Africa’s Ruann Visser (17-2, 16 KOs) for the WBA and WBC Asia Heavyweight Championships.

Incredibly, the 25-year-old Salamov has already held the WBO Youth, WBO European, IBO World, IBF East/West Europe, WBO International, IBF International, IBF North American
EBP and IBO Youth Light Heavyweight Championships. He was last seen in April of this year in Grozny, defending his WBO International belt by stopping Poland’s Norbert Dabrowski in nine rounds.

“I am really happy to fight at home in Grozny,” said Salamov. “I get stronger fighting in front of my hometown. This is a very important fight against an experienced and brave boxer, but I will be looking for the knockout only. I don’t want there to be any doubts about it and no judges’ decisions. I will defend my title and step even closer to world title fight.”

23-year-old Idigov won the WBO and IBF European Super Middleweight Championships in April by winning a 12-round majority decision over Spain’s Ronny Landaeta. Idigov also won the IBO Youth Super Middleweight Title in December 2016 with a unanimous decision over countryman Igor Selivanov.

“For me it doesn’t matter whether I fight at home or abroad, but it always good to receive support of my people and to make them happy,” said Idigov. “For me to fight a power puncher like Robert Racz, who has more wins than I have is a big challenge, but I will knock him out. And by doing so, I will defend my title and collect another. I need fights against these kinds of opponents, who are hungry and dangerous and come to win.”

30-year-old Davtaev, a 6’ 5” giant with anvil fists, won the vacant World Boxing Council CIS and Slovac Boxing Bureau (CISBB) Heavyweight Championship in 2015 and added the WBA Asia Championship in 2018. In April of this year, he also picked up the WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental Heavyweight title with a fifth-round knockout of Brazil’s Pedro Otas.

“I am always happy to fight, especially in Grozny,” said Davtaev. “It will be one more victory, in my step-by-step goal to become first heavyweight world champion from the Chechen Republic. Of course, I will try to win by knockout. This is a very important fight for me because I’m fighting for two regional titles against an experienced and big guy who is coming to win. That will bring my best out of me.”

“All three of these outstanding fighters have developed into world-rated contenders and are now collecting several regional championships on their way to the world titles,” said Dmitriy Salita. “Umar Salamov is one or two fights away with Aslambek Idigov and Apti Davtaev not far behind. At this stage, every fight is crucial to win impressively as they all close in on their dream fights.”

Umar Salamov and Apti Davtaev are co-promoted by KA Promotions.

About Salita Promotions

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

On Thursday, April 18, at the Sportivnyy Kompleks “Kolizey” in Grozny City, Russian heavyweight crusher Apti Davtaev (16-0, 15 KOs) will headline a show entitled “Time of Legends,” in a 10-round showdown against Brazil’s Pedro Otas (32-4-1, 28 KOs).

The event, televised live on Russian public sports channel Match TV, will also feature WBA #7, IBF #6 and WBO #4 light heavyweight slugger Umar Salamov (23-1, 17 KOs) defending his WBO International Light Heavyweight Championship against Poland’s Norbert Dabrowski (22-7-2, 9 KOs), as well as fellow undefeated hometown hero Aslambek Idigov (15-0, 7 KOs) taking on Spain’s Ronny Landaeta (16-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-rounder for the WBO Europe Super Middleweight Title.

All three promising contenders recently concluded a six-week training camp at Detroit’s world-famous Kronk Gym under SugarHill Steward and Rick Phillips.

In his last ring appearance, in February of this year, 29-year-old Davtaev needed under a round to stop Missouri veteran Richard Carmack.

“I had an incredibly productive training camp and look forward to putting my skills to use April 18,” said the formidable Davtaev. “My goal is to win and inch closer towards the heavyweight world title. I am the new face in the heavyweight division!”

24-year-old Salamov was last seen successfully defending his Eurasian Boxing Parliament Light Heavyweight and WBO International Light Heavyweight Championships in December of last year, via 10-round unanimous decision over Africa’s Emmanuel Anim.

“Training with Sugar has taken my boxing IQ to the next level,” said Salamov, “I look forward to putting in a dominant performance and making my claim for the light heavyweight world title this year!”

23-year-old Idigov was last seen stopping his countryman Konstantin Piternov after four rounds in December of last year.

“I am excited about fighting for a title against a skilled and highly respected Landaeta,” said Idigov. “I want to fight the best! I will prove that I am the best super middleweight in the world and a very important step is an impressive performance on April 18.”

“On April 18, three of the best contenders from Russia will look to take a significant step towards their goal of fighting for world titles in the near future,” said all three fighters’ promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “All unique, have shown improvement and world-class ability. I look forward to great fights and impressive wins.”