5.30pm ET first bell

4 x 3 mins            Anthony Concepcion 158.6lbs     vs.          Yasmani Pedroso 160.2lbs
                             Providence, Rhode Island                          Miami, Florida
Followed by:

8 x 2 mins            Shelly Vincent 127.8lbs                  vs.          Simone Da Silva 125.1lbs
                             Providence, Rhode Island                            Sao Paulo, Brazil
Followed by:

4 x 3 mins            Raymond Ford 125.9lbs                 vs.          Isidro Figueroa 126.8lbs
                            Camden, New Jersey                                    Sonora, Mexico
7:00pm ET                                                                                          

6 x 3 mins            Otha Jones Jr. 131.4lbs                   vs.          Matias Arriagada 128.4lbs
                             Toledo, Ohio                                                   Buenos Aires, Argentina
Followed by:

10 x 3 mins         Mark Deluca 157.8lbs                     vs.        Brandon Brewer 157.4lbs
                           Whitman, Massachusetts                             Nackawic, Canada
Followed by:

4 x 3 mins            Alexis Espino 163.8lbs                     vs.          Kirby St. Juste 158.8lbs
                            Las Vegas, Nevada                                         Trenton, New Jersey

9:00pm ET                                                                                          

12 x 3 mins WBA World Super-Flyweight championship 
                                Khalid Yafai 114.5lbs                       vs.          Norbelto Jimenez 114.5lbs
                                Birmingham, England                                     Villa Duarte, D.R.
Followed by:

12 x 3 mins         Joseph Parker 241.5lbs                   vs.          Alex Leapai 254.2lbs
                            Auckland, New Zealand                                 Logan City, Australia
Followed by:

12 x 3 mins WBO World Middleweight championship     
                            Demetrius Andrade 159.9lbs       vs.          Maciej Sulecki 159.5lbs
                            Providence, Rhode Island                          Warsaw, Poland

FLOAT

4/6 x 3 mins        Anthony Marsella, Jr. 137.8lbs    vs.          Jose Aubel 136.4lbs
                           Providence, Rhode Island                          Monte Caseros, Argentina

On Saturday night, WBO Middleweight World Champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (27-0, 17 KOs) will make his second middleweight title defense against dangerous challenger Maciej Sulecki (28-1, 11 KOs) at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island, and live exclusively on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

**TICKETS FOR ANDRADE VS. SULECKI ARE ON SALE NOW – CLICK HERE**

Two-division world champion Andrade, 31, will fight for the first time as a professional in his hometown of Providence where he is largely considered the top amateur in Rhode Island history. The winner of Saturday night’s scrap on DAZN could catapult themselves into consideration for a huge middleweight title unification fight.

Andrade’s defense against Sulecki is part of a blockbuster night of action as unbeaten Briton Kal Yafai defends his WBA Super Flyweight title against mandatory challenger Norbelto Jimenez and former Heavyweight king Joseph Parker takes on Australian challenger Alex Leapai in a scheduled 12-round heavyweight fight.

Undercard action begins at 7 p.m. ET on DAZN with three fights, including bouts featuring two rising prospects, Otha Jones, Jr. and Alexis Espino. The evening’s main card kicks off at 9 p.m. ET.

Below is what the fighters had to say at today’s press conference:

Eddie Hearn

“It is a pleasure to be in Providence, Rhode Island. One thing that we have set out to do with Matchroom USA is to build fighters in their hometowns. I am still in disbelief that Demetrius has never fought in his hometown.

“Everyone keeps talking about Canelo-GGG for September. I understand that people are interested in seeing that fight again but what about Canelo against the winner of this fight for the undisputed status? That’s the biggest fight to make at middleweight.

“One thing that we have promised Andrade and his team is activity. This is his third fight in eight months, and I believe we will see a very special performance from him. In Sulecki, he brings it every single time. He is in great fights. He has a chance to thrust himself into life changing, legacy fights with a win here. He will do everything he can to beat Demetrius on Saturday night because he understands those odds.

“We have a stacked undercard here in Providence. I want to thank DAZN for making an investment in the young, promising fighters of tomorrow. They have given a platform to these young stars to build them up the right way and get the best prospects exposure early in their careers. Without DAZN, none of this is possible. They are building stars and putting on the biggest events without PPV. Joshua vs. Ruiz, Canelo vs. Jacobs – those were two great PPV level events and they deliver that to fans everywhere for a low price and in a new way.”

Demetrius Andrade

“It’s me again. Tall, black and handsome. On Saturday, I am going to do what I have been doing. No disrespect to Sulecki, he’s been in there with my boy Danny Jacobs and other guys I have fought. I heard Sulecki went into the hotel and put a drawing of me and it shows my head knocked off. But the last guy that did something like that, he got his ass whooped and he will get his ass whooped, too. Best of luck to all of the great fighters on the card this weekend. DAZN continues to do a great job keeping me active and getting these kids shine.

“I had my first few weeks of training out in California with Victor Conte. That went great. But hey, it’s me again and this is my show. Good luck to Sulecki, I hope he puts on a good performance then gets his ass whooped.”

Maciej Sulecki

“Thanks to Matchroom, Eddie Hearn, DAZN, my team, my trainer. Everyone who made this opportunity possible. It was a very good training camp. Three weeks in Poland and then seven more weeks in New York. I am ready for a very tough fight with Andrade. Before I came to the U.S., I had great respect for Andrade. But when I came here, I lost all respect for him. He just talks too much. He thinks he is as good as the other great fighters like GGG but he is not. I know one thing about him, and it’s that he doesn’t respect anyone. He is disrespectful.”

Joseph Parker

“It’s great to be in Providence with my team. The last six weeks in Vegas were great, we had a great training camp. I stayed in great shape when I was back home. Usually I blow up between camps but this time I surprised my coach a bit when I showed up in shape. I have a lot to prove and a lot to show people in the heavyweight division. I know he will come out swinging so it should be a really fun fight. But I expect to come out on top in what will be a great fight on Saturday night.”

Alex Leapai

“Thank you to Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn and DAZN. I am from Australia. Joseph Parker is from New Zealand. But we are both from Samoa. That doesn’t happen every day, it doesn’t happen very often at all that two great fighters from where we are from meet in big-time fight. It will be great for us to get in the ring together. I am thrilled for this fight on Saturday night.”

Kal Yafai

“Thanks to everyone who made this possible. I had a great training camp, I am going to put my life on the line for this fight. He has never boxed anyone as quick, powerful and talented as me. He is in for a rude awakening on Saturday night.”

Norbelto Jimenez

“I want to thank Eddie Hearn, DAZN and Matchroom Boxing. This is a long overdue title shot for me. I am coming for the title on Saturday night. I owe the Dominican Republic a title, I am not going to be robbed this time like I was in my last title shot. I am going to make this one count.”

Otha Jones, Jr.

“This is a great opportunity. I fought last weekend in London and now I am back in Providence to put on another show. It is great to share this platform with two of my buddies from the amateurs, Ray Ford and Alexis Espino, and my idol, Demetrius Andrade. My dad used to make me do homework on ‘Boo Boo’ and now I am sharing a card with him. It’s crazy and I am humbled to be here. I am excited to put on a show on Saturday night.”

Demetrius Andrade believes he’s on the right path to prove he is the man at 160lbs as he defends his WBO crown against Maciej Sulecki on Saturday night at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

**TICKETS FOR ANDRADE VS. SULECKI ARE ON SALE NOW – CLICK HERE**

Andrade (27-0 17 KOs) is chasing down an undisputed clash with Mexican ace Canelo Alvarez, while Kazakh ace Gennadiy Golovkin is also on the radar of the Providence star, who fights at home for the first time as a World champion.

Both Andrade and Sulecki (28-1 11 KOs) hold wins over Jack Culcay, while the Pole’s sole defeat came at the hands of former World ruler Daniel Jacobs, and he enters the bout after a gut-check win over Gabriel Rosado in March.

Andrade has seen off tough African and WBO #2 Walter Kautondokwa for the vacant strap in Boston in October and then defended the crown for the first time against rugged Russian Artur Akavov with a 12th round stoppage in New York in January, and the champion believes this run of tough clashes is priming him for the big showdowns he’s hunting.

“Maciej is a tough guy, a top ten guy and he’s only lost to Danny who’s faced GGG and Canelo,” said Andrade. “The boxing world knows that I am the baddest wolf out there because if I hadn’t, I would have faced Canelo and GGG already and would’ve taken my loss like a man and they would’ve captured my WBO title at two different weight classes. So that goes to show that I have control over myself and was right to have faith that I’m doing the right thing, so don’t give up as my time will come, you’re not going to just keep digging and digging and then just stop without knowing that that next dig is for all the diamonds.

“The Rosado fight was a grueling one for him, he fought Culcay and he gave him a tough fight too, so he must have skills to be where he is and fight the fighters he’s fought. So unlike GGG who just boxed Steve Rolls who was ranked about 81 in the world, I’m fighting real guys. We are fighting tough guys to get it on with Canelo and GGG whereas they have been cherry picking and they can do that with the profile they have, it’s just business. I’m not upset about it because my time will come when I walk in with one belt and walk out with four.

“Everyone has their own opinion about any fighter, I won’t know until I get in there. I am no fool, I know that I have to be on my game and not think about his other fights because everyone i different. Culcay did a great job against him, put him down, Rosado put him down, so they got to him by accumulating punches and letting their hands go. But that’s them, not me, I have a different IQ to them.”

Andrade’s clash with Sulecki is part of a huge night of World title action in Providence as unbeaten Briton Kal Yafai defends his WBA World Super-Flyweight title against mandatory challenger Norbelto Jimenez.

Former Heavyweight World ruler Joseph Parker takes on Australian former World title challenger Alex Leapai, Boston’s Mark DeLuca faces Canadian Brandon Brewer over ten rounds at Super-Welterweight, young talents Alexis Espino and Raymond Ford taste their third action in the paid ranks, as does Otha Jones III fresh from his first round KO win in London.

Local favorite Anthony Marsella faces Jose Aubel, another unbeaten Providence fighter Anthony Concepcion takes on Yasmani Pedroso, former World title challenger and Providence native Shelley Vincent meets Simone Da Silva.

Tickets are on sale NOW – starting at just $28 (including fees) from https://www1.ticketmaster.com/event/010056AAED7788D1?brand=dunkindonuts&camefrom=cfc_dd_center_boxing19_web

Maciej Sulecki has branded Demetrius Andrade as one of the ‘weakest Middleweights’ as he plots to rip the WBO World title from him at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday June 29, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

**TICKETS FOR ANDRADE VS. SULECKI ARE ON SALE NOW – CLICK HERE**

Sulecki (28-1 11 KOs) travels to the champion’s backyard for his first World title challenge as Andrade (27-0 17 KOs) puts his strap on the line for the second time.

The Pole landed the clash having seen off Gabriel Rosado in a wild clash for the WBO International title in Philadelphia in March, where he floored Rosado in the first and eighth rounds but then hit the canvas twice in the ninth before winning on points after ten.

Sulecki, who previously went the distance with former two-time World ruler Daniel Jacobs, showed he has grit as well as talent in that battle with Rosado, and the 30 year old believes that he’s the first real fighter that Andrade has faced and that the champion is in for a shock next weekend.

“I am very happy I got this fight,” said Sulecki. “Daniel Jacobs was much better than Andrade – Andrade’s one of the weakest Middleweights out there in my eyes. I know for sure that I’m going to put on a great fight and show it off. I know he’s a great fighter but he hasn’t fought anybody. He’s fought Jack Culcay who is no one, and I will show the world who I am and what I can do inside that ring.

“The Rosado fight was going to plan until the 8th round, after that things changed. It was a good learning experience and now especially since I’m fighting the champion next. I watched the fight at home and I said to myself ‘What an idiot. What did I do?’ It was a very good lesson, it was two rounds that made me a better man.

“I believe the fans will come out for this fight. I remember people like Adamek, who had a great following behind them. That’s what I want too, I want that good feeling.

“It’s only talk in the press conferences and on social media, on fight night, the fists will do the talking. Talk is cheap. He’s World champion and he’s very good so he’s confident, but I am very confident too and I hope he’s ready for what I am bringing to the ring as he’s never fought anyone like me.”

Sulecki’s clash with Andrade is part of a blockbuster night of action as unbeaten Briton Kal Yafai puts his WBA Super-Flyweight title against mandatory challenger Norbelto Jimenez and former Heavyweight king Joseph Parker takes on Australian former World title challenger Alex Leapai.

Boston’s Mark DeLuca faces Canadian Brandon Brewer over ten rounds at Super-Welterweight, young talents Alexis Espino and Raymond Ford taste their third action in the paid ranks, local favorite Anthony Marsella faces Jose Aubel, with another unbeaten Providence fighter Anthony Concepcion also featuring.

Tickets are on sale NOW – starting at just $28 (including fees) from https://www1.ticketmaster.com/event/010056AAED7788D1?brand=dunkindonuts&camefrom=cfc_dd_center_boxing19_web

Boston (June 13, 2019):

Murphys Boxing is proud to announce NABA super welterweight champion, Mark DeLuca (23-1, 13 KOs) will face undefeated Canadian contender, Brandon Brewer (23-0-1, 11 KOs) on the undercard of the middleweight world championship bout between Demetrius Andrade and Maciej Sulecki live on DAZN on Saturday, June 29th in Providence, Rhode Island.

DeLuca, who is ranked #9 in the world by the WBA, is coming off a dominate unanimous decision victory over once beaten, Jimmy Williams this past March and is looking to make a statement against an undefeated opponent in order to secure a title elimination fight later this year.

“It’s on short notice but I don’t have any hesitation taking the fight.”, explains the former Marine who is one of New England’s most popular fighters.

“A good performance against an undefeated fighter of Brewer’s caliber on a DAZN televised card will hopefully be enough to land another Top 10 fighter in the ring for a title eliminator. My goal is to be the first world champion from the Boston area since John Ruiz and I feel like all the pieces are finally coming together.”

As for DeLuca’s massive Boston area fan base, the Whitman, Massachusetts native is confident they will be making the short trip down to Providence.

“It’s definitely a home game for me. Providence is only 45 minutes from my front door. I can guarantee you that Boston will be in the house.”

DeLuca’s promoter and Murphys Boxing founder, Ken Casey couldn’t agree more with his fighter.

“Mark deserves big opportunities likes this. Fighting an undefeated opponent on DAZN is a major step to a world title shot. We’re excited for boxing fans to find out what the city of Boston already knows, Mark DeLuca is one of the best super welterweights in the world.”

DeLuca vs. Brewer takes place as part of Andrade vs. Sulecki on Saturday, June 29th at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center (1 La Salle Square, Providence, RI, 02903). The event is promoted by Matchroom Boxing USA and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN. Doors open at 5pm and tickets are on sale now by calling or texting 617-657-4356 or emailing [email protected].

ABOUT MURPHYS BOXING

Murphys Boxing was founded by Dropkick Murphys’ frontman, Ken Casey in 2014. In just 5 short years, Murphys Boxing has become the premier boxing promoter in the New England area and one of the hottest young promotions in the country. 2018 was a breakout year for Murphys Boxing as they took their first fighter to a world title. Along with the promotion’s first champion, several Murphys Boxing fighters secured world title opportunities and nationally televised fights in 2018. Murphys Boxing closed out their banner year by co-promoting the WBO Middleweight Championship bout between Demetrius Andrade and Walter Kautondokwa in front of over 10,000 fans at the TD Garden, the legendary home of the Boston Celtics, which was broadcast internationally on DAZN. Murphys Boxing’s current roster features world ranked contenders like Mark DeLuca, Charles Foster, Abraham Nova, Greg Vendetti, Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan and undefeated prospects like Niall Kennedy, Carlos Gongora, William Foster III and more!

For more information visit: www.murphysboxing.com

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing Managing Director:

“Welcome welcome and what an honour it is to be sitting here in Madison Square Garden in the theatre, where I’ve only managed to get to the theatre, in terms of promoting. I’ve promoted at this great venue right here, twice, Danny Jacobs winning the IBF Middleweight World championship, also Demetrius Andrade defending his World title in January, but now we upgrade to the big daddy, the Mecca of boxing at Madison Square Garden – the big arena. 

“You will see one of the great atmospheres in this country for boxing on Saturday night. Around 8,000 Brits are coming here to sing Sweet Caroline, to drink your bars dry and to show you how to create an amazing atmosphere. There’s just a few hundred tickets left now, we will have a complete sellout on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. If you haven’t got your tickets, you need to get them very quickly. We needed to produce an undercard that we could all remember. I’m so excited, I can’t even imagine how excited these people are to get the chance to box there in, for some of them, career-defining fights. As always, it will be streamed live on DAZN in America and for the UK fans Sky Sports Box Office. What a night you have got in store.”

Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing:

“It’s another special sporting weekend ahead. What a special arena this is, the most famous in the world. AJ is here lighting up New York with posters everywhere, I thought the workout at Brookfield Place was fantastic yesterday down in the financial district. There’s a real buzz around the city and it’s an honour to be here again and it’s magnificent to have so much talent on display on Saturday night. 

“Tommy Coyle is bouncing around like a little boy, he’s so happy to be here. It’s a fantastic story, the boy from Hull who’s come all the way here to New York and tackling Chris Algieri, a great talker and a great fighter himself. What a way to get things started, I’m really looking forward to seeing two of our great hopes Joshua Buatsi and Josh Kelly in action, I believe both of them are going the whole way. It’s wonderful having Katie Taylor attempting to become the undisputed champion and saving the toughest until last in the WBC Champion Delfine Persoon, that is going to be some fight and some test for Katie.

“Callum Smith the leading Super-Middleweight after that terrific display in the World Super Series against George Groves. It is time to get Callum back on our screens, it has been a long time but we’re really looking forward to getting him going again and he’s got a tough challenge in Hassan N’Dam, who I’ve known a long time. What an opportunity they’ve all got on the big stage before the big boys go to work. Enjoy it everybody. It’s going to be a super event on Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday.”

Callum Smith – Liverpool, England – 25-0, 18 KOs – defending his WBA World ‘Super’, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight titles against Hassan N’Dam:

“I feel good, I feel excited. This is a new chapter of my career. Everything previously was the journey to become a World Champion and now I’ve achieve that let’s see what more I can achieve. 

“There’s no better place to start my journey as a World Champion than Madison Square Garden. It’s such an iconic fight venue with a lot of history. To add my name to a lot of the Brits that have boxed here over the years is going to be special for myself. 

“I’m excited and I’m looking forward to putting in a big performance. I’ve been out a little longer than I would have liked to be but I want to make up for lost time. I want to get back and remind people how good I am.

“There is talk of massive names to fight in the future but to secure them fights I’ve got to win this weekend. Big fights excite me and motivate me. I want to maximise my potential and achieve as much as I can. All of that starts on Saturday.

“Hassan is a good fighter, very experienced, a former World Champion himself and only the better fighters have beat him. I believe I am the best Super-Middleweight in the world and if that’s true I should beat Hassan, and beat him well, looking good doing it.”

Hassan N’Dam – Monte Carlo, Monaco – 37-3, 21 KOs – challenging Callum Smith for the WBA World ‘Super’, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight titles:

“Hello everyone. First of all I would like to thank Eddie Hearn. Thanks to my team for all of the work they do for me. Thanks to my wife and thanks to everyone for being here this morning for this press conference. 

“My trainer told me: ‘You tell me everyday you want to face the best in the world. Why do you need to think about this? You have an opportunity to fight on a big card at Madison Square Garden. Make your dream come true!’

“He has something that I want. I want to be ‘Super’ champion.

“This is my first time at this level at Super-Middleweight so I don’t know how I’m going to feel. But I feel good right now. I think I have experience for this kind of match and this event. Madison Square Garden is somewhere that everyone dreams of fighting at. My experience will be very important to this match.”

Katie Taylor – Bray, Ireland – 13-0, 6 KOs – fighting Delfine Persoon for the Women’s Undisputed Lightweight Championship of the World:

“The minute I turned professional I wanted to become the undisputed champion, this was always my goal. I nearly pinch myself that I have this opportunity at the Mecca of boxing Madison Square Garden, it can’t get any bigger than this. I’m ready to make history and I’m ready to perform on Saturday night. This is what I’ve always wanted. 

“Delfine Persoon is a fantastic champion and this is exactly what boxing needs, it’s champion against champion, the best vs. the best. This isn’t just what women’s boxing needs, this is what boxing needs. I’m definitely expecting the toughest test of my career but I do feel prepared for this challenge. I’ve had a really tough training camp over the last two months preparing for this fight. 

“We’re both here to make history for our nations, we’re both here to perform and it’s going to make for a very exciting fight. This is by far the biggest night of my career, this is the pinnacle of boxing to have all five belts,  the Ring Magazine belt is up for grabs as well, this is what every fighter dreams of. I understand how big this fight is and the magnitude of this event. This is why I box, these are the fights that I always wanted and I’m ready to make history.”

Delfine Persoon – Roeselare, Belgium – 43-1, 18 KOs – fighting Katie Taylor for the Women’s Undisputed Lightweight Championship of the World:

“Belgium is a small country, I think New York is bigger than Belgium! Boxing as a sport in Belgium is not recognised so I’m the first boxer that can make history for the Belgian boxing sport. For me it’s very exciting. 

“I think I will be the first Belgium boxer that can take all of the belts. I like it, its my passion. I want to do everything for it. I never thought I’d have the chance, we are ready and we go for it.

“Im expecting a tough fight, she has a lot more experience in amateur fighting, there was no national team for me in Belgium so it was no possible for me to go to World or European championships.

“Katie Taylor is an Olympic champion. I can compete with an Olympic champion and hopefully beat an Olympic champion.”

“I want to do everything in my boxing career and now I have the chance to do this.”

Josh Kelly – Sunderland, England – 9-0, 6 KOs – defending his WBA International Welterweight title against Ray Robinson:

“I feel blessed to be here and to get a chance to perform on a World stage like this is truly a blessing. Not many kids from Sunderland get this chance so I’m taking it with both hands. I’ve worked hard and I feel I’m ready for this step up. I know Ray couldn’t be here today because of family problems, family first and I wish him all the best with that. 

“I’m here now and I’m ready to put a performance on on Saturday. I really can’t wait to get in there and dance underneath those lights. It’s a bit surreal but I’m excited, I’m going to enjoy it, I’m going to take it all in and I want to perform – that’s the main thing. I can’t wait.

“The last fight he had was against Kavaliauskas and he was ranked highly. He was a tough opponent for Ray and a lot of people thought he won that fight. This is a big step up. Ray Robinson will give me a test. There won’t be any room for complacency in there on Saturday and I’m going to get the job done and come away with the W, sit back and watch the rest of the card and hopefully the rest of the British fighters do the same.”

Joshua Buatsi – Croydon, England – 10-0, 8 KOs – defending his WBA International Light-Heavyweight title against Marco Antonio Periban:

“This is a good opportunity. Like you said, Periban is a well-known Mexican fighter. He’s going to come and bring experience to the table. People are curious and everyone is intrigued to see what is going to happen so it’s up to me to go out there and put on a good show. I was hoping he would be here because I haven’t seen him but we’ll see each other face-to-face at the weigh-in and Saturday night it happens. 

“I think anyway it comes man. I’ve prepared to do ten rounds, if it goes the distance cool, if I sense any vulnerabilities or any opportunities there I’ll be there to take them. If it goes the distance cool, if it doesn’t then happy days. 

“It was good being in Miami. It was the first time I’ve been in the US overall so it was a good experience seeing how Joshua does things leading up to a fight like this. As always I’m observing and seeing how things are done so one day when I’m in that position I can do the same thing.”

Chris Algieri – New York, USA – 23-3, 8 KOs – defending his WBO International Super-Lightweight title against Tommy Coyle:

“I just want to first of all thank Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing for putting on this amazing event and to my promoter Joe Deguardiafrom Star Boxing, as well as Sky Sports which it is going to be great to be exposed to a whole new fanbase out there. Also to DAZN which is the premier platform for all things boxing now, and a bunch of other things as well. I think it really is the way of the future in terms of where we are right now where networks are starting to fall and apps are starting to become the major thing.

“This fight is a huge opportunity. This is exactly why I came back to the sport. I want to be a World Champion, this fight puts me back in that position so I’ve got to go out there and not only win, but look impressive and angle myself for another World title run. This is why I am here. I’m feeling great, this training camp has been fantastic. I have an opponent in Tommy Coyle that gets me excited to go out there. I really think it’s going to be a fantastic fight. Make sure you tune in. 

“There’s been a lot of talk about a lot of the stuff that I have been doing outside of the ring but I want to go back to everybody talking about what I do inside the ring so on Saturday night I’m looking forward to putting on a great show and coming out with the victory and moving forward.

Joe Deguardia, promoter of Chris Algieri:

“Its a pleasure to be here, this is something really special this fight between Tommy and Chris. I don’t know if it’s going to be the battle of the mics or the battle of the ring, because both of them are great speakers. Chris Algieri’s history is something special, we are as a team pleased to be here Eddie, thank you. DAZN are taking over boxing, it’s the perfect place to watch and be sure to tune in early on DAZN because this is going to be on early. It’s going to be a great fight leading into the World Championship here at Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of boxing. It’s always spectacular to be fighting at MSG, there’s no place in the World like it. I’m really looking forward to this fight between Tommy and Chris.

“Chris has been something special behind and outside the ring, between his interviews, between what he’s done as a nutritionist working with all of the fighters. Inside the ring he has been something special as well. I know Chris is hungry to get his title back, he’s never lost at 140lbs and Tommy is standing in the way. Eddie has it right, the winner of this fight probably fights for the championship of the World next.”

Tommy Coyle – Hull, England – 25-4, 12 KOs – challenging Chris Algieri for the WBO International Super-Lightweight title:

“I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be fighting at the Mecca of boxing which is Madison Square Garden. I’m so so excited but it’s a huge huge opportunity for me to go on and do something which I probably thought would never happen in my career. 

“With opportunity comes pressure, but without pressure you don’t get diamonds and I genuinely think Saturday night I’m going to go in there and shine like a diamond. I think it’s the right time for me, I’ve improved as a fighter, I’m really coming into my own now and I’m just mega excited. I keep laughing to myself, waiting for someone to tell me that it’s a prank. I’m usually pulling the pranks but it’s happening, I’m here and it’s going off.

“100% this is a very winnable fight. It’s a great fight. Chris Algieri is a fantastic fighter, he’s a better dresser, he dresses fantastic – I like his style. I really really think this is a fight for me where I can really look good. I’m not going to have to go and find him, I just think the styles will gel fantastically and I know I’ve got too much inside.”

Souleymane Cissokho – Bagnolet, France – 8-0, 6 KOs – fighting Vladimir Hernandez in a eight round Super-Welterweight contest:

“Thanks Matchroom, thanks Eddie, thanks everybody. I’m very happy to be here. It’s a very great fight card. I had a great training camp and I can’t wait to show you all who I am. Thanks.”

Demetrius Andrade and Maciej Sulecki came face-to-face for the first time as they prepare to clash in Andrade’s first hometown fight and second defense of his WBO World Middleweight title at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday June 29, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

**TICKETS FOR ANDRADE VS. SULECKI ARE ON SALE NOW – CLICK HERE**

Andrade (27-0 17 KOs) has had to wait to top the bill in his Providence backyard but does so in the most important fight of his spotless career – with promoter Eddie Hearn rightly calling ‘Boo Boo’s’ WBO strap the missing piece of the undisputed puzzle at 160lbs.

The two-time two-weight World ruler has made no secret of his desire to fight WBA, WBC, IBF and Ring magazine king Canelo Alvarez for all the marbles, so victory against the rugged Pole is a must on June 29.
Sulecki (28-1 11 KOs) has promised to rip the title from Andrade and launch himself into that A1 position himself, and the 30 year old showed both his ability, desire and heart in a rollercoaster clash with Gabriel Rosado in Philadelphia in March.

That win landed Sulecki the shot at Andrade, but the champion believes that this is a breakout fight for him and the challengers style will provide him with the perfect showcase for his undisputed credentials.

“It’s that time – Providence, Rhode Island – wow,” said Andrade. “It’s my homecoming, it’s an exciting moment for me, my family and my team. It’s a great honor to be headlining at home.

“Maciej is a good fighter, there’s no doubt. He’s had some tough grueling fights, he’s shown balls to win, but on June 29 that won’t happen. I’ve got an answer for everything he brings and this is my time – he’s got this far, but he goes no further – no one is stopping this train.

“I’ve been through a lot, people see me smiling but I’ve had to fight hard to be World champion, twice, and now I’ve got the chance to show my people what I do. The wolf is coming out, I’m breaking bones and biting hard – Sulecki comes to fight ad that’s what I want, he’s going to show my skills off and show that I am the man in this division.”

“I want to thank the Polish fans and American fans for supporting me,” said Sulecki. “I am here because I want to win this fight and I will be 100 per cent ready. He’s a good fighter, a two-time World champion, but he’s not boxed anyone as good as me. It’s my dream to be World champion and on June 29 that dream comes true.”

“The WBO is the final link to undisputed,” said Hearn. “There’s a guy called Canelo with the other belts but you cannot be undisputed without this belt, and the winner on June 29 takes a step closer to being undisputed.

“Demetrius has been searching for that fighter that comes to fight – and Maciej comes to fight every time. He will never, ever go into his shell, he’s coming to fight for every second of the 12 three-minute World championship rounds.

“I have wanted to bring a fight to Dunkin’ Donuts since we signed Demetrius and this is the first World title fight in Rhode Island in 28 years – we need the city to get behind this event and this great Providence fighter, this is your opportunity to come out and support an elite fighter that is one of your own.

“There will be a great undercard announced next week in support of this brilliant World title fight, with another World title fight and a big Heavyweight title fight plus lots of young talents and local favorites.”

Ticket are on sale NOW – with tickets starting at just $28 (including fees) from https://www1.ticketmaster.com/event/010056AAED7788D1?brand=dunkindonuts&camefrom=cfc_dd_center_boxing19_web

Tickets for the homecoming WBO World Middleweight title defense of Demetrius Andrade are on presale NOW as he puts his belt on the line against Maciej Sulecki at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday June 29, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

Andrade (27-0 17 KOs) makes the second defense of his crown in his first ever fight in his Providence backyard, with the two-weight World king landing the belt in Boston with an emphatic points win over Walter Kautondokwa in October and then stopping Artur Akavov in the final round of their January clash in New York.

The former WBO Junior-Middleweight ruler holds a powerful position in the star-studded 160lbs division as one of two World champions after Canelo Alvarez defeated Daniel Jacobs to add his IBF crown to the WBA and WBC belts he owns – meaning ‘Boo Boo’ is hunting an undisputed fight with the Mexican superstar.

Sulecki (28-1 11 KOs) will want to gatecrash those plans and the all-action Pole promises to deliver a war on June 29. The 30 year old challenger comes into the bout on the back of a thrilling clash with Gabriel Rosado in March, pocketing the WBO International belt after flooring the hometown favorite in the second and eighth rounds but then hitting the deck twice himself in the ninth.

The pair will come face-to-face at a press conference at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center next Wednesday and fans can get their hands on tickets NOW – with tickets starting at just $28 (including fees).

Fans can visit: https://www1.ticketmaster.com/matchroom-boxing-usa/event/010056AAED7788D1 and enter the code MBUSA to access presale tickets.

Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Wednesday May 22.

Demetrius Andrade will defend the WBO Middleweight title against Maciej Sulecki on June 29th in Andrade’s hometown of Providence, Rhode Island, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“It’s done. It’s his homecoming,” said Andrade’s promoter Eddie Hearn, who is co-promoting the middleweight world title unification fight between Canelo Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs, on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena. “Hopefully, we can fill up the Dunkin Donuts Center and make it a big deal, and he can start getting some credibility and profile and say, ‘I’m not just a B-side. I’m the link to the undisputed title.'”

“After Saturday night, there will be one guy with three of the belts, and I got the fourth,” Andrade told ESPN. “Both guys (Alvarez and Jacobs) have been very vocal about wanting to unify after this fight, so let’s make it happen. We all feel that we are the best in the division, and there is only one way to find that out. I wish both Canelo and Danny the best on Saturday night, but they better know I’m there watching with a purpose.”

“If Canelo wins, he has to fight Demetrius if he wants to be undisputed world champion,” Hearn said. “The bigger fight commercially for DAZN is, obviously, a third fight with Golovkin, but [Alvarez] never got the chance to be undisputed. Now there’s no reason we can’t have an undisputed middleweight world champion. So that’s what we will be pushing for.

“I said to [Andrade], ‘You are in the most golden position ever. You are the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle for the undisputed title. So just keep winning.’ Sulecki will give him a chance to look good, in my opinion. He needs a fighter that comes to fight.”

“Sulecki has proven his worth,” Hearn said. “He had a great fight with Jacobs and just beat Rosado in a wonderful fight.”

“Sulecki is one of the top guys in the division, and his only loss is to Danny, in a fight where he gave Danny problems. You can’t overlook this guy,” Andrade said. “He has earned this shot, and I am expecting him to bring it. That being said, I am the best 160-pounder in the sport, and I plan on showing every single aspect of that come June 29th. This is my time.”

“Originally, we were going to do it in early June, and when he finished the fight [with Rosado], he said he had a hand problem and wasn’t sure if he’d be ready for June,” Hearn said. “Then they assessed it and said he would be ready for the middle of June. Obviously, now the fight is at the end of June, so no problem.”

The Middleweight clash between Gabriel Rosado and Maciej Sulecki on Friday night (March 15) at the Liacouras Center, Philadelphia live on DAZN in the US and Sky Sports in the UK, has extra spice added to it as promoter Eddie Hearn announced that the winner is likely to face WBO kingpin Demetrius Andrade in June.

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Rosado and Sulecki promised to be a war from the get-go when the fight was announced in January, but now the WBO International title will be on the line, and with that, a likely shot at Rhode Island star Andrade in the summer.

Rosado (24-11-1 14 KOs) is back in action following his closely fought draw with Luis Arias in Mulvane, Kansas in November – another contentious fight for the Philly favorite who will now be chasing a third World title shot in his first fight on home turf in seven years.

Sulecki (27-1 11 KOs) is hunting a first World title shot having returned to winning ways in November with a second round stoppage of Jean Michel Hamilcaro in his native Poland. The 29 year old gave Daniel Jacobs a stern test in April before the Brooklyn man moved on to become a two-weight World ruler, and Sulecki will believe that experience will serve him against Rosado.

WBO ruler Andrade defended his title live on DAZN in January against Artur Akavov at Madison Square Garden in New York, and the streaming giants rubber-stamped their status as the home of the elite Middleweights by adding Kazakh star Gennady Golovkin to the phenomenal roster of 160lbers, with Canelo Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs clashing in a unification blockbuster on DAZN on May 4 in Las Vegas.

“I’m pretty sure that the winner of Saturday’s fight will be the next opponent for Demetrius in June,” said Hearn. “It’s a massive fight for Gabe and Maciej – we know that DAZN is the home of the Middleweights and these two have the opportunity on Friday to unlock the door to the big time.

“I expect an absolute war between both men, I think it could be fight of the night and on this card, that’s saying something!”

Rosado’s clash with Sulecki is part of a huge night of action in Philadelphia on St Patrick’s weekend topped by a World title double-header as Philly’s Tevin Farmer (28-4-1 6 KOs) comes home to defend his IBF Super-Featherweight title against Ireland’s Jono Carroll (16-0-1 3 KOs), and Irish sensation Katie Taylor (12-0 5 KOs) looks to unify the Lightweight division once again, putting her IBF and WBA straps on the line against Brazil’s WBO champion Rose Volante (14-0 8 KOs).

Philly Lightweight’s Hank Lundy (29-7-1 14 KOs) and Avery Sparrow (9-1 3 KOs) battle for local pride, Olympic gold medal pair Luke Campbell MBE (19-2 15 KOs) and Daniyar Yeleussinov (5-0 3 KOs) and silver medalist John Joe Nevin (11-0 4 KOs) taste their first action of 2019, unbeaten Super-Middleweight D’Mitrius Ballard (19-0 12 KOs) faces Victor Fonseca (17-9-1 14 KOs) while exciting New Jersey amateur star Raymond Ford makes his pro debut.

Former WBO Middleweight Middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders has his suspension for a failed drug test, and now a purse bid will take place for a bout woth new champion Demetrius Andrade, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

In a letter sent to Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, Andrade’s promoter, and Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions, Saunders’ promoter, the WBO gave the camps 30 days to negotiate a deal for the bout. If they cannot come to an agreement by then, a purse bid will be held. The minimum bid was set at $200,000, though the promotional rights to the fight would likely go for millions if a purse bid takes place.

NEW YORK CITY, NY — In the main event of a night of boxing broadcast on DAZN from Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater, Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade took his scalpel and chiseled away at Artur “Wolverine” Akavov for eleven-plus rounds en route to a 12th round TKO victory, retaining his WBO world middleweight title in the process.

It was Andrade’s first defense of his WBO strap since winning it convincingly against Walter Kautondokwa in October. That contest was originally supposed to pit Andrade against Billy Joe Saunders, who was replaced by Kautondokwa after failing a drug test.

It wasn’t a particularly hard night at the office for the 30 year-old Rhode Island native. Andrade set the distance early, kept his fellow southpaw opponent at bay, all the while methodically peppering in shots clean shots round after round.

The former ‘08 US Olympian, Andrade, shifted into cruise control in the early goings and never changed gears. Akavov had no answer as to how to get inside Andrade’s reach or mount any significant offensive attack.

Eventually, Andrade broke through in the 9th round when a left hand opened a nasty cut over Akavov’s right eye that would trouble him for the remainder of the fight.

After sustaining continuous damage in the ensuing rounds, referee Arthur Mercante, Jr. decided enough was enough and stopped the contest at the 2:36 mark of round 12. Although bloody and beaten, the stoppage seemed unnecessary as only :24 seconds remained and Akavov was not in any clear danger.

The result snapped a three fight win streak for the Russian, Akavov, and also marked the second time the 33 year-old has come up short in a world title fight. He also dropped a unanimous decision to Billy Joe Saunders for the very same WBO title in 2016. His only other professional defeat also came via the cards against Oleg Lissev in 2012.

Andrade remains well positioned to score a bigger fight for a bigger payday later in 2019. Fellow middleweight title holders and DAZN fighters, Canelo Alvarez (WBC) and Daniel Jacobs (IBF), will meet in a monster unification clash set for May 4 in Las Vegas.

Cano Stuns Linares, Stops Him In 1!

Veteran Mexican fighter Pablo Cesar Cano (32-7-1, 22KO) scored the biggest win of his career and shocked the boxing world in the process, flooring former three-division world champion Jorge Linares (45-5, 28KO) three times in the opening round of a scheduled twelve en route to a first round TKO victory.

About :30 seconds into the contest, the 29 year-old Cano landed an overhand right that exploded above Linares’ left ear and sent the flashy Venezuelan thudding to the mat. Cano kept the heat on, and didn’t allow Linares to ever fully recover. Another Cano right sent Linares to the canvas again, and shortly after, Cano connected with a left hook that dropped his 33 year-old counterpart for the final time. Linares beat that ensuing ten count, but a one last Cano flurry put Linares on unsteady legs, and referee Ricky Gonzalez stepped between the two fighters to stop the contest at the 2:48 mark of round one.

The result now becomes the signature win that has seemingly eluded Cano for his entire career. Prior to tonight, each time Cano has stepped up in competition, he has come up short. Fighters who have had their hands raised against Cano include former world champions Paulie Malignaggi, Shane Mosley, and Erik Morales.

This was the second fight back for Linares since losing via stoppage to Visiliy Lomachenko in the very same venue last may. Linares bounced back from that loss with a KO win over Abner Cotto in September.

Each of Linares’ five career losses have come via stoppage.

With the knockout, Cano retained his WBC International Silver Super Lightweight Title, a belt he won against the previously unbeaten Ruslan Madiev in September.

This fight was only Linares’ second fight at 140 lbs., and first against a true junior welterweight. The classy vet, who debuted professionally in 2002, now needs to consider how to move forward and give thought as to which division suits him best.

He’s Got The Power: TJ Doherty Retains Title, Stops Takahashi in 11

TJ “The Power” Doheny (21-0, 15KO) made his first successful defense of his IBF world super bantamweight belt, stopping Japan’s Ryohei Takahashi (16-4-1, 6KO) in the 11th round.

The Irish-born Australian champion set the tone early, finding his target with crisp jabs and pistoning lefts from his southpaw stance.

About a minute into the second round, the two combatants clashed heads which produced almost identical cuts over the bridge of their noses, between the eyes.

The 32 year-old champion turned up the heat in the third and administered three lefts in rapid succession that sent an already off-balance Takahashi to the mat.

Doheny, who claimed his strap by decisioning then-champion Ryosuka Iwasa in Tokyo in August, seemed to get off first in every exchange and never let Takahashi get comfortable. Eventually, punches began to accumulate and take their toll on the challenger.

As the rounds progress, Takahashi’s offensive bursts proved less and less effective, while Doheny’s shots were still finding their home.

After landing a clean combination in the 11th round, referee Michael Ortega stepped in at the 2:18 mark and called a halt to the contest.

Doheny’s win sets up a potential bantamweight unification clash between Doheny and fellow Matchroom Sports client and WBA champion, Danny Roman (26-2-1, 10KO), who joined Doheny in the ring after the bout.

Chris Algieri Edges Daniel Gonzalez in Ten Round Clash

Chris Algieri (23-3, 8KO) scored a controversially wide unanimous decision victory against fellow New Yorker, Daniel “El Gallo” Gonzalez (17-2-1, 7KO) in a closely contested ten round junior welterweight contest.

The 34 year-old Algieri got out to a fast start, making a conscious commitment to hammer away at Gonzalez’s body. Theoretically, that should have paid dividends as the fight bore on, however, Gonzalez seemed seemed to gain momentum round after round.

By the middle rounds, it seemed that the Woodhaven, Queens native, Gonzalez, was fighting the fight he mapped out in camp. He was applying pressure, forcing Algieri to constantly be on the move, and landing shots in the process. To his credit, Huntington’s Algieri, countered slickly, and for the most part avoided eating any big blows. In the seventh round a clash of heads late produced a nasty welt and cut under Algieri’s left eye.

At the end of ten the judges scorecards of 98-92, 97-93, and 96-94 for Algieri were met with boos upon reading.

Tonight marked Algieri’s second fight back in the ring since taking time off after getting TKO’d by Errol Spence, Jr. in 2016. The former Manny Pacquiao foe decisioned Angel Hernandez in November.

Gonzalez only other career defeat came via TKO courtesy of Danny O’Connor in 2017.

Put Her In The Books! Serrano Captures Title In 7th Weight Division

Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (36-1-1, 27KO) once again made history, needing just :35 seconds to defeat Eva Voraberger (24-6, 11KO) to capture the WBO world female super flyweight championship in her record breaking seventh weight division.

Serrano was simply in another league, throwing punches fast and furious from the onset, overwhelming Voraberger. Serrano landed a beautiful combination that culminated with a vicious left that landed right under Voraberger’s rib cage, forcing her down to a knee where she was counted out by referee Sparkle Lee.

Serrano last fought in September when she won the WBO world female super lightweight title against Yamila Esther Reynosa in Brooklyn. That fight took place at 140 lbs. In an unprecedented move, Serrano cut 25 lbs. and dropped six weight divisions for tonight’s fight where she went on to earn her seventh weight world title, this time in the 115 lb. division.

Serrano’s lone blemish remains a 2012 unanimous decision loss against Frida Walberg in 2012 in Sweden.

Tonight’s win makes it 21 straight for Serrano. The fight also marks the first of a three-fight deal for Serrano with DAZN, which, if all goes according to plan, will culminate with a female super-fight pitting her against the WBO female lightweight champion and former Irish gold medal Olympian, Katie Taylor.

Reshat “The Albanian Bear” Roars Past Borteye

Reshat “The Albanian Bear” Mati (3-0, 2KO) manhandled Benjamin Borteye (4-4 4KO), knocking him down and finishing him off in the first of their scheduled 4 round welterweight scrap. The 20 year-old Albanian-American, Mati, overwhelmed his gun-shy and awkward counterpart from the bell. Mati, who like Sosa, also trains at Atlas Cops & Kids, dropped Borteye midway through the round with a huge right hand, and kept his foot on the gas, landing one final blow that knocked Borteye off balance and back into the ropes, which held him upright. The referee stopped the contest then and there, resulting in the first round TKO for Mati.

Julian Sosa Runs Record to 13-0-1, Stops Nzau in 4

Welterweight Julian Sosa (13-0-1, 5KO) made it two for two for Brooklyn boxers on the night by TKO’ing Congo’s Dieumerci Nzau (11-7, 8KO) in a contest originally slated for 6 rounds. Sosa, who fights out of Atlas Cops & Kids and is trained by Aureliano Sosa, used nifty footwork to create angles to cleanly land on Nzau. Lead lefts hooks were arguably Sosa’s best punches, but it was a right hand that dropped his 30 year-old counterpart in the third round. Nzau never answered the bell for round 4 and the contest was halted. The official time of the stoppage was 2:59 of round 4.

Solomon Bounces Back, Notches First Career Win

Brooklyn heavyweight Nkosi Solomon (1-1) rebounded nicely from suffering a shocking defeat in his pro debut by earning a unanimous decision victory against former two-time Georgia Golden Gloves champion, Rodriguez Cade (2-4, 2KO). The 24 year-old Solomon, who was once the #1 ranked US amateur in the super-heavyweight division, won definitively, but not pretty. Cade’s game plan was pretty simple — try to land a big shot and knock Solomon out. Not the worst idea considering Solomon was put down twice in his pro debut back in October. Tonight, however, Solmon’s defense was a bit more buttoned up and he was able to avoid his 29 year-old counterpart’s biggest punches.

Solomon’s best round was undoubtedly the third, in which he floord Cade with a huge overhand right. At the end of four, all judges scored it a shutout for Solomon, 40-35.

Golden Boy Prospect Hines Stays Perfect

Golden Boy Promotions welterweight prospect, Cornell Hines (4-0, 2KO) shook off some ring rust and survived a tough challenge from Farhad Fatulla (1-3) en route to a four round majority decision victory. The 25 year-old DC native, Hines, who fought only once last year struggled to get into any sort of offensive rhythm, but did enough to eke out a win on the judges’ cards. Scores were 38-38, and 39-37 twice for Hines. The match kicked off a night of fights broadcast live on DAZN from the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City that will culminate with Demetrius Andrade defending his WBO middleweight title against Artur Akavov.

Demetrius Andrade has vowed to dominate the Middleweight division in 2019 – starting with the first defense of his WBO World title against Artur Akavov on Friday January 18 at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

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Andrade (26-0 16KOs) puts his WBO 160lb crown on the line for the first time against the Russian in New York, and the two-weight World ruler is eager to kick off 2019 with a bang having returned to the ring in style in 2018.

The Rhode Island star picked up the WBO crown with a commanding win over Walter Kautondokwa in Boston in October, flooring the undefeated African dangerman four times in the opening four rounds in his first fight in a year and his first title bout at 160lbs.

Andrade steps straight back into action and face-to-face with the ‘Wolverine’ Akavov (19-2 8KOs), who fights for the strap for the second time having ran previous incumbent Billy Joe Saunders close for the belt December 2016 in Glasgow.

‘Boo Boo’ knows that Akavov will put it all on the line in the Big Apple, but the champion wants to lay down a marker as the first of the Middleweight World champions to fight in 2019 – and he plans to prove that he will emerge as the top dog in a talent-heavy division with Canelo Alvarez, Daniel Jacobs, Gennady Golovkin, Jermall Charlo and Saunders amongst the huge names there for big fights.

“I’m out there trying to fight the undefeated guys, the champions, that’s what I want,” said Andrade. “I get in there with anyone at 160lbs – and I beat them all. It’s the time for the elite to fight each in 2019, people want to see me fight the big names and I want them.

“It’s going to happen, I am here, I’ve got the World title and I want the best. Akavov is coming to New York to take that title from me so I know that I have to be on my game as he’s a dangerous man, but trust me, when I shine on January 18, we’re going for all the big names next.

“My first fight was meant to be Saunders – an undefeated champion – and then I beat another undefeated fighter to win the title. That’s what I am about and that’s what I want my year to be, champion vs. champion, Demetrius Andrade vs. the best out there.”

Andrade clashes with Akavov on a huge night of action in New York, with a second World title bout on the card sees Amanda Serrano (35-1-1 26KOs) gunning for history as she looks to land World honors in an extraordinary seventh weight class as she meets WBC and IBF World Super-Flyweight champion Eva Voraberger (24-5 11KOs) – the Austrian tasked with stopping Serrano’s bid for glory.

Former World Lightweight ruler Jorge Linares continues his comeback trail on the card when he meets Pablo Cesar Cano. Linares’ (45-4 28KOs) reign as WBA and Ring Magazine champion was ended in an epic clash with pound-for-pound star Vasily Lomachenko at Madison Square Garden in May, with Linares felling the Ukrainian star in the sixth before being stopped four rounds later.

Linares returned to winning ways in September with a third round stoppage win over Abner Cotto in September in California and starts 2019 with his 50th pro fight against Cano (31-7-1 21KOs), the Mexican former World title challenger who landed the WBC International Silver strap in his last outing in September – and Linares is joined by fellow Golden Boy Boxing star Alexis Rocha (12-0 8KOs), the 21 year old Welterweight talent ready to begin his charge for titles in 2019.

Former World Super-Lightweight champion Chris Algieri (22-3 8KOs) made his return from two years out of the ring in November with a ten round win in Huntington, Long Island, and the 34 year old faces fellow New Yorker Danny Gonzalez (17-1-1 7KOs) in his second bout back, with the carrot of major fights later in the year dangling in front of Algieri.

One of Matchroom Boxing USA’s rising stars tastes his first action in 2019 on the card as Reshat Mati (2-0 1KO) returns to the scene of his last outing in October where the ‘Albanian Bear’ went the four round distance in his second fight.

NEW YORK CITY (DEC. 21, 2018): Former lightweight king Jorge “El Niño de Oro” Linares (45-4, 28 KOs) will continue his comeback trail when he challenges Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano (31-7-1, 21 KOs) for his WBC International Silver Super Lightweight Title in a 12-round battle on the undercard of the fight between Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (26-0, 16 KOs) and Artur Akavov (19-2, 8 KOs). The event will take place on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden and will be streamed live on DAZN – which is just $9.99 per month after a one-month free trial.

“Jorge Linares has been an important staple of Golden Boy Promotions for many years and has established himself as a fighter who can come back from any setback,” said Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions. “He’s beaten some of the best fighters in three different weight classes, and I’m looking forward to his rise in this new weight division. Pablo Cesar Cano has also played in important role at Golden Boy, giving tough fights to almost everybody at 140 and 147 pounds. This will be a great fight between two experienced warriors, and I’m delighted that it will be streamed on DAZN.”

Linares, a 33-year-old Venezuelan considered one of the top fighters in the world, will return after making his debut at 140 pounds by stopping Abner “Pin” Cotto via third-round technical knockout. After earning world titles in the featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight divisions, Linares hopes to earn yet another world title in this new weight division, but only if he can get past a tough challenge against Cano.

“My next goal is to become the first four-division world champion from Venezuela,” said Jorge Linares. “I accomplished what I needed to accomplish at 135 pounds, and in my last fight with Abner Cotto, I showed that I can take my speed and power to this new division. We’ve been going back to the basics with my old trainer Jorge Zerpa, and I know I can earn another world title in this new weight class. But first I have a tough fight against Pablo Cesar Cano, a young veteran with a lot of experience who is naturally a super lightweight. I’m expecting a tough fight against Cano, but I’m motivated to give fans a great fight in New York City and on this new platform, DAZN.”

Cano is a 29-year-old puncher who has faced many names in the 140 and 147-pound division. The native of Tlalnepantla, Mexico has taken on the likes of Sugar Shane Mosley, Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi, Ashley “Treasure” Theophane, and Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera in his career. Cano’s best victory was against Johan “El Terrible Perez, where he earned the interim WBA Super Lightweight Title. Cano will return after upsetting Ruslan Madiev for the regional title he currently holds.

“I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions for giving me the enormous opportunity of fighting a great world champion on Jorge Linares,” said Pablo Cesar Cano. “To repeat, this is a great opportunity that I will not fail to take advantage of. The fans know the kind of fighter I am and that the only way you’ll get me to quit is by taking me out on a stretcher. But I warn everyone: that will not happen.”

Rising Golden Boy prospect Alexis “Lex” Rocha (12-0, 8 KOs) of Santa Ana, Calif. will return in his first 10-round battle. Rocha is a hard-hitting southpaw who was last seen defeating Carlos Ortiz via eight-round unanimous decision on the Canelo vs. GGG 2 undercard in September.

Andrade vs. Avakov is a 12-round fight for the WBO Middleweight World Championship
presented by Matchroom Boxing in association with DiBella Entertainment. The event will take place on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden and will be streamed live on DAZN – which is just $9.99 per month after a one-month free trial.

Tickets for the event are on sale now at www.MSG.com. Tickets start at $46!

About DAZN:
Globally, DAZN is a live and on-demand sports streaming service created by fans, for fans, that is leading the charge to provide access to sports anytime, anywhere. DAZN guarantees no long-term contract, no bundles, just one affordable price for access to all the service’s sports on connected devices including smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, games consoles and PCs. DAZN is currently available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, Canada, Italy and now the U.S. at just $9.99 per month after a one-month free trial – where it is becoming a must-have service for sports fans, with a daily show featuring live look-ins to Major League Baseball games beginning in 2019 and more than 100 fight nights already lined up from Matchroom Boxing, Bellator MMA, the World Boxing Super Series, Combate Americas and the recently announced Golden Boy Promotions.

For more information, visit http://www.matchroomboxing.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @MatchRoomBoxing, @GoldenBoyBoxing, and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MatchroomBoxing
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Follow on Instagram @MatchroomBoxing, @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #AndradeAvakov

Demetrius Andrade will make the first defense of his WBO World Middleweight against Artur Akavov on a bumper show at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York on Friday January 18, live on DAZN in the US and Sky Sports in the UK.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FROM WWW.MSG.COM – TICKETS START AT $46!

Andrade (26-0 16KOs) claimed the title in October to become a two-weight World champion, flooring Walter Kautondokwa four times as he comfortably outpointed the tough number African in Boston to land the title. The unbeaten Rhode Island ace had been out of the ring for a year as he boxed in the Massachusetts capital, and ‘Boo Boo’ now wants to become an active champ as he targets unification battles in 2019.

Akavov (19-2 8KOs) will be confident of ripping up those plans as he challenges for the title for the second time, having pushed former champion Billy Joe Saunders all the way in Glasgow in December 2016, being narrowly edged out by the Londoner. The Russian landed the WBO International title in his last outing in May in Latvia, a win that saw him climb to #8 in the rankings with the WBO and move into position to rip the crown from the 32 year old in the Big Apple.

“I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity,” said Andrade. “Fighting at Madison Square Garden, where so many great fighters have fought is a true honor, and something I have dreamt about my entire life.

“People might not know much about Akavov, but this is a guy who went overseas and gave Billy Joe Saunders absolute hell. Most people thought that he should have won the fight. This is an optional defense, so I could have fought anyone I wanted, but we chose to fight a guy that we know is going to bring it all night long and a guy who in many people’s eyes beat Saunders.

“I know that I have an extremely tough task in front of me, but that’s what this game is all about. I want all the top guys, all the belts and with Eddie Hearn and DAZN behind me and continuing to give me these opportunities to showcase my talent to the world, the other champions can’t hide for long. This is my time and January 18 is another step in that direction.”

“After the fight with Saunders, I was hoping for a rematch because that fight left a lot of unanswered questions,” said Akavov. “I believe that Andrade is a better fighter than Saunders and this is my chance to answer those questions. I understand the weight of the responsibility that is on my shoulders and will give it 100 per cent.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn is lining up a stacked bill in support of the main event, and a second World title bout on the card sees Amanda Serrano (35-1-1 26KOs) gunning for history as she looks to land World honors in an extraordinary seventh weight class as she meets WBC and IBF World Super-Flyweight champion Eva Voraberger (24-5 11KOs) – the Austrian tasked with stopping Serrano’s bid for glory.

“I’m super excited to be able to make history alongside the biggest and best network out now, DAZN,” said Serrano. “Being part of the best makes you want to raise the bar and we will do that together.”

Former World Lightweight ruler Jorge Linares continues his comeback trail on the card when he meets Pablo Cesar Cano. Linares’ (45-4 28KOs) reign as WBA and Ring Magazine champion was ended in an epic clash with pound-for-pound star Vasily Lomachenko at Madison Square Garden in May, with Linares felling the Ukrainian star in the sixth before being stopped four rounds later.

Linares returned to winning ways in September with a third round stoppage win over Abner Cotto in September in California and starts 2019 with his 50th pro fight against Cano (31-7-1 21KOs), the Mexican former World title challenger who landed the WBC International Silver strap in his last outing in September – and Linares is joined by fellow Golden Boy Boxing star Alexis Rocha (12-0 8KOs), the 21 year old Welterweight talent ready to begin his charge for titles in 2019.

“My next goal is to become the first four-division world champion from Venezuela,” said Jorge Linares. “I accomplished what I needed to accomplish at 135 pounds, and in my last fight with Abner Cotto I showed that I can take my speed and power to this new division.

“We’ve been going back to the basics with my old trainer Jorge Zerpa, and I know I can earn another World title in this new weight class. But first I have a tough fight against Pablo Cesar Cano, a young veteran with a lot of experience who is naturally a super lightweight. I’m expecting a tough fight against Cano, but I’m motivated to give fans a great fight in New York City and on this new platform, DAZN.”

“I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions for giving me the enormous opportunity of fighting a great world champion on Jorge Linares,” said Pablo Cesar Cano. “To repeat, this is a great opportunity that I will not fail to take advantage of. The fans know the kind of fighter I am and that the only way you’ll get me to quit is by taking me out on a stretcher. But I warn everyone: that will not happen.”

“Jorge Linares has been an important staple of Golden Boy Promotions for many years and has established himself as a fighter who can come back from any setback,” said Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions. “He’s beaten some of the best fighters in three different weight classes, and I’m looking forward to his rise in this new weight division.

“Pablo Cesar Cano has also played in important role at Golden Boy, giving tough fights to almost everybody at 140 and 147 pounds. This will be a great fight between two experienced warriors, and I’m delighted that it will be streamed on DAZN.”

Former World Super-Lightweight champion Chris Algieri (22-3 8KOs) made his return from two years out of the ring in November with a ten round win in Huntington, Long Island, and the 34 year old faces fellow New Yorker Danny Gonzalez (17-1-1 7KOs) in his second bout back, with the carrot of major fights later in the year dangling in front of Algieri.

Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing, the promoter of both Algieri and Gonzalez stated: “Both Algieri and Gonzalez jumped at the chance of fighting each other at the Theater at MSG. Although they know each other well and are Star Boxing stablemates, they both recognize the enormous opportunity this fight provides and I am looking forward to January 18.”

One of Matchroom Boxing USA’s rising stars tastes his first action in 2019 on the card as Reshat Mati (2-0 1KO) returns to the scene of his last outing in October where the ‘Albanian Bear’ went the four round distance in his second fight.

Andrade vs. Akavov is a co-promotion between Matchroom Boxing USA and DiBella Entertainment, and Lou DiBella is confident his charge can rip the title from the champion, and that Serrano will make history.

“Anyone who saw Artur Akavov’s bout with Billy Joe Saunders knows that he is a relentless fighter capable of competing on the big stage,” said Lou DiBella. “Akavov may not be very well known to the average American boxing fan right now, but there is no better way to change that than by beating Demetrius Andrade and no better place than in the heart of New York City.

“There is no doubt that Amanda Serrano is the best pound-for-pound fighter in women’s boxing and one of the most accomplished fighters in the sport, regardless of gender. By fighting for a championship in her seventh weight class, Amanda is again showing her desire to chase greatness. Props to DAZN and Eddie Hearn for believing in Amanda’s talent and providing her this platform.”

“The Middleweight division is on fire right now and Demetrius is a key player,” said Hearn. “He is the one looking to lay down the gauntlet by kicking off 2019 and will be looking to deal with Akavov in style before moving into blockbuster fights.

“It’s a huge show and we are delighted to welcome Jorge Linares to the card. Jorge has boxed on many of our shows in the UK and is a pound-for-pound quality fighter, I love the Maurice Hooker fight in the summer.

“Chris Algieri, who is also in line for Hooker, returns in a local derby and female star Amanda Serrano looks to make history – there’s even more to be announced and fans are going to get plenty of bang for their buck at Madison Square Garden on January 18.”

Tickets for January 18 are on sale now priced from $46 (including booking fee) – tickets are available from www.MSG.com

Demetrius Andrade became a three-time, and now two-division world champion as he won the WBO Middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated and unheralded Walter Kautondokwa at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

In round one, Andrade landed a grazing left at the same time the feet got tangled and Kautondokwa fell to the canvas. Andrade landed a left while Kautondowkwa was on the ground but it was ruled a clean knockdown by referee Steve Willis. n round three, Andrade drilled Kautondokwa with a perfect left hand that sent him to the canvas for a 2nd time. In round four, both fighters landed hard shots, but it was Kautondokwa who hit the canvas. Moments later it was an inside right hook that put Kautondokwa down again.

Andrade cruised home to the victory by scores of 120-104 twice and 119-105 to raise his mark to 26-0. Kautondokwa of Namibia is 17-1.

Katie Taylor remained undefeated as she defended the IBF/WBA Lightweight titles with a 10-round unanimous decision over Cindy Serrano.

Taylor of Ireland won by scores of 100-90 on all cards, and is now 11-0. Serrano of Brooklyn, NY is 27-6-3.

Tevin Farmer retained the IBF Junior Lightweight title with a dominating 5th round stoppage over James Tennyson.

In round four, Farmer dropped Tennyson with a hard left to the body. Farmer ended things in the next round when he landed a hard left that sent Tennyson to the canvas, and the fight was stopped at 1:44.

Farmer of Philadelphia is now 27-4-1 with six knockouts. Tennyson of Ireland is 22-3.

Kid Galahad won a 12-round unanimous decision over Toka Khan Clary in a featherweight bout.

Galahad of Sheffield, England won by scores of 118-110 twice and 115-113 to raise his perfect mark to 26-0. Clary of Providence, RI is 25-2.

Tommy Coyle won a 10-round unanimous decision over Ryan Kielczewski in a lightweight bout.

In round five, Kielczewski started to bleed from his nostrils.

In round seven, Coyle scored a knockdown with a right hand.

Coyle, 136.4 lbs of Hull, UK won by scores of 99-90 98-91 and 96-93, and is now 25-4. Kielczewski, 138 lbs of Quincy MA is 29-4.

Former world champion Scott Quigg stopped Mario Briones in round two of their scheduled eight-round junior lightweight bout.

Quigg unloaded with a hard combination on the ropes and the fight was stopped at 1:12 of round two.

Quigg, 129.4 lbs of Bury, UK 35-2-2 with 26 knockouts. Briones, 130 lbs of Mexico 29-8-2.

Mark DeLuca avenged his only professional defeat by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Walter Wright in a junior middleweight fight.

DeLuca, 153 3/4 lbs of Whittam, MA won by scores of 97-93 and 96-94 twice.

DeLuca is 22-1. Wright, 154 lbs of Seattle is 17-4.

Daniyar Yeleussinov stopped Matt Doherty in the 1st round of their scheduled six-round welterweight bout.

Yeleussinov landed several hard body shots that was followed by an explosive combination to the head and referee Arthur Mercante stopped the bout at 2:33

Yeleussinov, 148 lbs of Kazakhstan is 4-0 with two knockouts. Doherty, 146.8 lbs of Salem, MA is 8-6-1.

Niall Kennedy remained undfeated with a six-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Brendan Barrett in a heavyweight bout.

In round four, Kennedy was cut around the left eye. In round five, Kennedy landed a hard right that staggered Barrett into the ropes and then to the canvas fir a knockdown. Barrett got to his feet with a mouse under his right eye.

Kennedy, 221 lbs of Ireland won by scores of 60-53 twice and 58-55, and is now 12-0-1. Barrett, 238 lbs of Little Egg Harbor, NJ is 7-1-2.

Demetrius Andrade believes that Middleweight is set to become the new ‘glamour division’ in boxing, and he’s ready to rule it as he prepares to face Walter Kautondokwa for the vacant WBO World title at TD Garden in Boston on Saturday night, live on DAZN.

Andrade (25-0 16KOs) can become a two-weight World ruler with victory over the unbeaten and big-punching Namibian Walter Kautondokwa (17-0 16KOs) for the WBO crown will set the Rhode Island star take his spot alongside the big guns at 160lbs.

‘Boo Boo’ welcomes ‘The Executioner’ to his New England backyard in his first fight with new promoter Eddie Hearn and new network in OTT-giants DAZN – and with more massive nights on the cards in 2019, the 30 year old heads into his big Boston night in a great place.

“My situation is great right now,” said Andrade. “Had I not made the move with Eddie, I would have been fighting in England, having tune-ups or waiting around still. I never needed tune-ups. I take every fight very seriously, I have since day one.

“I could have waited around and had tick overs, instead, this World title chance came along and we’re on the road to the top in another division already.

“I think Middleweight can be the new glamour division in boxing. We have big names at 160lbs and if you look at 154lbs, those guys are going to grow and they’ll have to come up – look at Jarrett Hurd, he’s a big dude. The division is hot and it’s going to get hotter.

“If everyone involved with the elite does their jobs, we can make these big fights. The window is starting to close on those fights though, people get old, people move on, and people look to run around and fight lesser guys like the Charlos do.

“I don’t look forward to those fights, I want to fight the best – only and often. When I was at 154, I had the belt and couldn’t get the big fights. We’re all going to make money – so let’s decide who is the best, and let’s get the elite in with the elite. Don’t get in with has-beens or the guys on the way out, get in with the hungry guys.

“I’m at 160lbs to show I am still the biggest and baddest wolf out there, and I’m ready to bite. I am too old to fight nobodies now, I’ve had that time, I’m not going to fight iron every time,

“When you are fighting lower level opponents you can afford to get in there four or five times a year, but at the level I want to operate at, you can’t do that. I’m going to take it one step at a time, do my job against Walter, come home with the belt and we will look to get out early in 2019 – I know Eddie and DAZN want to keep me active and that’s great, and if it’s going to be the rest of the elite guys, then let’s go.”

Andrade’s clash with Kautondokwa is part of a huge bill in Boston with three World title bouts on the slate.

Philadelphia’s Tevin Farmer makes the first defense of his IBF World Super-Featherweight title against hard-hitting Belfast man James Tennyson while Irish star Katie Taylor defends her WBA and IBF World Lightweight titles against Argentina’s Cindy Serrano.

Rhode Island’s Toka Kahn Cleary faces England’s Kid Galahad in a final eliminator for the IBF World Featherweight title, England’s all-action Tommy Coyle meets Quincy, Mass.’s Ryan Kielczweski over ten rounds, England’s Freddie Roach trained former World ruler Scott Quigg returns on the bill and Kazakhstan’s Olympic gold medal hero Daniyar Yeleussinov tastes action for the fourth time in the paid ranks.

Local favorite Mark DeLuca (Whitman, Mass.) is gunning for revenge when he meets Walter Wright in a rematch of their keenly fought clash in June that Wright edged via split decision, while there’s more Irish interest in Gorey Heavyweight Niall Kennedy and Tennyson’s fellow Belfast man Sean McComb.

Tickets for October 20 are on sale now from www.TDGarden.com

ENDS

Walter Kautondokwa says he will shock the world and KO Demetrius Andrade when they clash at the TD Garden in Boston on October 20, live on DAZN.

Kautondokwa (17-0 16KOs) has replaced Billy Joe Saunders in the bout with the unbeaten former Super-Welterweight World ruler, and ‘The Executioner’ is full of belief that he can add to his formidable knockout record in Massachusetts having already been in camp.

The Namibian has only been the full distance once, on his September 2103 debut, and the 33 year old has blasted six foes away in the opening session and 14 of his opponents before the halfway point of their contests.

‘Boo Boo’ Andrade (25-0 16KOs) must reset his radar from training for the tricky southpaw Saunders to the big-hitting African, and Kautondokwa has inspiration close to home in his camp for his first World title fight.

Kautondokwa’s stable-mate Julius Indongo landed a World title clash at late notice and starched Eduard Troyanovsky inside a round in Russia to win the IBF Super-Lightweight crown to crash into the elite, going on to face Terence Crawford for all the titles at 140lbs – and #2-rated WBO Middleweight Kautondokwa believes he can make the same impact at 160lbs.

“This is a huge opportunity for me and one I will take with both hands,” said Kautondokwa. “I’ve been in the gym and I am 100 per cent ready to get to Boston and add Demetrius to my KO record.

“I’ve earned my spot as the number two challenger in the division and I fear no man – Demetrius is a great fighter, but I know that I can KO any 160lber in the world, and that includes Andrade.

“He’s been preparing for Billy Joe, who is a technical guy that doesn’t have power – I am going to be a nightmare for him next Saturday night and I am ready to become a major player in the Middleweight division.”

Kautondokwa’s clash with Andrade is part of a huge bill in Boston with three World title bouts on the slate.

Philadelphia’s Tevin Farmer makes the first defence of his IBF World Super-Featherweight title against hard-hitting Belfast man James Tennyson and Irish sensation Katie Taylor puts her WBA and IBF World Lightweight straps on the line against Cindy Serrano.

Rhode Island’s Toka Kahn Cleary faces England’s Kid Galahad in a final eliminator for the IBF World Featherweight title, England’s all-action Tommy Coyle meets Quincy, Mass.’s Ryan Kielczweski over ten rounds, England’s Freddie Roach trained former World ruler Scott Quigg returns on the bill and Kazakhstan’s Olympic gold medal hero Daniyar Yeleussinov tastes action for the fourth time in the paid ranks.

Local favorite Mark DeLuca (Whitman, Mass.) is gunning for revenge when he meets Walter Wright in a rematch of their keenly fought clash in June that Wright edged via split decision, while there’s more Irish interest in Gorey Heavyweight Niall Kennedy and Tennyson’s fellow Belfast man Sean McComb.

Tickets for October 20 are on sale now from www.TDGarden.com

The Massachusetts Commission denied WBO Middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders a license to defend against Demetrius Andrade on October 20th due to failed banned substance test, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

As soon as Saunders’ positive Voluntary Anti-Doping Association urine test came to light on Sept. 26, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn made a deal with Kautondokwa for him to be on standby because it was uncertain if Saunders would be issued a license. So Kautondokwa, who is from Namibia, has been in the gym training since, and Hearn told ESPN that his visa has been secured.

“I felt like it was 50-50 that he’d be licensed. Billy had his case but unfortunately he failed a VADA test which he signed up for, which the commission ruled on,” Hearn said. “We have to move on. Our focus is on Demetrius Andrade becoming middleweight champion of the world and mixing with Canelo (Alvarez), Gennady Golovkin and Danny Jacobs, all of those guys. It’s disappointing but the focus is on Andrade becoming a champion on Oct. 20.”

WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel told ESPN that the sanctioning body will send Saunders a letter asking him to show cause why he should not be stripped of the world title.

“Once you sign a contract to fight you have to comply with the contract. He didn’t comply with the rules and regulations and so he wasn’t licensed,” Valcarcel said. “It’s something he created, something he did. It wasn’t because of something that happened. But we have to give him due process.”

Even though Andrade will still fight for high stakes, Ed Farris, his manager, said Andrade is upset by the turn of events.

“Demetrius is devastated,” Farris told ESPN. “He wanted Saunders under any circumstances because he felt beating him would give him the credibility of beating the world champion. He wanted Saunders. He’s been training for him. He said that is who he wanted. He said that’s who’s going to make me better. At the end of the day, the commission did the only thing they could do. Demetrius is crushed. Down the road I guess we’ll find out if there’s ever going to be a Saunders fight, but he wanted to fight Saunders regardless of the positive test.”

Kautondokwa, who last fought in March, is an unknown fighter. He has had 16 of his fights in Namibia and one in Ghana, and never faced a notable opponent.

“He’s a handful and a bit crude,” Hearn said of Kautondokwa’s style. “It’s a very difficult situation. It’s a nightmare for Demetrius. He’s been getting ready for a slick southpaw in Saunders and now he has to go in with an orthodox puncher. The only thing we know about Kautondokwa is he’s a huge puncher.”

Hearn said he wasn’t concerned that the card would suffer with Saunders being dropped.

“Saunders isn’t a huge name for Boston,” he said. “Demetrius is the local fighter. It’s not as attractive of a fight, being honest, but the card is still very strong.”

WBO Middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders tested positive for banned substance and thus putting into question his July 20th defense against Demetrius Andrade in Boston, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

The test results were returned Wednesday, and VADA president Dr. Margaret Goodman notified the parties involved in a letter obtained by ESPN:

“The results of the analysis are as follows: Adverse. Urine specimen number 4248408: oxilofrine detected. Note the following is also contained on the laboratory report: ‘Opinions: oxilofrine may have resulted from the administration of ephedrine which was also detected but below the decision limit of 11ug/ml. The estimated concentration of ephedrine is 4.6 ug/ml.'”

“Billy Joe will apply for a license in Massachusetts and they will make the decision if he is allowed to box,” promoter Eddie Hearn told ESPN. “The most important thing is that Demetrius Andrade fights for the world title on Oct. 20. If Billy Joe Saunders is ruled out and stripped of the title, we will be looking to make a fight for the vacant world title.”

“If Saunders is stripped, we will do whatever we can to make sure Andrade is fighting for the vacant title on Oct. 20,” Hearn said.

Paco Valcarcel, president of the WBO, whose belt Saunders holds, told ESPN that the sanctioning organization has received the drug test results but would not make any decisions regarding the belt until Massachusetts decides whether it will license Saunders.

“If he doesn’t get licensed, we will strip him,” Valcarcel said. “If he gets licensed, we will still investigate the doping and at that time determine if we will sanction the fight.”

“Mr. Saunders is not in breach of British Boxing Board of Control/United Kingdom Anti-Doping regulations,” Robert Smith, the British Boxing Board of Control general secretary, wrote in a letter to VADA and the promoters, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN. “Please note, in Great Britain in-competition testing is the evening of the contest, anything prior to that is out of competition.

“In addition, Mr. Saunders has been tested a number of times in 2018, all negative, his last out of competition test by UKAD was on 24th September 2018 and I will advise of the result when it is made available.”

Former Saunder opponent David Lemieux was not amused by Saunders test result.

“U dirty cheating scumbag, ur not only a miserable human being but ur also a dirty cheap cheating rotten p—k #billyjoesaunders u should be banned from boxing,” he wrote.

SAN CARLOS, CA (September 18, 2018) – Victor Conte’s SNAC facility in San Carlos, CA, is hosting three elite training camps. Demetrius Andrade, Devin Haney and Daniel Jacobs are working extremely hard at the state-of-the-art training center.

SNAC’s world-renowned track coach and living legend Remi Korchemny, one of the best elite performance trainers, is providing the camps with his unique training drills and techniques.

Devin “The Dream” Haney (19-0, 13 KOs) is trained by his father, Bill Haney. He will face his toughest challenge to date when he battles Juan Carlos Burgos (33-2-2, 21 KOs) at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA, on September 28th, live on Showtime.

“I’m out here working hard with two of the best fighters in the world,” said Devin Haney. “There is no place like the SNAC facility and the training we are doing is very advanced. Remi is incredible, and I see all-around improvements in my strength and conditioning. I’m going to be at my very best on fight night”

Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (25-0, 16 KOs) is trained by his father, Paul Andrade. On October 20th, he challenges undefeated foe, Billy Joe Saunders (26-0, 12 KOs), for his World Boxing Organization Middleweight Title at the TD Garden in Boston, MA, live on Sky Sports.

“I’ve been working with Victor Conte for many years now and there’s no doubt, I’m with the best group of trainers in the world,” Andrade stated. “With Haney and Jacobs out here working side by side with me, it is very competitive, we all want to be first in all the drills. This is the type of training that will take a fighter to the next level. Billy Joe Saunders will find out what it’s like to face an elite athlete when he steps in the ring with me. He’s in big trouble.”

Last but certainly not least, Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (34-2, 29 KOs) is trained by Andre Rozier. He squares up against Sergiy Derevyanchenko (12-0, 10 KOs) on October 27th, for the vacant International Boxing Federation World Middleweight Title at the Madison Square Garden Theater in NYC, televised live on HBO.

“I travel across the United States to train with Victor Conte at the SNAC facility with the best strength and conditioning coaches, Remi Korchemny and Mike Bazzel,” Jacobs said. “With Boo Boo and Devin in camp, training is very intense on a daily basis and the competition is having a major impact on my performance. In addition to the great training we are getting, we are also provided with some of the best supplements.”

“It’s a great honor to have three of the best boxers in the world training at my center,” said Victor Conte. “We have nicknamed the SNAC facility “The Bee Hive” because it is always buzzing with good energy. The SNAC brand is rapidly growing, and these three world class fighters are a major reason why.”

(NEW YORK, September 12) Demetrius Andrade and Daniel Jacobs are both targeting the winner of the rematch between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin in Las Vegas this weekend – and they broke off from their training camps for two huge World title bouts to pick their winner.

Andrade (25-0 16KOs) is gunning for two-weight World glory when he challenges England’s WBO Middleweight king Billy Joe Saunders (26-0 12KOs) at the TD Garden in Boston on October 20, live on DAZN – and the Rhode Island star wants the Kazakh beast to beat the Mexican hero – whom he had strong words for!

ANDRADE VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EjxO2-2sHM

Jacobs (34-2 29KOs) can become a two-time Middleweight king when he faces unbeaten Ukrainian ace Sergiy Derevyanchenko (12-0 10KOs) for the vacant IBF strap at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York on October 27, live on HBO – and the Brooklyn ace is backing GGG to land the win, but wants the Mexican to win to set up his own rematch with Golovkin after he was edged out at the Garden by GGG in March 2017.

JACOBS VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_mWGNVyB_Q

Andrade’s clash with Saunders tops a huge night of action in Boston with two more World title fights on the bill as Tevin Farmer (26-4-1 5KOs) is straight back in action to defend his IBF Super-Featherweight title against Belfast’s James Tennyson (22-2 18KOs) and Irish sensation Katie Taylor (10-0 5KOs) puts her IBF and WBA World Lightweight titles on the line against Puerto Rican star Cindy Serrano (27-5-3 10KOs).

There’s a tasty IBF World Featherweight title eliminator between Briton Kid Galahad (24-0 15KOs) and Rhode Island’s Toka Kahn Cleary (25-1 17KOs), Framingham’s Danny O’Connor (30-3 11KOs) faces England’s Tommy Coyle (24-4 12KOs) in an all-action clash, former World Super-Bantamweight king Scott Quigg (34-2-2 25KOs) resumes his journey to Featherweight honors on the bill, local favorites Niall Kennedy (11-0-1 7KOs) and Mark DeLuca (21-1 13KOs) are in action and Kazakhstan’s Olympic gold medal hero Daniyar Yeleussinov (3-0 1KO) tastes his fourth action in the paid ranks.

Tickets for October 20 are on sale now from www.TDGarden.com

Jacobs’ clash with Derevyanchenko tops a World title double-header on HBO as unbeaten Puerto Rican Alberto Machado (20-0 16KOs) makes the second defense of his WBA World Super-Featherweight title against Cleveland’s Yuandale Evans (20-1 14KOs) – and a third World strap on the bill as Heather Hardy (21-0 4KOs) and Shelley Vincent (23-1 1KO) meet in a rematch of their 2016 fight of the year battle – this time with the vacant WBO Featherweight belt on the line.

Tickets for October 27 are on sale now from www.Ticketmaster.com

Billy Joe Saunders will defend the WBO Middleweight title against former two-time junior middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade. the bout was agreed to after the two sides cancelled a pursed bid scheduled for Wednesday, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Andrade promoter Eddie Hearn told ESPN that the fight “looks like” it will take place Oct. 20 and that he plans to switch the card he has planned that night in Los Angeles to the East Coast, where Andrade is from.

“I have been informed that Matchroom Boxing and Frank Warren have come to an agreement for Saunders versus Andrade. Therefore, there is no need for the bid process,” WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel said.

“Hopefully, we can put the fight in my hometown [of Providence, Rhode Island],” Andrade told ESPN. “Money talks. When you have the financing behind you, you can make deals. The deal got done. This is the type of team I needed in my career. Better now than never. I put myself in a great position. Now it’s my time to do what I’ve been wanting to do.”

“Delighted to agree terms for ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade to challenge Billy Joe Saunders for the WBO world title,” Hearn wrote on social media.

Saunders said he’s ready for Andrade, tweeting to Hearn, “Your man is getting spanked.”

Said Andrade, “He’s world champion, but my name ain’t David Lemieux. I believe I can do anything he can do better. My dog will be unleashed when it’s time to get in the ring. And I can smack talk, too. I can dish it out and I can take it. I can talk the talk and walk the walk.”

Philadelphia, PA /White Plains, NY (April 5, 2018) — Two-time undefeated world champion, Demetrius Andrade is ready should Gennady Golovkin choose to fight him on May 5th at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“Like I said last week, I am in the gym, and if Gennady does the right thing and choose the best available fighter, and that is me, he and his team should know that I am ready to fight him for his middleweight titles on May 5th. I have been working extra hard in the gym to prepare myself for May 5th. Last week your promoter texted my promoter asking if I was in the gym, well the pictures are the proof that I have been. I think Gennady knows that I am the best option right now. Based on all the comments about all of the names out there, this is the fight that the fans prefer. Gennady and his team have always talked about fighting the best, well it is time he stays true to his word and let’s fight on May 5th,” said Andrade.

Philadelphia, PA /White Plains, NY (March 30, 2018) — TONIGHT!!! Number-One ranked middleweight contender, and undefeated two-time world champion Demetrius Andrade will be a guest on “At The Fights” on SiriusXM Radio at 6:30 PM ET.

Andrade will join hosts Randy Gordon and former world heavyweight title challenger Gerry Cooney as they will discuss Andrade’s take on the Canelo Alvarez positive anti-doping test drama, and Andrade will make his case to be the opponent if Canelo is unable to face Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin on May 5th.

“At The Fights” is on every Monday & Friday from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET on SiriusXM Channel Rush 93. Gordon and Cooney have been hosting the show since 2009.

Andrade is promoted by Banner Promotions and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

Photo Credit: Emily Harney / Banner Promotions.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check Banner Promotions Facebook Page , and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing

Twitter, Instagram: @StarBoxing
Facebook: facebook.com/starboxing
Youtube: youtube.com/starboxing

Philadelphia, PA /White Plains, NY (March 26, 2018) — Undefeated, two-time world champion Demetrius Andrade (25-0, 16 KOs) is ready and available for a showdown with unified middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin, should Canelo Alvarez not be cleared by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on April 10th for his May 5th rematch with Golovkin.

Andrade, who is ranked number 1 by the WBO in the middleweight division, feels that if Alvarez is not cleared by the commission for his recent positive test for Clenbuterol, he would be the most obvious candidate to face Golovkin.

“I am ready, willing and able to step to the plate on May 5th to fight Golovkin,” stated Andrade. “I am always in the gym, and I will start VADA testing right now. I guarantee that I will pass all the tests. I know other fighters can’t say the same thing. I am undefeated, and a two-time world champion. Golovkin went through a period where nobody wanted to fight him. I am that guy now. The man nobody wants to fight. Everyone says what does Demetrius Andrade bring to the table? Besides being the best American middleweight, and one of the top 3 middleweights in the world, everyone knows who I am, and the know how good I am. My question is to those who say that I don’t bring anything to the table. What did Murray, Adama, Geale, Monroe and Rosado bring to the table? None of the top contenders want to fight me so I believe that if Canelo is unavailable for May 5th, I want the opportunity to face Golovkin for the unified middleweight championship of the world.”

Golovkin’s Promoter Tom Loeffler stated after Alvarez was temporarily suspended that his fighter will still compete on May 5th with or without Alvarez.

“Whatever the commission does, Gennady would still fight May 5th if Canelo is out,” he said. “If for some reason it’s not against Canelo, we’ll figure out the best course of action at that time, but he is training to fight May 5th.”, Loeffler told Dan Rafael of ESPN.com

Like Golovkin, Andrade is also in the gym, and will be ready should he get the call for May 5th.

Andrade is promoted by Banner Promotions and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check Banner Promotions Facebook Page , and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing

Twitter, Instagram: @StarBoxing
Facebook: facebook.com/starboxing
Youtube: youtube.com/starboxing

New York, New York, January 22, 2018

2017 was certainly a memorable year for Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.
2017 marked the continued dominance of former Jr. Middleweight world champion Demetrius Andrade. While Andrade captured a second World Championship in Germany over Jack Culcay (March 11, 2017, WBA Championship), October saw Andrade stepping up to the Middleweight division in a shutout performance on HBO (over Alantis Fox). Andrade hopes 2018 will see him in with the top fighters at 160 lbs.

2017 saw the emergence of “The Hebrew Hammer”, Cletus Seldin on the world stage. Seldin had 3 fights in 4 months including two in consecutive months (November and December) on HBO, a distinction held by only Mike Tyson, Roy Jones and now Cletus Seldin. Seldin looked sensational in his November appearance, destroying Roberto Ortiz (at the new Nassau Coliseum) and saw Seldin crowd pleasing style likened to Rocky Marciano and Jake Lamotta. December on HBO didn’t go so well and Seldin had his first schooling, losing a wide decision to Yves Ulysses Jr. in Canada. Seldin injured his elbow early in that bout and is undergoing ‘Tommy John’ surgery next week. Look for a speedy recovery and Seldin’s return late spring.

2017 saw one of America’s favorite warriors, Joe Smith Jr in his first bout after a spectacular 2016 where he was runner-up for fighter of year, upset of year and knockout of the year after his successive knockout victories over Andrzej Fonfara and legendary Bernard Hopkins. In 2017 Smith wasn’t as fortunate, as, in spite of dropping top rated light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera in the first round with Smith’s now famous punching power, Smith lost a decision. The always dangerous Joe Smith Jr. fought bravely for 10 rounds with a severely broken jaw – demonstrating his blue collar, union-made American grit.

2017 also saw the continuance of Star Boxing’s popular “Rockin Fights” series at the Paramount in Huntington, NY. CEO Joe DeGuardia showed his former boxer grit in keeping the series going despite the prohibitive insurance costs in the state of New York.

Star Boxing also continued its equally popular and long-standing “Slugfest at the Sun” series at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT. Many of the other fighters under the Star Boxing banner had a tremendous year including the success of undefeated prospects Tyrone “Pretty Boy” James, Wendy Toussaint, and “Action” Anthony Laureano. Veterans Constantin Bejenaru and Courtney Pennington had big years as well. Bejenaru won the WBC International and Continental Americas Cruiserweight title as he continued his climb up the world rankings and defended his titles as well in 2017. Courtney “King Pen” Pennington scored 3 straight upset wins over Boyd Melson, Khiary Pitts, and Delvin Rodriguez earning the UBF International Super Welterweight Title.

New additions to the Star roster also remained busy, including Belgium cruiserweight prospect Tambwe “Big Joe” Djeko, former two-time women’s middleweight world champion, Kali “KO” Reis (whose exciting performance at Mohegan Sun earned her a promotional agreement with Star Boxing) and Massachusetts fan favorite Danny O’Connor, who likewise earned a signing as a result of his performance on that same Mohegan Sun show.
Fellow Star Boxing stablemates Danny Gonzalez, Anthony Karperis, Johnny Hernandez, the Burrell brothers, Scott and Dean, all remained active and Light Heavyweight contender Yuniesky Gonzalez promises to make 2018 an even bigger year for Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

Star Boxing found much success in 2017 from many different avenues including the sold out “Rockin’ Fights” series, the Mohegan Sun series “Slugfest at the Sun,” that is now being televised by NESN, the appearance of Star Boxing fighters on the likes of HBO and Showtime and Star’s excellent and continuing successful relationships with many promoters in the industry such as Golden Boy, Top Rank, Matchroom Boxing, and others. With the success of veteran fighters, and the signing of new and exciting talent, 2018 will prove to be yet another successful year for Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

GET YOUR TICKETS TO ROCKIN’ FIGHTS 29 TODAY!
FIGHT: FRIDAY, JANUARY 26TH, 2018
$50, $60, $100, $150, $200
BUY TICKETS HERE!

INFO:
ANTHONY “SHOWTIME” KARPERIS makes his return to The Paramount, in Huntington, Long Island for his fourth consecutive main event in the popular Star Boxing Rockin’ Fights series against the tough veteran NELSON LARA, hailing from Nicaragua by way of Costa Rica. The main event bout is a scheduled 10-round jr. welterweight showdown.

For more information visit www.StarBoxing.com, follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/starboxing, follow along on Instagram at @StarBoxing, @Showtime_AK, @TheParamountNY or on Twitter @StarBoxing, @Showtime_AK or @TheParamountNY.
BOUT SHEET:
View the complete Rockin’ Fights 29 Bout Sheet HERE.

PAST RELEASES:
http://conta.cc/2FXQhEy – Media Credential application
http://conta.cc/2FYeIC1 – Fight announcement
http://conta.cc/2FVo7do – Main Event Announcement (opponent has since changed)
FACTS:
Karperis vs. Lara is a 10-round jr. welterweight bout presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing. “Rockin Fights” is sponsored by Modell’s Sporting Goods, Montauk Iced Tea, The Inn at Fox Hollow, Camelot Limousine and 102.3 WBAB.

*If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please email us at [email protected]
TICKETS:
Tickets are on sale now at The Paramount Box Office (631) 673-7300 or Ticketmaster by clicking HERE, or by calling 1 (800) 745-3000 or Star Boxing (718) 823-2000 or www.starboxing.com. Tickets prices are $50, $60, $100, $150, $200.