LONG BEACH, CA (March 18, 2025) – Showtime Boxing Promotions is set to deliver a thrilling night of fights on April 19, 2025, at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California, featuring some of the sport’s most exciting contenders and rising stars. The show will stream live on WBCBOXING.com and all WBC outlets.

Headlining the event, WBA #1 ranked heavyweight contender Michael “The Bounty” Hunter (24-1-2, 17 KOs) of Las Vegas, NV, takes on knockout artist Christopher Lovejoy (20-1-1, 20 KOs) of Los Angeles, CA, in a scheduled 8-round showdown. With both fighters carrying serious power, fans can expect an explosive main event as Hunter looks to solidify his path toward a world title shot while Lovejoy aims to shake up the division.

“I’m coming into this fight with a knockout mentality,” said Hunter. “Lovejoy is tough, but I’m levels above him, and I’ll prove it on fight night. 2025 will be the year I’m crowned world champion.

“People have been doubting me, but I’m here to show I belong with the best,” stated Lovejoy, who is known for his knockout power, as he sees this as a major opportunity. “Hunter better be ready because I’m coming to take his spot.”

In the 8-round co-main event, undefeated bantamweight Anthony Garnica (12-0-1, 7 KOs) of Oakland, CA, will take on former world title challenger Aston Palicte (28-7-1, 23 KOs) of Bago City, Philippines. With both fighters looking to take a big step forward in their careers, this clash promises fireworks.

“Palicte has experience, but I’m ready for this moment. I’ve trained for tough fights like this, and I’m going to show why I’m one of the best rising bantamweights in the world,” said Garnica.

Also on the card, 2020 Mexican Olympian Brianda Tamara Cruz (1-0) of Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, globally known for losing to Algerian boxer Imane Khelif’s, will compete in a 6-round welterweight bout in her USA debut.

“This is a dream come true. Fighting in the United States is a huge step for me, and I plan to show everyone that I’m ready to take over the welterweight division,” said Cruz.

The card will also feature super lightweight Israel Mercado (11-1-2, 7 KOs) from Pomona, CA, in a 10-round bout, lightweight Victor Manuel Lopez Gala (6-1-1, 3 KOs) from Sonora, Mexico, in an 8-round bout, middleweight Raul Salomon (14-2, 12 KOs) from Long Beach, CA, in an 8-round bout, and bantamweight Chantel Navarro (4-0, 3 KOs) from Glendale, CA, in a 6-round bout, with all opponents TBA.

Showtime Boxing Promotions executives Lenin Garcia and Reyes Mejia expressed their excitement about bringing this stacked event to Long Beach.

“This is one of the best fight cards we’ve put together, featuring world-class talent and rising stars,” said Garcia. “Hunter is on the verge of a title shot, Garnica has the potential to be a future champion, and Brianda Tamara Cruz is making her U.S. debut—this is an event fight fans won’t want to miss.”

“Our goal is to showcase elite talent and deliver competitive, entertaining fights,” Mejia added. “April 19 is going to be an incredible night of boxing, and we’re thrilled to bring it to Thunder Studios.”

Doors open at 5:30 pm PT with the first fight starting at 6:30 pm PT. Tickets priced $87.21 (GENERAL), $108.55 (RESERVED), $151.23 (PREMIUM), $193.92 (VIP), $236.60 (RINGSIDE), plus applicable fees, are available for purchase now at www.eventbrite.com. Thunder Studios is located at 20434 S Santa Fe Ave, Long Beach, CA 90810.

Deerfield Beach, Fla. (May 14, 2021)—Heavyweight boxer Christopher Lovejoy, who has an exclusive promotional agreement with Hall of Fame boxing promoter Don King, nor the promoters of Saturday’s boxing card in Germany, are complying with the Cease & Desist letter they received several weeks ago.

According to media reports, Lovejoy has agreed to face the WBA champion in recess Mahmoud Charr on Saturday night in Germany. 

Lovejoy filed for bankruptcy in California before departing for Germany to try to stop King from taking action on his exclusive promotional agreement in trying to stop Saturday night’s fight.   And promoter Errol Ceylan is illegally promoting a fight involving a DKP exclusively promoted fighter and knowingly and willingly, tortiously interfering with King’s agreement with Lovejoy.

“Lovejoy and the German promoter are defying the law,” said King.  “We have served them and justice will prevail.  We will see who will be “quacking” when we get to court and the legal process decides that everything is there in black and white.”

“Lovejoy is out there popping off and feels that this fight is for the WBA championship.

The WBA hasn’t sanctioned this illegal bout and they certainly won’t do so.  Trevor Bryan is the WBA champion.”

“What fighter shows up in Germany without a trainer or cut man and is totally out of shape, weighing 306 pounds.  Lovejoy lacks plain common sense.”

“See you in court along with your German promoter!   We’ll see who will be laughing last on Instagram.”

Hamburg, 22nd of April – EC Boxing is prepared to stage another thrilling fight night in the ECB Gym in Hamburg, Germany. As of now the main event on May 15 will be Mahmoud Charr vs. Christopher Lovejoy. A couple of days ago the news broke that DKP (Don King Promotions) would threaten to take legal action in order to stop Lovejoy from taking part in this bout, since according to DKP there still is a contract between them and the undefeated American.

Erol Ceylan, CEO of EC Boxing, is disappointed in this development, but willing to go ahead with the event regardless of the outcome of this legal situation: „We are not quite sure what Don King‘s intentions are at this stage. Instead of making fights happen, he tries to sabotage them. First he‘s getting Charr stripped off his WBA belt and now this. But we are still confident that Charr and Lovejoy will meet in the ring on May 15 and are willing to settle the situation with DKP. However: we are prepared to give a different opponent the chance to take on our guy if necessary.“

There are two possible substitute opponents who are both in training right now and willing to take on Mahmoud Charr. There won‘t be any legal situation stopping them from taking part. Charr, who is now called the „Heavyweight Champion in recess“ by the World Boxing Association (WBA), is eager to return to the squared circle, after spending 3 and a half years without having a fight: „I’m in great shape! Now it’s time to get back in the ring,“ Charr states.

Deerfield Beach, Fla. (April 19, 2021)—Hall of Fame boxing promoter Don King has sent a Cease & Desist letter to undefeated heavyweight boxer Christopher Lovejoy, claiming he is under an exclusive promotional agreement with Don King Promotions and not permitted to enter any future fights without King’s consent.

Recent media reports have stated that Lovejoy is currently in Germany and has agreed to face the WBA champion in recess Mahmoud Charr on May 15 in Hamburg, Germany.

Trevor Bryan recently won the WBA heavyweight title after Charr disregarded the WBA and was not allowed in the United States due to Homeland Security visa denial of the Syrian. 

The letter demands that Lovejoy (19-0, 19 KOs), who had previously announced his retirement from boxing, not participate in the bout with Charr or any other future bout or opponent.

“It is unconscionable, illegal, and unethical for you to participate in this May 15, 2021 bout or any bout without DKP’s expressed, written permission and consent,” the letter from King’s lawyer’s states. “Participating in any bout without DKP’s expressed written consent is … willfully breaching the Promotional Agreement and exposes those you have entered into agreement with for your services as a professional fighter to extreme legally liability, as they too are aware that you are under contract to DKP.”

The letter goes on to state, “If you have in fact signed to fight Charr as you proclaim and has been reported in these media reports, you have intentionally, willfully, and maliciously breached your exclusive, world-wide promotional agreement with DKP.”

Lovejoy, 37, lives and trains in Las Vegas. All 19 of Lovejoy’s pro fights since February of 2016 have taken place in Tijuana, Mexico.

Dave Allen will fight Christopher Lovejoy on the undercard of the blockbuster Heavyweight clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Derek Chisora at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday October 31, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN in all of its nine markets including the U.S.

Fan favourite Allen was due to make his ring return against Christian Hammer before the German was forced out after testing positive for COVID-19 now meets undefeated Christopher Lovejoy whose 100% KO record from his 19 professional bouts see him ranked in the top 15 with the WBA.

2019 held mixed fortunes for Allen, who has now linked up with trainer Jamie Moore, with ‘The White Rhino’ looking to end Lovejoy’s unbeaten run in style.

“I’m looking forward to this fight with Chris,” said Allen. “He’s positioned 15th with the WBA and I’d love to take that World ranking. He’s a big, strong man and just look at his record – He’s done what’s been asked of him in those 19 fights. There’s not much footage of him, so I don’t know really know what I’m preparing for which adds to the intrigue but I’m going in there to do a number on him.”

“I finally made it here to the U.K!” said Lovejoy. “I’m here to shock the world and show what Chris Lovejoy is really about. Dave will end up number 20 on my record. I’ve travelled a long way so I just hope he shows up!”

“This is fascinating,” added promoter Eddie Hearn. “Here we have this giant in Christopher Lovejoy that has amassed 19 wins with 19 KOs against limited opposition and has somehow found himself in the world top 15. The truth is, he might be an absolute beast or he may get found out but for Dave Allen it’s a huge opportunity. There will be plenty of eyeballs on this fight and if Dave can get the win he will force himself into the World rankings and land a major fight in 2021. I have absolutely no idea what’s going to happen but I’m excited to find out!”

Allen vs. Lovejoy lands of huge night of action which sees former Undisputed Cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk and Derek Chisora meet in a thrilling Heavyweight clash, Lee Selby and George KambososJr square off in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Lightweight World Title, Savannah Marshall and Hannah Rankin collide for the WBO Middleweight crown, Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy fights Belgium’s Bilal Laggoune for the European Cruiserweight Title and Amy Timlin faces off with Carly Skelly for the Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Title.