ANAHEIM, CALIF. (Feb. 12, 2020): Rising lightweight sensation Ryan Garcia (19-0, 16 KOs) and Nicaraguan contender Francisco Fonseca (25-2-2, 19 KOs) hosted their final press conference today at the Honda Center ahead of their 12-round title fight for the WBC Silver Lightweight Championship. Undercard fighters from the event also participated in the presser. The action-packed event place Friday, Feb. 14 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

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

RYAN GARCIA, WBC Silver Lightweight Champion:
“2020 is the year to show everyone that I’ve got the skills and talent to take on bigger challenges. I’ve been working hard and training every day, and I’ve sacrificed a lot of things to become a better fighter. Francisco Fonseca is a tough fighter, and this gives everyone a chance to see how good I am. I’m ready, so let’s show everyone that boxing is here to stay.”

FRANCISCO FONSECA, Lightweight Contender:
“I’m going to come prepared to give a great show, and God willing I’m going to take the win. I’m ready for this.”

JORGE LINARES, Former Three-Division World Champion:
“I’m so excited and happy to be here, this is my first time at the Honda Center. I’m ready to make an amazing show on this great card. Good luck to all the boxers!”

CARLOS MORALES, Lightweight Contender:
“I’m really thrilled to fight someone like Jorge. He’s probably the best lightweight of his era. I’m excited to test my skills against a hall of famer in boxing, and we’re going to give a good fight.”

ALEXIS ROCHA, WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Champion:
“I’m very excited to fight in my hometown. I know I have a very tough competitor, but I’m ready to shine.”

BLAIR COBBS, NABF Welterweight Champion:
“It’s great to be in an undercard with talent as great as Ryan Garcia. The most exciting man is boxing is here to take over the welterweight division, and I’m here to stay.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy:
“I’m excited to showcase a really phenomenal card that the fans deserve. Ryan Garcia is taking boxing to the next level at the Honda Center, the home of many big fights featuring the likes of Julio Cesar Chavez and Canelo Alvarez. This is a very important card for all participants. Garcia has developed into an athlete that is deserving of a world title.”

JOE MARKOWSKI, EVP, DAZN North America:
“The narrative around this fight is pretty straightforward. Is Ryan Garcia a social media sensation or a future world champion? Can Ryan Garcia put on a show on Valentine’s Day and raise a belt over his head? This will all be determined on Friday night. Even though, it’s pretty early in the year we are very excited about the fights DAZN has put out so far.”

Garcia vs. Fonseca is a 12-round fight for the WBC Silver Lightweight Title presented by Golden Boy. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Friday, Feb. 14 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for the event are on sale and are priced at $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus
applicable taxes, fees and services charges. Tickets can be purchased at goldenboytickets.com, ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 800-943-4327 and at the Honda Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 5 p.m. PT and Sat 10 a.m. PT to 4 p.m. PT).

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and
DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing/ and
https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #GarciaFonseca.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting
the link https://bit.ly/GarciaFonseca into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.

ANAHEIM, CALIF. (Feb. 11, 2020): Rising lightweight sensation Ryan Garcia (19-0, 16 KOs) and Nicaraguan contender Francisco Fonseca (25-2-2, 19 KOs) hosted a media workout today at Real Boxing MMA & Fitness ahead of their 12-round title fight for the WBC Silver Lightweight Championship. Undercard fighters from the event also participated in the workout. This Valentine’s Day brawl takes place Saturday, Feb. 14 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Below is what today’s participants had to say at the workout:

RYAN GARCIA, WBC Silver Lightweight Champion:
“Fonseca had okay fights with Farmer and Davis. It was nothing impressive though. I’m a whole different fighter. I’m taller, stronger and just better overall. I watched four rounds of his fight. This guy cannot beat me. He’s going to try to box me. He doesn’t have the power to brawl. He’s going to keep away from me. I’m going to press the fight like a Mexican fighter.”

FRANCISCO FONSECA, Lightweight Contender:
“We are prepared to win. If it’s by decision, they are not going to give it to me. So, I know what I have to do. He’s a great fighter, but I’ve had a lot of experience facing top opposition. I don’t want to underestimate Ryan Garcia. He’s a great prospect, but he doesn’t have the experience that Gervonta Davis and Tevin Farmer had. On that basis, I will walk away with the victory on Feb. 14.”

JORGE LINARES, Former Three-Division World Champion:
“Carlos Linares is very tough and strong. I know him very well. Though I have a lot of experience, I have to be very careful and cautious when the bell rings. Right now, I’m focused on the opponent I will have in front of me this Friday. After that, we’ll see what opportunities we have. Who knows? Maybe I fight in May or June? Boxing is like that. You never know.”

CARLOS MORALES, Lightweight Contender:
“This is the most important fight of my career. Linares is a veteran fighter with a lot of experience. He has everything in his toolbox. He was a three-time division world champion and five-time world champion, so I know I have to come at my very best.”

Garcia vs. Fonseca is a 12-round fight for the WBC Silver Lightweight Title presented by Golden Boy. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Friday, Feb. 14 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for the event are on sale and are priced at $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges. Tickets can be purchased at goldenboytickets.com, ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 800-943-4327 and at the Honda Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 5 p.m. PT and Sat 10 a.m. PT to 4 p.m. PT).

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and
DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing/ and
https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #GarciaFonseca.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting
the link https://bit.ly/GarciaFonseca into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 24, 2020): Welterweight prospect Alexis “Lex” Rocha (15-0, 10 KOs) will take an important step up in competition as he defends his WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Title against Brad “King” Solomon (28-2, 16 KOs) in a 10-round bout on the undercard of Garcia vs. Fonseca. The event will take place Friday, Feb. 14 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Rocha is a 22-year-old southpaw of Santa Ana, California who is widely considered as one of the best rising prospects of the welterweight division. Since making his debut in 2016, Rocha has steadily climbed the rankings by fighting some of the biggest cards that Southern California has hosted in recent years. After defending his regional title against the likes of Berlin Abreu and Roberto Valenzuela Jr., Rocha will look to pass the toughest test of his career when he takes on tough contender Solomon.

“I’m excited and looking forward to fighting in my backyard at the Honda center,” said Alexis Rocha. “Brad Solomon is a big step up and will present a challenge, but I am more than ready. I’m looking to make a statement on February 14, and hope I get the recognition I deserve as one of the best fighters in the welterweight division”

Solomon is a 36-year-old contender of Lafayette, Lousiana who was a standout amateur boxer before debuting as a professional in 2008. Aside from winning several Golden Gloves titles, Solomon also possess an amateur win over Javier Molina. As a professional, he as defeated tough fighters such as Freddy “The Rail” Hernandez
and Adrian “El Tigre” Granados. Solomon is coming off a loss against Vergil Ortiz Jr. in what was a valiant effort. He’ll now look to have better success against Rocha.

“I’m coming to make a statement in this fight,” said Brad Solomon. “I just fought on a Golden Boy card in December, but I’m coming right back to show what I’m made of. So, make sure you tune into my fight on Feb. 14 because I will demonstrate that I have a lot of unfinished business in the boxing game.”

As previously announced, Ryan Garcia (19-0, 16 KOs) of Victorville, Calif. will defend his WBC Silver Lightweight Title against Francisco Fonseca (25-2-2, 19 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua in the 12-round main event.

In the co-main event, Jorge “El Niño de Oro” Linares (46-5, 28 KOs) will take on Carlos Morales (19-4-4, 8 KOs) of Los Angeles in a 10-round lightweight battle.

Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (15-0, 10 KOs) of Las Vegas will defend his NABF Welterweight Crown against Samuel Kotey (23-2, 16 KOs) of Baltimore in a 10-round bout.

Tenochtitlan “T-Dog” Nava (7-2, 1 KO) of Los Angeles will face Anthony Casillas
(8-1, 4 KOs) of Southgate, Calif. in a six-round featherweight fight.

Bektemir Melikuiziev (4-0, 3 KOs) of Shoimbek, Uzbekistan will defend his WBA Continental Americas Super Middleweight Championship against Marco Antonio Periban (25-5-1, 16 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico in a 10-round clash.

Newly signed prospect Evan Sanchez (6-0, 5 KOs) of Parlier, Calif. will participate in a six-round welterweight bout.

Alejandro “PinPon” Reyes (2-0, 2 KOs) of Mexicali, Mexico will return in a four-round lightweight battle.

Garcia vs. Fonseca is a 12-round fight for the WBC Silver Lightweight Title presented by Golden Boy. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, Feb. 14 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for the event are on sale and are priced at $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges. Tickets can be purchased at goldenboytickets.com, ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 800-943-4327 and at the Honda Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 5 p.m. PT and Sat 10 a.m. PT to 4 p.m. PT).

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and
DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing/ and
https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #GarciaFonseca.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying
and pasting the link https://bit.ly/GarciaFonseca into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 20, 2020): Rising lightweight sensation Ryan Garcia (19-0, 16 KOs) held a Los Angeles media tour today that included visits to KTLA, the Westside Boxing Club and the ESPN studios to promote the 12-round defense of his WBC Silver Lightweight Title against Francisco Fonseca (25-2-2, 19 KOs). The event will take place Saturday, Feb. 14 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Below are what Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy, had to say during today’s activities:

RYAN GARCIA, Lightweight Contender:
“I’m happy that we got this fight done at the Honda Center in Anaheim, so everyone is going to come out and enjoy this great night. The fact that Francisco Fonseca has fought similar opponents as Tevin Farmer and Gervonta Davis–I feel that it will show people where I am. They’ll be able to compare the fights. I think that’s why this fight is very important. The fans will be using it like a measuring stick. The media can use the fights to compare my skillset with Farmer and Davis against a similar opponent.”

“This year I plan to shock the world. In 2020, I want to set a standard where I’m only fighting the best guys. I definitely want Gervonta Davis for this year. I’ve been pushing for that fight to get done. That’s all I want. To shock the world. The only way to do it is to do something hard. To beat Gervonta? That would be good.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy:
“Hopefully we don’t see a lot of broken hearts, but hopefully we’ll see a broken nose. This will be a great night for Ryan Garcia. He’s in with a tough opponent. This year will be his coming out party. I think he’ll be a world champion by the end of the year. He’s getting stronger, faster, and wiser. For Ryan, we want the best for him. Ryan in a world title fight against a top fighter for 2020.”

Garcia vs. Fonseca is a 12-round fight for the WBC Silver Lightweight Title presented by Golden Boy. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, Feb. 14 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for the event are on sale and are priced at $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges. Tickets can be purchased at goldenboytickets.com, ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 800-943-4327 and at the Honda Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 5 p.m. PT and Sat 10 a.m. PT to 4 p.m. PT).

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and
DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing/and
https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #GarciaFonseca.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying
and pasting the link https://bit.ly/GarciaFonseca into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 17, 2020) – Prince Ranch Boxing’s undefeated welterweight contender, Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (13-0-1, 9 KOs), who is by promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, faces Samuel Kotey (23-2, 16 KOs) of Ghana, Africa. The 10-round bout will take place on February 14, 2020, as part of the of Ryan Garcia versus Francisco Fonseca card at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA, which will air live on DAZN at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.

“I am excited to return on such a great card,” said Blair Cobbs, who is managed by Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing. “I have been training very hard and know that all my hard work is about to pay off. My body feels great and I’m looking sharp in sparring. I’m ready to take this dude out.”

“We’re thrilled with how Blair Cobbs’ career is progressing” stated Hannely, Cobbs’ manager. “He has an incredible resume and has defeated some of the best unbeaten fighters already. He keeps getting better and better with each fight. I expect big things from Cobbs this year, and it all starts on Valentines day.”

Cobbs had a phenomenal 2019 defeating unbeaten fighters Ferdinand Kerobyan and Steve Villalobos as well as Robert Redmond Jr and Carlos Ortiz Cervantes. Cobbs’ last four opponents have had a combined record of (40-5-3, 32 KOs), making Cobbs one of the most battle-tested contenders in the welterweight division.

“Blair has all the tools to be a world champion,” stated Brandon Woods, Cobbs’ trainer, “He has defeated great opponents and done it in a style that is very entertaining. I see Blair accomplishing some incredible goals in 2020, and I know he’s done everything in the gym to be at his best come fight night.”

“I love what I do,” Cobbs continued. “I am ready to have another great year and continue to put on a great, entertaining show for the fans. It’s Blair “The Flair” time baby, WOOOO!

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 1, 2020): Golden Boy and DAZN will present a special night of boxing on Valentine’s Day as rising star Ryan Garcia (19-0, 16 KOs) defends his WBC Silver Lightweight Title in a 12-round fight against rugged contender Francisco Fonseca (25-2-2, 19. KOs). The event takes place Friday, Feb. 14 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

“Golden Boy is proud to present the biggest rising talent in the sport of boxing,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Ryan Garcia silenced all the skeptics by knocking out a tough contender in Romero Duno, and he did it in just one spectacular round. Aside from being a popular young star who is loved by all women, he’s also demonstrated that he’s a skillful fighter with power in both hands. So, we will have something special for everyone to enjoy on Valentine’s Day when we deliver this great show at Honda Center and live on DAZN.”

Garcia is a 21-year-old contender who has quickly developed into one of boxing’s most popular young athletes. After a decorated amateur career, Garcia debuted as a professional and later signed with Golden Boy in 2016. Since then, he’s passed every tough test put in front of him, including wins against “Ruthless”Romero Duno, Carlos “The Solution” Morales and Jason “La Maravilla” Velez. Now, he’ll look to put himself on the path towards the highest levels of the sport with a win at the same venue where Canelo Alvarez became world champion for a first time in 2011.

“I’m very excited to be in the ring once again,” said Ryan Garcia. “I’m looking to shock the world this year. I’m going to show the boxing world that I’m here forever!”

On the other hand, Fonseca represents a recent wave of young talent from Managua, Nicaragua who have recently had much success in the sport. With fighters such as Felix Alvarado and Rene Alvarado becoming world champions within the past 18 months, Fonseca feels inspired to build off that momentum and upset Garcia. The 25-year-old will return after a tough draw against Alex Dilmaghani for a vacant title.

“Nicaraguan boxing is a the very top right now because we have two world champions representing us right now,” said Francisco Fonseca. “That’s why I will not let my country down. When I face Ryan Garcia, I will expose him on his own territory, and I will deliver him his first professional victory. My manager Rosendo Alvarez and I have been waiting for. We’ve dreamed of fighting Ryan Garcia, and we have the antidote to defeat him.”

“From rising stars to crafty veterans, the lightweight division is poised for a huge year in 2020,” said Joseph Markowski, DAZN EVP, North America. “With such an adoring fan base, we couldn’t think of a better fighter than Ryan Garcia to headline this special Valentine’s Day event during Fight Season on DAZN.”

In the co-main event, former three-division world champion Jorge “El Nino de Oro” Linares (46-5, 28 KOs) of Barinas, Venezuela will return in a 12-round lightweight fight.

Welterweight sensation Alexis “Lex” Rocha (15-0, 10 KOs) of Santa Ana, Calif. will defend his WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Title in a 10-round 147-pound clash.

Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (13-0, 9 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada will defend his NABF Welterweight Title in a 10-round bout.

Oscar “El Jaguar” Negrete (18-2-2, 7 KOs) de Tierralta, Colombia will fight Alberto “Impacto” Melian (6-1, 4 KOs) of Buenos Aires, Argentina for the vacant WBA International Bantamweight Title in a 10-round bout between two Golden Boy contenders.

Alejandro “PinPon” Reyes (2-0, 2 KOs), a native of Mexicali, Mexico who trains out of Los Angeles’ Westside Boxing Club, will return in a four-round lightweight battle.

Evan Sanchez (6-0, 5 KOs) of Parlier, Calif. will participate in a six-round welterweight bout.

Opponents for the undercard will be announced shortly.

Garcia vs. Fonseca is a 12-round fight for the WBC Silver Lightweight Title presented by Golden Boy. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Friday, Feb. 14 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN.

Tickets for Garcia vs. Fonseca go on sale Friday, Jan. 3 at 10:00 a.m. PT. Tickets are priced at $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges. Tickets can be purchased at goldenboytickets.com, ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 800-943-4327 and at the Honda Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 5 p.m. PT and Sat 10 a.m. PT to 4 p.m. PT).

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #GarciaFonseca

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying
and pasting the link: http://bit.ly/GarciaFonseca into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy for any photo and/or video usage.

London, UK (26 November 2019) Promoter Mick Hennessy is delighted to announce that Alex Dilmaghani’s all-action showdown with Francisco Fonseca on Saturday 16 November had a total reach of just under 2 million viewers on free-to-air Channel 5.

Hot Crayford talent Dilmaghani stepped up to face Nicaragua’s hard-hitting former Two-Time World Title Challenger, Fonseca, with the Vacant IBO World Super-Featherweight Championship on the line, headlining London’s iconic boxing venue The York Hall.

In an exhilarating encounter, Dilmaghani and Fonseca went to war from the first to the last bell with both men fighting at a ferocious pace. Dilmaghani bravely fought through a bad cut sustained from a head clash in the ninth round that hampered the vision in his left eye with the fight scored a draw on the judges’ scorecards, but it is surely a contender for the Fight of the Year award.

The show’s total reach on Channel 5 was just under 2 million and the peak was over 1million during the live two hour show and considering it was broadcast at the same time as the controversial Newsnight Prince Andrew interview, the viewing figures proved to be very impressive.

In addition, this was the first time Dilmaghani had headlined an event and also the first time he was the main attraction live on Channel 5.

Dilmaghani is thrilled that his brutal battle against Fonseca has taken his profile and career to a new level and is looking forward to a massive 2020 when he will again contend for a world title.

Shortly after his fight he posted on his Instagram page: “It’s crazy how my life has changed in such little time. Early last year I was sleeping at the back of the gym in -20 weather with no heating. In the last month I’ve been featured in national newspapers including the times, recently arrived on the world stage and main eventing on national television. Now it’s only going to get bigger and better. 2020 I become world champ. Persistence and pressure are the fundamental foundations of success in life.”

Mick Hennessy, Hennessy Sports’ CEO, said, “I’m extremely pleased that the fight peaked at over a million live viewers and just shy of 2 million in total on Channel 5. These are fantastic figures and we have a proven track record in building boxing stars on Channel 5. It was a riveting and pulsating fight and certainly one of the best I’ve seen in a very long time and I’m delighted that the crowd at the York Hall and the Channel 5 viewers were treated to such a spectacle. I’m more that happy with the public and media’s reaction towards Alex’s world class potential and that will come to fruition next year when he will again challenge for a World title. Alex’s highly anticipated return in 2020 is planned for mid-February to early March and I can’t wait.”

London, UK (20 November 2019) New British boxing star Alex Dilmaghani can’t wait for his first fight of 2020 and is confident he will win a World title after his riveting shoot-out with Francisco Fonseca last Saturday night at the York Hall.

The home of London boxing, that has featured many of the legends and epic fight nights of British boxing, served up another classic as modern-day warriors Dilmaghani and Fonseca went to war for the fans in the iconic hall and for the viewers on Channel 5 in the UK and around the world on YouTube.

They were scheduled to meet in September in Bolton but minutes before the ring walks were due to start, Fonseca was withdrawn by the BBBofC because of sickness. Promoter Mick Hennessy envisioned a barnstormer and potential Fight of the Year candidate back then and it proved to be right with both fighters delivering on the night.

Rescheduled for London and with the Vacant IBO World Super-Featherweight title on the line, the pair went straight into battle from the opening bell, setting a frenetic pace and fought at a blistering intensity around the middle of the ring from the first bell that remained throughout the whole of the action-packed contest.

The pair exchanged a high-volume of hurtful body-punches mixed with fast, hard, combinations and it was hard to separate them early on. Crayford’s classy Dilmaghani appeared to have the quicker hands, higher work-rate, better foot movement and defence by taking the punches on his arms and gloves, but Nicaraguan hardman Fonseca seemed to have the heavier hands and harder punches and was continually pushing forward.

In the ninth round a clash of heads resulted in Dilmaghani getting a bad cut above his left eye that his corner – with cuts man Kerry Kayes – did a superb job to stop it from getting worse and see their man get through to the final bell.

When the scores were read out at the end of the contest, Pawel Kardyni and Roberto Ramirez Jr both had a draw at 114-114, while British judge Howard Foster had it 115-114 to Fonseca.

Whilst Dilmaghani was disappointed not to have been given the nod by the judges’ and not have the IBO title in his possession, he was pleased with his performance and the exciting nature of the fight and believes it will only increase his value.

“I thought I won the fight,” Said Dilmaghani. “It was a very close fight, definitely before I got the cut in the ninth round I felt that I had won everything, overall I had it 8-4 or 7-5 in my favour,”

“It was a great fight and Fonseca was really up for it and gave it everything he had, so I take off my hat to him. It was a war and I felt that I proved that I’ve got the qualities of a great fighter, I’ve got a World class chin and showed I’ve got plenty of heart where people may have doubted it, I think everyone knows that now,”

“I thought that I could’ve boxed more and that is my only regret, but as it turned out I had to ‘war’ it out with him. The fans in the York Hall and viewers on Channel 5 and YouTube certainly got treated to a great fight,”

“I didn’t think Fonseca would last at that pace set from the first bell and I wanted to stop him by grinding him down, that was the game plane, but I couldn’t see out of my left eye from the ninth because of the cut,”

“I’ve got to let my cut heal and have a rest over Christmas, but I’ll be ready to go early next year for whatever my promoter Mick Hennessy has lined up. There’s an option to go down to featherweight, which I can make easily, and campaign there and I’m planned to fight four times next year. One of those will be for a World title and I’m confident that I will become World Champion. My name has certainly increased in awareness now and I’m all set for a big year ahead. I can’t wait.”

Hennessy was thrilled with the pulsating, all-action, fight and felt that his man had done enough to win, whilst surprised with the draw, he believes that the excitement of the fight has increased the Dilmaghani brand and put him in a great position to start 2020.

Hennessy said, “That fight to me is definitely the Fight of the Year, it was one of boxing’s night of nights and an absolutely awe-inspiring contest. Whilst it was called a draw by the judges’, the winner that night was the sport of boxing and Channel 5 for hosting such an incredible fight and the fans and the viewers were treated to a real barnstormer,”

“People think I was crazy about the things I was saying before hand about Alex, but I knew what he could do and he just needed a big fight to show what I was saying and the Fonseca fight was the one to bring it out of him. Now you can see why he’s avoided like the plague by his rivals out there,”

“Looking at the fight with a balanced view, I scored it 7-5 to Alex and the cut from the head clash in the ninth affected him as it impaired his vision. I believe that Alex had the better defence and was taking the majority of punches on his arms, gloves and elbows. That’s not taking away from Fonseca who proved himself to be a real warrior. Fonseca had plenty of time to prepare for Alex, probably around four months in total, including the first postponed fight. For the fights against Gervonta Davis and Tevin Farmer, Fonseca only two weeks’ and five weeks’ notice respectively and we knew he’d come in at his absolute best for Alex. Fonseca was huge at the weight and he’s a dangerous world class fighter when given the right notice,”

“We’ll have to see what opportunities present themselves to Alex before we make a decision going into the new year. The rematch with Fonseca is there, but we were going to move down to featherweight before the Fonseca opportunity arose as he makes super-feather too easy. The plan is for him to have four fights next year and make himself a major household name on Channel 5. I think now with all the fantastic publicity around this fight in the build up and the fight turning out how it did, it’s certainly put Alex up there and he will be a force to be reckoned with.”

London, UK (16 November 2019) Tonight’s big night of World Championship boxing presented by Hennessy Sports from the home of London boxing, The York Hall, Bethnal Green, will be available to watch exclusively live and on free-to-air Channel 5 in the UK from 9pm – 11pm GMT.

A massive night of action starts with the undercard that features the hard-hitting heavyweight talent Lucian Atana and the hot middleweight prospect Michael Hennessy Jr., before switching to two exciting title fights that sees Irish star John Joe Nevin against Freddy Fonseca clash for the Vacant WBA International Super-Featherweight Championship, before Alex Dilmaghani faces Francisco Fonseca for the Vacant IBO World Super-Featherweight Championship.

In addition, Hennessy Sports has made available a Live and Free stream on the Hennessy Sports YouTube channel where it can be viewed around the world. Here’s how to watch:

Live undercard stream (6.45pm – 8.30pm GMT)

Will be available around the world for free. Please view here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1WHHYCVrlk

And you can embed to your site using the following embed code:

Viewers in the UK only will then need to switch over to free-to-air TV coverage on Channel 5 to watch the main event.

Live main event stream (9pm – 11pm GMT)

Will be available for free around the world (except UK) on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_Aiobpkpq8

And you can embed to your site using the following embed code:

Promoted by Mick Hennessy in association with Infinitum, Channel 5 and Priority Promotions, Dilmaghani v Fonseca will be televised exclusively live in the UK on free-to-air Channel 5.

Headline attraction on the card features Alex Dilmaghani versus Francisco Fonseca for the Vacant IBO Super-Featherweight Championship. Chief support sees an exciting clash between Irish star John Joe Nevin v Freddy Fonseca for the WBA International Super-Featherweight Championship. A packed and top quality undercard also features: Fast rising Sevenoaks middleweight talent Michael Hennessy Jnr; Stockwell welterweight Samuel Antwi; Welsh super-featherweight Rhys Edwards; Chelsea Lightweight Connor Marsden; two London based Romanians: super-welterweight Flavius Biea and heavyweight Lucian Atani; Basildon super-lightweight Lewis Smith; Islington middleweight Billy Underwood; Luton super-lightweight Jahid Munim and Islington featherweight Alizara Ghadiri

London, UK (15 November 2019) Here are the official weights from today’s weigh-in for this Saturday’s Hennessy Sports World Championship Boxing event at The York Hall, Bethnal Green, headlined by Alex Dilmaghani v Francisco Fonseca for the Vacant IBO World Super-Featherweight Championship and John Joe Nevin v Freddy Fonseca for the Vacant WBA International Super-Featherweight Championship:

The Vacant IBO World Super-Featherweight Championship
12 x 3 Minute Rounds at 9st 4lbs (130lbs)

Alex Dilmaghani
Crayford, England
9st 3lb 8oz (129.8lbs)

vs.

Francisco Fonseca
Managua, Nicaragua
9st 3lb 5oz (129.5lb)

The Vacant WBA International Super-Featherweight Championship
10 x 3 Minute Rounds at 9st 4lbs (130lbs)

John Joe Nevin
Mullingar, Ireland
9st 3lb 2oz (129.2lb)

vs.

Freddy Fonseca
Managua, Nicaragua
9st 3lb 6oz (129.6lb)

6×3 Minute Rounds Middleweight Contest

Michael Hennessy Jnr.
Sevenoaks, England
11st 5lb 8oz (159.8lb)

vs.

Richard Baba
Szeged, Hungary
11st 5lb 6oz (159.6lb)

Promoted by Mick Hennessy in association with Infinitum, Channel 5 and Priority Promotions, Dilmaghani v Fonseca will be televised exclusively live in the UK on free-to-air Channel 5 and 5Spike.

Headline attraction on the card features Alex Dilmaghani versus Francisco Fonseca for the Vacant IBO Super-Featherweight Championship. Chief support sees an exciting clash between Irish star John Joe Nevin v Freddy Fonseca for the WBA International Super-Featherweight Championship. A packed and top quality undercard also features: Fast rising Sevenoaks middleweight talent Michael Hennessy Jnr; Stockwell welterweight Samuel Antwi; Welsh super-featherweight Rhys Edwards; Chelsea Lightweight Connor Marsden; two London based Romanians: super-welterweight Flavius Biea and heavyweight Lucian Atani; Basildon super-lightweight Lewis Smith; Islington middleweight Billy Underwood; Luton super-lightweight Jahid Munim and Islington featherweight Alizara Ghadiri.

Tickets are available from MyFightTickets: https://myfighttickets.com/shop-1?olsPage=products%2Fhennessy-york-hall

DILMAGHANI V FONSECA HIT THE HEADLINES
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Why law graduate Alex Dilmaghani whose friend nearly died in the ring still insists on boxing

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How Alex Dilmaghani’s unusual boxing career could finally pay off

New! The Sun
TURF WARS Boxing brothers Freddie and Francisco Fonseca dress as Kray twins as they look to rule East London at York Hall event

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Alex Dilmaghani & John Joe Nevin targeted by ‘The new Krays’

Radio Times
How to watch Alex Dilmaghani v Francisco Fonseca

The Irish Sun
ALI-ESQUE John Joe Nevin believes he has the ability to emulate Muhammad Ali with world title fight at Croke Park

The Stat Zone
Alex Dilmaghani v Francisco Fonseca preview and prediction

World Boxing News
Alex Dilmaghani looks forward to Francisco Fonseca clash

Boxing Insider
Alex Dilmaghani: “Luckily For Me, I’m able to fight extremely well”

Boxing Scene
Dilmaghani Motivated To Topple Fonseca, Face Other Champions

15 Rounds
Alex Dilmaghani: I’m ready to go again right now

Boxing Monthly
Avoided like the plague: Alex Dilmaghani interview

British Boxers
Dilmaghani vs Fonseca grudge fight is back on!

Ringside Report
Ringside Report Takes a Closer Look at Boxer Alex Dilmaghani

London, UK (29 October 2019) Alex Dilmaghani headlines the York Hall, Bethnal Green, on Saturday 16th November when he finally takes on world class Nicaraguan Francisco Fonseca with the IBO Super-Featherweight World Championship on the line, exclusively live on free-to-air Channel 5.

The 28-year-old southpaw super featherweight – slippery, strong and savage in equal measure – stumbled on a pothole in late September when his WBA International Title challenge was scuppered at the 13th hour after Fonseca was withdrawn be BBBofC doctors after citing an illness shortly before the ring walks.

‘Some said Fonseca looked nervous at the weigh-in. Though he was perhaps half an inch taller, I looked bigger all round, far healthier, far stronger,’ claims ‘Dilma’ who is now undefeated in well over eight years and 15 starts, many of which took place in the brawl halls of Mexico where he served a brutal ring apprenticeship.

‘We know Fonseca is big at the weight but he’d had eight weeks to prepare and, in previous articles and interviews, he’d said he’d pretty much been ‘on weight’ for a few weeks.

‘I only learned the fight was off at about five to nine, after I was gloved up, warmed up. When the Board official approached, I just assumed it was to notify me that it was ‘Walk Out’ time. But I knew they’d not joke about something like that. I’m a big student of the sport but I’ve never come across anything remotely similar.

Ferocious Fonseca, a two time world title challenger with dynamite in his fists, had been recruited as a litmus test for the Mick Hennessy promoted Southampton law graduate who had presented himself as a world champion-in-waiting after forcing 25-2-1 Slovakian hard case Martin Parlagi to crack in eight on dazzler Dilma’s UK return at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse last May.

But, confronted by adversity, the one time hired help for Mexican Hall of Famer Juan Manuel Marquez demonstrated the bloody-mindedness and consummate professionalism that many knowledgeable minds believe will ultimately see him coronated at the highest stage.

My initial emotion was ‘pissed off’. It messes with your mind. I wasn’t good to be around,’ disclosed Dilmaghani.

‘Making weight is not an issue for me – I could still make featherweight, if needed – but you think of all the heartache you’ve put yourself through in prep, the sacrifices you’ve made. You think about the plans you’d made to relax after the fight. You think about not getting the win, not being able to move on.

‘This was my long overdue break at crashing the major rankings, announcing myself on the world stage but there’s no point crying over spilt milk. It dawned there’s nothing I could do to change it. There’ll be many more fights. At least I got the experience of another full camp, press conferences, weigh-in etc. You just have to accept that, in this industry, fights can get called off at late notice…..just not THAT late.

‘I knew if I lost focus, it’d only harm me in the long run so I channelled the anger back into my training. The gym has always been where I go to vent my aggression and I was back there on the Monday (30th).

‘My philosophy is, I train all year round to improve. Similar to martial artists, I treat boxing as a craft that I need to master so I try to improve every day that I’m at the gym. Others might take time off after a fight and harm their bodies, going up and down in weight. Not me.

‘But I know my limits. There’s no risk I’ll go stale. I don’t ‘over push’ it. Sparring puts mileage on the clock so I only do that close to a fight, as a necessity. I took two weeks off sparring after the Sept 28th date but I’ve loads of good sparring recently.

‘I’m ready to go again right now or in three weeks. Nothing will deter me.’

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR MEDIA ACCREDITATION
Promoted by Mick Hennessy in association with Infinitum, Channel 5 and Priority Promotions, Dilmaghani v Fonseca will be televised exclusively live in the UK on free-to-air Channel 5 and 5Spike.

Chief support on the card features an exciting clash between Irish star John Joe Nevin v Freddy Fonseca for the WBA International Super-Featherweight Championship. A packed and top quality undercard also features: Fast rising Sevenoaks middleweight talent Michael Hennessy Jnr; Bexleyheath super-flyweight Sammy Cantwell, son of Mickey, the former British Flyweight Champion; Stockwell welterweight Samuel Antwi; Welsh super-featherweight Rhys Edwards; Chelsea Lightweight Connor Marsden; two London based Romanians: super-welterweight Flavius Biea and heavyweight Lucian Atani; Basildon super-lightweight Lewis Smith; Islington middleweight Billy Underwood; Luton super-lightweight Jahid Munim and Islington featherweight Alizara Ghadiri.

Tickets are available from MyFightTickets: https://myfighttickets.com/shop-1?olsPage=products%2Fhennessy-york-hall

London, UK (18 October 2019) Hennessy Sports are delighted to announce that the salivating super-featherweight shootout between Alex Dilmaghani and Francisco Fonseca is back on!

The high-grade contenders collide over 12 rounds for the Vacant International Boxing Organisation World Title belt at London’s hallowed York Hall, Bethnal Green, on Saturday 16th November, in a fascinating contrast of styles that matches Crayford’s classy Dilmaghani with the nuclear hitting Nicaraguan.

Promoted by Mick Hennessy in association with Infinitum, Channel 5 and Mo Prior of Priority Promotions, Dilmaghani v Fonseca will be televised exclusively live in the UK on free-to-air Channel 5 and 5Spike.

Initially, the potent pair were primed to punch it out at the Bolton Whites Hotel late last month, only for Two-Time World title challenger Fonseca to fall ill prior to the ringwalk. On the advice of the doctors, Mick Hennessy had to make a compassionate call to pull the main event at the last minute and allow Fonseca to recover fully and reschedule for a later date.

But given the quality of this mouthwatering match-up, it was always going to be a case of better seven weeks late than not at all.

Dazzler ‘Dilma’, who enters on an incredible eight and a half year unbeaten streak and who earned lavish plaudits when he returned to Britain from a five-fight exile in North America, to slaughter Slovakian hard case Martin Parlagi in eight at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse in late May, finally faces the litmus test he has long coveted.

Two-time IBF World class title challenger Fonseca – from the nation that delivered ring legends Alexis Arguello, Ricardo Mayorga and ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez – has been bettered just twice in a 28 fight pro career and has sent 19 of his 25 victims for an early shower. Still only 25, the lethal Latino harbours big world title aspirations in his third world title attempt. It is a genuine world grade match-up.

A talent stacked 13 bout undercard is headed with an intriguing fight between Ireland’s highly decorated ex-amateur star John Joe Nevin, who is ambitiously matched with Fonseca’s equally combustible elder brother Freddy Fonseca for the Vacant WBA International Super-Featherweight Championship.

The magic man from Mullingar won European gold (2013, Minsk) and Olympic silver (London 2012) in the singlet, and has racked up a perfect 13 fight slate since entering the paid brigade in March 2014, sizzling in rings on the US East Coast as well as Ireland and mainland Britain. However, already 31, this mercurial talent needs to roll the dice if he’s to replicate past achievements as a pro.

Victory over Fonseca the Elder will provide Nevin with a short-cut to the major world titles but the savage Central American – world ranked until recently – has lost just four of 32 and 18 stoppage victories suggest he is a serious puncher. It’s certainly no formality.

Promoter Hennessy’s son, Michael Hennessy Jr, an all action, fast-rising, middleweight talent who is undefeated in three, features in a six rounder in what promises to be an unmissable fight night.

Mick Hennessy, CEO of Hennessy Sports, said, “I’m extremely pleased and relieved to finally to see this exciting match up back on and can’t wait to see Alex and Francisco get it on in the ring, I’m sure everyone will agree that it was a fight worth waiting for. Of course, it was very disappointing last time round that it had be cancelled at the very last minute, but we’ve battled hard to ensure that the fight remained on and will now headline at London’s famous and historic York Hall with the IBO World title on the line. A great chief supporting title fight on the card see Irish talent John Joe Nevin take on Francisco’s brother Freddy, they will be determined coming to London to make it a double family victory. With a great undercard also, this is a real fight card coming to the home of London boxing.”

A packed and top quality undercard also features: Bexleyheath super-flyweight Sammy Cantwell, son of Mickey, the former British Flyweight Champion; Stockwell welterweight Samuel Antwi; Welsh super-featherweight Rhys Edwards; Chelsea Lightweight Connor Marsden; two London based Romanians: super-welterweight Flavius Biea and heavyweight Lucian Atani; Tottenham super-lightweight Jeff Ofori; Basildon super-lightweight Lewis Smith; Islington middleweight Billy Underwood; Luton super-lightweight Jahid Munim and Islington featherweight Alizara Ghadiri.

Tickets are available from MyFightTickets: https://myfighttickets.com/shop-1?olsPage=products%2Fhennessy-york-hall

Bolton, UK (28 September 2019) The Vacant WBA International Super Featherweight Championship to be contested this evening between Alex Dilmaghani and Francisco Fonseca at the University of Bolton, Premier Suite, has been cancelled. 

Due to Nicaraguan Fonseca feeling unwell in his dressing room before his ringwalk and then following an examination by doctors, the decision was made by the British Boxing Board of Control to withdraw Fonseca from the contest and he has been referred to hospital for further assessment.  

Whilst Hennessy Sports are disappointed that the main event has had to be cancelled, we understand that Fonseca’s health and safety is paramount and respect the decision.

Bolton, UK (24 September 2019) Nicaragua’s iron-fisted Francisco Fonseca believes Alex Dilmaghani has bitten off far more than he can chew by agreeing to face-off against the formidable former Two-Time World title challenger at the Premier Suite, University of Bolton, on Saturday 28th September.

Presented by Hennessy Sports and VIP Promotions, in association with Infinitum and Voltarol, Dilmaghani v Foneseca is exclusively live on free-to-air Channel 5 this Saturday from 9pm.

The WBA International Super-Featherweight Championship – and a lofty world top-ten rating – are at stake in this high-grade collision and the mix of styles should mesh to produce a potential classic.

‘Dilma’ might be four years Fonseca’s senior, profiting from home advantage and undefeated in over eight years but that certainly doesn’t daunt the destroyer from the land that delivered ring legends such as Alexis Arguello and ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez.

Coached by his older brother Jose Fonseca and two weight WBA World Champion champion Rosendo Alvarez – the ONLY boxer to put a stain on Mexican great Ricardo Lopez’s brilliant 52 fight unbeaten career (TD8, 1998) – the lethal Latino arrived in Bolton last night boasting seven more pro starts, 41 more pro rounds and a record that lists as many stoppages (19) as Dilmaghani has wins.

Eight of the explosive-hitting Nicaraguan’s quick wins have come by clean count out. Make no mistake, the dangerous Fonseca brings serious firepower with a capital F and poses a significant threat to Dilmaghani’s ambitions.

Life began in El Rama, central Nicaragua in March 1994, although the family migrated south to seek a better life in Costa Rica, when feisty Francisco was just six.

‘We are 6 children in total, The three boys of us all boxed. I was introduced to the sport, aged 14, by my older brother Jose, a pro, who has already retired. My other brother is Freddy Fonseca (a 27-3-1 world ranked ex WBA 130lb challenger), who has just lost in Japan last weekend. Twice the three of us fought in the same show as pro,’ disclosed Francisco through an interpreter.

‘As an amateur boxer, I had 70 fights, only 6 losses. Several times I was the national champion.

I like both styles, countering but also exchanging punches.’

Restricted to a four-round draw during his debut as a teenager back in December 2013, the Managua based banger then blitzed 19 successive opponents, with 13 of the vanquished failing to finish.

The only other blemishes on his stellar 25-2-1 slate were a brace of IBF world title reverses over in the USA to two of the world’s elite, firstly to Gervonta Davis (LKO8, August 2018) and then Tevin Farmer (LPTS12, December 2018). Still only 25, fiery Frankie certainly hasn’t surrendered his dream of securing a World title crown.

In addition to starring in Costa Rica, the Nicaraguan nightmare has previously wreaked havoc in Panama, El Salvador and the USA as a pro so certainly won’t be fazed by his maiden European venture and sent a .

‘I am really looking forward to fighting in the UK, as it’s such a big place for boxing,’ states the 5ft 7 ½ in boxer-banger who has already racked up a hat-trick of stoppage wins in 2019.

‘I know I must win this fight to get a new shot at the world title again. It could be either points or stoppage but I will win.

‘Though I was unsuccessful in those two previous chances at world level, I fought solid champions. Both fights left me great experiences and I know my experience in world title fights will be the key to winning this fight.

‘I’ve watched Dilmaghani and I can see he has good boxing skills. That’s why I am sure it will be a very good fight.

‘My message to him is, ‘Make sure you train hard because I am 100% ready and motivated.’

Chief support on the talent stacked card sees undefeated starlets Jack ‘The Giant Killer’ Flatley and Harry ‘Hammer Time’ Scarff fight it out over 10 rounds for the former’s English Super-Welterweight Championship. Bolton wonder Flatley, a former national amateur finalist at both junior and senior level, is yet to be beaten in 16 but the ex-England international can expect to be stretched right to the limit by 7-0 Derby six footer Scarff in a mouthwatering match-up.

Promoter Hennessy’s son, Michael Hennessy Jr, an all action middleweight who is undefeated in two, is set to feature in a six rounder.

A full undercard featuring several of Steve Wood’s rising talents is set to garnish an unmissable night of entertainment.

Passions are sure to run high when Darwen’s robust Mickey Ellison (9-2) locks horns with Manchester technician Charlie Schofield (unbeaten in 16) in a seriously spicy looking Eliminator for the English Super-Middleweight Championship.

Popular Wigan welterweight James Moorcroft and Oldham’s turbo charged Andy Kremner will be banking to triumph in separate six rounders before clashing against each other back at the Bolton Whites in December. The former goes up against Manchester circuit fighter Sam Omidi whilst the returning Kremner seeks to become the first to stop Cannock tough man Lee Gunter.

Prestwich pressure fighter Sean Ben Mulligan, beaten just once in 11, endeavours to edge yet further up the domestic super-welter rankings by prevailing in a Roses rumble with 71 fight Driffield warmonger Danny ‘Lethal’ Little.

Wigan lightweight Rhiannon Dixon makes her exciting debut over four rounds against nine fight Lithuanian Vaida Maseokaite, a regular visitor to these shores.

Stretford’s Bradley Rea, Wigan’s Andrew Fleming and Stockport’s Jack Booth are three local lads who’ll be seeking to extend their perfect slates. Middleweight Rea, described as ‘a serious talent’ by promoter Wood, will be hoping to go seven-up in an Anglo-Scottish affair with Stranraer’s significantly more seasoned Paul Allison. Also over six, Fleming, a strong super-lightweight southpaw, intends to stretch his streak to eight against an opponent still to be announced while Matthew Hatton’s all-action super-middle starlet Booth will be looking to defuse ‘Baltic Bomber’ Genadij Krejevskij from Lithuania in an intriguing international four-rounder.

London, UK (23 September 2019) After boldly introducing himself to the British boxing public with a sizzling stoppage of Slovakia’s Martin Parligi, who had never been stopped, in late May, classy Crayford super-featherweight Alex Dilmaghani aims to gatecrash the top end of the world rankings when he squares off with dynamite-punching and two-time World Challenger Francesco Fonseca in a world grade shootout at the Premier Suite, University of Bolton, on Saturday 28th September. 

Presented by Hennessy Sports and VIP Promotions, in association with Infinitum and Voltarol, Dilmaghani v Foneseca is exclusively live on free-to-air Channel 5 this Saturday from 9pm.

The 130lb rivals challenge for the Vacant WBA International Super-Featherweight title and, more poignantly, a top five position in the governing body’s world rankings.

Nicarguan Fonseca, a former two-time IBF title challenger, has sent 19 of his 25 victims for an early shower and is sure to harbour world title aspirations of his own. He promises to present the litmus test that the much avoided Dilmaghani has long coveted.

‘Plenty of others collect high world rankings by picking up meaningless paper titles without actually fighting anyone of note. But that’s certainly not what I’m about,’ declared dazzling ‘Dilma’, 28, who destroyed hardman Parligi in eight in a sensational homecoming at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse, having served a blue-chip five year ring apprenticeship in North America. 

That sizzling showing cornered critical acclaim from the cognoscenti and now the 29 year old Anglo-Iranian is salivating to go again, against even stiffer competition.

‘I don’t view Fonseca as a big threat. It’ll be just another day to me,’ states super confident Dilmaghani.

‘Last time, I dominated a good guy who had a very undervalued amateur pedigree – Martin once beat Andrew Selby – and he’d only lost twice, both by marginal decision, in 28 pro fights. And I didn’t just beat him up, I stopped him in first gear. He quit on me before I could hit second gear! Parligi was supposed to be a huge step up for me but it proved an easy night.’ 

That stellar showing not only revealed Dilmaghani as one of Britain’s best kept ring secrets but also alerted fans of his intriguing background story that saw him raised by his mum, combat racial prejudices, graduate in law at Southampton University, then master his craft in the sweat shop gyms and fight clubs of Mexico and Canada.

He says: ’The fight was shown live on network tv and I’ve had a lot of great feedback since. 

‘A lot more people are keen to communicate with me now. I’m a humble guy who knows what comes with success but I prefer to keep my circle small.’

Whilst his silky southpaw skills are significant, the Redhill born rumbler believes it’s his agile mind that distinguishes him.

‘I’m a relatively educated, meticulous person and, if I set my mind to something, it gets done. I’m very, very serious about boxing. It isn’t a game to me. I don’t just seek to win, I look to dominate, be impressive….and that’s a mentality every great fighter should have. 

A few may work as hard in the gym but they don’t study the game as intensely as I do. I live and breathe boxing. I’m OCD with it.  

‘Going from my spars and fights thus far, I have supreme confidence in what I can do. Apart from sparring the great Juan Manuel Marquez at his Romanza Gym in Mexico City years ago, when I was a young apprentice, I’ve never been inside a ring with anybody who I felt was comfortably better than me. I’ve sparred against some big names and let me tell you they found it difficult to handle the intense pressure when I put on them.  I just take one fight at a time but I know I’m on the right path to becoming a world champion. “

Mastered just once in 21 and presently undefeated in well over eight years, the smooth but spiteful southpaw – five stoppages in his last seven – knows that victory over the formidable Fonseca will catapult him to the cusp of the major world title fight he craves. 

He concludes: ‘The beautiful thing about this fight is, after years of being overlooked, when I crash the ratings after taking care of Francisco, one of the world champions could be stupid enough to choose me for a voluntary!’

London, England (20 September 2019) North-west fight fans get a second chance to savour the smooth southpaw skills of soaring super-featherweight Alex Dilmaghani when the fast rising star tops the Premier Suite, University of Bolton Stadium, Bolton on Saturday 28th September, exclusively live on Channel 5 from 9pm.

The classy 28-year-old from Crayford, Kent, who enters on an incredible eight and a half year unbeaten streak and who earned lavish plaudits when he returned to Britain from a five year campaign in North America – to defeat the Slovakian hard case Martin Parlagi at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse in late May – shall be seeking to smash his way into the world ranking’s by neutralising Nicaragua’s nuclear hitting and two-time World title challenger Francisco Fonseca.

The high-grade contenders collide over 12 rounds for the Vacant WBA International belt – and a guaranteed world rating – in a salivating contrast of styles that stands as a world title eliminator in all but name. The show will be promoted by Mick Hennessy in association with Steve Wood VIP Boxing Promotions, screened live in the UK on free-to-air Channel Five and 5Spike.

Originally, Dilmaghani was scheduled to headline for the first time in his home county of Kent but due to unforeseen venue difficulties with The Mote Park Theatre, promoter Hennessy has switched to where dazzler Dilma was so well received in late spring.

The frighteningly focussed Southampton University law graduate who took himself to Mexico to learn under legendary trainer Nacho Beristain and alongside the great Juan Manuel Marquez is unlikely to be unsettled by the late switch, but promoter Hennessy tendered the following explanation.

‘We apologise to the fans who were expecting Alex to headline in Kent for the first time, but at this short notice we have had no alternative but to move the fight,”

‘Nevertheless, we’re delighted to work again in association with renowned promoter Steve Wood and his VIP Boxing Promotions team who already had a great show in place for that date and now with Dilmaghani v Fonseca added as the main event, together we are thrilled to present a fantastic evening of Championship Boxing, live on Channel 5,”

‘Alex will get a fabulous opportunity to show why he is the dangerman in the 130lb division and why he has been avoided like the plague by his rivals.  This is a real fight for Alex against a hard and experienced fighter in Fonseca who only has two very competitive losses against elite world level fighters in Gervonta Davis and Tevin Farmer.  I’m seriously excited about this fight and I can’t wait to see Alex perform to his best and show precisely what I have been talking about – that’s he’s boxing’s best kept secret.”

Chief support on the talent stacked undercard sees undefeated starlets Jack ‘The Giant Killer’ Flatley and Harry ‘Hammer Time’ Scarff fight it out over 10 rounds for the former’s English super-welter title. Bolton wonder Flatley, a former national amateur finalist at both junior and senior level, is yet to be beaten in 16 but the ex-England international can expect to be stretched right to the limit by 7-0 Derby six footer Scarff in a mouthwatering match-up.

Wood is thrilled to add the premium Dilmaghani-Fonseca title showdown to top his already quality stacked show and deliver fans a thrilling night of action.  He said, “It was short notice, but I’m pleased that VIP Boxing Promotions could assist Mick Hennessy and Channel 5. We’re excited to add the International title fight between Dilmaghani and Fonseca to the show that will compliment the English title showdown between the unbeaten contenders Flatley and Scarff, plus some of our best young talent will get tremendous exposure on 5Spike.”

Promoter Hennessy’s son, Michael Hennessy Jr, an all action middleweight who is undefeated in two, is set to feature in a six rounder and a full undercard featuring several of Steve Wood’s rising talents is set to garnish an unmissable night of entertainment.

Passions are sure to run high when Darwen’s robust Mickey Ellison (9-2) locks horns with Manchester technician Charlie Schofield (unbeaten in 16) in a seriously spicy looking eliminator for the English super-middleweight belt.

Popular Wigan welterweight James Moorcroft and Oldham’s turbo charged Andy Kremner will be banking to triumph in separate six rounders before clashing against each other back at the Bolton Whites in December. The former goes up against Manchester circuit fighter Sam Omidi whilst the returning Kremner seeks to become the first to stop Cannock tough man Lee Gunter.

Prestwich pressure fighter Sean Ben Mulligan, beaten just once in 11, endeavours to edge yet further up the domestic super-welter rankings by prevailing in a Roses rumble with 71 fight Driffield warmonger Danny ‘Lethal’ Little. 

Wigan lightweight Rhiannon Dixon debuts over four rounds against nine fight Lithuanian Vaida Maseokaite, a regular visitor to these shores. 

Stretford’s Bradley Rea, Wigan’s Andrew Fleming and Stockport’s Jack Booth are three local lads who’ll be seeking to extend their perfect slates. Middleweight Rea, described as ‘a serious talent’ by promoter Wood, will be hoping to go seven-up in an Anglo-Scottish affair with Stranraer’s significantly more seasoned Paul Allison. Also over six, Fleming, a strong super-lightweight southpaw, intends to stretch his streak to eight against an opponent still to be announced while Matthew Hatton’s all-action super-middle starlet Booth will be looking to defuse ‘Baltic Bomber’ Genadij Krejevskij from Lithuania in an intriguing international four-rounder. 

Hennessy Sports would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to the supporters and local fighters on the original card.  Members of the public who have purchased tickets for the Mote Park Theatre can go to their original point of purchase for a full refund.

London (6 September 2019) Classy super-featherweight Alex Dilmaghani aims to punch himself into the 130lb world rankings and line up a world title fight when he faces the dangerous Nicaraguan Francisco Fonseca at Mote Hall, Mote Park, Maidstone, on Saturday 28th September, live on terrestrial free-to-air Channel 5 in the UK.

A fistful of fighters from the home isles already feature in the 130lb world rankings, but criminally, the super talented 28 year old southpaw – who is now undefeated in his last 15 starts spanning well over eight years – isn’t among them.

However, the dashing ‘Dilma’ – now under the guidance of renowned promoter Mick Hennessy – is determined to show he deserves to be listed alongside the best in the division by scalping the lethal Latino.

The 25 year old from the nation that delivered ring legends Alexis Arguello, Ricardo Mayorga and ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez has been bettered just twice in a 28 fight pro career that has brought a daunting 19 stoppage wins.

Both reverses on Fonseca’s slate came in IBF world title tilts on megashows over in the USA. Baltimore’s Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis stopped him in eight (contentious) on the Mayweather-McGregor undercard in Las Vegas (2017), while Philadelphia’s Tevin Farmer edged him out on points over 12 on a ‘Canelo’ Alvarez card at the hallowed Madison Square Garden, New York last December. Fonseca has rebounded with a hat-trick of impressive stoppage wins in 2019 and is clearly a major player within the division.

Dilmaghani, a Southampton University law graduate who conquered his craft under arguably the sport’s finest contemporary coach ‘Nacho’ Beristain at the world renowned Romanza Gym in Mexico City, is positively salivating at the prospect of breaking out into genuine world class.

‘Many other leading contenders turned down the opportunity to face me on this date but Fonseca showed he’s a true gladiator by stepping up,’ stated Dilmaghani, who copped rave reviews for his eight round slaughter of 25-2-1 Slovakian Martin Parlagi – who had never been stopped – in his first British start for almost six years in late May.

He added, ’But Fonseca will be dealt with accordingly. I’ve stopped seven of my last 10 and will certainly be seeking an eighth here. I expect another fantastic win on free to air terrestrial TV that’ll expose my talents and take me a step closer to the world title fight that is my destiny.’

Hennessy is delighted to bring national free-to-air broadcaster Channel 5 to Kent for a big night of boxing. He said, “I’m really going to be banging the drum for Alex now and with Channel 5’s backing I firmly believe that he is going to become a big star on the channel. The fight against Fonseca, who is a world class operator, is just the type of fight Alex needs and it will bring the best out in him. When people see it put on him that is when he will really shine and his heart and talent will be clear to all. I’m really excited with this main event fight and we’ll announce a quality undercard over the next few days.”

Tickets are priced at £40 and £75 (VIP) and are available from MyFightTickets at https://myfighttickets.com/shop-1?olsPage=products%2Fhennessy-mote-park

Tevin Farmer will defend his IBF World Super-Featherweight title against Francisco Fonseca at Madison Square Garden in New York on December 15, on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez challenging Rocky Fielding for the WBA World Super-Middleweight title, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

Farmer (27 – 4 – 1 6KOs) makes the second defense of his crown under two months in his third fight in just over four months after he first put the belt on the line in Boston, where he blasted hard-hitting Northern Irishman James Tennyson away inside five rounds in a fantastic performance on DAZN.

The Philadelphia ace looks to crown a great year in his career in style at the Manhattan boxing mecca with a third huge win, having landed the vacant title in Australia in August with a landslide points win over local favorite Billy Dib in Sydney – erasing the disappointment of his controversial loss to Kenichi Ogawa in Las Vegas in December, with the hotly-contested split decision reversal changed to a no contest following the Japanese failing a drug test.

Farmer has set his sights on a unification clash with WBA champion Gervonta Davis in 2019 as he aims to stamp his name as the premier fighter at 130lbs, but Fonseca (22 – 1 – 1 16KOs), whose sole blemish on his career was in a clash for the IBF crown with Davis in August 2017, is confident of ruining those plans and enters the bout on the back of three stoppage wins inside five rounds.

“Another day, another big night,” said Farmer. “I’m looking to do the same thing that I did to Tennyson – but much faster.

“I’m on another level and people are starting to realize. Right now, I’m just trying to make history with every fight. December 15 I will show everyone once again that I am one of the best in the world.”

“I’d like to thanks Tevin Farmer for the opportunity,” said Fonseca. “I see his focus is on Gervonta Davis, not on me – but you have no idea the opponent that you will clash with on December 15.

“I hope you’re prepared so we can give the public a great fight. In the name of God, I’ll be the new IBF World Champion. I’ll guarantee my name will never be forgotten by the people that watch us fight and I’m ready to make history.”

“Tevin Farmer is one of the most inspirational stories in boxing,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “He’s won 20 fights in a row and is one of the fastest improving young stars in boxing. I’m pleased that, with Eddie Hearn and DAZN, he is now the most active champion in the ring. It’s a tremendous opportunity to be on the Canelo-Fielding bill.”

“It’s brilliant to Tevin straight back out after his big win in Boston,” said Eddie Hearn. “We are keeping our guys nice and active and Tevin gets his chance to go again on the biggest stage at Madison Square Garden against Fonseca.

“2019 is going to be a monster for Tevin but he must get the job done next Saturday – I can’t wait to see him light up the Garden live on DAZN.”

Canelo vs. Rocky is a 12-round fight for the WBA Super Middleweight World Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Matchroom Boxing. Lemieux vs. Johnson is a 12-round middleweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Eye of The Tiger Management. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING,” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle.” The event will take place Saturday, December 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City and will be streamed live on DAZN.

Tickets for Canelo vs. Rocky are on sale and are priced at $1,000, $500, $300, $200, $150, $100, $75 and $50 plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges. Tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com, www.goldenboytickets.com or www.MSG.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, http://www.matchroomboxing.com, and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @Rocky87Fielding, @MatchRoomBoxing, and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/SaulCaneloAlvarez, www.facebook.com/MatchroomBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @Canelo, @Rocky_Fielding, @MatchroomBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #CaneloRocky.

Photos and videos are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/CaneloRocky into a browser. Credit must be provided to Golden Boy Promotions for any photo and/or video usage.

IBF Junior Lightweight champion, Tevin Farmer will defend hist title against Francisco Fonseca on the Canelo Alvarez – Rocky Fielding card on December 15th at Madison Square Garden.

“Terms have been agreed to on both sides,” Farmer’s promoter Lou DiBella said.

“Three world title fights in 4½ months — that’s what Tevin wants to be doing and he’s getting the opportunity,” DiBella said. “Beterbiev coming off the card created an opportunity for Tevin. The last fight with Tennyson, he came out with no wear and tear and this is something Tevin wanted to do and an opening was created. I’m thrilled he will get the opportunity to fight at the Garden on the Canelo card, and it’s not too far from home for him so his fans can come out to see him. I think this is a pretty cool situation.”

“Fonseca had a fight canceled and he was already in training so this is a good situation,” DiBella said.

LAS VEGAS – In the end, only the spectacle was memorable. The fight was forgettable. Yet in the end, it was indeed a fight instead of the mere farce predicted by so many.

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. won it and with the stoppage he promised Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in a pay-per-view event expected to set records.

But there was also a victory wrapped in the defeat for Conor McGregor, who was still upright at the time of the 10round TKO and proud as ever after the MMA star’s first professional boxing match against this generation’s best at the more traditional sweet science.

McGregor surprised the boxing pursuits.

Seemed to surprise, Mayweather, too.

He threw jabs nobody had ever seen or even suspected he had. He had Mayweather in retreat fighting off his back foot. In the opening rounds, Mayweather looked exactly like the 40-year-old man who had not answered an opening bell in a couple of years. After six rounds, it looked like an even fight.

But McGregor’s unfamiliarity with boxing became increasingly evident. By the fourth round, there was awkward pawing with his jab. His hands began to drop. All the while, Mayweather’s muscle memory began to exert itself and take control of the junior-middleweight bout.

His found his timing. He rediscovered his sense of range. Then, his right hand began to land, land and land. Suddenly, there was swelling around McGregor’s eyes. In those Irish eyes, there were mounting signs of fatigue.

The end was near, a historical one for what Mayweather vowed was his last fight. In Nevada Athletic Commission-sanctioned bout, Mayweather went 50-0, supassing Rocky Marciano’s milestone.

“Boxing’s reputation was on the line,’’ Mayweather said.

Mayweather’s legacy was, too. He protected that and managed to add a reported $200,000 to his bank account.

“”Our game plan was to take our time, go to him, let him shoot his shots early and then take him out down the stretch,’’ said Mayweather, who ended with it fusillade of right hands that left McGregor holding on and finished at 1:05 of the 10^th. “We know in MMA he fights for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, he started to slow down. I guaranteed to everybody that this wouldn’t go the distance.’’

McGregor wished that it had. Referee Robert Byrd, he said, should have let it go on, all the way through the 12^th and final round and on to the scorecards.

“Where was the final two rounds?’’ said McGregor, who collected a $100 million guarantee. “Let me walk back to my corner and compose myself.”

He’ll have plenty of time to do that. His $100-million guarantee is worth a lot of composure.

Gervonta Davis gets only boos in victory

Gervonta Davis lost his title on the scale. He lost respect in the ring.

Things changed quickly for Badou Jack. He made sure of it.

Tabiti wins unanimous decision over Cunningham

Andrew Tabiti’s fast hands initiated a head-to-body attack that the Las Vegas cruiserweight sustained throughout 10 rounds for a unanimous decision over Steve Cunningham of Philadelphia for a minor title Saturday night at Las Vegas T-Mobile Arena.

Yordenis Ugas, a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist from Cuba, scored two knockdowns and got up from one for unanimous decision over Puerto Rican Thomas Dulorme (24-3, 16 KOs) in a terrific, 10-round welterweight fight Saturday in the final bout before the pay-per-view portion of the Mayweather-McGregor card at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

Everybody might be talking about Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Conor McGregor, but nobody was there when the hyped event began.

The show opened to an empty room Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.

There were only a couple of fighters and lots of echoes about three hours before Showtime’s pay-per-view card was scheduled to begin.

London super-middleweight Savannah Marshall (1-0) and Sydney LeBlanc of Lafayette, LA, created the first echoes. Most of them came from Marshall’s punches. She landed one after another, scoring a unanimous decision over LeBlanc (4-4-1).

In the card’s second fight, Fresno super-middleweight Antonio Hernandez (10-1, 2 KOs) was stronger and busier, scoring often enough for unanimous decision over Kevin Newman (7-1-1, 3 KOs) of Las Vegas.

Follow all the action as undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather takes on UFC sensation Conor McGregor in a highly anticipated boxing match.  The show begins at 7 PM ET with a 5 fight undercard that will feature Gervonta Davis taking on Francisco Fonseca in a lightweight bout (Fonseca can win the IBF Jr. Lightweight title which Davis vacated at the scales.  Nathan Cleverly defends the WBA Light Heavyweight title against former super middleweight champion Badou Jack.  Undefeated Andrew Tabiti takes on former two-time world champion Steve Cunningham in a cruiserweight battle.

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Round 1: McGregor lands a left…Uppercut

Round 2: Right from Mayweather..Right from Mayweather…Right from McGregor..Left to body..Right from Mayweather..

Round 3 Jab from McGregor..Jab..Right to body from Mayweather..

Round 4 McGregor lands a a left…2 rights from Mayweather..combination..Jab from McGregor..Right from Mayweather..Left from McGregor..Lead right from Mayweather..Left uppercut from McGregor..

Round 5 Right to body from McGregor..Left from Mayweather..right

Round 6 Jab from McGregor..Right to body fro Mayweather…lead right..right from Mayweather…Left to body from McGregor…good body work..left..Good counter right from Mayweather..

Round 7  Right from Mayweather..uppercut from McGregor..Combination and right from Mayweather,,2 rights..

Round 8 Good left from McGregor..2 rights from Mayweather..Combination from McGregor..Jab from Mayweather..

Round 9 Body shot from McGregor…hard combination…Right from Mayweather…hard right,,McGregor hurt..Hard right rocks McGregor.

Round 10 2 HUGE RIGHTS….MCgREGOR HURT…1 MORE SHOT…ROBERT BYRD STOPS THE FIGHT

Round 1: Left to body from Davis..Left uppercut..Right to body from Fonseca..Counter left Davis..Right to body from Fonseca

Round 2 Nice combination from F9nseca…Body shot from Davis…Left hook from Fonseca..Hard uppercut from Davis..

Round 3: Huge combination featuring uppercuts from Davis..Left from Davis…Good counter from Fonseca…

Round 4 Huge uppercut from Davis…Right and left from Fonseca..Good left..Body shot

Round 5  Fonseca lands a left to the body…Hard body shots from Davis..right to body…Counter from Fonseca…

Round 6 Lead left from Davis…Nice left

Round 7  Good right from Fonseca..Good right and left uppercut from Davis…Right to body from Fonseca..Left from Davis

Round 8 LEFT TO HEAD…FONSECA DOWN AND COUNT REACHES 10…FONSECA CLAIMING BEHIND THE HEAD

Round 1: Right from Jack..Body..2 rights..Right from Cleverly..Good right from Jack..Jab from Cleverly..left from body..uppercut from Cleverly…Nice right

Round 2 Body shot from Jack..2 rights from Cleverly..1-2 from Jack..Nice body shot..overhand right

Round 3 Body shots from Jack..Right hand..Good uppercut..Short body shot..Jab from Cleverly

Round 4 Hard shots from Jack..Nice left hook and right..Big left hook..Big 3 punch combo.Clecer;y bleeding from the nose

Round 5 Hard left from Jack..Jack landing big shots on ropes…Left from Cleverly..Jack pounding Cleverly on the ropes..BIG UPPERCUT FIGHT STOPPED–TKO FOR BADOU JACK

Round 1 3 jabs from Tabiti..counter jab from Cunningham..Right from Tabiti..Jab..Jab from Cunningham..Lead right from Tabiti..Counter from Cunningham..

Round 2 Double jab..right hand from Tabiti..Nice counter right from Cunningham…Combination from Tabiti…Left hook for Cunningham..

Round 3 Combination from Tabiti..Right to body..Counter from Tabiti..Jab from Cunningham..

Round 4 Tabiti lands a right to the body..Jab from Cunningham..Jab..Right

Round 5  Right from Tabiti..2 jabs from Tabiti..Left from Cunningham..uppercut..Double jab

Round 6 Counter right from Tabiti..Right from Cunningham..short right from Tabiti

Round 7  Right to body from Tabiti..Jab..Nice exchange

Round 8  Right from Tabiti…right uppercut

Round 9 Combination from Tabiti..Counter right from Cunningham..

Round 10 Double jab from Cunningham…

Tabiti landed 112-315       Cunningham 89-329

97-93 twice and 100-90 for Tabiti

Round 1 Right from Ugas…

Round 2:  Right from Dulorme….Uppercut..GOOD UPPERCUT AND DOWN GOES DULORME..Good body shot…HARD RIGHT AND DOWN GOES DULORME

Round 3:  Big flurry from Ugas.. Right from Ugas…Hard hook to the jaw..

Round 4:  Dulorme lands a straight right…

Round 5 Right from Ugas..Hard right..Trading uppercuts…Hook from Ugas..uppercut and right…

Round 6 Right from Ugas…Body shot from Dulorme…

Round 7:  DULORME DEDUCTED A POINT FOR A LOW BLOW…Uppercut from Ugas..BIG LEFT AND DOWN GOES UGAS

Round 8:  Hard uppercut from Dulorme…Left hook from Ugas..Left from Ugas..2 hooks from Dulorme..

Round 9:  Hard hooks from Dulorme

Round 10:  DULORME DOCKED A POINT FOR A LOW…Hook from Ugas..

94-91 and 93-92 TWICE FOR YORDENIS UGAS

Round 1 Double jab and hook from Heraldez..Combination..

Round 2 Combination from Borrego..Body shot from Herladez

Round 3 Triple jab from Heraldez…Combination..Borrego bleeding…Hook from Heraldez

Round 4:  Borrego counters on ropes..

Round 5 Combination from Heraldez..

Round 6 Straight left from Borrego..Combination from Heraldez..

Round 7 Combination from Borrego..Right from Heraldez..Good left..

Round 8 3 jabs from Heraldez..Right…Left from Borrego…Borrego bleeding from his nose..Good combination from Heraldez…Body shot

Round 9  LEFT AND DOWN GOES HERALDEZ …Good body shot…Good left hook..

Round 10 Left from Borrego..Jab from Heraldez…Body shot..

96-93, 97-92 TWICE FOR JUAN HERALDEZ

LAS VEGAS (August 10, 2017) – Two world championship fights including a title defense by America’s youngest world champion are part of the trio of high stakes matchups on the Mayweather vs. McGregor SHOWTIME PPV undercard on Saturday, Aug. 26 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and presented by Mayweather Promotions.

The four-fight SHOWTIME PPV event, beginning live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, is headlined by the unprecedented super welterweight matchup between boxing’s undefeated all-time great Floyd Mayweather and UFC superstar Conor McGregor. In the co-featured bout, undefeated rising star Gervonta “Tank” Davis will make the second defense of his IBF Junior Lightweight World Championship against undefeated challenger Francisco Fonseca as the 22-year-old looks to continue his reign as the youngest current champion from the U.S.

WBA Light Heavyweight Titlist Nathan Cleverly will defend his title against former 168-pound world champion Badou Jack “The Ripper”, who is stepping up in weight and into this world title tilt.

The pay-per-view telecast will open with undefeated rising cruiserweight contender Andrew “The Beast” Tabiti taking ontwo-time world champion Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham in a 10-round bout for the USBA cruiserweight title.

“What a night this will be for fight fans,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “Not only will they witness a first of its kind main event, but they will also see two incredible world title fights, as Mayweather Promotions’ very own current and former world champions go head-to-head in separate bouts. Gervonta Davis is nothing short of pure boxing talent with dynamite power. Former super middleweight world champion Badou Jack is making his light heavyweight debut, and looking to take the title away from a tough and experienced Nathan Cleverly. But first, Andrew “The Beast” Tabiti will open the pay-per-view telecast with what I expect to be a magnificent performance. This diverse card is an epic, international affair stacked with talent. Make sure you don’t miss the biggest event the sport has ever seen.”

“This undercard includes three meaningful matches featuring fighters we’ve seen develop over the years on SHOWTIME,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “Gervonta Davis has fast-tracked himself to stardom on this network, we’ve seen Badou Jack develop from prospect to champion, and we’re now witnessing similar growth with Andrew Tabiti. We’re excited to watch them compete in tough, competitive matchups on this global stage.”
Gervonta Davis vs. Francisco Fonseca – IBF Junior Lightweight World Championship

One of the fastest-rising young stars in the sport, Davis (18-0, 17 KOs) became the youngest reigning champion from the U.S. when he knocked out Jose Pedraza in January to capture the IBF 130-pound crown. The 22-year-old made his first title defense in style when he went to London and stopped Liam Walsh in May. Both bouts aired live on SHOWTIME. Representing Baltimore, Davis won the 2012 National Golden Gloves championship and scored knockouts in his first eight fights after turning pro in 2013. He enters this matchup on a streak of nine-straight fights that have ended with a knockout victory.

“I’m really excited to fight as the co-main event on the biggest card in combat sports history,” said Davis. “I plan to put on a great show for everyone in attendance in Las Vegas and for those who purchase the PPV. I want to thank my team for this incredible opportunity. I’m ready for Floyd Mayweather to pass his torch to me. To my fans, I appreciate all of you. Support me and I’ll fight for you!”

Fighting out of San Ramon, Costa Rica, Fonseca (19-0-1, 13 KOs) has won 19 straight fights after turning pro with a majority draw in 2013. Fonseca quickly established himself as one of the top fighters from his country with victory after victory, including a fourth-round knockout of Luis Gonzlaez to capture a regional 130-pound belt last August. The 23-year-old will make his U.S. debut when he faces Davis and he enters this contest having won his last five bouts inside of the distance. Fonseca began his 2017 with a third round knockout of Eliecer Lanzas in March and is trained by two-time world champion Ivan Calderon.

“I am super grateful for this great opportunity,” said Fonseca. “The dream of every young boxer is to fight for the world title and this opportunity comes at the best moment of my career and in the biggest in the history of this sport. I will beat Gervonta Davis and I will shock the world that night.”

Nathan Cleverly vs. Badou Jack – WBA Light Heavyweight World Championship

A two-time world champion at light heavyweight, Cleverly (30-3, 16 KOs) bounced back from a defeat to Andrzej Fonfara in a 2015 Fight of the Year contender to defeat hometown champ Juergen Braehmer last October to pick up his WBA title. Cleverly’s previous title reign saw him take down the likes of Tony Bellew, Nadjib Mohammedi, Shawn Hawk and Tommy Karpency before dropping a contest to Sergey Kovalev. The Wales resident will make his fourth start in the U.S., having won two of his first three contests stateside.

“This is a fight I have wanted ever since Badou Jack moved to light heavyweight and I’m delighted to fight in Vegas on an event like this,” said Cleverly. “I’ve trained long and hard for this fight and I’m ready to be let off the leash. This is the biggest fight of my career so far and I’m going to do a number on Badou Jack on August 26.”

Now fighting in the 175-pound division, Jack’s final fight at 168 pounds came in a title unification on SHOWTIME in January against James DeGale. Jack (21-1-2, 12 KOs) shook off an early knockdown to floor DeGale in the final round in a close majority draw in which both fighters retained their belts. The 2008 Olympian from Gambia won his world title in 2015 by defeating then unbeaten Anthony Dirrell and defended the belt against current champion George Groves and former champion Lucian Bute. The 33-year-old is unbeaten in his last six bouts as he seeks a world title in a second weight class.

“I’m thankful for this opportunity and I’m excited about getting another shot at a world title,” said Jack. “To be a part of this event and fighting on this card is historic. Nothing beats it. I’m excited to get back in the ring. I’m getting ready to take that belt, and win a title in my second weight class. The biggest difference between past training camps and preparing for this fight is the fact that I was training to get the weight down, now I’m training to build muscle and perfect my boxing strategy. This will be a tough fight, but I don’t see any issues getting through it. I feel confident and fans can expect a win by knockout or decision. He’s not leaving with that belt. It’s staying right here in Las Vegas.”

Andrew Tabiti vs. Steve Cunningham – 10 Round Cruiserweight Bout

Originally from Chicago but fighting out of Las Vegas, Tabiti (14-0, 12 KOs) recorded victories against previously unbeaten fighters Keith Tapia and Quantis Graves in his last two outings – both on ShoBox: The New Generation – as he works to solidify himself as a contender in the red hot cruiserweight division. The 27-year-old turned pro in 2013 after amassing a solid 32-6 amateur record and scored knockout victories in his first 10 fights. He’ll battle his most experienced opponent to date when he faces the multiple-time champion Cunningham.

“I’ve always been dedicated when it comes to training and this camp has been no different,” said Tabiti. “I know I am fighting a veteran who has a lot of experience, so I can’t slack on my conditioning and training. He’s tough and he’s only been stopped once and that was when he moved up in weight to heavyweight, so it would be a big statement for me to stop him. This fight is a test for me. Anytime you get in the ring you never really know how things will pan out, but I have a great team. To the fans, expect a victory and a great fight on August 26th because I am going to make sure I come out on top.”

Representing the great fight city of Philadelphia, Cunningham (29-8-1, 13 KOs) returned to action in March with a victory over Felipe Romero after an exciting challenge of cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Glowacki in April 2016. Twice a world champion as a cruiserweight, he defeated Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in 2006 to capture his belt before successfully defending his title against Marco Huck via a twelfth-round TKO. He became a world champion again in 2010 when he stopped Troy Ross in the fifth round. The experienced veteran also owns victories over previously unbeaten fighters Amir Mansour and Natu Visinia and scored a knockdown of Tyson Fury in a losing effort during their 2013 bout.

“This is one of the biggest cards of the decade and its mind blowing to be a part of it,” said Cunningham. “I have to top it off with a victory. Taking on a good, undefeated young prospect is a challenge in itself, but a victory will prove age is just a number. Hard work is a part of my everyday life.”

# # #

MAYWEATHER vs. McGREGOR
Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor is a 12-round super welterweight matchup that pits the legendary boxer Mayweather against the all-time MMA great McGregor in the main event of an unprecedented four-fight pay-per-view boxing event. Mayweather vs. McGregor takes place on Saturday, August 26 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event is produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV and promoted by Mayweather Promotions.

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports and www.t-mobilearena.com, follow on Twitter @FloydMayweather, @TheNotoriousMMA, @MayweatherPromo, @UFC, @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.Facebook.com/SHOSports andwww.Facebook.com/UFC