Kingsley Ibeh knocked out Dante Stone To become ‘King of the West’ heavyweight
PHOENIX (June 21, 2026) – Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh (17-3-1, 15 KOs) dominated last night’s pro boxing card, presented by Whitfield Haydon in association with Toro Promotions, Inc., at The Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, Arizona.
Born in Nigeria and fighting out of Phoenix, Ibeh threw-down with fellow Arizona heavyweight Dante “The Inferno” Stone (21-3, 13 KOs) in the aptly called main event, “King of the West,” to determine the top heavyweight boxer based west of the Mississippi River.
Ibeh, a former college and Canadian pro football player, stopped Stone in the eighth round, successfully defending his World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX) title belt, in addition to capturing the vacant World boxing Association (WBA) Continental Americas and Arizona State championships. Stone had never been knocked out in 23 pro fights.
Ibe, whose cousin is the infamous former heavyweight boxer Ike Ibeabuchi, gained fame this past January at Madison Square Garden, in which he lost an impressive 10-round split decision to world-rated Jarrell Miller (26-1-2).
“The goal was to beat him at his own game,’ Ibeh said after the fight, “which we did. All respect to Stone but he was just in the way and a stone we need to move out. This means bigger opportunities. I want ‘DDD’ (‘Dynamite’ Daniel Dubois) next!”
Stone’s previous fight was last October in the championship final of the WBC Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia, when his 21-fight win streak was snapped by Kevin Cristopher Ramirez via a 6-round split decision.
In the co-featured event, local star Elijan Garcia (18-2, 14 KOs) needed little time to take care of super middleweight Ryan Adams (12-12-1, 7 KOs), quickly closing the show in the opening round. Garcia’s pro record includes a major victory against WBC World Middleweight challenger and 2012 USA Olympian, Terrell Gausha (24-4-1) in 2025 by way of a 10-round split decision last year. A former WBC Latino middleweight champion, Garcia was a 2017 U.S. National Championships gold medalist, who turned pro in Mexico at the age of 16.
Adams was coming off an eighth-round split decision victory over Yoanki Urrujia (17-1) last October in Miami.
Three other heavyweight matches featuring Arizona fighters were on the undercard: Adam “All American” Stewart (17-1-1, 10 KOs) knocked out Desmond Thompson (9-3, 8 KOs) in round two, Trevor “Titan” Kotara (5-5-1, 12 KOs) took out Jalen Davis (1-6, 1 KO), and in a battle of pro debut fighters Angel Lainez won a 4-round unanimous decision over Javier Arroyo (0-1).
Promising Armenian prospect Narek Hovhannisyan rolled to his fifth straight win without a loss, out-classing 76-fight Mexican veteran Dayryus Cotton enroute to a 6-round unanimous decision.
Undefeated Phoenix featherweight Brayan “Pow’ Gonzalez continued his hot streak with a technical knockout of Carlos Mujica (9-10, 2 KOs) in the second round.
In other undercard matches, unbeaten Mexican light heavyweight Sergio Leon Rodriguez improved to 13-0-1 (9 KOs) with a third-round disqualification win against Antonio Louis Hernandez (7-25-4, 4 KOs), while Erick Munguia (3-0, 2 KOs) took a 4-round unanimous decision from pro-debuting Patrick Quick(0-1) in a battle of Arizona lightweights.
Homecoming for super middleweight prospect Elijah Garcia to be showcased June 20 on Kingsley Ibeh vs. Dante Stone card in Phoenix
PHOENIX (June 4, 2026) – Sensational super middleweight prospect Elijah Garcia (17-2, 13 KOs) has been added to the highly anticipated pro boxing card, presented by Whitfield Haydon in association with Toro Promotions, Inc., on June 20th at The Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, Arizona.
Two of the top heavyweights in the West, Kingsley “”The Black Lion” Ibeh (16-3-1, 14 KOs) and Dante “The Inferno” Stone (21-2, 13 KOs), will throw-down in their 10-round main event showdown, “King of the West,” which will be contested for three titles: Ibeh’s WBC FECARBOX, along with the vacant WBA Continental Americas and Arizona State championships.
Ibeh and Stone are two of the best heavyweights west of the Mississippi River and their clash will establish the winner as the clear “King of the West.”
Hometown favorite Garcia, 23, faces upset-minded Ryan Adams (12-11-1) at home in an 8-round bout. Adams’ pro record includes a major victory against WBC World Middleweight challenger and 2012 USA Olympian, Terrell Gausha (24-4-1) in 2025 via a 10-round split decision.
In 2023, Garcia also knocked out Armando Resendiz (14-1) in the eighth round, fourth-round stoppage of Amilcar Vidal Jr. (16-0) for the WBC Middleweight title, and 10-round decision over Kevin Salgado Zambrano (15-1-1) in southpaw Garcia’s first title defense.
Garcia had an abbreviated amateur career, highlighted by his gold-medal performance at the 2017 U.S. National Championships, and he turned pro three years later at the age of 16 in Mexico.
Adams is coming off an eighth-round split decision triumph against 17-1 Yoanki Urrujia last October in Miami.
A native of Nigeria who fights out of Phoenix, the 32-year-old Ibeh stands 6”4, weighs 288 pounds, and he is a former college and pro football player (Canadian Football League). His cousin is the infamous former prizefighter, heavyweight Ike Ibeabuchi. Ibeh gained fame in his most recent fight this past January at Madison Square Garden, when he went toe-to-toe with highly rated Jarrell Miller (26-1-2), albeit dropping a 10-round split decision on DAZN.
Stone, 31, lives in Chandler, Arizona. His most recent fight was last October in the championship final of the WBC Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia, in which his 21-fight win streak was snapped by Kevin Cristopher Ramirez by way of a 6-round split decision.
Doors open at 4 p.m. PT, first bout scheduled for 5 p.m. PT.
Card subject to change.
Tickets are priced between $91.15 and $228.30 (including fees) and available for purchase online at www.etic.com.
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Fundora Stops Thurman in 6; Retains Super Welterweight Title
Sebastian Fundora stopped former unified world champion Keith Thurman in round six to retain to the WBC Super Welterweight title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Fundora took the first three round to establish his jab and follow with right hands and uppercuts.
In round three, Thurman started to swell around the right eye. In round six, Thurman’s left eye was a bloody mess. In round six, Fundora turned up the pressure and began to batter Thurman all over the ring and the fight was stopped at 1:17.
Fundora, 153.6 lbs of Coachella, CA is 24-1-1 with 16 knockouts. Thurman152.6 lbs of Clearwater, FL is 31-2.
Tellez Decisions Mendoza
Yoenis Tellez won a 10-round unanimous decision over Brian Mendoza in a super welterweight bout.
In round two, Tellez was cut badly on his nose from an accidental headbut.
In round eight, Mendoza was cut around the left eye from an accidental haedbutt.
Tellez landed 147 of 435 punches. Mendoza was 125 of 501.
Tellez, 153.8 lbs of Santiago De Cuba, CUB won by scores of 98-92 and 97-93 twice and is now 12-1. Mendoza, 153.2 lbs of Las Vegas is 23-5.
Hernandez Stops Gausha in 5
Yoenli Hernandez stopped former two-time world title challenger in round five of their 10-round middleweight fight.
Hernandez landed thudding power shots throughout until the fight was stopped at 1:17.
Hernandez, 158.4 lbs of Camaguay, CUB is 10-0 with nine knockouts. Gausha, 160.8 lbs of Cleveland is 21-6-1.
Hovhannisyan Stops Navarro in Five
Massive heavyweight Gurgen Hovhannisyan in round five stopped Cesar Navarro of a 10-round bout.
Hovhannisyan dominated using mostly the jab and in round five, Hovhannisyan turned it up and battered Navarro in both hands until the bout was stopped at 2:45.
Hovhannisyan, 281.4 lbs of Los Angeles is 10-0 with nine knockouts. Navarro, 210.2 lbs pf Phoenix is 15-4.
Kevin Newman II won a 10-round majority decision over Elijah Garcia in a super middleweight bout.
Newman, 171.4 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 98-92, 06-94and 95-95 and is now 19-3-1; Garcia, 171.4 ls of Phoenix is 17-2.
Bryan Gonzalez stopped Brandon Medina in round five of their six-round featherweight bout.
Gonzalez, 125 lbs of Phoenix is 6- with four knockouts. Medina, 124.6 lbs of Mexico is 7-5
Kaipo Gallegos got dropped for the first time in his career, but he was able to shake it off and win a 10-round unanimous decision over Julian Gonzalez in a lightweight bout.
In round three, Gonzales dropped Gallegos with a straight right on the chin. That was the only blemish for Gallegos as he countered very well thtoughout.
Gallegos, 134.3 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 98-91 and 97-92 twice and is now 12-0-1. Gonzalez, 134.2 lbs of Reading, PA is 16-2-1.
RISING STAR ELIJAH GARCIA BATTLES CONTENDER KEVIN NEWMAN II HEADLINING THREE-FIGHT FIRST ON PRIME LINEUP SATURDAY, MARCH 28 ON PRIME VIDEO
LAS VEGAS – March 20, 2026 – Exciting young star Elijah Garcia will face veteran super middleweight contender Kevin Newman II in the 10-round super middleweight main event of a three-fight FIRST ON PRIME lineup taking place Saturday, March 28 streaming live and for free on Prime Video from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The streaming presentation begins at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT with rising teenage sensation Kaipo Gallegos dueling once-beaten Julian Gonzalez in a 10-round lightweight attraction, and will also feature undefeated featherweight prospect Brayan Gonzalez taking on Mexico’s Brandon Guerrero in a six-round showdown.
These matchups lead into a jam-packed PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT headlined by WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora defending his world title against former unified world champion Keith “One Time” Thurman.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com.
In addition to being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com.
The event is promoted by TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing.
**ELIJAH GARCIA VS. KEVIN NEWMAN II**
Headlining on Prime Video, 22-year-old rising star Elijah Garcia will make his debut at the full super middleweight limit as he takes on streaking battle-tested veteran Kevin Newman II, who enters this 10-round fight on a seven-bout winning streak.
Fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, García (17-1, 13 KOs) most recently rose from the canvas to take home a split-decision against Terrell Gausha last March, getting back in the win column after coming up short on the cards against Kyrone Davis in June 2024. Garcia had previously burst onto the scene as a teenager by earning three impressive victories in 2023. He kicked off that memorable campaign in March with a knockout of the previously unbeaten Amilcar Vidal and followed that up with a pair of performances on the undercards of two of the biggest events of the year. He first defeated Kevin Salgado on the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia pay-per-view in April before knocking out current super middleweight champion Armando Resendiz on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo pay-per-view in September.
“I’m excited to headline on Prime Video on March 28,” said Garcia. “I’m working hard and can’t wait to show everything we’ve been working on in camp. This is a big opportunity to make a statement at super middleweight and I’m gonna make the most of it.”
Originally from Los Angeles and now fighting out of Las Vegas, Newman (18-3-1, 11 KOs) has put together seven consecutive victories dating back to 2021. This run includes two 2025 triumphs that saw him beat Alan Campa by unanimous decision last March before most recently defeating Malcolm Jones by seventh-round stoppage last July. The 34-year-old put together this run after a pair of close decision defeats to Genc Plllana and Manuel Gallegos. Newman’s first blemish came via a decision loss to Marcos Hernandez, which he later avenged in near shutout fashion. Newman turned pro in 2014, reeling off seven-straight wins after a split-draw in his pro debut.
“I want to thank everyone who made this opportunity possible,” said Newman. “I’m looking forward to getting into the ring on March 28 and showcasing my skills. I’m coming to put on a dominant performance from start to finish.”
**KAIPO GALLEGOS VS. JULIAN GONZALEZ**
At just 19-years-old, undefeated lightweight prospect Kaipo Gallegos will square off against a skilled 24-year-old contender in Julian Gonzalez for a 10-round battle as Gallegos looks to shine on a big stage and elevate his status as one of boxing’s top young prospects.
Fighting out of his native Las Vegas, Gallegos (11-0-1, 9 KOs) earned three victories in 2025, including a stoppage of the previously unbeaten Pedro Castaneda Castro in May. Most recently, Gallegos had a successful 2026 debut January, as he picked up a TKO victory over then-undefeated Wilson Akinocho. Stepping into the ring as a pro in Las Vegas for the fourth time on March 28, Gallegos has compiled his unbeaten record following a strong amateur career that included runs to the finals of the 2022 and 2021 U.S. National Championships.
“I’m very thankful for this opportunity to fight in my hometown,” said Gallegos. “This is a big fight for me, and I’m looking to make a statement and put on a great show for the fans and defend my home. I know I’m facing a good opponent who’s coming to take my undefeated record, but we’re more than ready for any challenge we have to overcome. My goal is to be world champion and Gonzalez isn’t gonna stop me.”
Born and raised in Reading, Pennsylvania, Gonzalez (16-1-1, 12 KOs) will step back into the ring after his first career defeat, which came via a split-decision against Jason Sanchez last June. The loss broke a 10-fight winning streak for Gonzalez dating back to the only other blemish on his record, a 2022 majority draw against Ivan Jimenez. Gonzalez will compete in Las Vegas for the first time as a pro when he enters the ring on March 28.
“I can’t wait for March 28,” said Gonzalez. “I feel like this is gonna be an exciting fight and a great night for me. I’ve adjusted some things that had to be adjusted and I think that’s going to play a major role against Gallegos. MGM Grand is one of the places that I always to fight at since I was young and I can’t wait to go there and put on a show.”
**BRAYAN GONZALEZ VS. BRANDON GUERRERO**
Another promising young prospect kicks off the action, as Brayan Gonzalez steps into the ring hoping to make a statement in a six-round featherweight matchup against Mexico’s Brandon Guerrero.
A stablemate of Interim WBC Middleweight Champion Jesus Ramos Jr., Gonzalez (4-0, 3 KOs) is unbeaten in four fights since turning pro in June 2024, in a fight that also took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. An accomplished amateur from Phoenix, Arizona, Gonzalez had two successful outings in 2025 with a pair of stoppage wins. Most recently he beat then undefeated Osiel Flores last May in round three.
The 26-year-old Guerrero (7-4) has faced undefeated opponents in five of his last six fights, including an upset decision victory over Kevin Ayala in March 2025. Representing his native Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, Guerrero turned pro in January 2020 and scored victories in his first five outings. Most recently Guerrero challenged unbeaten Sachery Sam in December, dropping a six round decision.
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ABOUT FUNDORA VS. THURMAN
Fundora vs. Thurman will see WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora battle former unified champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in the main event of a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video on Saturday, March 28 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will feature exciting super welterweights going toe-to-toe in the co-main event as rising young star Yoenis Tellez duels top contender Brian Mendoza.
The lineup will also feature undefeated top-rated middleweight Yoenli Hernandez stepping in against battle-tested U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in a 10-round bout, plus undefeated heavyweight slugger Gurgen Hovhannisyan steps in to face Cesar Navarro in a 10-round showdown opening the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Gloves Off: Fundora vs Thurman is streaming now on Prime Video. Below you can find a YouTube link to the program.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com.
In addition to being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com.
The event is promoted by TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing.
THREE PIVOTAL SHOWDOWNS ROUND OUT FUNDORA VS. THURMAN PBC PAY-PER-VIEW ON PRIME VIDEO LINEUP SATURDAY, MARCH 28
LAS VEGAS – February 17, 2026 – Three high-stakes showdowns featuring a fight with heavyweight title implications, a top-ranked middleweight and a rising star debuting at super middleweight will round out the four-fight PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video on Saturday, March 28 as WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora battles former unified champion Keith “One Time” Thurman in the main event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will feature top heavyweight contender Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sanchez taking on unbeaten U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist Richard Torrez Jr. in an IBF Heavyweight Title Final Eliminator that serves as the co-main event.
The lineup will also feature undefeated top-rated middleweight Yoenli Hernandez stepping in against battle-tested U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in a 10-round bout, plus exciting young star Elijah Garcia faces veteran super middleweight contender Kevin Newman II in the 10-round pay-per-view opener.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com.
In addition to being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com.
The event is promoted by TGB Promotions and Sampson Boxing.
“Saturday, March 28 will now feature three more exciting pay-per-view undercard matchups that feature young stars and top contenders going toe-to-toe, with the winners putting themselves in position for world title glory,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Frank Sanchez has long established himself as a threat to anyone at heavyweight and can re-stake his place toward the top of the division against an undefeated U.S. Olympian in Richard Torrez Jr. Plus sensational Cuban middleweight Yoenli Hernandez takes on his most experienced opponent to date in the always dangerous Terrell Gausha, and Elijah Garcia hopes to make a statement at 168-pounds against the highly-skilled Kevin Newman II rounding out this PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video.”
**FRANK SANCHEZ VS. RICHARD TORREZ JR.**
In an IBF Heavyweight World Title Eliminator, top contender and Cuban standout Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sanchez will take on undefeated U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist Richard Torrez Jr. in a high-stakes crossroad matchup with heavyweight championship implications. Sanchez vs. Torrez is promoted in association with Top Rank.
Born in Guantanamo, Cuba and now fighting out of Miami, Sanchez (25-1, 18 KOs) can put himself back into the world title mix with a victory on March 28. The 33-year-old worked his way up the rankings while winning his first 24 bouts, including a dominant unanimous decision over the then unbeaten Efe Ajagba in October 2021 that cemented his contender status. Sanchez challenged another undefeated foe in May 2024 as he went up against Agit Kabayel, eventually losing the bout in round seven after suffering a knee injury early in the fight. Recovered from the injury, Sanchez returned to the ring last February with a TKO of Ramon Olivas Echeverria.
“A victory on March 28 moves me one step closer to being the IBF’s mandatory challenger and realizing my dream of becoming the first Cuban heavyweight champion of the world,” said Sanchez. “Torrez is a strong fighter who’s hungry to prove himself, but I will win this fight in grand fashion for my great Cuban and Latino fans.”
The 26-year-old Torrez (14-0, 12 KOs) has been perfect as a pro following a sensational amateur career that was capped by earning an Olympic silver medal, and which also featured triumphs over Jared Anderson and Dainier Pero. A native of Tulare, California, Torrez has steadily increased his competition as a pro, with his first notable triumph coming over the then undefeated Brandon Moore via fifth-round TKO in May 2024. After adding wins in 2024 over Joey Dawejko and Isaac Munoc Gutierrez, Torrez defeated another notable name last April as he bested Guido Vianello by unanimous decision. Most recently, Torrez earned a first-round stoppage of Tomas Salek last November.
“Frank is skilled, technical and dangerous, and that’s exactly the kind of challenge I’ve been looking for,” said Torrez. “Great fighters don’t avoid tests; they run toward them. I’ve prepared for every moment of this fight, and when the bell rings, I’m coming to take over.”
**YOENLI HERNANDEZ VS. TERRELL GAUSHA**
In a 10-round middleweight attraction, one of the 160-pound division’s fastest-rising stars Yoenli Hernandez will put his unbeaten record on the line against his toughest opponent to date, the dangerous U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha, with the winner in prime position to challenge for middleweight gold.
Ranked number one by the WBA, number two by the WBC and number three by the WBO, Hernandez (9-0, 8 KOs) is yet another in a long line of sensational amateur fighters to come from the Cuban program, with his long resume before turning pro featuring a 2021 gold medal at AIBA World Boxing Championships. Originally from Camaguey, Cuba and now fighting out of Providence, Rhode Island, Hernandez turned pro in May 2022 with a pair of stoppage victories and continued to dominate his competition as he rose up the rankings. The 28-year-old returned in 2024 with four U.S. fights, including a stoppage of the veteran contender Alejandro Barrera in June and a TKO over the previously unbeaten Bryce Henry in October. Hernandez added three more victories in 2025, including a shutout unanimous decision over top contender Kyrone Davis on Prime Video last May.
“I’m extremely grateful for another opportunity to showcase my talents,” said Hernandez. “But let’s be real, not everyone has the heart to step in there with me. Respect to the one who will on March 28. I’m locked in, staying sharp and I’m coming to make a statement. No shortcuts, no excuses, just pressure. Stay tuned.”
A member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, Gausha (24-5-1, 12 KOs) was born in Cleveland, Ohio but now fights out of Encino, California and is trained by the renowned Manny Robles. Gausha bounced back from an unsuccessful title challenge of WBC Middleweight World Champion Carlos Adames in 2024 to drop Elijah Garcia in their 2025 showdown, eventually coming up on the short end of a narrow split decision. Prior to facing Adames, Gausha had won back-to-back bouts as he knocked out Brandyn Lynch in March 2023 before winning a decision over KeAndrae Leatherwood in September of that year. Gausha has faced top competition throughout his career, having fought former champion Austin Trout to a draw in 2019 in addition to decision losses against WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy Lara, former world champion Tim Tszyu and top contender Erickson Lubin.
“I’m a true professional who’s always training, because boxing is what I do,” said Gausha. “I’ve seen Yoenli fight and he’s a young, strong, skilled fighter. If you’ve watched my fights in the past, you’ll know that’s what I like. I want to test myself against the best. Beating him will get me close to my goal of becoming world champion. That’s what I’m here for.”
**ELIJAH GARCIA VS. KEVIN NEWMAN II**
Opening up the pay-per-view, 22-year-old rising star Elijah Garcia will make his debut at the full super middleweight limit as he takes on streaking battle-test veteran Kevin Newman II, who enters this 10-round fight on a seven-bout winning streak.
Fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, García (17-1, 13 KOs) most recently rose from the canvas to take home a split-decision against Terrell Gausha last March, getting back in the win column after coming up short on the cards against Kyrone Davis in June 2024. Garcia had previously burst onto the scene as a teenager by earning three impressive victories in 2023. He kicked off that memorable campaign in March with a knockout of the previously unbeaten Amilcar Vidal and followed that up with a pair of performances on the undercards of two of the biggest events of the year. He first defeated Kevin Salgado on the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia pay-per-view in April before knocking out current super middleweight champion Armando Resendiz on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo pay-per-view in September.
“I’m excited to kick off this pay-per-view on March 28,” said Garcia. “I’m working hard and can’t wait to show everything we’ve been working on in camp. This is a big opportunity to make a statement at super middleweight and I’m gonna make the most of it.”
Originally from Los Angeles and now fighting out of Las Vegas, Newman (18-3-1, 11 KOs) has put together seven consecutive victories dating back to 2021. This run includes two 2025 triumphs that saw him beat Alan Campa by unanimous decision last March before most recently defeating Malcolm Jones by seventh-round stoppage last July. The 34-year-old put together this run after a pair of close decision defeats to Genc Plllana and Manuel Gallegos. Newman’s first blemish came via a decision loss to Marcos Hernandez, which he later avenged in near shutout fashion. Newman turned pro in 2014, reeling off seven-straight wins after a split-draw in his pro debut.
“I want to thank everyone who made this opportunity possible,” said Newman. “I’m looking forward to getting into the ring on March 28 and showcasing my skills. I’m coming to put on a dominant performance from start to finish.”
Fundora aims for to be undisputed after stoppage of Booker
LAS VEGAS –It’s beginning to look as if everybody at junior-middleweight is looking up at Sebastian Fundora.
Fundora continued to establish himself as more than just the tallest fighter in the division. He’s also its biggest player, a two-belt champion with a clear path to a chance at winning two more.
“I’d love to be the undisputed champion,” said Fundora (22-1-1 14 KOs), who further secured his place at the top of the 154-pound weight class with a dominant fourth-round stoppage of Choredale Booker (23-2, 13 KOs) Saturday night in a Prime Vision bout at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Ultra Arena. “Whoever they have for me next, I’ll be ready. I want the IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev, plus Xander Zayas is the WBO mandatory. I also want Errol Spence Jr. We have two belts, we have to defend them, and if anyone is willing to unify, let’s do that too.”
Fundora, a 14-1 favorite, left Booker with very little chance at springing an upset. Booker appeared to be confused by Fundora’s unusual height. He’s 6-foot-6.
“He’s so big,” Booker said, ” that it really doesn’t matter where he’s at in the ring. With every step, he’s covering a lot of ground.”
Booker simply could not escape Fundora’s NBA-like dimensions. He was always there, ready to block any of Booker’s shots. Meanwhile, there was Fundora’s reach, long and dangerous.
The most immediate threat to Fundora’s two belts — the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization — appears to be Zayas.. The Purto Rican emerged as a leading contender Friday after Terence Cawford relinquished his interim title, which represents a so-called mandatory challenge. It was no coincidence that Zayas was at ringside Saturday. There’s already talk about a Fundora-Zayas bout — Mexican American versus Purrto Rican — in New York.
“I”d love it in New York,” Zayas said. “But I’d go to the moon to fight him.”
Jesus Ramos scores TKO, possibly puts himself in line for Fundora
Jesus Ramos moved forward and ever closer to shot at a major junior-middleweight title Saturday with poise and patience in a stoppage of Mexican Guido Emmanuel Schramm Saturday.
In the end, it was a powerful statement.delivered by a 24-year fighter from Casa Grande, Ariz.
The message: Ramos (23-1, 19 KOs) will let neither defeat nor injury stand in his way.
In his third straight victory since a lone loss to Erickson Lubin, Ramos overcame a hand injury, stopping Sscramm with an overpowering succession of punches at 1:38 of the seventh at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Ultra Arena.”I had some obstacles.,” said Ramos, who might have put himself in line for a shot at the 154-pound titles retained by Sebastian Fundora in a fourth-round stoppage of Choredale Booker Saturday night in title bout after his victory.”I hurt my hand in the third round, but I battled through it. I made a promise, so I had to get him out of there.
“Overall, I felt good. I did what I wanted. I wanted to get him out of there a little earlier, but he’s a warrior. Everything was working, almost too good. That’s where I hurt my hand and I backed off a bit. It was hurting a lot so I kind of boxed a little bit.
“I was joking with my dad that my previous opponent had stopped Schramm so how could he stop him and I don’t? I’m ready for anybody at 154.”
Schramm (16-4-2, 9 KOs), of LOs Angeles, simply didn;t have the strength to keep Ramos off of him. He complained about the stoppage. But if it hadn’t come in the fourth, it would have happened later. It was inevitable.
“I thought the referee stopped the fight prematurely. I was withstanding Ramos’ shots and countering just fine. I wasn’t exposed or defenseless, I just closed up big in order to counter.
“Ramos was dominating, but it was anybody’s fight since I was also hurting him with my shots. I have to let my hands go more and not allow this to happen again. Bring anybody on. I’ll be back and eager to face the best once again.”
“It was hard to get the finish. He has a lot of heart and he displayed it tonight. I tip my hat to him, he’s a great warrior. Hopefully now I can get the winner of the main event next.”
Elijah Garcia win controversial split-decision over Gausha
Elijah Garcia escaped what would have been a devastating loss Saturday, scoring a controversial split decision over Terrell Gausha
In a desperate fight to avoid a second straight loss, Garcia, a 21-year-old Phoenix middleweight, had to get up from a first-round knockdown. Suddenly, it looked as if Gausha might knock the promise out of Garcia’s future. A crisp right hand sent Garcia, head over heels, onto the canvas. Garcia got up and smiled almost in resignation. He knew perhaps, that the next nine rounds could forever fracture his aspirations.
In the end, he survived, perhaps with consistent aggression and solid body shots. In his won-loss record, it goes down as a victory. But controversy lingers. By definition, a split decision is an argument.
Judges Don Trella and Zachary Young scored it for Garcia. It was 99-94 on Trella’s card. Young scored it, 96-93.
On Chris Magliore’s card, it was 95-94 for Gausha.
The judges’ cards appeared to reflect the unofficial scoring along press row and among the fans at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Ultra Arena. It was split. Some booed. Some cheered. Some scratched their heads in confusion.
“People can think what they want,” said Garcia (17-1, 13 KOs), who had veteran trainer Bob Santos in his corner for the first time. “I went in the ring and fought my ass off against an Olympian. He’s only lost to world champions, and I went in there and beat him. He’s very experienced, very crafty. He was able to do some things that he wanted, but I figured it out as time went on. Whoever thinks I lost, whatever. I won.
“I figured after he dropped me that was the hardest I was going to get hit. I prepared for it 1000%. I don’t control the judges. My job is in the ring. It was a little closer than I thought. For the most part, I controlled the fight. It was a good experience. I am ready for the next one. I never turn down the fight. I’ll fight anybody.”
Like the judges and the crowd, Gausha had a different opinion about what happened. He thought he won
“I just thought I did what I had to do.,” said Gausha (24-5-1, 12 KOs), a 37-year old fighter and 2012 Olympian who has fought and lost for a world title twice. “The decision is unfortunate, but all I can do is try to regroup and get better.”
After the first-round knockdown, Gausha appeared to steal several rounds with a lury of clean shots in the waning seconds of subsequent rounds. He repeatedly caught Gracia with uppercuts. But Garcia’s sustained aggressiveness impressed Trella and Young often enough for him to bank a narrow win, a pivotal one that keeps his career on track.
Freddie Rojas wins unanimous decision
It was awkward. Sometimes ugly. But it was also predictable.
Las Vegas welterweight Freddie Rojas did what he had to, scoring a unanimous decision over Maurice Lee Saturday in the final fight before the Prime Video portion of the card featuring Fundora-Booker at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Ultra Arena.
Mostly, Rojas had to stay unbeaten. Mission accomplished with a scorecard victory that pushed his record to 15-0, 13 victories by stoppage. Lee, of Woodland Hills CA, fell to 16-2-2, six victories by stoppage
Alberto Mora wins unanimous decision
Alberto Mora’s skill set included the kind of precision and patience that count on the scorecards.
Sure enough, it was on the cards that Mora (13-0, 10 KOS) , a junior-lightweight from Mexico City, won a one-sided decision –80-72, 77-75 and 80-72 — over ViktorSlavinski (15-4–1, 7 KOs), a Los Angeles fighter who always seemed to be one step and several points behind in the sixth bout of the Fundora-Booker card Saturday
Robert Guerrero Jr. wins quick stoppage
He’s the son of a legend. He has a name that creates impossible expectations. Robert Guerrero Jr., son of a former featherweight and junior-lightweight champion, began to show he might be able to live up to some of them Saturday.
Guerrero (6-0, 3 KOs) wasted little time, scoring a second-round stoppage and staying unbeaten in a lightweight blowout of Sam Armas (6-2, 3 KOs, of Pomona CA, on the Fundora-Booker card. Guerrero controlled the ring and the pace with an authority that was a sure sign of some merging maturity.
A Junior no more.
POW, Brayan Gonzalez wins TKO
Brayan Gonzalez wore pink into the ring. Across his trunk’s waistband, it said:
POW.
It was more than a message. The POW was real, delivered at the end of a lethal left hand in a Gonzalez fourth-round stoppage of Justin Marquez on the Fundora–Booker card Saturday at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Ultra Arena.
Gonzalez (3-0, 2 KOs), a junior-lightweight from Phoenix, found his range and target early and often against Marquez (5-2, 4 KOs), a Stockton fighter who struggled to mount any kind of counter
De La Certa wins bantamweight blowout
Alexis De La Cerda had power in his hands. Speed in his feet.
Combine the two and the potent mix was just too much for Sharone Carter, who found himself down and done in a third-round bantamweight blowout in the third bout on the Fundora-Booker card Saturday.
De La Certa (6-0, 4 KOs), of Federal Way WA, dropped Carter (14-9-1, 3 KOs), of Saint Louis, early in the third and then again in finishing flurry in the final second of the round
Ezequiel Duran gets up to stay unbeaten
is said to be a prospect.
But he had to prove it. He had to get up.
Duran (5-0, 2 KOs) did, displaying a prospect’s chops in a sixth-round stoppage of Canadian Joseph Brown (4-1, 3 KOs) in the second bout on a card featuring Fundora-Booker Saturday. Brown, a rugged junior-middleweight from Vancouver, dropped Duran with a hard shot midway through the fifth.
Duran, of Amarillo TX, quickly rose to the occasion with an aggressive response. He moved forward, throwing punches at a whirlwind rate that forced Brown into a sudden retreat. Duran’s relentless pressure continued in the sixth with a succession of punches that left Brown defenseless and done at 1:54 of the round.
First Bell: Body-shot KO opens the show
The seats were empty. Only an echo filled the building.
Jursly Vargas produced it, delivering a thundering body shot for a fourth-round knockout of Uhlices Avelino-Reyes in the opener Saturday to a card featuring junior-middleweight Sebastian Fundora’s first title defense against Chordale Booker. Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Ultra Arena
Vargas (5-0, 4 KOs), a stocky lightweight from Rotterdam, worked inside Aerlino-Reyes’ long, lanky reach. In the third, Vargas’ body blows began to hurt Avellino-Reyes (3-2, 2 KOs), of Omaha. In the fourth, the matinee was over when Vargas landed a nasty uppercut that dropped Avelino-Reye to his knees in the final second of the round.
Elijah Garcia ready to move on from his first loss
By Norm Frauenheim
LAS VEGAS — They sat next to each other like neighbors at one end of the table, linked by geography and the promise that comes with youth. Elijah Garcia and Jesus Ramos are from Arizona, which these days has become a place known for young fighters.
Aggressive fighters.
Ambitious, too.
“I’m here to get better,’’ said Garcia, a 21-year-old middleweight who shares a prominent spot alongside Ramos Saturday on a Prime Video card featuring junior-middleweight champ Sebastian Fundora against Chordale Booker at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Arena.
Getting better sometimes means starting anew. That’s where Garcia (16-1, 13 KOs) finds himself in a fight to reset the table — re-assert his evident potential — against former Olympian Terrell Gausha (24-4-1, 12 KOs) in Garcia’s first fight since a his lone loss eight months ago to Kyrone Davis.
There are always questions about how a fighter reacts to his first defeat. It’s a portal, a test, that few fighters avoid. Unbeaten is unlikely. But dealing with defeat, confronting and overcoming the adversity, is often a true measure of a fighter’s future. Ramos, seated next to Garcia at the AZ end of the table Thursday during a news conference, already understands that.
Ramos (22-1, 18 KOs), who faces Mexican Guido Emmanuel Schramm (16-3-2, 9 KOs) in a junior-middleweight bout Saturday, has already passed through the portal, scoring successive stoppages over Johan Gonzalez and Jeison Rosario after his lone loss to Erickson Lubin in September 2023.
“The loss was a blessing in way,’’ said Ramos, a 24-year-old from Casa Grande. “Losing led to a lot of work at getting better all of the time.’’
Ramos talks about the loss as though it is part of the lesson plan for a young fighter. Perhaps, it is. Garcia, who grew up in Phoenix and has a ranch in Wittman, is about to find out. The plan is eight-months long. He left his family and his ranch, moved to Las Vegas and began to work under the guidance of veteran trainer Bob Santos.
Garcia’s life has changed. His corner has changed. His father, George Gracia, had trained him. HIs dad will still be there Saturday, but as the cut man, Elijah said.
“My dad was great,’’ Elijah said. “He got me here. Bob Santos has been there. He is all about winning. Winning, winning, winning.’’
Over the eight months, Garcia said he has developed a strong relationship with Santos, who once trained beloved two-time champion Robert Guerrero.
“For eight straight months, my life has been all about boxing, only boxing,’’ said Elijah, who wore an Arizona Diamondback’s cap and a Wittman T-shirt. “There have been no kids, no ranch. Just boxing. Like I said, I’m here to get better.’’
In Gausha, Elijah Garcia faces a fighter who is 16 years older than him. At 37, Gausha, a US Olympian at the 2012 London Games, has fought for a major title twice, losing both times. Carlos Adames scored a unanimous decision over him last June for a 160-pound belt. He lost a decision to Erislandy Lara for a 154-pound belt in 2017.
“I respect him,’’ Garcia said. “He’s a good fighter. I could have said no. But I need to fight a good fighter to get better. I’ve got to get better to be a world champion, and that’s always been my dream.
“I had a loss. But that loss is behind me. I can’t do much about it right now. I just have to move on.’’
Start anew.
SEBASTIAN FUNDORA VS. CHORDALE BOOKER FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
LAS VEGAS – March 20, 2025 – Unified WBC and WBO Super Welterweight World Champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora and top-rated contender Chordale Booker went face to face on Thursday at the final press conference before their 154-pound world title clash that headlines PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video this Saturday, March 22 from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
One of the sport’s premier action fighters, Fundora will make the first defense of his unified world championship in Saturday night’s main event against the upset-minded Booker, who has earned the WBO No. 5 and WBC No. 14 rankings at 154-pounds to put himself into his first world title fight.
The press conference also included rising Mexican star Jesus Ramos Jr. and Guido Emmanuel Schramm, who will duel in the co-main event, plus rising middleweight contender Elijah Garcia and U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha, who square off in the opening bout at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
The tripleheader will stream exclusively on Prime Video for all Prime members in the United States and select countries. Join today or start a free 30-day trial to catch the championship card.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, Sampson Boxing and Mayweather Promotions, are on sale now at AXS.com.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas
SEBASTIAN FUNDORA
“It’s been a while since I fought, but we’re ready to put on a great show like always and give the fans what they’ve been waiting for.
“I’ve been working the whole time since my last fight. We’ve been waiting for this and we’ll be ready for whatever Booker comes with.
“It’s going to take the best Sebastian Fundora to win this fight. Booker is a top contender in this division, so it’s up to me to figure out how I want to win this fight and then go in there and do it.
“Now that we have these titles there are a lot more opportunities and a lot more fights that we can make. Now everyone wants to fight us. I’m very excited for the future and what’s to come.
“Having two world champions in the gym is great. My sister Gabriela is the youngest undisputed champion in history. It keeps me motivated, because I need to catch up. I’m halfway there and we’re both shooting for the stars.”
CHORDALE BOOKER
“I truly am super grateful for this opportunity, but I’m not just happy to be here, I’m coming to win.
“I’ve got my city, Stamford, Connecticut, showing up for me here and that means a lot to me. It’s gonna be a great night and I know everyone is gonna enjoy it.
“There’s no pressure on me. The only pressure is the pressure I put on myself. I want to bring this back home for myself and my community.
“It’s tough to prepare for Fundora’s height, because he has a unique style and unique height. You can’t find somebody at his weight who’s his height. But I made sure I got the best work possible to be prepared. If there were more guys like Fundora, they’d be world champions.
“I love being competitive. I love being competitive with everything I do. I always set the highest goals possible. Now I’ve made it to the pinnacle of the sport and it’s time to capture it.”
JESUS RAMOS JR.
“I’m just excited to be back and blessed to have this opportunity. I’m looking to stay active this whole year and put on big fights for the fans.
“Activity is really important and it’s overlooked a lot in boxing. The greats would fight often back in the day and that’s something I’m trying to bring back. I’m always in the gym and staying ready. It’s gonna make a big difference.
“The defeat against Erickson Lubin only made me better. I grew a lot and I learned. It was a blessing in disguise in a way and I’m demonstrating that in each fight. I’m showing new wrinkles and displaying my whole arsenal.
“I definitely want the winner of the main event. I’m glad I’m up here next to him so I can really see how tall Fundora is. But I’m definitely not overlooking Schramm, and of course Fundora has a really tough opponent as well. If we both take care of our jobs on Saturday night, we’ll see what happens next.
“If you thought I looked sharp on February 1, I’m going to be even sharper on Saturday night and put on a great performance.”
GUIDO EMMANUEL SCHRAMM
“I want everyone to know that I’m coming to win on Saturday night. I’m grateful to my team for making this possible. I had a great training camp and I’m more than ready to come out with my hand raised.
“I took this fight because I’m ready. I like to be challenged and I’m made for these kinds of moments. I want to shine under the bright lights.
“I have a great opponent in Jesus Ramos Jr., but I’m made to be a champion and I want to prove that to everyone on Saturday night.
“I was training in Los Angeles when I got offered this fight. I was ready from the get go. I said yes right away and I was ready to get it on.
“I’m coming out there to win no matter what. I’ll be ready for whatever happens in the ring and do whatever it takes to get the win.”
ELIJAH GARCIA
“I’m feeling good and I’m feeling ready. We put a lot of work into this camp and I’m excited to get back in the ring. I’m facing a very experienced opponent, and we know it’s gonna be a tough fight, but I’m prepared.
“I came to camp with a new head coach and we’ve done everything correctly. I came here to Las Vegas to not worry about anything but boxing. The loss is what it is. I’ve prepared for Saturday and that’s the only thing that’s on my mind.
“I’m here to get better and be a world champion one day. Terrell is very experienced, very talented and he knows how to control the ring. Fighting a nobody doesn’t prepare me to win a world title. This is the challenge I wanted.
“Bob Santos is on top of everything we do in the ring and that’s what we needed. He’s helping me take this to the next level. I’ve been out here for a while and I’m ready to give the fans a great fight.
“He can say whatever he wants right now, but it’s gonna be much different when we get in the ring. I’ll fight whoever, it doesn’t matter to me.”
TERRELL GAUSHA
“I’m excited to be here. I trained hard and I’m ready to give everyone a show. Come Saturday night, we’re putting on some fireworks.
“I’m fighting a tough guy and that’s why I took the fight. I’m ready to get the win and do my thing when that bell rings. Everyone is gonna see me do my talking with my hands on March 22.
“I have a lot of experience but Garcia has his own style, so I don’t compare him to the great champions I fought. My experience will definitely show in the ring on Saturday.
“I respect Garcia for taking this fight. Real fighters don’t pick and choose. But it was a mistake for him to take this fight. I’m gonna show that I’m ready.
“In my mind, I’m gonna deliver a dominant performance and come out with my hand raised. I respect him, but I trained too hard not to win.”
# # #
ABOUT FUNDORA VS. BOOKER
Fundora vs. Booker will see unified WBC and WBO Super Welterweight World Champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora step into the ring to make the first defense of his world titles as he takes on top contender Chordale Booker headlining PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video action Saturday, March 22 from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
In the co-main event, rising Mexican star Jesus Ramos Jr. will battle Guido Emmanuel Schramm in a 10-round all-Mexican super welterweight showdown, plus exciting rising middleweight contender Elijah Garcia duels veteran contender and U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in the 10-round opening bout.
The tripleheader will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with the action streaming exclusively on Prime Video for all Prime members in the United States and select countries. Join today or start a free 30-day trial to catch the championship card.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, Sampson Boxing and Mayweather Promotions, are on sale now at AXS.com.
SEBASTIAN FUNDORA VS. CHORDALE BOOKER MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
LAS VEGAS – March 19, 2025 – Unified WBC and WBO Super Welterweight World Champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora and top-rated contender Chordale Booker kicked off fight week events Wednesday with a media workout in Las Vegas before they meet in the main event of PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video this Saturday, March 22 from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
The media workout also featured rising Mexican star Jesus Ramos Jr. and Guido Emmanuel Schramm, who will duel in the co-main event, plus rising middleweight contender Elijah Garcia and U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha, who square off in the opening bout at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
The tripleheader will stream exclusively on Prime Video for all Prime members in the United States and select countries. Join today or start a free 30-day trial to catch the championship card.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, Sampson Boxing and Mayweather Promotions, are on sale now at AXS.com.
Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday from Boxing VIP:
SEBASTIAN FUNDORA
“I’m very excited to have another headliner here in the boxing capital of the world of Las Vegas and defend these two titles. I’m ready for Saturday night.
“I think I showed my boxing skills and what I can do with my jab in my last fight. I’ll be ready to do it again if I have to on Saturday night.
“The older I get, the more I feel like I’ve been learning in this sport. I was still growing into my man body and I feel like I’m fully a man now.
“I definitely think I’m a better fighter now that I’ve won these belts. I was confident before, but now there’s an extra confidence that I have with being a champion. I proved to the world that I’m the best in this division.
“I was the underdog in my last fight and you all saw how that went. We’re definitely not looking past Booker. This is what we’ve been focused on for three months and we’re going to show everyone what we came to do.
“The best defense is offense. If you’re not punching, they’re gonna be punching you. There’s only one thing in boxing, it’s simple. You have to throw punches.”
CHORDALE BOOKER
“Everybody at the top of the division has been on my radar. Fundora is the guy with the belts, so I was excited to take on the challenge.
“In my opinion, this is the best weight class in boxing because we have so many different guys who could win on a given night. It’s the most competitive division in the sport.
“Fundora covers a lot of distance, so it’s not easy to avoid getting into a firefight with him. I don’t care how I have to fight to get the win though. I’ve trained to shock the world.
“I don’t think anyone can really prepare for Fundora’s size until you get in the ring and go a few rounds with him. You have to get a gauge for how tall he is and how long his arms are. We brought sparring partners in that simulated him as best they could and I think I’m going to be just fine with the height.
“Some people like Fundora just enjoy going toe-to-toe because that’s their style and that’s what they’re better at. In the Tim Tszyu fight he was actually boxing, so I’m prepared for anything.”
JESUS RAMOS JR.
“We were presented this opportunity and we were excited to stay active. I like the quick turnaround after fighting February 1.
“I feel like I’m even sharper now than I was on February 1. We’ve had great sparring and I feel really good and I’m looking forward to it playing out that way on fight night.
“Guido is an awkward boxer. He puts his hands down and comes forward. He’s not scared to slug it out and I like that. It’s gonna be an exciting fight.
“I’m glad that he’s coming to fight and that we’ll be able to give the fans a great fight. I take all of my opponents seriously and I don’t underestimate anyone.
“I have to put on a dominating performance to keep getting bigger and bigger fights. We’re ready for big names and have to show what level we’re on”
GUIDO EMMANUEL SCHRAMM
“I’m going to shock the world and get the knockout on Saturday night.
“We’re here to win. That’s my job and that’s what I’m coming for. I have a tremendous team and everyone is going to see what I’m capable of. I have no doubt that I’m gonna pull off the upset.
“I’ve always had Jesus Ramos Jr. in my sights. I’ve been watching his fights for a while now, so I jumped at the chance to fight him when it was brought to me.
“I’ve spent a lot of time sparring with Brian Castaño. We’ve known each other for a long time and have shared many rounds together. I’ve sparred Gervonta Davis and Manny Pacquiao just to name a couple, and that’s all going to help me against Ramos.
“I’m a warrior. I’m not just here to cash a check. Everyone is going to see me at my best on Saturday night.”
ELIJAH GARCIA
“I’ve been training here in Las Vegas for the last eight months now and it’s been nothing but sleeping, eating and boxing. I’m prepared, I’m ready and this is the best I’ve ever felt.
“I’m really excited to get back in the ring and show everyone how much I’ve improved. My journey back to the top starts on Saturday.
“I had a bad performance in my last fight and I just need to move on to the next. The biggest thing that I took away from the fight is that I needed to have a better camp and pay more attention to my weight.
“I said after the loss that Bob Santos was the best option for us. He’s got a great team that comes with him and now I feel the best that I ever have. Nobody likes losing and I’m a sore loser. I knew that I had to get better.”
TERRELL GAUSHA
“I’m expecting him to come out like he always does and bring the pressure and try to go to the body. With the way I box, that’s how everybody comes at me. So I’m used to fighting guys with his skillset.
“This fight means a lot. I’m here to show that I’m still one of the top guys in the game. I have to get the victory to keep the big fights coming. I know that I have to perform.
“It’s a blessing to be on this platform. When I was a kid, these are the kinds of fights I wanted to be in. I’ve had the same team my whole career and I’m blessed to still be doing it at this level.
“I want to keep going and fight all the big names. Everyone knows that I fight any and everybody. I just have to take care of business on Saturday first.
“It’s been a good camp without anything to slow me down. I’ve had a really long time to prepare for Elijah, so I’m definitely ready to get in the ring.”
# # #
ABOUT FUNDORA VS. BOOKER
Fundora vs. Booker will see unified WBC and WBO Super Welterweight World Champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora step into the ring to make the first defense of his world titles as he takes on top contender Chordale Booker headlining PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video action Saturday, March 22 from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
In the co-main event, rising Mexican star Jesus Ramos Jr. will battle Guido Emmanuel Schramm in a 10-round all-Mexican super welterweight showdown, plus exciting rising middleweight contender Elijah Garcia duels veteran contender and U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in the 10-round opening bout.
The tripleheader will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with the action streaming exclusively on Prime Video for all Prime members in the United States and select countries. Join today or start a free 30-day trial to catch the championship card.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, Sampson Boxing and Mayweather Promotions, are on sale now at AXS.com.
UNIFIED WBC & WBO 154-POUND WORLD CHAMPION SEBASTIAN FUNDORA SET TO TAKE ON TOP CONTENDER CHORDALE BOOKER HEADLINING PBC CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING ON PRIME VIDEO SATURDAY, MARCH 22
LAS VEGAS (February 11, 2025) – Unified WBC and WBO Super Welterweight World Champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora will step into the ring to make the first defense of his world titles as he takes on top contender Chordale Booker headlining PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video action Saturday, March 22 from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
In the co-main event, rising Mexican star Jesus Ramos Jr. will battle all-action contender Kevin Salgado in a 10-round all-Mexican super welterweight showdown, plus exciting rising middleweight contender Elijah Garcia duels veteran contender and U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in the 10-round opening bout.
The event will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with the action streaming exclusively on Prime Video for all Prime members in the United States and select countries. Join today or start a free 30-day trial to catch the championship card. Known for delivering memorable toe-to-toe action every time he steps into the ring, Fundora will compete as a world champion for the first time as he takes on the talented WBO No. 5-ranked contender Booker in this high-stakes clash with multiple titles on the line.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, Sampson Boxing and Mayweather Promotions, will go on sale Thursday, February 13 at 10 a.m. PT on AXS.com.
Pre-sale ticketsare AVAILABLE TOMORROW, Wednesday, February 12 from 10 a.m. PT until 10 p.m. PT on AXS.com with code: PBC
“Sebastian Fundora sits atop the stacked super welterweight division and will no doubt be looking to put on a show when he defends his world titles against the dangerous highly-rated contender Chordale Booker topping this great event on Prime Video on March 22,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “This is a tremendous style matchup between the forward-charging attack of Fundora and the slick counterpunching of Booker and will make for great back-and-forth. Combined with a surefire action fight between Jesus Ramos Jr. and Kevin Salgado and a toss-up fight between Elijah Garcia and Terrell Gausha, everything is in place for another memorable fight night in Las Vegas.”
“Sebastian ‘The Towering Inferno’ Fundora will be better than ever in his first fight as a defending unified world champion,” said Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing. “The whole Fundora family works so hard to be where they are and they deserve their success. Chordale Booker is a good fighter with real skills, but he won’t be able to take Sebastian’s power.”
**SEBASTIAN FUNDORA VS. CHORDALE BOOKER**
Standing nearly six-foot-six, Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora leapt into the championship ranks after earning a decision over Tim Tszyu last year, and will now defend his WBC and WBO 154-pound world titles against the WBO No. 5-ranked and WBC No. 14-ranked super welterweight contender in Chordale Booker as they top the March 22 event in a 12-round attraction.
Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) rocketed to the top of the super welterweight division with a fan-friendly style and bruising toughness in the ring that helped him emerge victorious from a grueling and bloody battle against Tszyu last March. A native of Coachella, California, Fundora notably showed his mettle in April 2022, battling the hard-hitting Erickson Lubin in an instant 2022 Fight of the Year contender. Despite both men hitting the canvas, Fundora stood tall in the end, prompting Lubin’s corner to stop the fight at the end of the ninth round. The 27-year-old has defeated a slew of contenders throughout his career, with his only defeat coming to Brian Mendoza in 2023. Fundora represents one of boxing’s most accomplished families, as he is trained by his father Freddy alongside his younger sister, undisputed flyweight world champion Gabriela. The two fighting Fundora’s are the first brother and sister to simultaneously hold world championships.
“I’m preparing really hard to defend my unified WBC and WBO world titles on March 22 in Las Vegas,” said Fundora. “Everyone can expect to see me prepared and ready to leave it all in the ring like I always do. ‘The Towering Inferno’ is back, and I’m coming to take out everyone in my way.”
Fighting out of his native Stamford, Connecticut, Booker (23-1, 11 KOs) enters this fight on a six-fight winning streak that includes four stoppage victories that have helped him rise up the rankings and earn his first world title opportunity. Since a 2022 loss to Austin Williams, Booker has dominated his competition, including a 2024 campaign that saw him defeat veteran contender Greg Vendetti in February before stopping Brian Damian Chaves in round three of their June clash. The 33-year-old also owns triumphs over a litany of tough contenders including Wale Omotoso and VeShawn Owens. Prior to turning pro in 2016, Booker put together a sensational amateur career that included gold medals at the U.S. National and Golden Gloves championships, in addition to a bronze medal at the U.S. Olympic trials that earned him an alternate spot for the 2016 U.S. Olympic team.
“I’ve done everything I could to get here, and it’s a testament to what my foundation represents – going the distance,” said Booker. “I’ve gone the distance to make it to this fight. I’ve taken fights on short notice, fought for less and always kept pushing forward. Now, 15 years into my boxing journey, I’m stepping into the biggest fight of my life. This moment means everything and it’s proof that hard work and perseverance pays off.”
**JESUS RAMOS JR. VS. KEVIN SALGADO**
In the 10-round co-main event, one of the sport’s brightest rising Mexican stars will return to action as Jesus Ramos Jr. looks to continue his climb up the stacked 154-pound division when he battles the all-action contender Kevin Salgado in an explosive all-Mexican battle.
After coming up on the wrong end of a contested decision against top contender Erickson Lubin in September 2023, Ramos (22-1, 18 KOs) has returned in style with back-to-back stoppages. Most recently he blasted out the former unified champion Jeison Rosario in the eight-round of their February 1 matchup. A native of Casa Grande, Ariz., Ramos had worked his way up the rankings by defeating a slew of contenders including Brian Mendoza, Javier Molina, Vladimir Hernandez and an emphatic stoppage of the then-unbeaten Joey Spencer. Trained by his father Jesus Sr., and the nephew of veteran contender Abel, the 23-year-old Ramos entered the Lubin fighting having stopped seven of his last 10 opponents.
“I’m thrilled to be stepping back into the ring on March 22,” said Ramos. “One of my main goals this year was to increase my activity and this opportunity aligns perfectly with that ambition. Kevin Salgado is a formidable fighter known for his resilience and determination, and that should make for an electrifying night of boxing. Coming off an extended training camp, my conditioning is at its peak. Now our primary focus is to develop a strategic game plan tailored to Salgado’s unique style so that we can secure the victory.”
A native of Mexico City, Salgado (17-2-1, 10 KOs) is the younger brother of former super featherweight champion Juan Carlos Salgado and now fights out of San Antonio, Texas. Salgado enters this with two consecutive stoppage victories following an April 2023 decision loss to Elijah Garcia. The 27-year-old turned pro in late 2016 and delivered knockouts in six of his first nine outings. After scoring three-straight knockouts between September 2019 and February 2021, Salgado returned to the ring in October 2021 to defeat Ricardo Banuelos Cernas by unanimous decision before fighting Bryant Perrella to a split-draw in his U.S. debut in April. Salgado bounced back from a September 2022 defeat to Joey Spencer by knocking out Gilberto Flores in the first round of their December 2022 clash.
“This is an important opportunity and I’m coming to make the most of it,” said Salgado. “I have a strong opponent, but I’m going to be the best version of myself when the fight comes. On March 22 I will do whatever it takes to get my hand raised.”
**ELIJAH GARCIA VS. TERRELL GAUSHA**
The opening attraction will see the return of a rising star in the 21-year-old Elijah Garcia, who seeks to bounce back from his first career defeat and return to his championship trajectory in a 10-round middleweight fight against the always tough veteran Terrell Gausha, who has stood up to a litany of top fighters throughout his career.
Fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, García (16-1, 13 KOs) steps back into the ring after dropping a close split-decision last June against middleweight contender Kyrone Davis. Garcia had previously burst onto the scene as a teenager by earning three impressive victories in 2023. He kicked off that memorable campaign in March with a knockout of the previously unbeaten Amilcar Vida and followed that up with a pair of performances on the undercards of two of the biggest events of the year. He first defeated Kevin Salgado on the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia pay-per-view in April before knocking out Armando Resendiz on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo pay-per-view in September. The precocious García has moved fast since turning pro in 2020 and knocked out seven of his last nine opponents heading into the Davis fight.
“I’m not just ready for this fight, I’m ready to dominate,” said Garcia. “I’m excited to get back in the ring and unleash everything I’ve been working on in camp. The addition of Bob Santos and his knowledge and wisdom that he’s shared with our team is a game changer. His expertise and guidance are going to take us to new heights and propel us to the next level. We’re not just looking to win, we’re looking to make a statement.”
A member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, Gausha (24-4-1, 12 KOs) was born in Cleveland, Ohio but now fights out of Encino, California and is trained by the renowned Manny Robles. He most recently dropped a competitive decision to reigning WBC Middleweight World Champion Terrell Gausha in their June 2024 world title fight. Prior to facing Adames, Gausha had won back-to-back bouts as he knocked out Brandyn Lynch in March 2023 before winning a decision over KeAndrae Leatherwood in September of that year. Gausha has faced top competition throughout his career, having fought former champion Austin Trout to a draw in 2019 in addition to decision losses against WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy Lara, former world champion Tim Tszyu and top contender Erickson Lubin.
“I’m excited to get back in the mix,” said Gausha. “I’m always working and staying ready for any opportunity. On March 22 people will know why I’ve been at this level for so long. I’m going to make a statement for sure.”
By Norm Frauenheim —Tank Davis looked vulnerable. The sign was there in an ugly bruise, going from red to crimson, beneath his right eye.
But the bruise might as well have been a mask.
For a while, it hid what has always been there. Davis’ quick-strike power is a dynamic that never stays hidden for long.
It struck all over again, this time dropping a gutsy Frank Martin onto his back alongside the ropes Saturday night in a devastating eighth-round knockout at MGM’s Grand Garden Arena in an Amazon Prime fight for the lightweight title.
Questions, however, were lurking after about 14-month stretch of no bouts and time in jail at home in Baltimore.
Martin hoped he had the ability to exploit them. And, for a while, it looked as if he might. He danced away. He moved inside, he moved outside with enough agility and courage to bruise Davis.
“But I knew, I knew, he’d tire out,’’ Davis said.
He did. Martin’s quick feet began to slow, round-after-round absorbing Tank’s wicked combinations.
At 1:29 of the eighth, it was finally over. Davis rocked Martin (19-1, 12 KOs) with a succession of punches. It looked as if Martin was ready to fall. Davis made sure of it with a left-handed shot that began at his hip and traveled like a menacing meteor in a direct strike on Martin’s exposed chin.
It was over, an exclamation point, a reminder of Davis’ pound-for-pound credentials and perhaps an even bigger opportunity to prove himself on a bigger stage against Vasiliy Lomachenko later this year.
Benavidez scores unanimous decision in 175-pound debut
It was a debut that demanded a difference.
A different David Benavidez.
That’s what he delivered in his first fight at a heavier weight against an experienced and toughened light-heavyweight.
Oleksandr Gvozydk, a former 175-pound champion, endured Benavidez’ whirlwind arsenal early and tested him with his own fundamental power later.
In losing a unanimous decision to Benavidez Saturday night at the MGM’s Grand Garden Arena, the Ukrainian didn’t tame The Monster in a fighter feared at super-middleweight.
But he did counter his evident mean streak with a durability Benavidez has never really encountered.
“I felt like I had a great fight against a great fighter,’’ said Benavidez, who also said he came into the fight with two injuries – a cut over his right eyelid and a torn tendon in his right hand – suffered two weeks ago. “It was a new weight, a different weight.’’
Benavidez left the ring with two things unchanged. He’s still unbeaten (29-0, 24 KOs). And he still intends to pursue a title at super-middleweight. That means Canelo Alvarez, of course.
“We’re going to go back to 168 and go after the title as a mandatory challenger or maybe if the title becomes vacant,’’ Benavidez said.
That of course, depends on what Canelo decides. But it’s safe to assume he was watching.
Early on, what he and a roaring crowd saw was the Benavidez they witnessed at super-middle.
He came out in the first round, shuffling, side
to-side while displaying some newfound head movement.
His father and trainer, Jose Benavidez Sr. had promised a renewed emphasis on defense and his son didn’t disappoint, at least not through the first three minutes.
In the second and third, there were moments when the 27-year-old Benavidez made the 37-year-old Gvozdyk (20-2, 16 KOs) look stiff, if not awkward.
The Ukrainian wasn’t exactly a stationary target. But he was there, in front of Benavidez, and open to a wide variety of punches thrown at alternating angles and speeds.
Gvozdyk couldn’t dodge them all. Benavidez’ punches are like debris in a tornado. They’re coming from everywhere. Example: In the sixth round, it looked as if Gvozdyk had begun to find his range with straight-handed shots.
They were beginning to slow down Benavidez. But in a momentary switch of momentum, Benavidez unleashed a triple shot – three right hands, each from a different angle and all three travelling at a blinding velocity.
From round-to-later round, however, Gvozdyk was there, an edifice impossible to bring down. Benavidez tried in an apparent attempt to fulfill his promised knockout.
Instead of a KO, however, there was only fatigue to go along with another victory in his introduction to a bout that also provided a reminder: There’s a reason for weight classes.
Puello scores SD over Russell/Tank-Martin card
Alberto Puello survived.
He survived a penalty for holding.
He survived a scorecard that suggested he never had a chance.
Turns out, survival was sweet.
Puello scored a split decision over a stronger, quicker Gary Russell (17-1, 17 KOs) for an interim junior-welterweight belt Saturday on the Amazon Prime card featuring David Benavidez-OleksansdrGvodzykand Tank Davis-Frank Martin Saturday at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.
Puello (23-0, 10 KOs), of The Dominican Republic, won on two cards, 114-113 and 115-113. It was a close fight from almost every perspective but one. Judge David Hudson scored it for Russell, 118-109
It was a hard fight to watch. A hard fight to score, too.
But Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KOs) did what he had to, keeping the World Boxing Council’s version of the middleweight title with a unanimous decision over Terrell Gausha Saturday on the Amazon Prime card featuring David Benavidez-Oleksandr Gvozdyk and Tank Davis-Frank Martin.
One-sided scorecards — 118-110, 119-109, 118-110 — make it sound as if Adames, of The Dominican Republic, had an easy day at the office. He didn’t. Gausha (24-4-1, 12 KOs) tested him repeatedly in the later rounds. But it was never quite enough for the middleweight from Encino CA to sore an upset.
Kyrone Davis scores split-decision over Elijah Garcia
Elijah Garcia made the weight.
But lost the fight.
Kyrone Davis (19-3-1, 6 KOs) took some of the promise out of Garcia’s ambitious career Saturday with a careful, yet effective pace Saturday, scoring a split decision over the Phoenix middleweight in a bout that was preceded by controversy.
Late Friday, there were doubts about whether the bout, already postponed once, would even happen.
Garcia missed weight, coming in at 165.4 pounds and then 163. Davis was at 160.4.
Davis trainer Stephen Breadman Edwards demanded that Garcia weigh-in again Saturday morning, a few hours before opening bell at MGM’s Grand Garden Arena.
Breadman threatened to cancel the bout if Gracia was heavier than 173 pounds in the morning weigh-in. He wasn’t. According to the official bout sheet, he was at 163.2. The fight was on, but the early pace belonged to Davis.
He came into the ring looking angry, perhaps anxious to take out some frustration on Garcia (16-1, 13 KOs). At opening bell, however, he exhibited only poise. He patiently measured the distance between him and Gracia with a jab. Then, he followed with repeated rights.
For four or five rounds, Gracia looked tentative, perhaps because of the weight controversy or maybe because of Davis’ tactical patience.
Whatever it was, the slow start proved costly. Davis won on two cards, both by 97-93 scores. On the third card, it was 98-92 for Garcia, who stepped up the pace and his level of aggression, especially from the seventh through the 10th rounds. The Arizona southpaw moved forward, trying to walk down Davis while also landing a succession of head-rocking combos.
But, in the end, it wasn’t enough to save Garcia from his first pro defeat, a loss and perhaps a lesson for a young fighter
Magsayo wins one-sided decision
Mark Magsayo (26-2, 17 KOs), a Filipino junior-lightweight, scored a third-round knockdown and then scored repeatedly over the next seven rounds for a decision — as thorough as it was unanimous — over Mexican Eduardo Ramirez (28-4-3,13 KOs) in the sixth bout on the Tank-Martin card Saturday.
After Magsayo rocked Ramirez with an uppercut and then dropped him with a straight hand, Los Mochis fighter continued, but never with much purpose or energy in what what turned into a dull bout.
Justin Viloria stays unbeaten, scores fifth-round TKO
Justin Villoria (6-0, 4 KOs), a 19-year-old junior-lightweight from Whittier CA, had all of the energy and most of the punches in overwhelming Mexican Angel Contreras Saturday on the Tank Davis-Frank Martin card.
Villoria knocked down Contreras (15-9, 9 KOs) in the fourth and again the fifth, both times with body punches. Seconds after the second knockdown, an exhausted Contreras took a knee, a TKO surrender at 2:02 of the fifth round.
Phoenix junior-featherweight impressive in pro debut
Hello, Brayan Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, a junior-featherweight from Phoenix, was impressive in his professional debut, scoring a first-round knockdown and staggering James Mulder again in the fourth in an afternoon bout hours before the Tank Davis-Frank Martin main event..
Mulder (0-2), of Antioch CA, never had a chance. Never scored a point either. It was 40-35 on all three cards, all for Gonzalez (1-0).
Benavidez-trained Blancas stays unbeaten with first-round stoppage
David Benavidez’ stable is 2-0 through the early fights on a card that will feature its star attraction Saturday night in a light-heavyweight debut against Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
Daniel Blancas (10-0, 5 KOs), a super-middleweight from Milwaukee, didn’t waste any time, flashing Benavidez-like power with a sweeping hook for a first-round stoppage of German Aro Schwartz (23-8-1, 15 KOs).
Ohio junior lightweight does enough to win majority decision
It was a hard fight to score. Neither fighter did much, but Peggy Whitmore (3-0), a junior-lightweight from Ohio, did more, winning a majority decision (39–37, 39-37, 38-38) over Mia Ellis (7-3, 6 KOs), of Baltimore, in the second bout on the Tank Davis-Frank Martin card
First Bell: Benavidez-trained featherweight opens marathon show with unanimous decision
First bell sounded like a morning alarm.
It echoed through an empty arena, signaling a noon-time start to a card that eventually will feature David Benavidez-versus-Oleksandr Gvozydk in a light-heavyweight fight and Tank Davis-versus-Frank Martin for the lightweight title Saturday at the MGM’s Grand Garden Arena.
Reina Tellez (8-0-1, 5 KOs), a San Antonio featherweight and a fighter in the Benavidez stable, got the marathon started, winning a four-round, unanimous decision over a taller, yet slower Beta Dudek ((4-2, 4 KOs) of Slovakia.
Davis trainer threatens to cancel fight if Elijah Garcia is heavier than 173 pounds
By Norm Frauenheim –
LAS VEGAS – Phoenix middleweight Elijah Garcia can be no heavier than 173 pounds at a weigh-in Saturday morning or his fight against Kyrone Davis is off, Davis trainer Stephen “Breadman” Edwards said.
Garcia failed to make weight Friday at the formal weigh-in for his bout with Davis on the undercard featuring lightweights Tank Davis-versus-Frank Martin and light-heavyweights David Benavidez versus Oleksandr Gvozdyk at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
“I told him, if he (Garcia) is more than 10 pounds over tomorrow, we can’t fight,’’ Edwards told video journalist Sean Zittel.
The morning weigh-in is scheduled for 9:30 a.m (PT). Garcia-Davis is the ninth fight on a 13-fight card, according to the bout sheet. First bell is scheduled for 12:15 p.m.
The Garcia-Davis fight was announced before the weigh-in. But neither fighter ever made it to the scale that was on the stage.
It was disclosed later that negotiations were underway after Garcia struggled to make weight.
According to Edwards, Garcia was at 165.2 pounds the first time he stepped on the scale, off-stage. The second time, he was at 163 pounds.
Davis was at 160.4. Edwards said the rehydration clause for Saturday morning’s weigh-on was set at 173.
He said that Garcia already had an advantage because he was 2.6 pounds heavier than Davis late Friday.
Davis, Edwards said, was unhappy.
“This is the second time this happened,’’ Edwards said.
The Garcia-Davis fight has already been postponed once. They had been scheduled to fight March 30. But the bout got cancelled when Garcia got sick.
He suffered from a respiratory infection.
“I wasn’t feeling good,’’ Garcia (16-0, 13 KOs), a 21-year-old prospect, said Wednesday at a news conference. “I was feeling a little bit sick last time, but I’m good right now,”
Garcia is anxious to regain the career momentum he had a year ago. He hasn’t fought since September.
“Absolutely,’’ Garcia said Wednesday. “It’s June, and I’m having my first fight, so that kind of sucks because I want to be fighting four or five times a year.”
Davis (18-3-1, 6 KOs) is seen as a tough test, especially for a young prospect who hopes for a shot at a middleweight title. Erislandy Lara, a 40-year-old belt holder, has been mentioned as a possibility.
Davis’ resume includes a date as a late replacement, a sub, for Benavidez in November 2021 in Phoenix. He gave the bigger Benavidez six tough rounds before his corner threw in the towel in the seventh.
DAVID BENAVIDEZ VS. OLEKSANDR GVOZDYK & UNDERCARD FIGHTERS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
LAS VEGAS – June 12, 2024 – Unbeaten two-time world champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez and former light heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk showed off their skills at an open to the public media workout on Wednesday, before they meet for the Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Title this Saturday, June 15 in a PBC Pay-Per-View event marking the 100th championship fight night at the historic MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Also at Wednesday’s workout, boxing superstar Gervonta “Tank” Davis made an appearance in front of the fans in attendance before he defends his WBA Lightweight World Championship against unbeaten contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin in the main event.
The workout also featured fighters competing on the pay-per-view undercard, including undefeated rising star Gary Antuanne Russell and unbeaten former world champion Alberto Puello, who meet for the vacant Interim WBC Super Lightweight Title, plus WBC Middleweight World Champion Carlos Adames and veteran contender and U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha, who duel in the pay-per-view opener at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Rounding out the workout lineup was rising undefeated middleweight Elijah Garcia, who battles veteran contender Kyrone “Shut It Down” Davis in a matchup that tops a three-fight PBC on Prime Video card beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT and leading into the pay-per-view. The preliminary matchups will be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now and are available through www.axs.com.
The event is promoted by GTD Promotions, Sampson Boxing, TGB Promotions and Man Down Promotions.
In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com.
Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday from MGM Grand:
GERVONTA DAVIS
“It feels good to be back at MGM Grand and to be a part of something legendary like this. This is a great card and it’s just exciting to be here.
“I just want to go out there and give the fans a great show and put on a great performance Saturday night. It’s a great building at MGM and I want to give the fans something amazing to watch.
“When I come out and the people are cheering for me, it feels like we’re together. It’s like we’re family. It makes me want to put on a great performance for them.”
DAVID BENAVIDEZ
“This means the world to me. This has been my dream since I was three-years-old. I’m going to have a lot of fun going out there and showcasing my talents for the fans.
“I feel stronger and faster at this weight class. I’m really excited to showcase it on Saturday night. I’m at another level now.
“I’m like a young veteran because I still have a lot of years left in me. This second half of my career is going to be the best part.”
OLEKSANDR GVOZDYK
“This is where I fought for my pro debut and I’m still here and fighting for a title against a tough opponent. What could be better? It’s exciting.
“I had a great camp. There’s no excuses. I’m definitely in one of the best conditions of my life. I’m ready to prove that I’m the best.
“He’s going to apply pressure and throw multi-punch combinations. I’m expecting a hard fight and I have no doubt that I’ll handle it.”
GARY ANTUANNE RUSSELL
“It’s a blessing to have so much experience in my family and in my corner. It feels like I have a cheat code to the sport.
“I just want to show everybody excellence. We’re going to bring out our skillset. He’s going to make me bring more tools out of my arsenal. I’m going to make sure it’s an action fight and keep my knockout streak going.
“Being in this position tells me that I’m climbing the ladder to be one of the greats. We’re taking it one step at a time. My ultimate goal is to be the undisputed champion.”
ALBERTO PUELLO
“I’m really excited to be here for a great night in front of great fans. I’m looking forward to an amazing night on Saturday. I know that we’re going to give the fans an exciting show.
“You can expect a great show, because the fans deserve it. I’m going to give my best and win. It’s going to be a hell of a fight.
“This is going to be an interesting clash of styles. Gary is a knockout artist and he’s going to try to do his thing and not let me box how I normally do. I’m going to use the ring and win the way that I know how to win.”
CARLOS ADAMES
“I have no equal and I have no rival in this division. Whoever wants to come after me, go ahead. I want to face them just as much as they want to face me. I don’t fear anyone.
“My conviction is what separates me from everybody in this division. They all know that I want to face them and that I’m not running from anyone.
“Gausha should be a strong opponent and I’m excited about it, because it’ll make for a great fight for the fans.”
TERRELL GAUSHA
“A win on Saturday means everything. I’m with the best team in the world and it’s a blessing to have this opportunity.
“We’ve done everything in the gym we had to. We’re ready. We’re steppers. That’s what we do. We step when it’s time to step.
“There are a lot of ups and downs in boxing and I’ve just stayed focused, stayed the course, stayed training, kept my head down and remained humble. Now I’m ready to get my title on Saturday night.
“Fans can expect me to leave everything in the ring and come out with that belt. Now is my time. I’m not worried about anything. I’m focused.”
ELIJAH GARCIA
“I feel good and I feel ready. I had more time to prepare and I know it’s gonna be a tough fight. We’re definitely ready.
“It’s a blessing to be on another big card. I trained hard and I feel like I earned it. I’m just taking it one step at a time.
“Hopefully by the end of the year I can call myself a world champion. That’s what I’m aiming for. Last year was great, but that’s in the past.”
# # #
ABOUT DAVIS VS. MARTIN & BENAVIDEZ VS. GVOZDYK
Davis vs. Martin and Benavidez vs. Gvozdyk will see popular superstars Gervonta “Tank” Davis and David “El Monstro” Benavidez co-headline a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video on Saturday, June 15 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Headlining the show is the undefeated three-division champion Davis defending his WBA Lightweight World Championship against unbeaten top contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin, while Benavídez is set to make his 175-pound debut against former light heavyweight world champion Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk in a matchup for the Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Title.
The pay-per-view will also see undefeated rising star Gary Antuanne Russell take on unbeaten former world champion Alberto Puello for the vacant Interim WBC Super Lightweight Title, while WBC Middleweight World Champion Carlos Adames battles veteran contender and U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in the pay-per-view opener at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
The MGM Grand Garden Arena hosted its premiere boxing event in January 1994 and, over its 30-year history, the venue has become synonymous with the sport’s biggest fight nights. Fight fans have watched champions ranging from George Foreman and Julio Cesar Chavez to Roy Jones and Shane Mosley step in the ring and put on a championship display of skill. Epic battles including Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, Holyfield vs. Tyson II, Pacquiao vs. Marquez IV, multiple Barrera vs. Morales title fights, and Mayweather vs. Canelo, among others, led all boxers to want to fight at the legendary Grand Garden Arena. The June 15 event will mark a celebration of the venue’s storied history as boxing’s next chapter unfolds with these two high-stakes showdowns.
PBC ON PRIME VIDEO ACTION SET TO FEATURE THREE INTRIGUING SHOWDOWNS SATURDAY, JUNE 15 FROM THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS
LAS VEGAS – June 7, 2024 – Three exciting showdowns featuring top contenders, former champions and more will highlight PBC on Prime Video action Saturday, June 15 leading up to the Davis vs. Martin and Benavidez vs. Gvozdyk PBC Pay-Per-View Event on Prime Video marking the 100th championship fight night to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. These three preliminary matchups will be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card.
The live streaming presentation will be topped by rising middleweight Elijah García taking on contender Kyrone “Shut It Down” Davis in a 10-round attraction and also features former world champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo facing Mexican contender Eduardo Ramirez in a 10-round super featherweight clash. Opening up the stream at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT is hard-hitting welterweight Roiman Villa battling Mexico’s Ricardo Salas in a 10-round fight.
These bouts will lead into a stacked pay-per-view lineup topped by undefeated three-division champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis defending his WBA Lightweight World Championship against unbeaten top contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin, plus David “El Monstro” Benavidez makes his 175-pound debut against former light heavyweight world champion Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk in a matchup for the Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Title.
The pay-per-view will also see undefeated rising star Gary Antuanne Russell take on unbeaten former world champion Alberto Puello for the vacant Interim WBC Super Lightweight Title, while WBC Middleweight World Champion Carlos Adames battles veteran contender and U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in the pay-per-view opener at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now and are available through www.axs.com.
The event is promoted by GTD Promotions, Sampson Boxing, TGB Promotions and Man Down Promotions.
In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com.
“Once again fans tuning into Prime Video will be treated to a jam-packed lineup of action fights leading into the Saturday, June 15 PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Topping the show is the sensational and fast-rising middleweight Elijah Garcia, who can test his championship mettle against the always tough Kyrone Davis. Adding in the Magsayo vs. Ramirez and Villa vs. Salas bouts promises power-punching and drama throughout these prelims.”
**ELIJAH GARCIA VS. KYRONE DAVIS**
Looking to stamp his 160-pound contender status after a huge 2023 campaign, the 21-year-old Elijah García will return for a 10-round showdown against tough middleweight contender Kyrone “Shut It Down” Davis, who can make his own name at middleweight with a signature victory on June 15. Garcia and Davis were originally set to clash in March before Garcia was forced to withdraw on the morning of the weigh-in due to illness.
Fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, García (16-0, 13 KOs) earned three impressive victories in 2023, kicking off his year last March with a knockout of the previously unbeaten Amilcar Vidal. He followed that up with a pair of performances on the undercards of two of the biggest events of the year, first defeating Kevin Salgado on the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia pay-per-view in April before knocking out Armando Resendiz on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo pay-per-view in September. The precocious García has moved fast since turning pro in 2020 and has knocked out seven of his last nine opponents.
“I’m excited to be back in the ring for another big event,” said García. “Fighting on these major events is an incredible blessing and I plan on delivering another great performance. Kyrone Davis has been in the ring with some very good fighters, and it will be a challenging fight, but my plan is to get the win by any means necessary. I’m really happy we were able to reschedule the fight, because fans are going to see an incredible night of boxing on June 15 and everyone should be tuning in.”
The 29-year-old Davis(18-3-1, 6 KOs) picked up two victories in 2023, dominating Cristian Fabian Rios in January before scoring a unanimous decision over Cruse Stewart in December. Those victories came after a run that saw Davis battle two-time champion Anthony Dirrell to a draw in February 2021, before stepping in as a late replacement two fights later to drop a hard-fought contest against super middleweight superstar David Benavidez. An amateur standout representing Wilmington, Delaware, Davis trains in Philadelphia under the tutelage of top trainer Stephen “Breadman” Edwards.
“Training has been going exactly how we need it to,” said Davis. “I expect an entertaining and high action fight once we actually get in the ring. Winning is the only result I’m settling for. I’m preparing to leave it all in the ring.”
**MARK MAGSAYO VS. EDUARDO RAMIREZ**
In a 10-round super featherweight set to yield a top contender in the 130-pound division, the Filipino power-puncher Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo will take on the longtime contender and Mexican brawler Eduardo Ramirez in a toe-to-toe clash.
A former featherweight world champion, Magsayo (25-2, 17 KOs) captured the WBC 126-pound world title in 2022 by defeating former longtime reigning champion Gary Russell Jr. via decision. Originally from Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines and now fighting out of Southern California, Magsayo would go on to drop the title to Rey Vargas via a narrow split-decision, in a July 2022 contest that saw Magsayo send Vargas to the canvas in round nine. Magsayo would go on to engage in a memorable toe-to-toe battle with former champion Brandon Figueroa in March 2023, losing the decision after 12 rounds. Most recently, the 28-year-old debuted at 130 pounds with a third-round knockout of Isaac Avelar last December.
“I want to show everybody that I feel strong at 130 pounds and that I’m ready to become a two-division world champion,” said Magsayo. “Eduardo Ramirez is a tough fighter and we’re going to give the fans an action packed fight, just like always. Make sure you come out or tune-in to this fight, because I’m ready to show everybody what I can do and give everyone a great show.”
Fighting out of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, Ramirez (28-3-3, 13 KOs) is an established super featherweight and featherweight contender through a career that’s seen him take down contenders including Luis Melendez, Miguel Marriaga, Miguel Flores, Leduan Barthelemy and Brayan De Gracia. The 31-year-old moved up to lightweight in 2022, dropping a showdown with now 140-pound world champion Isaac Cruz. In his last outing, Ramirez returned to stop Sebastian Diaz Maldonado in the sixth round of their August 2023 duel.
“My opponent and I are both very hungry to get this win and show that we’re still some of the best fighters in the division,” said Ramirez. “Each of us knows how important this fight is, and that will make it an exciting fight for the fans. I’m going to use this victory to springboard into a world title fight.”
**ROIMAN VILLA VS. RICARDO SALAS**
One of the hardest punchers in the welterweight division, Roiman Villa will step back into action after going toe-to-toe with welterweight champion Jaron Ennis in his last bout, as he competes in a 10-round welterweight attraction against the young and hungry Ricardo Salas, who’s trained by Isaac Cruz Sr., the father and trainer of WBA 140-Pound World Champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz.
A native of Rosario, Venezuela, Villa (26-2, 24 KOs) gave Ennis perhaps the toughest fight of the unbeaten fighter’s career last July before losing the bout in round 10. Previously, Villa had delivered one of 2023’s biggest upsets in January by earning a majority decision victory over the then-undefeated top contender Rashidi Ellis. In an exciting action bout, Villa broke through in the 12th and final round as he dropped Ellis twice to clinch the career-changing win. The 31-year-old made a memorable U.S. debut in September 2022 as he dropped the previously unbeaten Janelson Bocachica on his way to a unanimous decision. The only other blemish on his resume came via a 2019 split-decision in Mexico against Marcos Vilasana.
“I’m very happy to be returning to the ring and I’m ready to chase my dream of becoming world champion,” said Villa. “This is a great opportunity and I want to thank my team for putting me in this position. I learned a lot in my last fight and I’m looking forward to showing off my new skills on June 15.”
The 25-year-old Salas (19-2-2, 14 KOs) is unbeaten in his last five outings, with three KO victories and two draws. A native of Mexico City who trains alongside Mexican star Isaac Cruz, he’ll be making his U.S. debut on June 15 looking to make a big splash to open up the live streaming lineup. Salas however has experience fighting outside of his home country, having won fights in Canada and Jamaica. A pro since 2016, both of Salas’ defeats came via split decision.
“Ever since I started boxing, my goal was to fight in the U.S. and in Las Vegas like my idol Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. did,” said Salas. “Now both of those goals are being achieved in the same night, and I can’t wait. I’m going to make sure that everyone knows my name after this fight. I’m thankful to my whole team and I’m extremely motivated and excited to step into the ring.”
# # #
ABOUT DAVIS VS. MARTIN & BENAVIDEZ VS. GVOZDYK
Davis vs. Martin and Benavidez vs. Gvozdyk will see popular superstars Gervonta “Tank” Davis and David “El Monstro” Benavidez co-headline a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video on Saturday, June 15 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Headlining the show is the undefeated three-division champion Davis defending his WBA Lightweight World Championship against unbeaten top contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin, while Benavídez is set to make his 175-pound debut against former light heavyweight world champion Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk in a matchup for the Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Title.
The pay-per-view will also see undefeated rising star Gary Antuanne Russell take on unbeaten former world champion Alberto Puello for the vacant Interim WBC Super Lightweight Title, while WBC Middleweight World Champion Carlos Adames battles veteran contender and U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in the pay-per-view opener at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
The MGM Grand Garden Arena hosted its premiere boxing event in January 1994 and, over its 30-year history, the venue has become synonymous with the sport’s biggest fight nights. Fight fans have watched champions ranging from George Foreman and Julio Cesar Chavez to Roy Jones and Shane Mosley step in the ring and put on a championship display of skill. Epic battles including Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, Holyfield vs. Tyson II, Pacquiao vs. Marquez IV, multiple Barrera vs. Morales title fights, and Mayweather vs. Canelo, among others, led all boxers to want to fight at the legendary Grand Garden Arena. The June 15 event will mark a celebration of the venue’s storied history as boxing’s next chapter unfolds with these two high-stakes showdowns.
UNBEATEN RISING STAR TIM TSZYU TO FACE ALL-ACTION CONTENDER SEBASTIAN FUNDORA FOR WBC & WBO 154-POUND WORLD TITLES SATURDAY, MARCH 30 HEADLINING PBC PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT AVAILABLE ON PRIME VIDEO
LAS VEGAS – March 18, 2024 – Undefeated rising star Tim Tszyu will take on all-action contender Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora for Tszyu’s WBO title (pending approval), and the vacant WBC 154-pound world title, headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video Saturday, March 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Tszyu had originally been scheduled to face two-time world champion Keith Thurman, who was forced to withdraw after suffering a bicep injury in training. Fundora had already been preparing to compete in the pay-per-view opener before being moved up to the main event.
The pay-per-view will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and also features WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero taking on Mexican star Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz in the co-main event, plus WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara duels Australia’s Michael Zerafa in a 12-round attraction. The pay-per-view opener will now see WBC Flyweight World Champion Julio César Martínez defending his world title against unbeaten contender Angelino Cordova. Martinez vs. Cordova had originally been scheduled to appear in prelims action.
In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through PPV.com, as well as traditional cable and satellite outlets.
Preceding the pay-per-view will be a two-fight PBC on Prime Video lineup beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT, topped by rising middleweight Elijah García taking on contender Kyrone “Shut It Down” Davis in a 10-round attraction. Kicking off the stream will be exciting 154-pound contenders Serhii Bohachuk and Brian Mendoza battling for the Interim WBC Super Welterweight Title. Bohachuk had been originally scheduled to face Fundora before the changes to the lineup. The two matchups will be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are available now through AXS.com. The main event is promoted in association with No Limit Boxing.
*TIM TSZYU VS. SEBASTIAN FUNDORA*
The son of International Boxing Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, the 29-year-old Tszyu (24-0, 17 KOs) comes off a red-hot 2023 campaign that saw him elevated to world champion at 154-pounds while defeating former world champion Tony Harrison, top contender Brian Mendoza and former title challenger Carlos Ocampo. A native of Sydney, Australia, Tszyu made his U.S debut against U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in March 2022, earning a unanimous decision. Tszyu grew up playing soccer, but soon gravitated toward boxing. The decision led to him following in the legendary footsteps of his father, Kostya, who was an undisputed 140-pound champion.
Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs) rocketed to the top of the super welterweight division with a fan-friendly style and bruising toughness in the ring. His unbeaten streak came to an end in his last outing, as he got caught and was defeated by Brian Mendoza in April of last year. At nearly 6-foot-6, the 26-year-old southpaw from Coachella, Calif., towers over his opponents, but has displayed an appetite for toe-to-toe combat from short range. Fundora showed his mettle in April 2022, battling the hard-hitting Erickson Lubin in an instant 2022 Fight of the Year contender. Despite both men hitting the canvas, Fundora stood tall in the end, prompting Lubin’s corner to stop the fight at the end of the ninth round. Fundora represents a boxing family, as he is trained by his father Freddy alongside his younger sister, IBF Flyweight World Champion Gabriela.
*ROLANDO ROMERO VS. ISAAC CRUZ*
Part of the Mayweather Promotions stable, Romero (15-1, 13 KOs) is known for his brash talk that he backs up with power in both hands as well as an exciting, unique style that makes him a must-see whenever he steps between the ropes. The 28-year-old rose to the ranks of world champion in his last outing, stopping Ismael Barroso in round nine to win the title in May. It was Romero’s first return to the ring since a May 2022 defeat against three-division champion Gervonta Davis. Prior to the Davis fight, the Las Vegas resident Romero won an interim title in August 2020 by earning a close but unanimous decision over then unbeaten Jackson Marinez.
One of the most exciting fighters in boxing, the 25-year-old Cruz (25-2-1, 17 KOs) has racked up three consecutive victories since dropping a competitive and entertaining decision against undefeated superstar Gervonta Davis in December 2021. A native of Mexico City, Cruz shot up the lightweight rankings in 2020, announcing his presence with an electrifying first-round knockout over veteran Diego Magdaleno in October before adding dominant decisions over Francisco Vargas and Jose Matias Romero. After stopping former champion Yuriorkis Gamboa in April 2022 and veteran contender Eduardo Ramirez in September 2022, Cruz returned this past July to turn away the previously unbeaten Giovanni Cabrera by decision.
*ERISLANDY LARA VS. MICHAEL ZERAFA*
Lara (29-3-3, 17 KOs) was the longest reigning 154-pound world champion before he lost a tough split-decision to Jarrett Hurd in a 2018 title unification match that earned “Fight of the Year” from the BWAA. Lara returned from that fight and battled former 154-pound world titleholder Brian Castaño to an exciting draw in another narrow fight that could have gone Lara’s way. Lara most recently moved up to middleweight, capturing his WBA title with a first round knockout of Thomas LaManna in May 2021, before KO’ing Gary O’Sullivan in May 2022. Lara faced a slew of the top 154-pounders in the sport, including Canelo Alvarez, ahead of his middleweight debut.
Melbourne, Australia’s Zerafa (31-4, 19 KOs) is long established as one of his country’s top contenders and has won four-straight to earn the title fight on March 30. Zerafa has split a pair of matchups against former champion and Australian rival Jeff Horn in addition to a first round knockout of longtime contender Anthony Mundine. The 31-year-old previously fought stateside in 2015, as he dropped a contest to former middleweight champion Peter Quillin. The veteran has also challenged former champion Kell Brook and defeated previously unbeaten fighters Danilo Creati and Isaac Hardman in his last two fights.
*JULIO CESAR MARTINEZ VS. ANGELINO CORDOVA*
Trained by the renowned Eddy Reynoso, Martínez (20-2, 15 KOs) first captured his flyweight world title with a ninth-round stoppage of Cristofer Rosales in his stateside debut in December 2019. The 29-year-old has gone on to defend the title five times, besting previously unbeaten opponents Jay Harris and Samuel Carmona, while most recently stopping Ronal Batista in May. A native of Mexico City, Martínez’s only blemish since a split-decision loss in his pro debut was a decision loss to future Hall of Famer Roman Gonzalez in March 2022.
The 28-year-old Cordova (18-0-1, 12 KOs) earned a career-best victory in his last outing, as he bested former world champion Angel Acosta on his way to a 10-round unanimous decision victory last April. A native of Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela, Cordova has yet to taste defeat since debuting in 2017, with a draw in just his fourth fight as the only blemish. He made his U.S. debut in June 2022, defeating Axel Aragon Vega by decision before the triumph over Acosta.
*ELIJAH GARCIA VS. KYRONE DAVIS*
Fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, García (16-0, 13 KOs) earned three impressive victories in 2023, kicking off his year last March with a knockout of the previously unbeaten Amilcar Vidal. He followed that up with a pair of performances on the undercards of two of the biggest events of the year, first defeating Kevin Salgado on the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia pay-per-view in April before knocking out Armando Resendiz on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo pay-per-view in September. The precocious García has moved fast since turning pro in 2020 and has knocked out seven of his last nine opponents.
The 29-year-old Davis(18-3-1, 6 KOs) picked up two victories in 2023, dominating Cristian Fabian Rios in January before scoring a unanimous decision over Cruse Stewart in December. Those victories came after a run that saw Davis battle two-time champion Anthony Dirrell to a draw in February 2021, before stepping in as a late replacement two fights later to drop a hard-fought contest against super middleweight superstar David Benavidez. An amateur standout representing Wilmington, Delaware, Davis trains in Philadelphia under the tutelage of top trainer Stephen “Breadman” Edwards.
*SERHII BOHACHUK VS. BRIAN MENDOZA*
A 28-year-old from Ukraine, Bohachuk (23-1, 23 KOs) now resides in Los Angeles, where he’s fought out of since turning pro. The 28-year-old has won five-straight outings, including 2023 stoppages of Nathaniel Gallimore and Patrick Allotey. This run has come after a defeat to Brandon Adams in March 2021 and has seen him rise back up the 154-pound rankings. He won his first 18 fights after turning pro in 2017 following an extensive amateur career.
Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico and now fighting out of Las Vegas, Mendoza (22-3, 16 KOs) will return to the ring after traveling to Australia last October to challenge Tim Tszyu for his world title in a matchup that saw him lose by decision. Prior to that fight, The 30-year-old scored one of the year’s biggest upsets in April as he stopped the previously unbeaten Fundora with a sensational knockout in round seven, solidifying his own status at 154 pounds. Reinvigorated since teaming with renowned trainer Ismael Salas, Mendoza had previously knocked out former unified 154-pound champion Jeison Rosario in November 2022. Mendoza had put together a three-fight winning streak since dropping a decision to highly touted knockout artist Jesus Ramos in September 2021.
PHOENIX – March 8, 2024 – Undefeated rising middleweight Elijah Garcia held a media workout in his native Phoenix on Thursday as he prepares to take on veteran contender Kyrone “Shut It Down” Davis topping PBC on Prime Video action beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on Saturday, March 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
One of boxing’s breakout stars in 2023, the 20-year-old Garcia kicked off his big year last March with a knockout of the previously unbeaten Amilcar Vidal. He followed that up with a pair of performances on the undercards of two of the biggest events of the year, first defeating Kevin Salgado on the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia pay-per-view in April before knocking out Armando Resendiz on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo pay-per-view in September. He’ll continue to raise his level of competition, and look to put himself in world title contention, against the talented and durable Davis on March 30.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are available now through AXS.com. The main event is promoted in association with No Limit Boxing.
Here is what Garcia had to say Thursday from F1 Boxing Gym in Phoenix:
ELIJAH GARCIA
“I feel strong and I’m preparing really well for this fight, because I know how tough an opponent Kyrone Davis is. I’m not taking anyone lightly. He’s very experienced and he believes in his skills.
“It’s a blessing to be fighting on Amazon Prime. It’s a new generation and I get to be a part of it. It’s very exciting and it’s an opportunity I’m coming to take advantage of.
“I want everyone to see that I’m more than just a puncher. I know that I can go toe-to-toe with anybody. I have to look really good in this fight. I have to show the world that I’m talented and ready for the title shot.
“I want to achieve my goals and Kyrone is standing in my way. He knows that this is a fight that he needs to win to continue fighting at this level. He’s got a lot of good experience, but I’m hungry too. I train really hard to win.
“I’m proud of where I’m from. I wear 602 on the beltline of my trunks and that’s because I’m proud to represent Phoenix.”
JORGE GARCIA, Elijah’s Father and Trainer
“We’re excited to keep being in big fights and performing well. It’s important for us to stay humble. We want to entertain the fans, that’s the most important thing.
“It’s great to see Elijah’s support, especially here in Arizona. There’s a lot of great fans here who love boxing. It’s motivating to have your people behind you.”
# # #
ABOUT THURMAN VS. TSZYU & ROLLY VS. PITBULL
The stacked inaugural four-fight PBC Pay-Per-View available on Prime Video is topped by two-time world champion Keith “One Time” Thurman dueling rising star and reigning world champion Tim Tszyu in the main event plus 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero and Mexican star Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz meeting in the co-main event on Saturday, March 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The pay-per-view will also see Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara defend his belt against No. 1 rated mandatory challenger Michael Zerafa, plus all-action super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora will meet fast-charging contender Serhii Bohachuk for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Championship in the pay-per-view opener.
The card marks the debut event for PBC Pay-Per-View available through Prime Video since the parties announced a landmark, multiyear rights agreement in December. In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.
VIDEO: Elijah Garcia vs Kyrone Davis Media Conference Call
ELIJAH GARCIA VS. KYRONE DAVIS & JULIO CESAR MARTINEZ VS. ANGELINO CORDOVA VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
LAS VEGAS – February 20, 2024 – Rising middleweight Elijah Garcia, 160-pound contender Kyrone Davis, WBC Flyweight World Champion Julio Cesar Martinez and unbeaten contender Angelino Cordova previewed their respective matchups during a virtual press conference Tuesday before they enter the ring on Saturday, March 30 in PBC on Prime Video with action beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Garcia and Davis will top the live stream in a 10-round matchup, while Martinez looks to defend his world title against Cordova in the 12-round opening bout. The live stream on Prime Video begins at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT and is available via free access to all fans regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card later that evening.
These matchups lead into the inaugural four-fight PBC Pay-Per-View available on Prime Video beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and topped by two-time world champion Keith “One Time” Thurman dueling rising star and reigning world champion Tim Tszyu in the main event, plus WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero and Mexican star Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz meeting in the co-main event.
Rounding out the pay-per-view lineup is Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara defending his belt against No. 1 rated mandatory challenger Michael Zerafa, plus all-action super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora meeting streaking contender Serhii Bohachuk for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Championship in the pay-per-view opener. In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the PPV telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are available now through AXS.com. The main event is promoted in association with No Limit Boxing.
Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday:
ELIJAH GARCIA
“I have to go through Kyrone Davis. I know it’s not going to be an easy fight, but if we get through this one, I’d like the winner of Erislandy Lara vs. Michael Zerafa. I’m definitely not looking past Kyrone though.
“Kyrone is different from anyone I’ve faced. We have a new game plan that we’re training for. I’ve seen him fight different styles, so we’re preparing for anything. We’ll see what happens in the ring on March 30.
“I know that I have to be ready for Kyrone because of the type of fighter he is. Being in 50-50 fights like this keeps me humble. That’s what’s helped me take steps in my career. I just have to keep preparing how I’ve been preparing.
“I feel like I’ve earned what I’ve gotten so far. Kyrone is going to be a good test and another key experience that I need before I fight for the world title. I’ve worked hard for this.
“Being on the card with a middleweight world title fight was definitely purposeful and whoever gets the job done between Kyrone and I has a shot to get that title fight. I have to show the world that I have the experience to fight for the title.
“I’ve had success because I’ve been able to dictate the pace in the ring. Whether I want to slow it down or pick it up. It’s because we train a certain way and we come into the ring with a game plan of what we want to do. I have a lot of experience in my corner as well with my dad and my grandpa. I trust my corner a lot.
“None of my family really made it as far as I have in the sport. It doesn’t put any pressure on me though. I’m in the sport because I love it. It’s in our blood and we have a shared mentality about what it takes to win.
“I’ve stayed active and I’ve had the right fights. I’ve stayed in the gym and I’ve stayed ready. That really goes a long way. It’s got me to where I am now.”
KYRONE DAVIS
“This is exciting. I’m looking forward to putting on a show. It’s my first time fighting in Las Vegas so I’m excited about that too. But most importantly we’re just focused on preparing.
“Beating Garcia would be a great milestone in my career. It would get me one step closer to where I want to be, and that’s fighting for a world title.
“The middleweight division has always been one of the biggest in the sport. There’s no clear face of the division right now. The lane to supremacy is open. It’s exciting that either one of us could possibly take over. That’s what I’m looking to do. After I win this fight, and I am going to win, I’m looking for Erislandy Lara, Carlos Adames, or anyone who’s got a strap.
“The opportunity to fight on this stage excites me. It’s not necessarily the opponent. It’s going to be a good fight. He’s a hungry fighter. The most exciting thing for me is having a full training camp. I’ve fought on just a couple weeks’ notice several times. I’m excited for this full training camp and to be coming off just having a fight in December. The world is going to see who I really am.
“We’re taking Garcia seriously. He’s a force. But there’s a big difference between this and what I’ve faced going into other fights. It’s a different mindset and we’re preparing for whatever could come up.
“Absolutely we want to get the world title fight next. That’s why we’re taking this fight. We’re right where we need to be. With the eyes on this fight, I can reach my ultimate goal and that’s fighting for the title.
“I’ve had a long journey and I think every fight I’ve had and every situation that I’ve been in has prepared me for this. All of those accumulated together has given me the experience to be in a fight like this and stay calm. I know what my body needs to be ready to perform at the top level.
“Staying in the gym is key to being powerful and being your strongest self. When I have a longer break it can take longer to get back to peak. I’m not worried about the weight, it’s more about being in fight mode for a long time.”
JULIO CESAR MARTINEZ
“I’m ready for this fight. It’s been in the making for a while now, so I’m really just so ready to lace up the gloves, get in there and give the fans a great fight on March 30.
“Angelino is a strong guy and he’s a good counter-puncher. But we’re focusing on showcasing our tools. We’ve had a great training camp with Eddy Reynoso and we can’t wait to show the fans what we can do.
“Cordova is going to be another strong opponent. Every opponent has come with their best and tried to take the belt from me. I know that I have to be ready for him.
“I was very frustrated to have this fight postponed the first time, but now we’re just looking forward to the fight happening and having my hand raised.
“No opponent is easy and no opponent will step into the ring with a defeatist mindset. If he’s here, it’s for a reason. I tried to unify, it didn’t happen, and now I’m ready to defend my title. I know that Angelino will not be an easy opponent.
“It’s nice to start 2024 with a clean slate and a full training camp. My sights are beyond just one fight, I want to unify and fight the best. Eddy Reynoso and I are ready to make it happen.
“I plan to prove what I’m already proving. I’m the best at 112 pounds and I’m the best fighter in this division.”
ANGELINO CORDOVA
“The world of boxing is ready for this great matchup and I’m very excited. Training camp could not be going better. I’ve got a great team with me here in New Jersey that’s helping me be the best that I can be on March 30.
“I have seen myself becoming champion in my mind and I am ready to live it. I said it before and I’ll say it again, this is my time. I’m thankful for the opportunity and I’m ready to go make the most of it. I’m coming to make my dream come true.
“I was blindsided when the fight got postponed in December. I wouldn’t wish it upon anybody. It was hard emotionally because I had put in so much work in training camp.
“Julio Cesar has the belt that I want. I could not be more motivated to come in there and take the belt away from them.
“I came to America with a dream to train hard at the gym. Now I’m here in New Jersey with my family and I’m on the doorstep of achieving my dream. I’m right there and I want to make it come true.
“There are plenty of fighters who have not earned their place in the rankings. But I’ve earned my spot. I’ve taken every step I’ve needed to, especially here in America. I’m glad that it happened this way so that I could mature as a fighter. This is the perfect time for me to take this step.
“It’s time to pull off the upset. I’m ready to earn that world title.”
PBC’S INAUGURAL EVENT ON PRIME VIDEO KICKS OFF WITH TWO ACTION-PACKED MATCHUPS ON SATURDAY, MARCH 30
LAS VEGAS – February 13, 2024 – Two showdowns featuring a rising star in his toughest test to date and a flyweight world champion against an undefeated contender will highlight the first PBC on Prime Video show taking place Saturday, March 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The two matchups will be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card.
The live streaming presentation will be topped by rising middleweight Elijah García taking on contender Kyrone “Shut It Down” Davis in a 10-round attraction, and will also feature WBC Flyweight World Champion Julio César Martínez defending his world title against unbeaten contender Angelino Cordova to kick off the action at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.
These bouts will lead into the inaugural four-fight PBC Pay-Per-View available on Prime Video beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and topped by two-time world champion Keith “One Time” Thurman dueling rising star and reigning world champion Tim Tszyu in the main event, plus WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero and Mexican star Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz meeting in the co-main event.
Rounding out the pay-per-view lineup is Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara defending his belt against No. 1 rated mandatory challenger Michael Zerafa, plus all-action super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora meeting streaking contender Serhii Bohachuk for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Championship in the pay-per-view opener. In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the PPV telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are available now through AXS.com. The main event is promoted in association with No Limit Boxing.
“PBC on Prime Video is coming out of the gate strong with two matchups that promise intrigue and fireworks on March 30 at T-Mobile Arena,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “One of 2023’s breakout stars, Elijah García is continuing to take big steps in his career against the highly-skilled and tough as nails Kyrone Davis. Adding in Mexican flyweight world champion Julio César Martínez against the highly-motivated and undefeated Angelino Cordova and fight fans will be in for non-stop drama in the sport’s first big Las Vegas event of 2024.”
ELIJAH GARCIA VS. KYRONE DAVIS
Looking to stamp his 160-pound contender status after a huge 2023 campaign, the 20-year-old Elijah García will return for a 10-round showdown against tough middleweight contender Kyrone “Shut It Down” Davis, who can make his own name at middleweight with a signature victory on March 30.
Fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, García (16-0, 13 KOs) earned three impressive victories in 2023, kicking off his year last March with a knockout of the previously unbeaten Amilcar Vidal. He followed that up with a pair of performances on the undercards of two of the biggest events of the year, first defeating Kevin Salgado on the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia pay-per-view in April before knocking out Armando Resendiz on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo pay-per-view in September. The precocious García has moved fast since turning pro in 2020 and has knocked out seven of his last nine opponents.
“I’m excited to be back in the ring, especially on this first event with PBC and Prime Video,” said García. “Fighting on these major events is an incredible blessing and I plan on delivering another great performance. Kyrone Davis has been in the ring with some very good fighters, and it will be a challenging fight, but my plan is to get the win by any means necessary. The fans are going to see an incredible night of boxing on March 30 and everyone should be tuning in.”
The 29-year-old Davis(18-3-1, 6 KOs) picked up two victories in 2023, dominating Cristian Fabian Rios in January before scoring a unanimous decision over Cruse Stewart in December. Those victories came after a run that saw Davis battle two-time champion Anthony Dirrell to a draw in February 2021, before stepping in as a late replacement two fights later to drop a hard-fought contest against super middleweight superstar David Benavidez. An amateur standout representing Wilmington, Delaware, Davis trains in Philadelphia under the tutelage of top trainer Stephen “Breadman” Edwards.
“Elijah García is a very good fighter who’s young and hungry and he looks the part, but most importantly he’s been moved right,” said Davis. “Sometimes you can look better than you really are if you’re being moved right. I got asked about this fight last year and of course I said yes. Then everything went silent. Now, I face Cruse Stewart and he goes the distance with me and Elijah stopped him, so now he fights me. I’m not going to say too much, but I’m glad they took the fight. We’ll see if Garcia is really the future come March 30.”
JULIO CESAR MARTINEZ VS. ANGELINO CORDOVA
Originally scheduled to duel last December before visa issues for Martinez scuttled the bout, WBC Flyweight World Champion Julio César Martínez is set to attempt his sixth defense of his belt against skilled top flyweight contender Angelino Cordova in a 12-round battle.
Trained by the renowned Eddy Reynoso, Martínez (20-2, 15 KOs) first captured his flyweight world title with a ninth-round stoppage of Cristofer Rosales in his stateside debut in December 2019. The 29-year-old has gone on to defend the title five times, besting previously unbeaten opponents Jay Harris and Samuel Carmona, while most recently stopping Ronal Batista in May. A native of Mexico City, Martínez’s only blemish since a split-decision loss in his pro debut was a decision loss to future Hall of Famer Roman Gonzalez in March 2022.
“I’m ready to give it my all in training camp for this fight,” said Martínez. “I want all of the big fights and big prizes this year. My plan is to go earn this win on March 30 and end up with my hand raised. Then I’m going for all the belts, no matter who I have to face. I’m going to be the last man standing.”
The 28-year-old Cordova (18-0-1, 12 KOs) earned a career-best victory in his last outing, as he bested former world champion Angel Acosta on his way to a 10-round unanimous decision victory last April. A native of Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela, Cordova has yet to taste defeat since debuting in 2017, with a draw in just his fourth fight as the only blemish. He made his U.S. debut in June 2022, defeating Axel Aragon Vega by decision before the triumph over Acosta.
“I’m very thankful that this fight is on and confirmed,” said Cordova. “My team did a great job making sure that this fight was rescheduled, and I’m thrilled it’s part of a huge card like this. I’m excited to finally face Martínez on March 30. The only thing on my mind is becoming the new WBC world champion.”
Middleweight is the right place, right time for emerging Elijah Garcia
By Norm Frauenheim –
Other than heavyweight and perhaps welterweight, there’s no division that has had a bigger impact on boxing than middleweight. The names tell the story. Hagler, LaMotta, Hopkins, Zale, Monzon, the original Sugar and so many more.
Suddenly, however, it’s a weight class without a face. More mediocre than middle. The top of The Ring’s 160-pound rating is blank. A division without definition. The title is vacant, an empty lot in what used to be historical real estate.
Some of that might begin to change next week, October 14. A title unification between Janibek Alimkhanuly and Vincenzo Gualtieri is scheduled for Rosenberg, Texas.
It’s an ESPN fight. But a Houston suburb is a long way from Vegas, Los Angeles or New York. There’s a reason for that. Few know Janibek, the World Boxing Organization’s champion. Nobody knows Vincenzo Gualtieri, the International Boxing Federation’s belt holder. These guys need name tags. They have titles, but no name recognition.
Janibek is probably today’s best middleweight. He’s powerful and aggressive enough to be scary. But the Kazak is unknown, a reason perhaps that he continues to be ranked by The Ring and ESPN behind the widely known Gennadiy Golovkin, the 41-year-old fellow Kazak who relinquished his 160-pound titles last March, about six months after his forgettable scorecard loss at 168 pounds to Canelo Alvarez in a trilogy fight. For all anybody knows, the next time we see GGG might be at his Hall-of-Fame induction.
Then, there’s Gualtieri. Gualtieri answers an opening bell somewhere other than his home country, Germany, for the first time next week.
Chris Eubank, a much better-known middleweight contender from the UK, probably put it best weeks after his stoppage of Liam Smith in August. He was asked about fighting Janibek or Gualtieri.
“I don’t know who they are,” Eubank told Sky Sports. “And I’m in the game. So, the general public are not going to know who these guys are, which means it’s hard for them to tune in.’’
I bring all of this up because the fabled yet faded middleweight division is desperate for a fighter who has at least some name recognition. Enter Elijah Garcia.
There was a lot of controversy about Canelo’s decision over Jermell Charlo last Saturday on Showtime at Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. But there were no complaints about Garcia’s dynamic stoppage of Armando Resendiz in the opener to a pay-per-view card that drew an audience reportedly between 650,00 and 700,000 customers.
Garcia delivered the best performance on a card that otherwise generated lots of social-media flak, mostly directed at Charlo, who appeared to be there only for a paycheck. For Garcia, there were cheers from a crowd that increasingly likes what it sees. It was the third straight time that Garcia, now 16-0 with 13 knockouts, has opened a pay-per-view show. It’s been an introduction that fans haven’t seen from Janibek, much less Gualtieri.
It’s also been an introduction that has created an appetite for more from Garcia, who has been adept at using social media since his amateur days. Potentially, his ongoing emergence is welcome news for a division fighting to reverse a slide into anonymity.
For Garcia, it’s an opportunity. The 20-year-old Arizona fighter, who grew up in Phoenix and has a ranch in Wittman, is known for a bold goal. Repeatedly, he says he wants to be a 21-year-old champion. He’s in the right place to pull that one off.
“I want to be a mandatory for a title pretty soon,’’ he said after delivering a beautiful combo – a left-handed body shot followed by a seamless right to the body then head in an eventual eighth-round stoppage of Resendiz. “I’ll be 21 in April and I’m gonna keep taking it one step at a time.’’
Garcia is clearly on the fast track. But that comes with a dilemma. Too fast is a risk. Janibek might be unknown. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t dangerous.
Garcia told 15 Rounds before the Canelo-Charlo card that he would want at least one more fight before a shot at a major title.
“I think I’m getting better every single fight and I think it starts in the gym,’’ he then said after the card. “I’m getting back in the gym on Monday. I just have to keep getting better every single fight, take it one step at a time, fight harder opponents and I’ll get that world title.’’
For now, Garcia will have to wait on the unpredictable collection of haphazard rankings by the acronyms. This week, he’s at No. 7, according to the IBF, which has vacancies at both No. 1 and No. 2. The WBC (World Boxing Council) puts him at No. 6 for a title held by the troubled and ever unpredictable Jermall Charlo, Jermell’s twin brother who reportedly will fight Arizona-born Jose Benavidez Jr. on Nov. 25 on a card projected to feature his brother — super-middleweight contender and Canelo possibility David Benavidez — against Demetrius Andrade.
Meanwhile, Garcia, No. 9 by The Ring, is suddenly at No. 2 by the notorious WBA (World Boxing Association) for a title held by Cuban Erislandy Lara, now 40. Lara is expected to fight Danny Garcia.
In the WBO ratings, he’s No. 13 for the title held by today’s most feared middleweight, Janibek.
Add it all up, and Garcia’s ambitious goal looks doable, made possible by a young fighter who is introducing himself and maybe re-introducing an old weight class to fans.
Welcome back: Canelo stops the slide in one-sided decision over Charlo
LAS VEGAS –Welcome back, Canelo Alvarez.
A perceived slide was interrupted, if not halted altogether, Saturday night with Canelo’s thorough victory over Jermell Charlo in front of a Showtime pay-per-view audience and a roaring crowd at T-Mobile Arena.
Other than a knockout, Canelo did it all. He didn’t tire in the end. He reasserted his documented power, forcing Charlo to take a knee with a huge right hand in the seventh. He had Charlo and his doubters in retreat throughout 12 rounds.
For months, the argument was that Canelo’s 18-year career in the prize-fighting ring was over. It was as if somebody had jammed Canelo’s skillset into a barrel and shipped it to the dump. But there were signs throughout the last week that Canelo had redefined himself, his body and his career.
“Nobody is going to beat this Canelo,” he said .
The one-sided scores — 118-109, 119-108, 118-109 — were just one measure of how dominant Canelo (60-2-2, 39 KOs) was in his fight to stop the slide. Charlo (35-2-1, 15 KOs) simply had no chance.
“I don’t make excuses for myself,” Charlos said. “it is what is is.”
One question will linger. Charlo, an undisputed champion at junior-middleweight, was fighting for the first at super-middle, a division Canelo has long ruled.
Charlo jumped two weight classes. He was feeling super-middleweight power for the first time. The question will be there until Canelo faces a true super-middleweight. That might be David Benavidez, the unbeaten super-middleweight from Phoenix.
First, Benavidez has to beat Demetrius Andrade. 15 Rounds confirmed with promoter Tom Brown that Benavidez will fight Andrade on November 25 in San Antonio. The World Boxing Council aso is planning to address Canelo’s next mandatory defense at its convention in November in Uzbekistan, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman told 15 Rounds. The Benavidez-Andrade winner might get a mandatory shot at Canelo.
But nothing is ever certain. Welterweight champion Terence Crawford, the undisputed pound-for-pound No. 1 after his blowout of Errol Spence, has talked about facing Canelo at a catchweight. Crawford was in the crowd Saturday.
“We can;t rule on what we don;t know,” Sulaiman said. “We can only deal with the facts.”
For now, here’s one:
Canelo is back.
Lubin wins unanimous decision for a fight that only earns boos
A firefight was the promise. But there was no fire. Not much of a fight, either. Instead there were boos.
A gathering crowd for the Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo fight Saturday night turned into a storm of discontent at a bout that had been projected to be a significant junior-middleweight match.
But the Erickson Lubin-Jesus Ramos bout was a dud in the final Showtime pay-per-view bout before Canelo-Charlo at T-Mobile Arena.
For 12 rounds, Ramos (20-1, 16 KOs) moved forward, chasing a backpedaling Lubin (26-2, 18 KOs). If it weren’t for ropes that kept him in the ring, Ramos would have been chasing Lubin down the Vegas Strip. Lubin would not engage.
But he did enough backpedaling to convince the judges. All three scored it in his favor. It was 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111. All for Lubin. The decision was unanimous. So was the crowd’s discontent.
Lubin looked surprised when the scores were announced. Ramos, a 22-year-old Arizona fighter from Casa Grande, looked stunned. After Lubin stopped backpedaling enough to be interviewed in the ring, his answers couldn’t be heard above the roar of boos.
“I’m one of the top dogs,” he said after a dog fight.
Meanwhile, Ramos was left to deal with one of boxing’s lessons. Lousy decisions are like scars. Everybody has one.
“I’ll move on and deal with this loss,” said the young fighter who came into the ring amid expectations that he had a chance to be one of boxing’s next great champions.
All he has now is a loss. And maybe a lesson.
Barrios scores decision over a bloodied Ugas
In the end, it belonged to Mario Barrios, who scored a decision — unanimous and contentious — over Yordenis Ugas Saturday night on the Showtime pay-per-view telecast of the card featuring Canelo Alvarez-versus-Jermell Charlo at T-Mobile Arena
Barrios (28-3, 18 KOS), a San Antonio welterweight, scored two knockdowns of Ugas (27-6, 12 KOs), a Cuban best known for ending Manny Pacquiao’s legendary career.
A left jab put Ugas down in the second. He was down again in the twelfth. Twice, the ringside doctor looked at his bloodied eyes. Each time, the fight was allowed to continue. But there was never much of a chance that Ugas could win. By A lucky punch? Maybe.
But Barrios had too much energy and more precision in his punches. Ugas was just hanging on for an end that would go against him. It did. He lost on all three cards, 118-107, 117-108, 118-107..
Elijah Garcia delivers TKO victory in his “toughest” fight
There were questions in the beginning. Then, there were lessons, sharply delivered and still there to learn. In the end, there was some perfection.
For emerging middleweight Elijah Garcia, still a student of the game, it was a fight full of just about everything. From aspirations to possibilities, it was all there.
Above all, Garcia (16-0, 13 KOs) stayed unbeaten and on track to accomplish an ambitious goal with an eighth-round TKO of Armando Resenediz Saturday in the first Showtime pay-per-view bout on the card featuring Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.
“It was really a hard fight,” said Garcia, a 20-year-old Arizona fighter who wants to be a 21-year-old middleweight champion. “It was my toughest, yeah 100 percent.”
They’ll get tougher. A lot tougher. There’s no other way to get to that middleweight title. But he’s still there, perhaps on the fast track, mostly because of what he continued to prove. His power is deadly and he sustains it. Without it, he might be dealing with his first defeat.
But it was alway there and always accurate enough to stagger, stun and then wear out the gritty Resendiz (14-2, 10 KOs).
The Phoenix born left-hander, who continues to wear 602 — the PHX area code — stitched onto the belt buckle of his trunks — set the tone in the opening round, buckling Resendiz at the knees with a big left hand.
But Resendiz, stubborn and brave, would not go away. For the next few rounds, Resendiz tirelessly moved forward and relentlessly threw straight-handed punches. They landed, again and again. The evidence was in the reddening skin around Garcia’s eyes. Garcia was dropping his hands, especially his left. Sometimes, it was down at his hip. It was risky against Resendiz. Against a middleweight champion, it could be deadly. A lesson still to be learned.
For now, Garcia’s power prevails. Within Resendiz’ busy style, there was no counter for it . There was only an inevitable end and It came at about two minutes of the eighth round, delivered by a sequence of punches that were a thing of beauty. Garcia put together three punches, almost seamlessly. First, Gracia landed a left to Resendiz’s body. Then, he followed with a right to the body. Then, there was the finishing touch, a right to the head. It was all done with a certain rhythm that ended in Resendiz crashing to the canvas.
About 30 seconds later, referee Tony Weeks saw a dazed and defenseless Resendiz. Wisely, Weeks ended it at 2:33 of the eighth round of a fight that included a statement, punctuated by three perfectly delivered punches that summed up Garcia’s potential.
Frank Sanchez wins fourth-round stoppage
Frank Sanchez has more than just heavyweight power. He’s a quick thinker.
He had to be against Scott Alexander Saturday night on the Caneo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo card Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.
Alexander (17-6-2, 9 KOs) of Los Angeles, quicky showed that he was more than just another opponent. He threw a head-rocking right hand, a wake-up call in the first round
Sanchez’ response was immediate. The merging contender from Cuba countered with his own right, staggering Alexander with a blow that delivered a preview of what was to come.
In the second round, Sanchez (23-0 16 KOs) knocked down Alexander. In the fourth, he did it again. But this one finished Alexander, who was slow to get up and wobbly when he did, a loser by TKO late in the fourth
Gausha wins majority decision
Terrell Gausha took another step toward turning his loss to Tim Tszyu into a fading memory.
He beat KeAndrae Leatherwood.
But it wasn’t easy.
Gausha (24-3-1, 12 KOs) a middleweight from Cleveland, found himself caught up in a slow-paced bout with an awkward Leatherwood (39-1, 13 KOs), of Tuscaloosa AL, in an eight-round middleweight bout on the card featuring Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo.
A cautious Leatherwood was content to hold , but never engage Gausha. That made the fight hard to score.
Gausha, an Olympian who lost a unanimous decision to Tszyu in March 2022, won a majority decision. He was a 78-74 winner on two cards. The third judge scored it a draw.
Oleksandr Gvozdyk back with quick KO
Former light-heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk says he’s ready for Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev.
He won’t get an argument from Isaac Rodrigues.
In his third comeback fight this year, Gvozdyk (20-1, 15 KOs) continued to work on restoring his world-class skills with crushing second round knockout of Rodrigues (28-5, 22 KOs) in the the third fight on the Canelo-Charlo undercard, Gvozdyk, a Ukrainian, is working his way back after he retired following a punishing loss to Beterbiev in October 2019 in Philadelphia.
Rodrigues’ 22 stoppages suggested that he might be dangerous. He wasn’t. Midway through the second, Gvozdyk, who calls himself “The Nail”, hammered him with a couple of precise punches. Rodrigues, of Brazil, had to be helped out of the ring. Middleweights fight to forgettable draw
It was a draw. Dull,too
A crowd might been bored by a forgettable middleweight bout between Abilkhan Amankul (4-0-1, 4 KOs), of Kazakhstan, and Joeshen James (7-0-2, 4 KOs) , of Sacramento, in the second bout on the Canelo-Charlo card. But there was nobody at T-Mobile to bore.
One card favored Amankul, 39-37. On the other two, it was, yawn 38-38.
First Bell: Canelo-Charlo card opens with crushing KO
Call it a power lunch.
Gabriel Valenzuela brought all the power, He opened the show about six hours before the Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo main event Saturday. He dropped Yeis Gabriel Solano three times. Nobody noticed.That’s because nobody was there for the matinee opener to a 12 fight card at T-Mobile Arena.
It was over when Valenzuela (27-3-1, 17 KOs), of Mexico, sent Solano (15-3, 10 KOs), of Colombia, crashing onto the canvas, a knockout victim at 2:33 of the sixth round. An unconscious Solano remained on the canvas, surrounded by echoes, for several seconds until hs cornermen helped up and out of the ring.
Elijah Garcia ready to graduate to another level
By Norm Frauenheim –
LAS VEGAS – Rounds in the gym are done.
Thursday, it was time for rounds – and more rounds — with the media for Elijah Garcia, who has moved swiftly through the prospect stage and graduated into a contender.
That graduation was confirmed by his promoter Tom Brown during an undercard news conference for Saturday’s Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo fight at T-Mobile Arena.
Showtime’s pay-per-view telecast begins with Garcia (15-0, 12 KOs) against Armando Resendiz (14-1, 10 KOs) n a fight expected to do more than just warm up the audience with an opening act.
Brown expects it to create possibilities. Garcia-versus-Resendiz is a step toward a New Year.
“The winner of this fight will fight for a middleweight world title in 2024,’’ Brown said in introductory remarks in a crowded ballroom at the MGM Grand.
That, perhaps, wasn’t news to Garcia, one of two Arizona fighters on a pay-per-view card including Casa Grande junior-middleweight Jesus Ramos against Erickson Lubin in the co-main event.
Brown’s promotional plan aligns with Garcia’s goal to be a 21-year-old world champion.
It’s ambitious. Garcia is 20. He’ll be 21 next year, still an apprentice in a lot of other crafts. But that apprenticeship looks to be another completed round in Garcia’s emerging resume. Garcia’s career is taking off in terms of name-recognition and possibilities.
But all contenders are enrolled in the next step, a kind of finishing school for champions. The burden of proof is always there. What have you done for me lately?
Now, it’s up to Garcia to deliver that proof, that answer, against a 24-year-old fighter known for his toughness.
“I know Armando comes in shape, and he’s really strong,’’ said Garcia, who grew up in Phoenix and has a ranch in Wittman. “He throws a lot of punches, so I have to control the pace.
“You saw in his last fight what happens when he controls the pace. So, I’m definitely not going to let that happen.’’
Garcia is cool and confident. Both are there in his demeanor, whether at work within the ropes or on a stage with reporters. Both also are signs of an emerging craftsman ready for his next job. He’s prepared for the punches. And prepared for the questions.
He’s learning. Always learning, a task that ends only for former champions. From prospect to aspiring champion, one thing never changes. The student always has to be there.
“I try to choose the best opponent every time,’’ the student in Garcia said. “Armando was on the top of the list, because he’s gonna give me the experience I need. He’s gonna prepare me for the world title. I want to get better, each and every fight.’’
There’s only way to do that. The perennial student isn’t afraid of a lesson plan that includes some honest self-criticism.
“I don’t think my last performance was my best,’’ he said. “I started a little slow. But I’m gonna prove that I’ve got more experience than I showed.
“I’m a new class fighter and I’m gonna show I’m on a different level.’’’
CANELO ÁLVAREZ VS. JERMELL CHARLO UNDERCARD PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTE
LAS VEGAS – September 28, 2023 – Fighters stepping into the ring on Saturday’s loaded Canelo vs. Charlo SHOWTIME PPV undercard faced off Thursday at the final press conference before they enter the ring at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The press conference included undefeated sensation Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. and top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin, who meet in the 12-round co-main event, former world champions Yordenis Ugas and Mario “El Azteca” Barrios, who battle for the Interim WBC Welterweight Title, and rising middleweights Elijah Garcia and Armando Reséndiz, who square off in the pay-per-view opener at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com.
The pay-per-view undercard features three high-stakes showdowns as the rising contender Ramos looks for a career-best victory against the established contender Lubin, while former champions Ugas and Barrios can move closer to regaining world title status with a victory, plus young middleweights Garcia and Reséndiz hope to catapult up the rankings with a signature performance.
Here is what the press conference participants had to say Thursday from MGM Grand:
JESUS RAMOS JR.
“I’m happy to be here. There’s a lot of talent on this stage. It’s a stacked card of explosive fights and I’m blessed to be a part of it.
“I have a really tough opponent in front of me and we’re looking for a firefight. It’s gonna be exciting and I can’t wait.
“It’s really important that I dominate because Lubin is so tough and has given guys like Sebastian Fundora a lot of trouble. It would be a big statement and a big win for my resume.
“He’s a good fighter and I know he had a strong camp. He looks ready. So I’m ready for the best version of Lubin. We’ll see what happens on Saturday night.
“I’m looking to showcase my talent. I’ve seen people say that I don’t have a lot of ring IQ, so I’m looking to show that and other dimensions to my game. It’s gonna be a new Jesus Ramos. It’s not really about exposing Lubin, but more about displaying my talent.
“Lubin has something to prove, and so do I. We’re both trying to win the title and we’re standing in each other’s way. It makes this a big fight and it’s gonna be exciting on Saturday night. You definitely don’t want to miss this one.”
ERICKSON LUBIN
“I’m happy to be back after just fighting in June. Activity brings the best out of me. I’ve got a young opponent in front of me who’s hungry, but I’m hungry as well. It’s gonna be a firefight.
“I’m looking to separate myself with a big win over Jesus Ramos. I can separate myself from all these 154 pounders and be in line for a really big fight. I’m here to make a statement, and I will.
“This is personal, but not against Ramos. It’s personal for myself because I see how people are underestimating me. It’s all fuel to my fire. I’m here to make a statement as well. The sky’s the limit for me after this.
“I took the Jermell Charlo fight at 22 years old, and Ramos is doing the same thing and daring to be great by fighting someone like me. I know he comes ready to fight, but I feel history repeats itself, but in my favor.
“We’re two young fighters who are coming for it all. You’re not gonna want to miss this great fight on Saturday night.
“I’m looking forward to putting on a show for everyone watching.”
YORDENIS UGAS
“I’m really excited to be here once again. I’m fighting a former world champion, so this is gonna be a great show. I’m ready for the challenge.
“I’ve spent seven years fighting the best in the division and I’m gonna answer all the doubters on Saturday. They’re gonna see what I’m capable of.
“We’re two former champions who put on great fights. Look at the opponents that we’ve fought. The resumes speak for themselves.
“I’ve spent my entire career coming back from adversity over and over again. If you want to see what I still have left, you’ll have to watch Saturday night. It will all be revealed.
“Everyone knows that I’m a world champion, but I’m also a man of the people and someone who represents the Cuban community and that’s really important to me. I have a very important fight on Saturday, but I fight on another front and that’s for my people and the message I want to provide for them. In Cuba there are political prisoners and I carry their message and fight for them. I represent their message.”
MARIO BARRIOS
“I’m just ready and excited to be part of this card. All of these fights from start to finish will be bangers. This is a card you don’t want to miss.
“Me and my team have had a great camp out here in Las Vegas. I just can’t wait to get in the ring on Saturday and put in work.
“A win on Saturday is crucial. The winner gets put in a great position to contend for the world title. I know it’s not gonna be an easy task, but I don’t like easy fights. That’s why I took the fight with Keith Thurman for my first time at welterweight.
“I know Ugas is coming ready. It’s gonna be a real fight because of what we both bring to the table. I’m so ready to show everyone what I’m capable of.
“Me and my trainer Bob Santos have been putting in work. We’ve had a great camp out here for the last few months. Now it’s my job to take everything from the gym and use it in the ring.
“We’re both very prideful fighters who fight for our people. I fight to represent the Mexicans and those of indigenous descent. It’s gonna be a banger. He comes with it, and so do I.
“Ugas is a great fighter. I’ve had a lot of respect for the person and fighter that he is for many years now. Stepping into the ring with him now is a tremendous honor. This fight has the potential to steal the show because of what we both bring to the ring.”
ELIJAH GARCIA
“Saturday night is gonna be a great night of fights. I know everyone up here is ready to put on a show for all the fans. I’m prepared to give my best performance and I appreciate everyone who’s gonna come out and support me.
“I know Armando comes in shape and he’s really strong. He throws a lot of punches, so I have to control the pace. You saw in his last fight what happens when he controls the pace. So I’m definitely not gonna let that happen.
“I try to choose the best opponent every time. Armando was on the top of the list because he’s gonna give me experience that I need. He’s gonna prepare me for the world title. I want to get better each and every fight.
“I didn’t think my last performance was my best. I started a little slow. But I’m gonna prove that I’ve got more experience than I showed. I’m a new class fighter and I’m gonna show I’m on a different level.”
ARMANDO RESÉNDIZ
“I’m very excited for what’s about to come. Garcia is a tough fighter, but I’m all about challenges and testing myself against really good opponents.
“This is a great opportunity and I’m elated to be fighting an opponent like this on a card of this magnitude. It doesn’t get any better than this.
“I like that Elijah has that attitude, because it’s gonna make it a great fight. It’s a clash of titans and most importantly, nothing is decided beforehand. We have to take it in the ring. I have to take it from him.
“We’re two young fighters who are coming for it all. You’re not gonna want to miss this fight on Saturday night.
“You’re gonna see a great fight on Saturday night and I’m looking forward to putting on a show for everyone watching.”
TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions
“I cannot wait for Saturday night. This is a tremendous pay-per-view card. We open with Elijah Garcia and Armando Resendiz in an all-action fight between two guys who earned this opportunity by taking on all challenges. The winner of this fight will fight for a middleweight world title in 2024.
“Yordenis Ugas versus Mario Barrios is a must win fight for both guys. It’s for an interim world title, so the winner will be in a great position as the dust clears and we see what happens in the 147-pound division.
“The co-main event is gonna be a shootout between Jesus Ramos Jr. and Erickson Lubin. These guys earned this position. When you talk about putting a fight in a phone booth, that’s this fight. There won’t be a step back in this one.”
# # #
ABOUT CANELO VS. CHARLO
Canelo vs. Charlo will see pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez defend his undisputed super middleweight world titles in a blockbuster showdown against hard-hitting undisputed junior middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo headlining a SHOWTIME PPV on September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view.
The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will see undefeated sensation Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. take on hard-hitting top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin in the 12-round super welterweight co-main event. The pay-per-view also includes former world champions Yordenis Ugas and Mario “El Azteca” Barrios going toe-to-toe for the Interim WBC Welterweight Title. Opening up the action are rising middleweights Elijah Garcia and Armando Reséndiz squaring off in a 10-round attraction.
A-to-Z: Benavidez, Ramos and Garcia at cutting edge of emerging market
By Norm Frauenheim –
Arizona’s early identity was once defined by a Chamber of Commerce kind of acronym – the five Cs – that stood for Copper, Cattle, Cotton, Citrus and Climate.
Somehow, Cactus, Canyons and Crazy – as in growth – got left out. Like AZ itself, however, it’s a changing acronym, which means at least one more C.
C, for Contenders.
That one might evolve to mean Champions, but that depends on David Benavidez, Jesus Ramos and Elijah Garcia.
Average age: 26.66 years old. Garcia, of Phoenix, is 20. Ramos, of Casa Grande, is 22. Benavidez, also of Phoenix, is 26, a senior only in terms of experience.
Time belongs to all three. Their prime approaches, a strong sign that the state’s emergence as a primetime boxing market will continue.
Phoenix likes to brag about its status as a major-league market. Add boxing – forever confined to the so-called fringe in other cities — to a list that includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL.
There are some questions about the NHL. At times, the Coyotes look as if they’ll melt away faster than ice in 120-degree heat. But boxing has moved into the arena that the Coyotes left.
It’s a working example of Rodney Dangerfield’s old joke, but with a twist. Went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out, Dangerfield cracked. The twist: The fight has replaced the hockey. At least, it has in Glendale.
At Desert Diamond Arena’s last card on August 12, Top Rank opened up some upper-level seats to accommodate the demand for Emanuel Navarrete’s dramatic decision over Oscar Valdez Jr. in a Fight-of-the-Year contender. More than 10,000 roared throughout 12 rounds of the junior-lightweight fight.
It was another sign of AZ’s place in real estate otherwise limited mostly to Las Vegas, New York and Los Angeles.
Multiple reasons explain the state’s emergence. The population has exploded, including the Mexican and Mexican-American dynamic, the key demographic in boxing’s fan base.
But there’s more. From Hall-of-Famer Michael Carbajal in the 1990s and Louie Espinoza, Zora Folley and Jimmy Martinez before him, boxing has always been part of AZ. Gyms dot the Phoenix landscape like potholes. There are heavy bags hanging from tree limbs in backyards. There are kids skipping rope on sidewalks outside of downtown barber shops. There are rings inside of old churches and abandoned storefronts.
Fifteen years ago, Benavidez, Ramos and Garcia were among those kids. They, like the market, have emerged, almost on parallel paths.
Of the three, Benavidez is the best known, mostly because of his long, still futile, pursuit of a showdown with Canelo Alvarez, the unified super-middleweight champion.
As of Thursday, Benavidez, who lives and trains in Seattle these days, was still in talks for a deal to fight Demetrius Andrade later this year.
Meanwhile, Benavidez, who fights with Phoenix stitched across the back belt of his trunks, can only continue to win while waiting on Canelo.
The Mexican pay-per-view star has a date with Jermell Charlo on Sept. 30. He’s also talking about a fight with welterweight Terence Crawford, who left no doubt about his pound-for-pound dominance in a stunning stoppage of Errol Spence Jr., a month ago.
Crawford, too, is talking about fighting Canelo at a catch weight. First, however, he’s obligated to fight Spence in a rematch.
As expected, Spence exercised his contractual right to a rematch, according to multiple reports Thursday.
No news yet on date or site. No news either on the weight. After Crawford’s one-sided victory at 147 pounds, Spence said he would want the rematch to be at 154.
Meanwhile, nobody is talking about Benavidez.
But, again, Benavidez has time. His prime awaits. Canelo or no Canelo, his future is still very much intact, probably at light-heavyweight. He says he’ll fight three more times at super-middleweight before moving up the scale in perhaps a goodbye to Canelo, whose primetime appears to be slip, slip-sliding away.
While Benavidez continues to train and hope for a big payday against Canelo, he and the AZ connection are sure to be there throughout the build-up for Canelo-Charlo.
Ramos and Garcia will make that angle inescapable. Both will be featured on the Showtime pay-per-view undercard – Ramos (20-0, 16 KOs) against contender Erickson Lubin (25-2, 18 KOs) at junior-middleweight and Garcia (15-0, 12 KOs) against Armando Resendiz (14-1, 10 KOs) at middleweight.
Ramos and Garcia appeared together on the same stage Tuesday at a news conference in Los Angeles. For the first time, they’ll appear together on a PPV card.
For both, it’s another fight in a year that has brought them to prominence. Already, both are ranked among the top contenders by the various sanctioning bodies.
Ramos, currently as hot as any prospect in boxing, is ranked among the first five at 154 pounds.
Garcia, who continues to wear the 602 Phoenix area code across the front of his waistband, is among the top 10 at 160.
“This has been the biggest year of my life,’’ said Garcia, whose goal is to be a 21-year-old world champion “It’s been crazy, a snap of a finger and I’m blowing up.’’
For Ramos, Lubin represents another step in a process he hopes will further prepare him for his chance at a major title.
“I’m going to take a lot from fighting Lubin,’’ Ramos said. “After this fight, I’ll be a different fighter. …
“”Whatever I have to do to win, I’m ready for. I’m here to dominate. I want to make a statement, and in order to do that, I have to dominate. That’s the plan.’’
While watching Garcia and Ramos share a stage, I could only wonder whether they might share a ring one day, maybe on a card featuring Benavidez in his prime.
A lot more would have to happen for that one to become a plan and then an opening bell. Above all, they’d have to keep winning, enough for each to win a major belt. For now, at least, they’re close enough in weight.
From A to Z, they’re also products of a market place poised to add another champion or three to its legacy of Cs.
CANELO VS. CHARLO SHOWTIME PPV® UNDERCARD LOS ANGELES PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
LOS ANGELES – August 29, 2023 – Fighters competing on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo SHOWTIME PPV undercard went face-to-face Tuesday during a Los Angeles press conference ahead of their respective showdowns taking place Saturday, September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions Pay-Per-View.
The press conference featured unbeaten rising sensation Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. and top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin, who compete in the super welterweight co-main event, former world champions Yordenis Ugas and Mario “El Azteca” Barrios, who square off for the Interim WBC Welterweight title, and rising middleweights Elijah Garcia and Armando Reséndiz, who duel in the telecast opener at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com.
Here is what the press conference participants had to say Tuesday from The Conga Room at L.A. Live:
JESUS RAMOS JR.
“I was excited when I heard I was gonna fight Lubin. I respect what he’s done as a fighter. He built himself back up after the Jermell Charlo fight and showed he’s a warrior.
“This is what I’m here for. I’m here to prove I’m one of the best and to do that I have to beat the best. It was an exciting moment when I was able to sign on for this fight.
“People didn’t really know what level I was on before the Joey Spencer fight. I had to show that I was on a different level and that I deserve to be on a stage like this.
“Hopefully with a win people will say I’m at the top of the division. That’s not up to me though. I just have to keep winning and proving myself. The main thing is to keep growing as a fighter. I’m gonna take a lot from this fight and have a lot more experience. I’m gonna be a different boxer after this and I’ll be ready for that title shot when it comes.
“I have good power, but I’m not relying on it. I have skills too and I’m gonna show them on September 30. I’m an intelligent fighter and everyone is gonna see that with a worthy opponent like Lubin across from me.
“I’ve faced tough guys like Brian Mendoza and Vladimir Hernandez, but Lubin looks like he’d be the toughest so far. He’s right up there because he’s got a lot of experience and we respect what he can do.
“I do feel like I’m the fresher fighter, but it’s not something I’m banking on. We’re working hard to be at my very best. He’s been in some wars, so we’ll see if he’s got wear and tear from it.
“Whatever I have to do to win, I’m ready for. I’m here to dominate. I want to make a statement, and in order to do that, I have to dominate. That’s the plan.”
ERICKSON LUBIN
“The mindset hasn’t changed for me. I still have a chip on my shoulder. I’m going into this fight very hungry. I have a young, hungry kid in front of me, but I’m young and hungry as well. You can expect fireworks on September 30. I’m looking to win and be in the big fights against the best guys in the division.
“I’m fueled by adversity. My first title challenge against Charlo brought me back to working real hard and eventually winning six fights in a row. I was winning the fight against Sebastian Fundora and losing fueled me to go back to the drawing board and work even harder.
“Ramos is a real solid fighter. I watched his last fight and I thought he looked good. But I’m not Joey Spencer. I’m one of those top guys in the division. I’m the cream of the crop and I’m here to prove myself. I want the toughest test every time out.
“I’ve asked for this fight even before he fought Joey Spencer. Now we have the platform and we’re here. It’s gonna be fireworks on September 30.
“This win solidifies that I belong at the top. It shows that I need a title shot. The winner of this fight will definitely get a big fight.
“The Luis Arias fight was a good comeback fight. I knew that with the way we trained, I was gonna dominate. That was eight weeks ago and now I’m happy we have only a few weeks to go for this one. I’m coming for another statement win.
“I’m definitely not downplaying Ramos, but I was 22-years-old like him and I took a step up in competition against a 27-year-old and fell short. I think history repeats itself, but in my favor.
“I’m looking for a one-sided ass-whooping. I want to go in there and come out with the victory, untouched.”
YORDENIS UGAS
“The most important thing right now is not what people might be saying, it’s that I’m healthy and happy. I’m preparing the right way for a great fight against Barrios. I don’t care about anything else.
“Barrios is a strong fighter, a tough fighter and a former world champion. I’m motivated to face an opponent of his caliber.
“There’s a lot at stake in this fight, but this is what I do. I go out and fight the best. I plan to take full advantage of this opportunity.
“I thought I fought well against Errol Spence Jr. and I walked away from the fight knowing I can compete against the best. I want to prove that I’m one of the best welterweights in the world.
“I promise that the fans are gonna see another exciting fight on September 30. This is another chance for me to challenge the best. Win or lose, I always push forward, and that’s what you’ll see on September 30.”
MARIO BARRIOS
“Whenever a fight is brought to me, there’s never a name that I say no to. This was no different. Ugas is a tremendous fighter and this is a huge opportunity. I was more than happy to take the fight.
“I’m trying to solidify my mark in this division. It’s gonna be a tough fight on September 30. I’ve never seen him shy away from a fight and I have a similar style. This is gonna be an explosive one that you don’t want to miss.
“We’re both gonna bring it on fight night. This is an exciting card and an exciting opportunity to fight for an interim world title.
“I’m expecting the best version of Ugas. We both have a lot to prove. A victory puts us right up there with all of the top welterweights. There’s a lot of good fights to be made and we’re all working to get to the top of the division.
“I was learning with each fight and took a lot away from my defeats. I’m still just as hungry as ever. I had my comeback fight in February in San Antonio and now I’m looking to bring another title back home.
“It’s gonna take everything to get this win. I’m gonna have to use my boxing ability, my power and my range. It’s gonna be an exciting fight and I’m looking forward to it.”
ELIJAH GARCIA
“I’m blessed to be on this card. I know that on September 30 I’m gonna have the toughest fight of my career so far. Reséndiz comes strong, in shape and ready to fight.
“I’m honored to be on a card with so many other great fighters. I’m preparing to be a world champion and these tough fights are what will get me ready for that.
“This has been the best year of my career. I had a big upset early in the year and then got a hard 10-round victory. Now I’m in back-to-back pay-per-view events. It’s like a snap of the finger and I’m blowing up. I’m just training hard and preparing for a tough fight.
“I want to be a world champion at 21 years old. Fighting tough opponents like Armando will get me ready for when that opportunity comes. I know how hard it’s gonna be, but that’s the way I have to go.
“Armando is coming off a huge win and he’s young and strong. I don’t see why this fight wouldn’t be a step up for me. I’m ready for it.
“I’m just staying humble and keeping my faith strong. I don’t want to look ahead and take too big of a leap. I’m following the direction that my team is telling me to go.”
ARMANDO RESENDIZ
“I expect a tough fight and I’ve trained for that. I hope that this is a fight that the fans will love. I want everyone to tune in and enjoy the action.
“I think that I have experience on my side, but age doesn’t matter too much. When I was younger, I fought older fighters as well. How you prepare is what really matters and I think we’re both going to prepare in the right way.
“I showed how hungry I was when I beat Jarrett Hurd. I have big goals in the sport. I want to be a main event staple and that was a big step toward that.
“I’m really excited to have Manny Robles in my corner. We mesh really well. You’re going to see more of that in this fight. We train hard and it’s reflected inside of the ring.”
TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions
“What a night this is going to be. This is a massive event. Canelo vs. Charlo, undisputed vs undisputed. With a fight of this magnitude, we had to deliver a stacked undercard.
“These three matchups have everything boxing fans could hope for or count on for a pay-per-view undercard. Each fighter here has a chance to catapult themselves to the top of their division with a win on September 30.
“All of these fights have the possibility of being a flat-out war and could steal the show. These are three quality, competitive and high-stakes fights.”
# # #
ABOUT CANELO VS. CHARLO
Canelo vs. Charlo will see pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez defend his undisputed super middleweight world titles in a blockbuster showdown against hard-hitting undisputed junior middleweight world champion Jermell Charlo headlining a SHOWTIME PPV (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) Saturday, September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions Pay-Per-View.
The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will see undefeated sensation Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. take on hard-hitting top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin in the 12-round super welterweight co-main event. The pay-per-view also includes former world champions Yordenis Ugas and Mario “El Azteca” Barrios going toe-to-toe for the Interim WBC Welterweight Title. Opening up the action are rising middleweights Elijah Garcia and Armando Reséndiz squaring off in a 10-round attraction.
RISING STARS AND TOP CONTENDERS SET FOR HIGH-STAKES MATCHUPS ON STACKED CANELO VS. CHARLO SHOWTIME PPV® UNDERCARD SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
LAS VEGAS – August 25, 2023 – Three matchups featuring rising stars, top contenders and former world champions from 147 to 160 pounds will highlight a robust pay-per-view undercard leading up to the Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo undisputed super middleweight championship clash on Saturday, September 30 live on SHOWTIME PPV from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions Pay-Per-View.
In the co-main event, undefeated sensation Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr.,will take on hard-hitting top contender Erickson “Hammer” Lubin in a 12-round super welterweight special attraction. The pay-per-view also includes former world champions Yordenis Ugas and Mario “El Azteca” Barrios going toe-to-toefor the Interim WBC Welterweight Title. Opening up the action at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT are rising middleweights Elijah Garcia and ArmandoReséndiz squaring off in a 10-round attraction.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com.
“These three matchups deliver everything boxing fans could hope for in a pay-per-view undercard and are worthy of the historic main event clash they will lead up to,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Each fighter stepping into the ring has an opportunity to catapult themselves to the top of their respective division with a win on September 30. Fans can expect to see all of these competitors give everything they have to emerge victorious on SHOWTIME PPV at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.”
A strong southpaw who at 22 has yet to come close to hitting his ceiling as a fighter, Ramos (20-0, 16 KOs) blitzed then-unbeaten Joey Spencer in March, dropping him in round one before stopping him in round seven to earn the TKO in his sensational 2023 debut on the undercard of David Benavidez vs. Caleb Plant on SHOWTIME PPV. A native of Casa Grande, Ariz., Ramos also owns back-to-back 10-round unanimous decisions over Brian Mendoza and Javier Molina in 2021, which he followed up by defeating Luke Santamaria and Vladimir Hernandez in 2022. Overall, the youthful Ramos has gained recognition with highlight-reel KOs, stopping seven of his last 10 opponents, showcasing his skills and ability to end his fights early.
“I’m excited to be part of this huge card against a tough opponent on September 30,” said Ramos. “I know Lubin is training hard and coming to win, which will make for an entertaining fight. This whole card is stacked and we don’t want to disappoint, so the fans are in for a great night of boxing.”
The 27-year-old Lubin (25-2, 18 KOs) returned to the ring in June to deliver an impressive fifth-round stoppage of veteran Luis Arias, who had never been stopped previously. Lubin’s previous outing saw him go toe-to-toe in one of 2022’s best fights, as he traded knockdowns with fellow contender Sebastian Fundora on SHOWTIME in April 2022. Heading into the Fundora fight, Lubin had put together an impressive six-bout winning streak since a loss to then unified and now undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo in 2017, a run that included triumphs over Jeison Rosario, Terrell Gausha and Ishe Smith. A native of Orlando, Fla., Lubin turned pro at 18 years old in 2013 and became one of the youngest prospects to ever appear on the developmental series SHOBOX: The New Generation®,earning “Prospect Of The Year” honors from ESPN and Ring Magazine in 2016.
“I know the world will be watching on September 30 and I plan on winning in a big way,” said Lubin. “We’ve got a young and talented fighter in front of us, but I’m young and talented as well. The difference is that I’ve fought the cream of the crop of the 154-pound division. Doesn’t matter if it’s Olympians, top prospects, contenders or champions, I’ve taken them on. I have a big chip on my shoulder and I know that with this win, I’ll be in a mega fight. I’m training extremely hard and the whole world will see it pay off.”
Ugas (27-5, 12 KOs) will step back into action on September 30 for the first time since an April 2022 unification bout defeat to Errol Spence Jr. on SHOWTIME PPV. He established himself as an elite welterweight after returning from a more than two-year layoff in 2016 following back-to-back losses in 2014. He punched his ticket as a world champion in January 2021 after winning a WBA belt by defeating Abel Ramos in September 2020. He solidified his world-championship status in August 2021, when he stepped in for an injured Spence to defeat legendary future Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision. Hailing from Santiago, Cuba and now living in Miami, Florida, the Olympic bronze medalist trains in Las Vegas with renowned coach Ismael Salas and owns victories over then undefeated fighters Jamal James, Omar Figueroa Jr. and Bryant Perrella, plus veteran contenders Thomas Dulorme and Ray Robinson.
“Both me and Mario Barrios have a lot to gain with a victory on September 30, so I know that this fight is going to be one to remember,” said Ugas. “I have tremendous respect for Barrios. He’s a true warrior who’s been in the ring with the best of them, but I have confidence that I’ll be victorious. I have a lot of fight left in me and my best skills will be on display in this fight. Patria y Vida, I fight for my people.”
The 28-year-old Barrios (27-2, 18 KOs) most recently scored a sensational knockout of Jovanie Santiago in February stopping Santiago in the eighth-round. Barrios’ previous fight was his welterweight debut as he dropped a hard-fought decision to former unified champion Keith Thurman in February 2022. The San Antonio-product, who now trains with top coach Bob Santos in Las Vegas, became a 140-pound world champion in September 2019, using his aggressive style to edge out Batyr Akhmedov and earn a unanimous decision. Barrios lost the super lightweight title in another action packed, highly competitive bout, as he was defeated by three-division and five-time world champion Gervonta Davis in June 2021.
“This fight is going to be a war, because we both fight with a lot of heart and neither of us ever backs down,” said Barrios. “I can’t wait to compete in a matchup like this on one of the biggest cards of the year. This is going to be a great night of boxing from start to finish and the Mexican fans can expect to see an explosive performance from ‘El Azteca’!”
Fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, Garcia (15-0, 12 KOs) is one of 2023’s biggest breakout stars He burst onto the scene in March by blasting out the previously unbeaten Amilcar Vidal in the fourth-round to announce his presence at 160-pounds. The 20-year-old followed up that performance by dominating veteran Kevin Salgado on his way to a unanimous decision in April on the SHOWTIME PPV undercard of Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia. The precocious Garcia has moved fast since turning pro in 2020 and has knocked out six of his last eight opponents.
“This is my second fight this year on a huge pay-per-view card and I’m super excited and even more prepared than the first time,” said Garcia. “Reséndiz is a hungry fighter just like myself, so I have no doubt that we are going to put on a hell of a show for all the fans watching.”
The 24-year-old Reséndiz (14-1, 10 KOs) earned a career-best victory in his last outing as he stopped former unified champion Jarrett Hurd in the 10th and final round of their March showdown on SHOWTIME. Reséndiz led on all three cards when the bout was stopped due to a severe laceration on Hurd’s lip. A native of Nayarit, Mexico, he now fights out of Los Angeles and will look to make it three-straight wins since a close decision loss to Marcos Hernandez in September 2021. Reséndiz turned pro in February 2018 and made a successful U.S. debut in April 2021 with a decision victory over Quilisto Madera.
“I’m very happy to have this great opportunity to compete on such an important fight card,” said Reséndiz. “I’m excited to realize my dream of fighting in Las Vegas, just like my boxing idols that I watched on TV. I’ve had an amazing training camp that will help me look my best on September 30 and put on a performance worthy of the boxing legends who inspire me.”
Gervonta Davis stopped Ryan Garcia in round seven of their 12-round catchweight bout before a capacity crowd of 20, 842 fans at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Garcia hurt Davis with an overhand right. Garcia continued touching Davis until a perfect counter left from Davis landed squarly on the jaw of Garcia that sent him to the deck.
In round seven, Davis landed a left hand to the ribs which made Garcia take two steps back and sink to a knee for the 10-count at 1:34.
Davis, 135.3 lbs of Baltimore is 29-0 with 27 knockouts, Garcia, 135.5 lbs of Los Angeles is 23-1.
Gervonta Davis
“Everything about this was exciting. I was excited to be a part of this event. I remember coming up in the Golden Gloves and seeing Floyd fight at the MGM. It was crazy. I actually just saw Rihanna perform at the Super Bowl, and I thought that’s going to be me one day. And we’re here.
“The reality definitely matches the dream. But the job is never done until I retire so I’m going to keep my head down, stay humble and continue to work.
“Me predicting the 7th round KO was me just trying to get in his head. I really don’t know until I actually get in there with my opponent, but once I got in there with him I felt like skill-wise, it all matched.
“The first knockdown was just him not knowing his placement and I knew that I was the smaller guy, and my coach was telling me in camp that he’s going to come up with his head up, so just shoot over the top.
“I didn’t think that body shot would end it, but I saw his facial expression and that’s what made me take it to him. It was a good shot, for sure. I thought he was going to get up but I like to play mind games, so when he was looking at me, I was looking at him trying to tell him, ‘Get up!’. And he just shook his head, no.
“I’m definitely the face of boxing. Absolutely!”
Ryan Garcia
“I’m good. ‘Tank’ is a great fighter. I take my hat off to him. I know we talked a lot of trash leading into the fight, but he knows what it is. It’s all love at the end of the day. I was honored to be in the ring with a great fighter and I respect him a lot. You know how the business goes. But I want to say to Tank, you’re a good man.
“He just caught me with a good shot. I don’t want to make any excuses in here. He caught me with a good shot and I just couldn’t recover and that’s it. He caught me with a good body shot, snuck under me and caught me good.
“I couldn’t breathe. I was going to get back up, but I just couldn’t get up.
“I think I should have pressured him a little harder near the ropes. I was giving him a little bit too much respect and I think that was my downfall. I think I gave him a little too much respect in the ring.”
Morrell Destroys Falcao in 1; Retains WBA Super Middleweight Title
David Morrell Jr. retained the WBA Super Middleweight title with a first round destruction of Yamaguchi Falcao.
Morrell came out blistering as he could not miss with his right hooks and uppercuts. Morrell sent Falcao down with a hard uppercut. Morrell finished off Falcao with a devastating right hook that plummeted him face-first and he was out for several minutes before he could get to his feet. The time was 2:22.
Morrell, 167.8 lbs of Santa Clara, Cuba is 9-0 with eight knockouts. Falcao, 166.4 lbs of Espirito Santo, BRA is 24-2-1.
David Morrell, Jr.
“I’m so excited. This was a big moment and a big night for me, so a knockout in the first round is incredible. But this is boxing. First round, second round, I’m not worried when the knockout comes but I got it in the first round.
“I think this is the best moment of my career tonight. It was a big event and a big name. I want to fight the best in the division.
“Much respect to Yamaguchi. I’m glad he’s okay. He’s a good guy and a good boxer.
“David Benavidez is next. Where is he? I want to fight Benavidez, man. He’s next, 100 percent. I don’t want any other guys at 168 pounds. Just Benavidez. I respect Benavidez and his team, but inside the ring, I don’t respect nothing.”
Melikuziev Gets Even With Rosado; Wins Unanimous Decision
Bektemir Melikuziev evened the score with Gabriel Rosado and took a 10-round unanimous decision in a super middleweight contest.
Melikuziev laded 153 of 354 punches. Rosado was just 55 of 332.
Melikuziev, 167.3 lbs of Uzbekistan won by scores of 99-91 on all cards and is 12-1. Rosado, 167.3 lbs of Los Angeles via Philadelphia is 26-17-1
Bektemir Melikuziev
“This was the fight that I wanted. This is the fight that I felt like I made a mistake in the first one, and I had this opportunity for revenge on such a big card. It’s a pleasure for me.
“In the first fight against Rosado, I underestimated my opponent. This time, we put the work in during camp. We went through everything. This time, the goal was to showcase my skills, box and punish him as much as possible too.”
Gabriel Rosado
“I tried, but I was a step behind. Father Time, eighteen years as a pro, but I was game. I walked to him, I boxed him, I tried everything but I was a step too slow.
“I was a split-second behind. He’s fresh, he’s young and I’m happy for him. I knocked him out bad in the first fight and he made adjustments.
“I don’t make any excuses. I was ready. Now it’s time to wrap it up and give my knowledge to younger fighters with management and training. I want to share my experience with them, and maybe do some more commentating.”
”
Elijah Garcia Decisions Kevin Salgado
19 year-old Elijah Garcia remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Kevin Salgado in a welterweight bout.
In round seven, Salgado was deducted a point for a low blow.
Garcia landed 194 of 621 punches. Salgado was 178 of 551.
Garcia, 159.2 lbs of Phoenix, AZ won by scores of 97-92 twice and 95-94 and is now 15-0. Salgado, 159.2 lbs of Mexico City is 15-2-1.
Elijah Garcia
“I was standing a little too still trying to fight on the inside. Salgado is a tough opponent. He was real tough, real strong and I just had to move and box a little bit. Other than that, it was a good, hard 10 rounds. I give my opponent 100 percent props.
“I stayed in shape one hundred percent after my last fight. Back-to-back camps, and not only that, but I made boxing a lifestyle. I’m always in the gym, eating good and doing the best I can to stay healthy.
“I just have to continue getting better in the gym every single day. That’s what it’s about. I learned a lot today. It was my first time going past six rounds and I got the full 10. The fights like this will get me closer to a world title.
“It feels great to get this win on a big stage. I feel like I’m getting better with each fight. I know I have a long way to go, but I like where I’m at. I’m hoping to get right back in the ring soon.”
Kevin Salgado
“I felt like I won. By a small margin, but I should have won.
“I feel really sad because I felt like this was a really good fight. The referee kept getting in my way. I got a point deducted from me but he didn’t say anything when Garcia hit me in the back of the head. It’s all just very sad.
“It felt like swimming against the current. Mexicans always come to fight against everyone and everything: The judges, the opponent, the refs, the home fans. None of that got in my way to keep moving toward.
“I wish I had had more time to prepare. The three weeks’ notice I got didn’t allow me to be as sharp as I wanted or needed to be.
“I’m still here and I will be a world champion someday. I can promise you that.”
Czerkaszyn Stops Espadas in 9
Fiodor Czerkaszyan stopped Elias Espadas in round nine of a 10-round middleweight bout.
Czerkasyn beat up Esoadas throughout and even turned it up in rounds eight and nine, and the bout was stopped at 2:07.
Czerkasyn, 159.1 lbs of Warsaw, POL is 22-0 with 14 knockouts. Espadas, 158.9 lbs of Merida, MEX is 22-6.
Mielnicki Jr. Destroys Charles in 4
Vito Mielnicki Jr. took out Jose Sanchez Charles in round four of their 10-round super welterweight bout.
At the end of round three, Mielnicki dropped Charles with a long right to the head. Seconds later, it was a short, quick right that put Charles down for a second time. In round three, Mielnicki cracked Charles with a counter right to the jaw that sent him sprawlimg down to the canvas and the bout was stopped at 33 seconds.
Mielnicki, 153.1 lbs of Roseland, NJ is 15-1 with 10 knockouts. Charles, 153.6 lbs of Reynosa, MEX is 20-4-1.
Lorenzo Simpson remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Pachino Hill in a middleweight bout.
In round six, Hill began to bleed from the nose.
Simpson, 161.6 lbs of Baltimore won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 and is 13-0. Hill, 163.3 lbs of Davenport, IA is 8-2-1.
Good looking Floyd Schofield remained undefeated with a second round destruction of Valentin Leon Jr. in a scheduled 10-round lightweight bout.
In round one, Schofield put Leon on the canvas with a straight left. In round two, Schofield dropped Leon face-first wit a perfect left at 1:51.
Schofield. 134.7 lbs of Austin, TX is 14-0 with 11 knockouts. Leon, 134 lbs of Culican, MEX is 23-2-2.
Jalil Hackett remained undefeated with a third round stoppage over Jason Phillips in a scheduled four-round super welterweight bout.
In round three, Hackett dropped Phillips with a perfect left hook to the body. Seconds later, it was another left hook that ended Phillips afternoon at 2:20.
Hackett, 153.9 lbs of Washington, DC is now 6-0 with five knockouts. Phillips, 153.5 lbs of Davenport, IA is 3-4-2.
Cuttino Oliver stopped Roberto Cantu Pena in round two of a scheduled four-round bantamweight fight.
In round one, Oliver dropped Pena Twice and the fight was stopped 1:07 into round two.
Oliver, 115.6 lbs of Baltimore is now 3-0 with two knockouts. Pena of Mexico is 3-3.
AUDIO: Elijah Garcia Ready to Shine against Kevin Salgado
VIDEO: Elijah Garcia Ready to Shine against Kevin Salgado
Opening Salvo: Elijah Garcia ready to deliver the first pay-per-view shots
By Norm Frauenheim –
The last time Elijah Garcia opened the show he proved to be a showstopper. He said a memorable hello to a new audience with a quick goodbye to an unbeaten veteran.
It was an impressive introduction, one that Garcia can continue with another hello to an even bigger audience, again in the opening pay-per-view bout in what is being called boxing’s biggest card so far this year.
This time, Elijah Garcia (14-0, 12 KOs) can deliver the opening salvo on the much-anticipated and highly-hyped Tank Davis-versus-Ryan Garcia clash on pay-per-view ($84.99) Saturday night (5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET) at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.
It’s significant for lots of reasons. Showtime is calling it a “generational” fight, meaning it’s time for the young guns to move in and the aging ones to move on. The 28-year-old Tank and the 24-year-old Ryan Garcia are at the defining edge of what might be boxing’s passing of the torch.
It’s a good place for a promising 19-year-old to be. For Garcia, it’s the only place. The teenaged middleweight from Arizona can further enhance his credentials as a fighter to follow for the next several years
“My last fight was an opportunity that I just couldn’t pass up, just like this fight,’’ Elijah Garcia said during a media workout Wednesday at the MGM Grand. “I’m still learning. This is a huge card right here. I am so happy to be a part of it.
“I’ve never experienced anything like this before, but it is not as hard as I thought it would be so far.’’
Elijah Garcia expects the hardest part to happen at opening bell against Kevin Salgado, a Mexican middleweight living in San Antonio with a taste of world-class experience.
Salgado’s lone loss is to Joey Spencer, who lost a seventh-round TKO to junior middleweight prospect and fellow Arizona fighter Jesus Ramos March 25 on a card featuring Phoenix super-middleweight David Benavidez’ decision over Caleb Plant at Vegas’ MGM Grand.
Salgado (15-1-1, 10 KOs), who is listed as Kevin Salgado Zambrano on BoxRec, is more than five years older than Elijah Garcia. Then again, most everybody in the pro ranks are older than Elijah. He likes it that way.
“This is going to be a war,’’ said the young middleweight, who wears his Phoenix roots with city’s 602 area code stitched across his waist band “Someone is going to get knocked out.’’
Less than two months ago, Elijah Garcia opened the pay-per-view portion of a card featuring featherweight Brandon Figueroa’s stoppage of Mark Magsayo on March 4
The bout looked risky. His opponent was 27-years old, unbeaten and known for power. Elijah Garcia knocked out Amilcar Vidal within four rounds.
With the victory, Garcia did more than introduce himself as a prospect. He said hello to fans who didn’t know him. He also introduced heightened expectations, both for himself and newfound followers.
“Being a main event fighter is everybody’s dream,’’ he said. “My goal is doing it even sooner than [Tank] Davis and [Ryan] Garcia did.’’
Time to say hello again.
AUDIO: Kevin Salgado Talks Elijah Garcia Fight
VIDEO: Kevin Salgado Talks Elijah Garcia Fight
ELIJAH GARCIA TRAINING CAMP QUOTES
LAS VEGAS – April 14, 2023 – Undefeated 19-year-old rising middleweight sensation Elijah Garcia will look to move one step closer to achieving his “big dreams” of boxing stardom and becoming one of the future faces of Mexican boxing when he takes on Kevin Salgado in the pay-per-view telecast opener of the highly anticipated Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia SHOWTIME PPV® production on Saturday, April 22 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
“It’s simple, a victory gets me bigger fights against top level competition,” said Garcia (14-0, 12 KOs). “I know if I keep winning, all the big fights will happen. I have big dreams to become the next big Mexican star in boxing, but I’m going to take it one fight at a time.”
Fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz., Garcia earned a career-best victory in March, blasting out the previously unbeaten Amilcar Vidal in the fourth-round on SHOWTIME® to announce his presence in the 160-pound division. Now he’ll step up to compete on boxing’s biggest stage, kicking off the pay-per-view telecast leading up to a long-awaited main event.
“Words can’t describe how excited I am,” said Garcia. “I’m only 19 years old, so for me to be fighting on the big stage like this is a testament to my team, and all the hard work we’ve put in. I want to personally thank everyone who made this fight happen. I’m so grateful to everyone involved in my career and my plan is to make everyone proud with a monumental performance on April 22.”
Prior to bursting on the scene in March, Garcia had a busy 2022, racking up four victories, including three knockouts, punctuated by a second-round TKO over Cruse Stewart that streamed live on SHOWTIME SPORTS® digital platforms. As he prepares for April 22, led by his trainers, father George and grandpa George, Sr., Garcia believes that he’ll step into the ring an improved fighter from his last appearance.
“Everyone will see a better version of me when I step in the ring next week,” said Garcia. “Every day in training camp is another day closer to making my dream of becoming a world champion a reality. I have a long way to go, but I take my training very seriously, because I know how hard it is to get to the top. It’s a family affair with my dad and my grandpa guiding my corner and we’ve been going hard at our gym in Arizona where all the magic is happening.”
Across from him on April 22 will be the veteran Mexico City-native Salgado (15-1-1, 10 KOs), who is the younger brother of former super featherweight world champion Juan Carlos Salgado. Now training in San Antonio, Texas, Salgado most recently earned a knockout in December and according to Garcia will provide his most difficult challenge.
“This will be the toughest fight of my career,” said Garcia. “Salgado has gone ten rounds before and has never been knocked out, so I know he’s got a great chin. My plan is to have my hand raised by any means possible. If the knockout comes, I’ll be happy, but I’m prepared to go the distance if need be.”
The event is promoted by GTD Promotions, TGB Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.
# # #
ABOUT DAVIS VS. GARCIA
Davis vs. Garcia will see undefeated five-time, three-division world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis in a long-awaited clash against hard-hitting sensation “King” Ryan Garcia taking place Saturday, April 22 headlining live on pay-per-view from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
The pay-per-view telecast will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features Cuban star and WBA Super Middleweight Champion David Morrell Jr. battling Ghana’s Sena Agbeko in the co-main event. The action will also see an eagerly anticipated rematch between super middleweight sluggers Gabriel Rosado and Bektemir Melikuziev in a 10-round showdown. Kicking off the telecast will be hard-hitting 19-year-old middleweight Elijah Garcia facing rugged Kevin Salgado of Mexico in a 10-round showdown.
GERVONTA DAVIS VS. RYAN GARCIA BLOCKBUSTER EVENT ADDS THREE INTRIGUING PAY-PER-VIEW UNDERCARD BOUTS ON SATURDAY, APRIL 22
LAS VEGAS – April 3, 2023 – Three intriguing pay-per-view matchups featuring knockout artists and rising stars will precede three-division world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis’ 12-round super fight with hard-hitting sensation “King” Ryan Garcia in a SHOWTIME PPV production on Saturday, April 22 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The pay-per-view telecast will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features Cuban star and WBA Super Middleweight Champion David Morrell Jr. battling Ghana’s Sena Agbeko in the co-main event. The action will also see an eagerly anticipated rematch between super middleweight sluggers Gabriel Rosado and Bektemir Melikuziev in a 10-round showdown.Kicking off the telecast will be hard-hitting 19-year-old middleweight Elijah Garcia facing rugged Kevin Salgado of Mexico in a 10-round showdown.
Davis vs. Garcia is promoted by GTD Promotions, TGB Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions. The telecast is being produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV and will be available across pay-per-view providers including DAZN PPV.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now and are available through www.axs.com.
A Cuban-native who came to Minneapolis to begin his pro career in 2019, Morrell (8-0, 7 KOs) has quickly shown off the talents that made him a standout in Cuba’s storied amateur scene . The 25-year-old captured an interim title by dominating then-unbeaten Lennox Allen in August 2020 in just his third pro fight. Morell, who trains in Texas with renowned coach Ronnie Shields, added two dominant knockout victories in 2022 as he stopped Kalvin Henderson in June before a 12th-round TKO of the previously unbeaten Aidos Yerbossynuly in November.
“I’m very excited to be the co-main event of this incredible night for boxing,” said Morrell. “’Tank’ Davis is one of the sport’s biggest superstars and my aspiration is to one day be on the Mount Rushmore of boxing next to him. On April 22 I’m going to dispatch my opponent in sensational fashion. And after this fight I want the ‘Mexican Monster’ David Benavidez, but first I have to get past a tough and very capable opponent in Agbeko. I intend to take care of my business on April 22 and then look forward to taking on David Benavidez in a fight that the fans want to see.”
Originally from Ghana and now fighting out of Nashville, Tennessee, Agbeko (27-2, 21 KOs) enters this fight having won his last four contests and 12 of his last 13. The 31-year-old won three times in 2022, including most recently earning a unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Isaiah Steen last October on SHOBOX: The New Generation®. The only blemish on Agbeko’s record since 2014 is a decision loss in 2021 against top 168-pound contender Vladimir Shishkin.
“I’m very thankful to my entire team for this incredible opportunity to fight for the title,” said Agbeko. “This is a stern test against one of the best super middleweights in the world in the co-main event of the biggest fight of the year. This is an opportunity that I relish greatly and is exactly how I envisioned winning the belt. I’ve had a long journey to get to this point, but I’ve always trained like a guy with a target on my back. I want to win the belt and be the fighter that everyone is going after. I have a great team behind me and I can’t wait to properly introduce myself to the boxing world on April 22.”
Having faced a deep and extensive list of champions and top fighters throughout his career, the always exciting Rosado (26-16, 15 KOs) will look to repeat his 2021 highlight-reel KO against Melikuziev in one of the year’s biggest surprises when they meet on April 22. The Philadelphia native has gone toe-to-toe with current and former champions Jermell Charlo, Gennadiy Golovkin, Peter Quillin, David Lemieux, Joshua Clottey, Daniel Jacobs and Jaime Munguia in a pro career that dates back to 2006.
“It was tough having the fight against ‘Zurdo’ canceled, but now it’s me versus Bek on the biggest fight card of the year,” said Rosado. “I’m focused and ready to put Bek back in check. I look forward to being part of a historical fight card, and I plan on dominating ‘The Bully’ once again!”
The 26-year-old Melikuziev (11-1, 9 KOs) heads into April 22 seeking revenge from his 2021 defeat to Rosado and to extend his winning streak to five. Originally hailing from Uzbekistan and now residing in Indio, California, Melikuziev turned pro in 2019 after an impressive amateur career that included gold medals in the 2015 and 2017 Asian Championships. Melikuziev had knocked out six of his first seven pro opponents before running into Rosado’s right hand.
“This is the fight I wanted and the most important fight for me today,” said Melikuziev. “This is the fight to right the wrong. I am so lucky to make it on the biggest card of the year. I want to thank my team, my promoter, and of course, Rosado, for giving me this opportunity.”
Fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, Garcia (14-0, 12 KOs) earned a career-best victory in March, blasting out the previously unbeaten Amilcar Vidal in the fourth-round on SHOWTIME® to announce his presence at 160-pounds. The 19-year-old had previously put together a four-win 2022 campaign capped by a second round KO of Cruse Stewart that streamed live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS® YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing® Facebook page. The precocious Garcia has moved fast since turning pro in 2020 and has knocked out six of his last seven opponents.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this major pay-per-view event and I’m excited for the opportunity,” said Garcia. “After my last fight, I’ve been in the gym waiting for the time to showcase my skills yet again. I’m planning on putting on a great performance against Salgado on April 22. The main event is a great fight and ‘Tank’ is a beast, and Ryan is undefeated and talented and will be a tough test. But make sure you don’t miss my fight, because it’s going to be a Mexican war for all of the fans.”
A native of Mexico City, Salgado (15-1-1, 10 KOs) is the younger brother of former super featherweight champion Juan Carlos Salgado and now fights out of San Antonio, Texas. The 25-year-old turned pro in late 2016 and delivered knockouts in six of his first nine outings. After scoring three-straight knockouts between September 2019 and February 2021, Salgado returned to the ring in October 2021 to defeat Ricardo Banuelos Cernas by unanimous decision before fighting Bryant Perrella to a split-draw in his U.S. debut in April. Salgado bounced back from a September 2022 defeat to Joey Spencer by knocking out Gilberto Flores in the first round of their December 2022 clash.
“I know that I’m facing a good opponent, but I’m ready to surprise the boxing world,” said Salgado. “This is a great opportunity for me. I’m grateful to be in this position and I’m coming to take full advantage of it. I’m feeling strong in training camp and I’ll be ready to test Garcia and see where he stacks up.”
AZ prospect Elijah Garcia to face Zambrano on Tank-Ryan Garcia card
By Norm Frauenheim –
Elijah Garcia, an emerging middleweight from Phoenix, will fight on the Tank Davis-Ryan Garcia card on April 22 against Kevin Salgado Zambrano, Garcia manager Anthony McDonald said.
Garcia (14-0, 12 KOs), who has dropped six of his last seven opponents, had announced on his web page that he would fight on the much-anticipated card on DAZN/Showtime pay-per-view at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. But it wasn’t clear who his opponent would be.
Garcia’s management had approached Shane Mosley Jr., son of Hall of Famer Sugar Shane Mosley.
“He declined,’’ McDonald said.
Zambrano (15-1-1, 10 KOs) is a 25-year-old fighter, born in Mexico City and now living in San Antonio. He’s 1-1-1 over his last three bouts.
Zambrano’s lone loss is to Joey Spencer, who lost a seventh-round TKO to junior-middleweight prospect and fellow Arizona fighter Jesus Ramos March 25 on a card featuring Phoenix super-middleweight David Benavidez’ decision over Caleb Plant at Vegas’ MGM Grand.
The 19-year-old Garcia, who is coming off an attention-grabbing fourth-round stoppage of formerly unbeaten Amilcar Vidal on March 4, is just the latest in a promising generation of fighters with AZ roots. He wears 602, the Phoenix area code, on his waistband.