Antonio Vargas stopped Winston Guerrero to capture the WBA Interim Bantamweight Title at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.

In the first thirty seconds of the fight, Vargas landed a hard left-right combination that sent Guerrero to the floor. In round two, Guerrero evened up the score as he landed a big right hand that put Vargas down for a heavy knockdown.

In round 10, Vargas rocked Guerrero with a right hand. Vargas followed up with a huge flurry that included two more vicious right hands om a prone Guerrero and the fight was stopped at 1:10

Vargas, 117.2 lbs of Kissimmee, FL is now 19-1 with 11 knockouts. Guerrero, 117,8 lbs of Managua, NIC is 22-1.

Wanna Walton Decisions Hanley

Javon “Wanna” Walton won a four-round majority decision over Erik Hanley in a lightweight bout.

Walton, 135 lbs of Atlanta won by scores of 40-36 twice and 38-38 and is now 2-0-1. Hanley, 133 lbs of Oceanside, NY is 1-2.

Danier Pero Stops Burns in 1

Danier Pero stopped Walter Burns in the opening round of their 10-round heavyweight bout.

In the opening minute, Pero landed a huge left that put Burns on his back. The punch opened up a huge cut around the right eye of Burns. Just before the round ended, Pero landed another right that made Burns stumble to the canvas. Upon Burns getting to his feet, the bout was stopped at

Pero, 236.8 lbs of Camguay, CUB is 10-0 with eight knockouts. Burns, 225.8 lbs of Detroit is 8-3.

Tammara Thibeault Wins Pro Debut

Tammara Thibeault won her professional debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Natasha Spence in a middleweight bout.

Thibeault landed 61 of 267 punches. Spence was 14 of 95.

Thibeault, 160 lbs of Quebec, CAN won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 1-0. Spence, 158.6 lbs of Cambridge, CAN is 8-7-2.

Thibeault became the first professional women to make a pro debut in three-minute rounds.

Jocksan Blanco won an eight-round majority decision over Jeovanny Estela in a junior middleweight bout.

Blanco, 153.2 lbs of Caracas, VEN won by scores of 77-75 twice and 76-76 and is now 8-0. Esteala, 153.1 lbs is now 14-2,

Gurgen Hovhannisyan remained undefeated with a hard fought eight-round majority decision over Patrick Mailata in a heavyweight bout.

Hovhannisyan, 275 lbs of Armenia won by scores of 77-75 twice and 76-76 and is now 7-0. Mailata, 309.4 lbs of Chihuahua, MEX is 6-3.

Hendri Cedeno remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Luis Hernandez Ramos in a welterweight bout.

Cedeno, 142 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR won by scores of 79-73 twice and 78-74 and is now 15-0. Ramos, 146.6 lbs of Chihuahua, MEX is 23-6.

ORLANDO, FL (December 12, 2024) – Undefeated heavyweight prospect, Gurgen Hovhannisyan (6-0, 6 KOs) will look to close out a stellar 2024 with a tough fight against Patrick Mailata (6-2, 3 KOs) on Friday, December 13, at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. The 8-round bout will be televised live on DAZN as part of MVP’s *Most Valuable Prospects 10 series.

Co-promoted by Boxlab Promotions and TGB Promotions, Hovhannisyan has established himself as one of the most promising heavyweights in the sport. A native of Yerevan, Armenia, now residing in Los Angeles, Hovhannisyan trains under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Joe Goossen, a partnership that has propelled him to six consecutive knockout victories to start his career.

“This year has been incredible for my career,” said Hovhannisyan. “Fighting three times in 2024 has helped me grow as a fighter and gain valuable experience. I’m excited to finish the year strong and deliver another dominant performance.. Patrick Mailata is a tough opponent who has fought some solid competition. He’s a skilled fighter, but I’m confident in my ability to impose my will and showcase my power. Fans can expect an explosive fight.”

Gurgen Hovhannisyan is one of the biggest punchers in the heavyweight division,” stated Boxlab Promotions President Amaury Piedra. “ Every time he steps into the ring, he brings excitement and delivers devastating knockouts. We have big plans for his future, and I’m confident he’ll continue to impress as he climbs the ranks.”

“Training with Joe Goossen has been a game-changer for me,” concluded Hovhannisyan. “His experience, attention to detail, and knowledge of the sport are unmatched. Every day in the gym, I’m learning and improving. I feel like a more complete fighter under his guidance. A win on December 13 will solidify my place as one of the most dangerous prospects in the heavyweight division. It will open the door for bigger fights in 2025, and I’m ready to step up and show the world what I can do.”

ORLANDO, FL – November 8, 2024 – Today, MVP announced that MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 10 will take place on Friday, December 13, 2024 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL, available globally as part of the DAZN subscription package with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter. The main card of Most Valuable Prospects 10, presented by CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy and sponsored by Fansly and Event Ticket Center, will be headlined by a 12-round bantamweight bout between Kissimmee, Florida’s #1-ranked WBA bantamweight contender Antonio Vargas (18-1, 10 KOs) vs. 24-year-old Nicaraguan sensation and the #9-ranked WBA contender Winston “El Fantasma” Guerrero (22-0, 13 KOs) for the vacant WBA interim bantamweight world title. Joining the card as the co-main event is MVP’s youngest signee, 18-year-old boxing prodigy and actor Javon “Wanna” Walton (1-0-1, 1 KO), aiming for his second professional win in the rescheduled 4 round super featherweight bout against professional boxer Erik Hanley (1-1, 1 KO). Also on the card will be an 8 round heavyweight showdown between undefeated 26-year-old Armenian talent Gurgen “Big Gug” Hovhannisyan (6-0, 6 KOs) vs. Samoan fighter Patrick “Magic” Mailata (6-2, 3 KOs). 

Proud Puerto Rican and hometown favorite from Kissimmee, Florida, Antonio Vargas (18-1, 10 KOs) is currently ranked #1 worldwide by the WBA. Vargas returns to MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects series following his appearance vs. Hernan Marquez on the historic Serrano vs. Ramos and Most Valuable Prospects 3 card in October 2023. Vargas made a defining start for himself in the pro ranks with his early knockout power following his pro debut in 2017. The 28-year-old fighter most recently defeated Jonathan Rodriguez in February 2024, and now aims to secure his ninth consecutive victory and first interim world title as he faces off against Guerrero in a 12-round men’s interim championship fight on Friday, December 13. His opponent, Winston “El Fantasma” Guerrero (22-0, 13 KOs), a 24-year-old rising star, hails from Managua, Nicaragua. Known for his agility, resilience, and strategic precision, Guerrero has accumulated an impressive undefeated record of 22 wins since turning pro in 2018. He now puts his undefeated record on the line as he fights for his first interim world title.

Joining the Most Valuable Prospects 10 card in the co-main event is Javon “Wanna” Walton (1-0-1, 1 KO). Walton signed with MVP on Friday, December 13th and fought to a split draw in his global debut in MVP’s marquee event in March 2024. As the youngest-ever athlete to sign with Nike’s Jordan Brand, Walton has continued to excel as a boxer. Walton began boxing at the age of four, and at age eight became one of America’s youngest amateur prospects. His skill and hard work earned him the title of multi-time Junior Regional Champion and two-time Junior Olympic national silver medalist. The Atlanta native is also a world-renowned actor who captured international attention with his debut role as the beloved drug dealer “Ashtray” in the HBO Max Emmy-winning series Euphoria starring alongside Hollywood icons Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney, and has since continued to co-star in numerous other film and TV titles. He trains under his father and coach, DJ Walton. Walton will face 31-year-old professional boxer Erik Hanley (1-1, 1 KO) in the co-main event of Most Valuable Prospects 10. Hanley, a fierce competitor, comes to the ring from Rancho Cordova, California by way of Oceanside, New York, ready to challenge Walton’s rise to professional stardom. Hanley most recently secured a KO victory in the ring in February 2024. 

“I’m incredibly thankful for the support of my team and fans as I got back to full health and training this past month, and I’m grateful for the chance to get back in the ring on Friday, December 13 after having to reschedule this fight,” said Wanna Walton. “I’ve put in the hard work, and I’m ready to show the world the new and improved Wanna Walton. Thank you to Erik Hanley, MVP, and my team for the commitment to honoring our fight agreement and making this fight happen.”

Also on the Most Valuable Prospects 10 card will be the 8 round heavyweight showdown between undefeated 26-year-old Armenian-American talent Gurgen “Big Gug” Hovhannisyan (6-0, 6 KOs) vs. Samoan Patrick “Magic” Mailata (6-2, 3 KOs). Hovhannisyan looks to send yet another fighter into early retirement following his latest matchup in May 2024 against Luis Pascual, in which Pascual quit on his stool after the second round. Hovhannisyan, the 26-year-old 6’7” talent fighting out of Los Angeles, CA by way of Yerevan, Armenia, burst onto the world amateur scene in 2016, facing off with numerous top amateur fighters. His 2021 bout with Bakhodir Jalolov, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist at super-heavyweight, resulted in a narrow split decision loss. Feeling his power would be a better fit for the professional ranks, Hovhannisyan turned pro later that year. Following an unlucky streak in 2022 where multiple matches fell through at the late stages, Hovhannisyan’s eye-catching knockout of prospect Michael Polite-Coffee in October 2022 made his mark as a serious future title contender. Hovhannisyan is trained by legendary trainer Joe Goosen. His opponent, Patrick Mailata, comes to the ring from Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Apia, Samoa. A fellow heavy-hitter with knockout power, the 29-year-old hopeful contender Mailata looks to restore his winning streak following a disappointing split-decision loss against Antonio Mireles in 2023. 

“Our upcoming Most Valuable Prospects 10 card yet again showcases some of the brightest young talent in boxing, ready to prove they belong on the big stage. We can’t wait for fans to see the skill they’ll bring to the ring on Friday, December 13,” said Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founders of MVP. “We’re thrilled to feature the interim WBA bantamweight world title fight between two standout contenders, Antonio Vargas, who makes his Most Valuable Prospects series return, and the undefeated Winston Guerrero. We also look forward to the return of MVP’s own Wanna Walton, whose talent and dedication have made him a standout in both boxing and acting, as he steps back into the ring to face a strong opponent in Erik Hanley. A big thank you to Boxlab Promotions, DAZN, and CELSIUS for helping us bring another incredible night of boxing to Orlando. We look forward to revealing the rest of this exceptional card soon.”

“Caribe Royale is once again proud to be hosting the next installment of the Most Valuable Prospect Series. This time is special, as the World Boxing Association’s Annual Convention will be held during the event and the card will feature several title fights, which will be announced shortly. None bigger, however, than the Interim World Title Fight for a former American Olympian and Kissimmee resident, Antonio Vargas,” said Amaury Piedra, President of Boxlab Promotions and Managing Director of the Caribe Royale Resort. “As the premier all-suite hotel in Central Florida, we strive to bring entertainment to not only our guests from around the world, but also the Central Florida community. This is just another example of our approach to being a fabric in the Orlando community. We wish Jake all the best in his upcoming bout on November 15th and are proud to be partners with him, Nakisa, and the entire MVP team. Get your tickets early, as this will be a dynamite night of fights!”

The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and marketed by MVP with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter and is distributed globally by DAZN. The tenth event in the series will continue the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. All events within Most Valuable Prospects will take place on Friday nights in 2024. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drink, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP and the Most Valuable Prospects series. Fansly and Event Ticket Center have also joined on to sponsor the Most Valuable Prospects series.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @DAZNBoxing.

About MVP

MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP have produced Jake Paul’s last five global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Diaz match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app.

For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit?dazngroup.com.

NEW YORK, NY – July 3, 2024 – Today, MVP announced that MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 7 will now be headlined by amateur national team standout and top Puerto Rican prospect Jan Paul Rivera (9-0, 5 KOs) vs. Atlanta, Georgia’s Justin Goodson (8-0, 8 KOs) on Friday, July 26 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL, available globally on DAZN subscription with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter. Rivera vs. Goodson will be an 8-round featherweight bout. Armenian-American rising prospect Gurgen “Big Gug” Hovhannisyan will no longer face Robert Hall Jr. in the main event due to an injury sustained by Hovhannisyan. Most Valuable Prospects 7, presented by CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, will feature Cuban Olympian and returning Most Valuable Prospects heavyweight favorite Dainier “The Fear” Pero (7-0, 5 KOs) in the co-main event, against Toledo, Ohio’s James “Nothing Nice” Evans (7-1-1, 7 KOs) in an 8 round heavyweight bout. On the preliminary card, the 19-year-old St. Petersburg, FL talent Damazion “Mazirati” VanHouter (6-0, 3 KOs) will also return to the Most Valuable Prospects series to face Cody Kerr (3-2-1, 1 KO) in a 6-round heavyweight fight. Also on the preliminary card will be 18-year-old WBO Youth World Champion and 18x national champion Kaipo Gallegos (5-0-1, 4 KOs) vs. Armando Frausto (10-4-1, 5 KOs) in a 6-round lightweight bout, and Puerto Rican Carlos de Leon Castro (1-0, 1 KO) will make his Most Valuable Prospects debut over 4 rounds at super featherweight. 24-year-old Sean “Untouchable” Mason (11-0, 8 KOs) will take the ring in a 6-round lightweight fight. Orlando, Florida’s Adrian “Pretty Boy” Pinheiro (10-1-1, 9 KOs) will make his Most Valuable Prospects debut in a 6-round cruiserweight fight, and Orlando’s Jonathan Cortes (4-0, 4 KOs) will also make his series debut in a 4 round super lightweight bout. Friday, July 26 will also feature previously announced bouts including young Puerto Rican sensation and Amanda Serrano’s first signed fighter Krystal Rosado (3-0, 1 KO) vs. Veronika Dmitriyeva (1-1) in a 6-round bantamweight bout, and a 6-round heavyweight main card bout between Crescent City, FL’s ?David Garcia (6-0, 3 KOs) vs. Dominicc Hardy (6-2, 4 KOs). Tickets for Most Valuable Prospects 7 are available now on Ticketmaster.com. 

Stepping up to headline a main event for the first time, following a highly successful undefeated start to his pro career, is former Puerto Rican National Team star Jan Paul Rivera (9-0, 5 KOs). Rivera, the 23-year-old prospect from Salinas, Puerto Rico, was a decorated member of the Puerto Rican national boxing team as an amateur, competing in over 200 bouts. His amateur accolades include winning two straight Puerto Rico Elite National Championships in 2020 and 2021, as well as the Puerto Rico Youth National Championships in 2018 and 2019. He also earned a silver medal at the AIBA Youth World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in 2018. Across his 8-fight professional career to date, Rivera has competed across the USA, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Colombia, furthering his aspirations to become a global star in the sport. 

Rivera will face formidable featherweight Justin Goodson (8-0, 8 KOs) on Friday, July 26 in the main event of Most Valuable Prospects 7. The 28-year-old Goodson, who comes to the ring from Atlanta, Georgia, has built a perfect record since turning pro in 2021. He most recently took home a fifth-round knockout win over former NABO champion Rodolfo Hernandez Montoya, a fighter boasting 30 wins, 28 by way of knockout. Goodson aims to take his next step up as a hopeful contender as he returns to the ring to face the talented Puerto Rican Jan Paul Rivera over 8 rounds at featherweight. 

In the co-main event, Cuban Olympian Dainier “The Fear” Pero (7-0, 5 KOs) will take on James Evans in an 8-round heavyweight fight. Pero makes his third straight appearance on Most Valuable Prospects, following his latest heavyweight bout vs. Jose Mario Tamez on Most Valuable Prospects 6 in April 2024, and his February 2024 bout against Joe Jones on Most Valuable Prospects 5. Pero, the 24-year-old 6’5” talent promoted by Boxlab Promotions, showed his merit as a fighter on the fast track to heavyweight title contender in both recent bouts. His relentless series of power combos earned him a first round TKO win against Tamez, and a second round TKO against Jones. Pero comes to the ring from Orlando, Florida by way of Camaguey, Cuba. With his formidable size, Pero will present a difficult challenge on Friday, July 26, as the heavy-hitter seeks to defend his undefeated streak for the eighth time against James Evans.

James Evans (7-1-1, 7 KOs) comes to the ring from Toledo, Ohio. He first took up boxing after high school, finding his natural power and athleticism well-suited to the sport. These natural talents allowed him to rise in the amateur ranks before eventually competing in the US amateur national tournaments in 2017, 2018 and 2019. After turning pro at the end of 2019, Evans’ seven wins have each come by knockout. He fought to a draw with fellow prospect Steven Torres, and suffered his one loss by stoppage when the pair rematched on short notice in July 2023. Evans is trained by Andy Bell, the father of unbeaten Toledo featherweight “Prince” Albert Bell. Coming to the ring fresh off his latest second-round KO victory in March 2024, Evans will match Pero’s 6’5” size, looking to surprise the local Orlando favorite with a quick knockout on Most Valuable Prospects 7. 

Joining the preliminary card will be the young local talent Damazion “Mazirati” Vanhouter (6-0, 3 KOs) vs. Cody Kerr (3-2-1, 1 KO). The 19-year-old Vanhouter, fighting out of St. Petersburg, Florida, returns to the series after making waves on the Serrano vs. Ramos and Most Valuable Prospects 3 undercard with a decisive UD victory over Nafys Anas Garner. Vanhouter will put his undefeated record on the line in a 6-round heavyweight fight against the 6’3” 24-year-old Kerr, who comes to the ring from Spearfish, South Dakota. 

Also joining the card for a 4 round super featherweight bout will be 19-year-old Carlos De Leon Castro (1-0, 1 KO). Born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico, De Leon Castro is a promising young talent in the boxing world. Starting his boxing journey at age six, he is guided by his father and trainer, Carlos De León Hernandez. His early start and rigorous training led him to 11 Puerto Rican national championship wins in the amateur ranks. He aims to become the next great Puerto Rican star to emerge from the island, following in the footsteps of boxing legends Tito Trinidad and Miguel Cotto. In June 2024, De Leon Castro made his spectacular entrance into the professional boxing scene, scoring a first-round knockout against Christian Reed, which showed live globally on DAZN and drew attention to his potential and skill in the ring.

Alongside Vahouter vs. Kerr and Carlos De Leon Castro’s preliminary bouts will be a 6 round lightweight bout featuring 18-time national champion and WBO Youth World Champion Kaipo Gallegos (5-0-1, 4 KOs) vs. Armando Frausto (10-4-1, 5 KOs). Gallegos, the Las Vegas native, is currently ranked #16 in the world by the WBO at just 18 years old and is promoted by Shuan Boxing and Boxlab Promotions. Frausto comes to the ring from La Marque, Texas by way of Fresno, California. The 24-year-old prospect Sean “Untouchable” Mason (11-0, 8 KOs) will also join the card. The Belgian-born rising talent Mason comes to the ring from Leesburg, Florida and will compete in a 6 round lightweight bout. Adrian “Pretty Boy” Pinheiro (10-1-1, 9 KOs), coming to the ring from Orlando, Florida by way of Poland, will also make his Most Valuable Prospects series debut in a 6 round cruiserweight fight. Jonathan Cortes (4-0, 4 KOs), coming to the ring from Orlando, FL by way of San Juan, Puerto Rico, will also make his debut on the series in a 4 round super lightweight bout. 

Rounding out the card will be the young Puerto Rican sensation and Amanda Serrano’s first signed fighter Krystal Rosado (3-0, 1 KO) vs. Russia’s Veronika Dmitriyeva (1-1) in a 6 round bantamweight bout, and a 6 round heavyweight main card bout between Crescent City, FL’s ?David Garcia (6-0, 3 KOs) vs. Dominicc Hardy (6-2, 4 KOs).

“Friday, July 26 is shaping up to be one of our most exciting Most Valuable Prospects events to date, featuring our new main event from the exceptionally talented Puerto Rican prospect Jan Paul Rivera vs. an undeniable knockout puncher in Justin Goodson,” said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of MVP. “We’re pleased to welcome Boxlab Promotions’ Dainier Pero back for his third appearance, following his stunning back-to-back knockouts in Most Valuable Prospects 5 and 6 earlier this spring. This will be another spectacular night of fights in Orlando, and we are excited to continue building young fighters from Puerto Rico through our partnership with Boxlab and Amanda Serrano.”

“We believe this card is stacked with some of the best young prospects and future champions in boxing,” said Amaury Piedra, Managing Director of Caribe Royale Resort and President of Boxlab Promotions. “Caribe Royale is proud to bring these events to the local Orlando fans and our guests alike. These shows just keep getting better and better which is great to see.”

The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and marketed by MVP with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter and is distributed globally by DAZN. The seventh event in the series will continue the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. All events within Most Valuable Prospects will take place on Friday nights in 2024. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drink, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP and the Most Valuable Prospects series. 

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @DAZNBoxing.

About MVP

MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP have produced Jake Paul’s last five global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Diaz match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is a leading digital sports platform in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Japan, Canada, US and the UK.? Its wide range of exclusive content includes top-flight football from the world’s most popular competitions – Bundesliga, English Premier League, J.League, LaLiga, Serie A, and the UEFA Champions League, in addition to the biggest sports from around the world – Formula 1, NFL, NBA, MotoGP and the UFC.? 

DAZN is the NFL’s global partner and, from the 2023 season, will be the only place for fans around the world to watch every NFL match through the NFL Game Pass International add-on subscription. DAZN is a global home for boxing and combat sports through its partnerships with Matchroom Boxing the Professional Fighters League, and a global home for Women’s Football with UEFA Women’s Champions League and Finetwork Liga F.? DAZN is adding more and more sport to its platform to create a destination for sports fans.?

DAZN is reimagining the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, bet, play, share, socialize, and buy tickets, NFTs and merchandise. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN.?

DAZN is available on most connected devices including smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, smartphones, tablets, PCs and game consoles, ensuring that fans have access to a ground-breaking rights catalog and slate of incredible content. In the UK and globally, DAZN can be accessed on Samsung, LG, Sony and Panasonic Smart TVs and on Games Consoles including PlayStation and Xbox. Subscribers also have access to DAZN on their Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast and Apple TV and can find the app on their iPhone, iPad, and android mobile devices. DAZN is available as an Amazon Channel on Amazon Prime TV and can be viewed on Channel 429 on Sky in the UK and Ireland.   

DAZN is a global, privately-owned company with employees in over 25 countries. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit?www.dazngroup.com.??

About Caribe Royale Orlando Resort

Located just minutes from the Walt Disney World® Resort in the nation’s number one convention and tourist destination, Caribe Royale Orlando is the only AAA Four Diamond all-suite meetings resort in Orlando. A TripAdvisor 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award winner – among just 10 percent of hotels worldwide to receive the distinction – the upscale Caribe Royale is emerging from a $140 million renovation that includes fully remodeling all of its one-bedroom suites, an all-new 50,000-square-foot grand ballroom (bringing the total meeting space to 220,000 square feet), and an inviting new lobby. Being privately-owned, Caribe Royale offers meeting planners faster approval cycles and more flexibility to create stand-out events. To learn more or to book a visit, event or meeting, visit www.cariberoyale.com. Follow the all-suite convention hotel on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(@cariberoyale), LinkedIn and Pinterest. #cariberoyaleorlando

NEW YORK, NY – June 11, 2024 – Today, MVP announced that MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 7 will take place Friday, July 26 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL, available globally as part of the DAZN subscription package with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter. The main card of Most Valuable Prospects 7, presented by CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, will be headlined by the 8-round heavyweight showdown between Armenian-American rising prospect Gurgen “Big Gug” Hovhannisyan (6-0, 6 KOs) vs. Robert Hall Jr. (14-3, 11 KOs). Also on the card, the young Puerto Rican sensation and Amanda Serrano’s first signed fighter Krystal Rosado (3-0, 1 KO) will take on Veronika Dmitriyeva (1-1) in a 6 round bantamweight bout, marking Rosado’s next step up in competition across additional rounds. Friday, July 26 will also feature a 6 round heavyweight bout between ?David Garcia (6-0, 3 KOs) vs. Dominicc Hardy (6-2, 4 KOs), as Crescent City, FL’s Garcia returns to the Most Valuable Prospects series fresh off his dazzling KO of Henry Richard at Most Valuable Prospects 6 in April 2024. Tickets for Most Valuable Prospects 7 are available now on Ticketmaster. 

Armenian-American Gurgen “Big Gug” Hovhannisyan (6-0, 6 KOs) will take the ring in the main event, set to be an 8 round heavyweight bout as Big Gug looks to send yet another fighter into early retirement following his latest matchup in May 2024 against Luis Pascual, in which Pascual quit on his stool after the second round. Hovhannisyan, the 26-year-old 6’7” talent fighting out of Los Angeles, CA by way of Yerevan, Armenia, burst onto the world amateur scene in 2016, facing off with numerous top amateur fighters. His 2021 bout with Bakhodir Jalolov, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist at super-heavyweight, resulted in a narrow split decision loss. Feeling his power would be a better fit for the professional ranks, Hovhannisyan turned pro later that year. Following an unlucky streak in 2022 where multiple matches fell through at the late stages, Hovhannisyan’s eye-catching knockout of prospect Michael Polite-Coffee in October 2022 made his mark as a serious future title contender. Now, Hovhannisyan seeks to show off his intimidating power again against the more experienced Robert Hall Jr. Gurgen, ready to prove his unshakeable poise in the ring despite being so early on in his professional career. Hovhannisyan is trained by legendary trainer Joe Goosen. 

Facing off against Hovhannisyan will be Robert Hall Jr. (14-3, 11 KOs), who brings 10 years of professional experience to the ring on Friday, July 26. The 6’3” talent out of Johnson City, Tennessee is ready to step up against the larger Hovhannisyan, focused on reestablishing his win streak at Most Valuable Prospects 7. As an amateur, he competed multiple times in the USA Boxing national tournaments. After turning pro, Hall won the Tennessee state cruiserweight title and a WBC regional title. As with many fighters, the COVID-19 pandemic halted Hall’s progress as a pro, stalling him at a 12-1 record for nearly three years before returning to the ring. Seeking to become a full-time professional boxer, Hall seeks to overcome the challenge of Hovhannisyan in both size and talent. He is trained by Brad Austin. 

Joining the preliminary card ahead of Hovhannisyan vs. Hall will be Amanda Serrano’s first signed fighter, the 21-year-old Puerto Rican sensation, Krystal Rosado (3-0, 1 KO) in her highly anticipated return to the ring. Previously, the Carolina, Puerto Rico native made her MVP and professional debut at MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 2 show in August 2023, stunning fans with a ferocious second-round KO against Tarrethia Dixon. Rosado went on to compete on MVP’s historic Serrano vs. Ramos card in October 2023, earning her decisive second win over Hungary’s Kata Pap, before making her most recent appearance in front of her home fans at the legendary Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan as part of MVP’s main card marquee event in March 2024. In front of her home fans, Rosado put on a ferocious show, displaying her championship potential against her most experienced opponent to date, Mexican-American talent Alyssia Lopez. Rosado took home a unanimous decision win and now seeks to continue her undefeated streak against Veronika Dmitriyeva (1-1). The fight marks Rosado’s first event competing over 6 rounds, and the young talent will test her endurance and power against Dmitriyeva. Dmitriyeva, who competes in both bare knuckle and traditional boxing, comes to the ring from Sheridan, Wyoming by way of Russia and aims to serve Rosado her first professional loss in the ring on Friday, July 26. 

Friday, July 26 will also feature a 6 round heavyweight bout between ?David Garcia (6-0, 3 KOs) vs. Dominicc Hardy (6-2, 4 KOs), as Crescent City, FL’s Garcia returns to the Most Valuable Prospects series fresh off his dazzling KO of Henry Richard at Most Valuable Prospects 6 in April 2024. Garcia is a former Junior Olympic national champion, and the 24-year-old heavyweight and local fan favorite is yet-undefeated in his professional career. Dominicc Hardy, coming to the ring out of Riverside, IL by way of Chicago, was a 2017 Chicago Golden Gloves Champion. The 6’3″ talent is fresh off his latest March 2024 KO victory and will look to utilize his height advantage in the ring against a 5’8” Garcia to end Garcia’s undefeated streak.

“We’re thrilled to be returning to Orlando to showcase the future of boxing with our upcoming Most Valuable Prospects 7 card. This event will again feature some of the top young prospects in the game who are ready to prove they belong on the big stage, and we can’t wait for fans to witness the talent and heart they bring to the ring on Friday, July 26,” said Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founders of MVP. “We’re particularly excited about Gurgen Hovhannisyan, whose power and precision have already made waves in the heavyweight division, and the return of Krystal Rosado, whose speed and technique are redefining the standards in women’s boxing, following in the footsteps of Amanda Serrano. Thank you to Boxlab Promotions and CELSIUS for their dedication to bringing another incredible night of boxing to Orlando, and we look forward to unveiling the rest of this exciting card soon.”

“On behalf of Caribe Royale and its entire team we welcome back MVP’s Most Valuable Prospect Series to Orlando! As usual this is a stacked card featuring the best young talent from around the world showcasing their skills in competitive fights,” said Amaury Piedra, Managing Director of Caribe Royale Resort and President of Boxlab Promotions. “It’s going to be a great evening of boxing for the residents and visitors to central Florida and the television viewing audience on DAZN as well.”

The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and marketed by MVP with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter and is distributed globally by DAZN. The seventh event in the series will continue the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. All events within Most Valuable Prospects will take place on Friday nights in 2024. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drink, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP and the Most Valuable Prospects series. 

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @DAZNBoxing.

About MVP

MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP have produced Jake Paul’s last five global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Diaz match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is a leading digital sports platform in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Japan, Canada, US and the UK.? Its wide range of exclusive content includes top-flight football from the world’s most popular competitions – Bundesliga, English Premier League, J.League, LaLiga, Serie A, and the UEFA Champions League, in addition to the biggest sports from around the world – Formula 1, NFL, NBA, MotoGP and the UFC.? 

DAZN is the NFL’s global partner and, from the 2023 season, will be the only place for fans around the world to watch every NFL match through the NFL Game Pass International add-on subscription. DAZN is a global home for boxing and combat sports through its partnerships with Matchroom Boxing the Professional Fighters League, and a global home for Women’s Football with UEFA Women’s Champions League and Finetwork Liga F.? DAZN is adding more and more sport to its platform to create a destination for sports fans.?

DAZN is reimagining the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, bet, play, share, socialize, and buy tickets, NFTs and merchandise. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN.?

DAZN is available on most connected devices including smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, smartphones, tablets, PCs and game consoles, ensuring that fans have access to a ground-breaking rights catalog and slate of incredible content. In the UK and globally, DAZN can be accessed on Samsung, LG, Sony and Panasonic Smart TVs and on Games Consoles including PlayStation and Xbox. Subscribers also have access to DAZN on their Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast and Apple TV and can find the app on their iPhone, iPad, and android mobile devices. DAZN is available as an Amazon Channel on Amazon Prime TV and can be viewed on Channel 429 on Sky in the UK and Ireland.   

DAZN is a global, privately-owned company with employees in over 25 countries. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit?www.dazngroup.com.??

About Caribe Royale Orlando Resort

Located just minutes from the Walt Disney World® Resort in the nation’s number one convention and tourist destination, Caribe Royale Orlando is the only AAA Four Diamond all-suite meetings resort in Orlando. A TripAdvisor 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award winner – among just 10 percent of hotels worldwide to receive the distinction – the upscale Caribe Royale is emerging from a $140 million renovation that includes fully remodeling all of its one-bedroom suites, an all-new 50,000-square-foot grand ballroom (bringing the total meeting space to 220,000 square feet), and an inviting new lobby. Being privately-owned, Caribe Royale offers meeting planners faster approval cycles and more flexibility to create stand-out events. To learn more or to book a visit, event or meeting, visit www.cariberoyale.com. Follow the all-suite convention hotel on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(@cariberoyale), LinkedIn and Pinterest. #cariberoyaleorlando

TACOMA, Wash. (January 5, 2024) – Last night’s first worldwide pro boxing event of 2004, “Pit Stop on Road to Greatness,” presented by Toro Promotions and Whitfield Haydon Boxing, showcased leading heavyweight prospects who were each impressive at the famed Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.

“Pit Stop on Road to Greatness” was streamed live on www.bxngtv.com.

It took Armenian heavyweight Gurgen “Big Gug” Hovhannisyan (5-0, 5 KOs) a few rounds to shake off rust, but 6’ 7”, 278-pounder closed the main event with a devastating fifth-round knockout of a game Colby Madison (11-7-2, 7 KOs).

The 25-year-old “Big Gug” hadn’t fought since stopping Micharl Polite Coffie (13-2) on October 15, 2022, and his inactivity showed early against Madison. The fight was somewhat competitive until Madison caught Hovhannisyan with an overhead right in the fourth round that got Gurgen’s attention. He came out for the following round with a vengeance, trapped Madison in a corner, pummeling his opponent with a barrage of unanswered punches, until he crumbled to the canvas for a stirring end to their fight.

In the co-featured event, 2020 Ukrainian Olympian Tsotne Rogava stole the show in his Toro Promotions debut, brutally beating down previously undefeated heavyweight Dante Williams (4-1, 4 KOs) for an awesome knockout midway through the opening round. The Georgia-born Rogava, who stands 6’ 5” and weighed-in at 265 pounds, threw punches that sounded like cannon shots.

Hovhannisyan and Rogava are both trained by Hall of Famer Joe Goossen.

The Special Heavyweight Attraction matching Dante Stone and Alexander “The Great” Flores more than lived up to the pre-fight hype in a crossroads fight that opened the show. Stone (15-1, 10 KOs) extended his winning streak to 15 with an inspiring eight-round unanimous decision over Flores (18-4-1, 15 KOs), who’s previous three losses were all to world champions.

There was only knockdown, more of the flash version, when Stone connected with an overhand right in the eighth round that caught Flores, who fought valiantly from start to finish.

Nicaraguan super featherweight Nilo Guerrero (7-0, 6 KOs) turned in an auspicious United States debut, decking Chancellor Battenberg (2:51) in the first and second rounds, the latter leading to a technical knockout. Guerrero’s younger brother, bantamweight Nelson (2-0, 2 KOs), took on Gilberto Duran (4-8, 4 KOs) in an entertaining battle. Duran hit the mat twice in a bout that was stopped midway through the fourth round in Guerrero’s favor.

Tik Tok sensation Elijah Seawright (10-0, 7 KOs) won a six-round unanimous decision versus super welterweight Henry Rivera (2-3, 1 KO).

Local lightweight Agustin Tovar (1-0) pitched a shutout, winning all four rounds, for a unanimous decision against Ezra Rabin (1-5, 1 KO).

Fans who waited around for the final walkout bout of the night were treated to a non-stop action match, in which another local favorite, Nathan “Superman” Stolen (1-0, 1 KO), won his pro debut by way of a second-round technical knockout over Dazjhante “Flash” Frazier (0-2).

Complete results below:

____________________________________________________ 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENT – HEAVYWEIGHTS

Gurgen Hovhannisyan (5-0, 5 KOs), Los Angeles, CA by way of Armenia

WKO5 (0:40)

Colby Madison (11-7-2, 7 KOs), Baltimore, MD

.

CO-FEATURE – HEAVYWEIGHTS

Tsotne Rogava (4-0, 4 KOs), Los Angeles, CA by way of Ukraine and Georgia

WKO1 (1:39)

Dante Williams (4-1, 4 KOs), Hawkinsville, GA

.

SPECIAL HEAVYWEIGHT ATTRACTION

Dante Stone (15-1, 10 KOs), Chandler, AZ

WDEC8 (79-72, 78-73M 78-73)

Alexander Flores (18-4-1, 16 KOs), Rowland Heights, CA

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS

Elijah Seawright (10-0, 7 KOs), Colombia, SC

WDEC6 (60-54, 59-55, 59-55)

Henry Rivera (2-3, 1 KO), Las Vegas, NV

SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS

Nathan Stolen (1-0, 1 KO), Aberdeen, WA

WTKO2

Dazjhante Frazier (0-2), Seattle, WA

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Agustin Tovar 1-0, 0 KOs), Auburn, WA

WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)

Ezra Rabin (1-5, 1 KO), Oakland, CA

SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS

Nilo Guerrero (7-0 6 KOs), Coachella, CA by way of Nicaragua

WTKO2 (2:51)

Chancellor Battenberg (4-4, 4 KOs), Kingwood, TX

BANTAMWEIGHTS

Nelson Guerrero (2-0, 2 KOs), Coachella, CA by way of Nicaragua

WTKO4 (1:37)

Gilberto Duran (4-8, 4 KOs), Yakima, WA.

LOS ANGELES (December 27, 2023) – Hall of Fame boxing trainer Joe Goossen believes Gurgen “Big Gug” Hovhannisyan, who headlines “Pit Stop on the Road to Greatness” on January 4^th, has to be rated among the top five heavyweight prospects in the world.

“Pit Stop on Road to Greatness” card, presented by Toro Promotions and Whitfield Haydon Boxing, will be streamed on www.bxngtv.com pay per view for $19.99 live from the famed Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.

The 25-year-old Armenia native Hovhannisyan (4-0, 4 KOs) takes on Colby Madison (11-6-2, 7 KOs) in the 10-round main event. The 6’ 7”, 275-pound “Big Gug”, who now lives in Los Angeles hasn’t fought in more than a year, coming off an eye-opening sixth-round stoppage of Michael Polite Coffie (13-2).

“If you rate the top 10 or 15 heavyweight prospects,” Goossen said about his fighter, “Gurgen has to be in the top five. Nobody comes into our gym and watches him workout without being amazed. He’s 275 pounds and light on his feet. He’s only had four pro fights, but he is so talented. He’s knowledgeable and it is in his nature to press, but he has two or three styles he can use in any fight. And he takes a good punch, too. He has all the ingredients: size, power, mentality, and great work ethic. Gurgen can box a few rounds until he slows down the other guy and he loves to press.”

In terms of style, Goossen physically compares Hovhannisyan to world champion Tyson Fury, noting that Fury boxed to win his first fight against Deontay Wilder, jumping on Wilder in their second to fight to stop him. 

“Gurgen can go all the way,” Goossen predicted, “and I don’t say that lightly. He manhandled Coffee, who was a rising star until he fought Gurgen. He took a quantum leap he wouldn’t have made against an easier opponent. Coffee weighs 290 pounds with muscles and he’s a former Marine. We took a risk fighting him in Gurgen’s fourth fight, but we believed in him, and he proved us right. He is why I love going to work every day, where he is the dominant figure in the gym. Gurgen appreciates what he’s been taught and has total respect for people he associates with, and in general. He’s personal, well mannered, and does whatever he’s asked in the gym. Wise, very observant and he doesn’t miss a trick in or out of the ring, which translates well in the ring.”

Another Eastern European-born heavyweight Goossen trains is another potential star, 30-year-old Ukraine Olympian Tsotne Rogava (3-0, 3 KOs), who faces undefeated Dante Williams (4-0, 4 KOs) in the six-round co-featured event. The 6’ 5”, 270-pound Rogava, who was a champion kickboxer, was born in Georgia and raised in Ukraine. He has greatly benefited from training with and sparring Hovhannisyan.

The stream opens with a highly competitive fight between heavyweights Dante Stone (14-1, 10 KOs) and Alexander “The Great” Flores (18-3-1, 16 KOs) in an eight-round Special Heavyweight Attraction. Stone lost his pro debut in 2018 by way of a four-round unanimous decision and he’s been victorious ever since with 14 consecutive victories. All three of Flores’ career losses have been to world champions: Luis Ortiz, Joseph Parker, and Charles Martin.

Nicaraguan brothers Nilo (6-0, 5 KOs) and Nelson Guerrero (1-0, 1 KO) will each be fighting for their first in the United States. Nilo is an undefeated super featherweight who meets Chancellor Battenberg (4-3, 4 KOs) in a six-round match; Nelson faces bantamweight Gilberto Duran (4-7, 4 KOs) in a four-round match.

Tik Tok sensation, undefeated South Carolina super welterweight Elijah Seawright (9-0, 7 KOs), is matched against Henry Rivera (2-2, 1 KO) in a six-rounder.

Also scheduled to fight on the undercard is Seattle super welterweight Agustin Tovar (0-1) vs. pro-debuting Nathan “Superman” Stolen, and pro-debuting Auburn (WA) super lightweight Agustin Tovar vs. Oakland’s Ezra Rabin (1-4, 1 KO).

Card subject to change.

Tickets are on sale now for $100.00, $70.00 and $45.00 and may be purchased online at https://emeraldqueen.com/boxing/ or by calling (253) 594-7777.  Tickets purchased at the Emerald Queen Shop are eligible for up to a 20-discount, plus no taxes or processing fees. Must be 21 years of age to attend. 

?

Doors open at 6 p.m. PT, first bout at 7 p.m. PT.

LAS VEGAS – June 29, 2023 – Fighters competing on the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford SHOWTIME PPV undercard on Saturday, July 29 previewed their respective matchups during a virtual press conference Thursday before they step into the ring in a Premier Boxing Champions event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The pay-per-view telecast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features hard-hitting contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz facing unbeaten Giovanni Cabrera in a 12-round WBC and WBA Lightweight Title Eliminator in the co-main event, rising star Jesus “Mono” Ramos taking on Spanish contender Sergio Garcia in a 12-round WBC Super Welterweight Title eliminator and unbeaten rising heavyweight Gurgen Hovhannisyan dueling the power-punching Viktor Faust in the 10-round telecast opener.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Man Down Promotions, TBC Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com.

Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:

ISAAC CRUZ

“I’m training hard as always and zeroing in on Giovanni Cabrera’s strengths and weaknesses. It’s an honor to be the co-main event of a fight that will be remembered forever in boxing lore.

“My plan is to go out there and put on a show for everyone watching. I’ll be ready. One round or 12 rounds, however long it lasts, it’s gonna be a great fight.

“I’m gonna put on a show against Cabrera. It’s all part of my effort to close every door that Gervonta has available to escape from facing me again. I want to prove that I’m the best at 135 pounds.

“I’m really excited to win this fight so I can get to the next level of what I want to achieve. Giovanni is a quality fighter and he’s undefeated for a reason. I’m definitely not overlooking him, because he’s earned this shot.

“The fans are extra motivation for me. I want to keep giving them spectacular fights. It fills me with joy and pride to see their support. I promise every single fan that this fight is gonna be worth the price of admission.

“He may think he’s faced fighters like me in the gym, but he better be ready, because facing the real thing is a lot different.

“I’m here to show everyone that I’m no social media fighter like some others are. I’m a dog, I’m a warrior and my ceiling is not even close to being hit yet.”

GIOVANNI CABRERA

“I’m very happy to be here. I’ve finally arrived at the stage I’ve wanted to be at my entire career. Isaac Cruz is a great Mexican fighter and I’m a first-generation Mexican here in the U.S., so it’s gonna be fireworks. I think this might steal the show. I’m ready for my best performance yet.

“I believe he’s the best opponent I’ve faced. He has a strong will and a lot of fire. My plan is to meet that fire with my own.

“Cruz got his position from having a close fight with Gervonta Davis, so if he gets that merit, then if I defeat him convincingly, I’ll be right at the top too. I’ve shared the ring with his promoter Manny Pacquiao, so if I can dance with ‘Pac-Man’, I can dance with a ‘Pitbull’.

“My activity is definitely an advantage. I’ve been sparring great fighters at Wild Card Boxing Gym and I’m keeping sharp. This gym has the best fighters from all around the world.

“I’ve seen many examples of fighters with Isaac’s style. I’ve been able to out-class them. That’s the goal on July 29.

“I promise that we’re gonna leave Mexican boxing and American boxing on a high pedestal. You’re gonna see two warriors go at it and it’s gonna be fitting of the stage that we’re on.

“This is my time. Isaac Cruz is in trouble. I will be ready on July 29.”

JESUS RAMOS JR.

“This is a huge opportunity for me and I’m very blessed. I’m working extremely hard. I’m facing a tough opponent who always comes to fight. I know he’s gonna be there and ready to fight for the whole 12 rounds.

“I think with a win over Sergio Garcia I’m top five, or at least top 10 in the division. I’ve been beating top guys and looking impressive against them. I want to earn my shot and these are the fights I have to take.

“The goal is a knockout, but I’m a more mature fighter now. I don’t put that pressure on myself. I just go out there and perform and do what I do best. I work hard every day and I have to demonstrate that. If the opportunity comes, I know how to finish.

“This is gonna be an exciting fight. He’s a fighter who comes forward and he’s gonna be there all night. That’s the kind of fight I like. I can brawl if I have to.

“As fighters we grow with each fight and mature. I’ve matured with every fight and I’ve acknowledged my mistakes. I go back into the gym and work on getting better and that’s what I’m gonna show on July 29.

“I’m motivated by any doubt that I receive. If they don’t consider me the top of the division yet, then it’s because I haven’t earned it. I’m going to keep working hard. A lot of people thought my last fight was a 50/50 matchup, and I went out there and showed that it wasn’t the case.”

SERGIO GARCIA

“I’m training in the U.K. with a new trainer in Angel Fernandez and we’ve been working really hard. I’m facing a young opponent who’s gonna give it his all, but I have the edge in experience and I’m gonna take advantage on July 29.

“I’ve been feeling great with my new trainer and the chemistry is outstanding. But this is really about me having a third chance in the U.S. I know that if this passes by me, I might not get another opportunity.

“I know that Ramos wants to show out and make it to the top of the division. I just have to focus on executing what I do in the ring. I’ve shown that I have courage, but now I have to show my skills as well.  

“I can’t give away my secrets, but I have Jesus well scouted. I’ve been following him and I respect him. I know he’s been watching me too and that’s gonna make this a great fight.

“I may possess some tools that Jose doesn’t have. My fight against Tony Harrison was not my best night. I thought my fight with Sebastian Fundora could have gone either way. I’m going to take that experience and use it to come out on top.”

GURGEN HOVHANNISYAN

“My training is going really well. I’m very happy to be the opening fight on SHOWTIME PPV. I’m training really hard for July 29.

“I’ve known Viktor Faust since the amateurs and I looked up to him then. I’m very familiar with what he can do in the ring and I’m preparing to put on a great show. I’m very confident that I’m going to open this pay-per-view with an excellent performance.

“Spence vs. Crawford is gonna be the fight of the decade and that makes this a big step for me. A lot of people will be watching my performance and it’s very important for me to be on this card and perform well.

Boxing is more of a mental sport. I’ve learned a lot in that regard from being in the gym and sparring top fighters. With it being my fifth fight, that’s only a number to me. I’m prepared for this. It doesn’t matter to me how experienced my opponent is. I’m going to take on the fights with the best opponents.

“We do a lot more than 10 rounds of sparring when I’m training with Joe Goossen in the gym, so I’m not worried about going the distance if I have to. I’m more than ready.

“I’m not going to force the knockout, but if it comes, it comes. I’m just going to deliver beautiful boxing for everyone watching.”

#         #         #

ABOUT SPENCE VS. CRAWFORD

Spence vs. Crawford will see unified WBC, WBA and IBF Welterweight World Champion Errol “The Truth’’ Spence Jr. take on WBO 147-pound world champion Terence “Bud’’ Crawford for the Undisputed Welterweight World Championship on Saturday, July 29 in a highly anticipated SHOWTIME PPV clash from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features hard-hitting contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz facing unbeaten Giovanni Cabrera in a 12-round WBC and WBA Lightweight Title Eliminator in the co-main event, plus rising star Jesus “Mono” Ramos takes on Spanish contender Sergio Garcia in a 12-round WBC Super Welterweight Title eliminator. Kicking off the pay-per-view, unbeaten rising heavyweight Gurgen Hovhannisyan will duel the power-punching Viktor Faust in a 10-round matchup.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #SpenceCrawford, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing and www.Facebook.com/premierboxingchampions/.

LAS VEGAS – June 23, 2023 – Three all-action showdowns featuring prodigious rising stars, ascending Mexican fan-favorites, unbeaten contenders and more will highlight the stacked Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. vs. Terence “Bud” Crawford SHOWTIME PPV on Saturday, July 29 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features hard-hitting contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz facing unbeaten Giovanni Cabrera in a 12-round WBC and WBA Lightweight Title Eliminator in the co-main event, plus rising star Jesus “Mono” Ramos takes on Spanish contender Sergio Garcia in a 12-round WBC Super Welterweight Title eliminator. Kicking off the pay-per-view, unbeaten rising heavyweight Gurgen Hovhannisyan will duel the power-punching Viktor Faust in a 10-round matchup.

These intriguing showdowns serve as the prelude to the highly anticipated main event between unified WBC, WBA and IBF Welterweight World Champion Spence Jr. and WBO 147-pound world champion Crawford for the Undisputed Welterweight World Championship. The winner of this battle of undefeated superstars will become the first undisputed welterweight world champion in the four-belt era and likely emerge as the sport’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Man Down Promotions, TBC Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com.

“This pay-per-view lineup on July 29 is worthy of the mega-fight main event and will give fans high-stakes action leading up to the seismic showdown between Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Isaac Cruz and Jesus Ramos Jr. are two rising stars who deliver fireworks every time they get in the ring, and they’ll be pushed to be at their best in tough matchups on SHOWTIME PPV. Adding in an explosive heavyweight opener, and fans will want to make sure they get into their seats early at T-Mobile Arena.”

The 25-year-old Cruz (24-2-1, 17 KOs) has delivered back-to-back electrifying knockouts 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 Matias Romero. Cruz’s last two fights have seen him stop former champion Yuriorkis Gamboa in April 2022 and veteran contender Eduardo Ramirez in September 2022.

“I can’t wait to be back in the ring on July 29 in the boxing capital of the world of Las Vegas,” said Cruz. “It’s even more exciting that I’ll be back on the biggest show of the year. It has always been a dream of mine to fight in Las Vegas, where so many Mexican legends like Julio Cesar Chavez, Salvador Sanchez and Erik Morales have fought before. Now it’s my opportunity and I will not disappoint the fans. As always, I’m coming for the knockout!”

Originally from Seattle and now residing in Chicago, Cabrera (21-0, 7 KOs) enters the ring off an impressive shutout victory over Gabriel Flores Jr. last July, capping a dominant three-win 2022 campaign. The 28-year-old has defeated seven undefeated fighters throughout a pro career that dates back to 2016. Cabrera kicked off his strong 2022 with a unanimous decision triumph over highly regarded Mexican contender Rene Tellez Giron in January and can establish himself as a member of the 135-pound elite if he can get past Cruz on July 29.

“It hasn’t been an easy road to this point, and I know that I have to beat ‘Pitbull’ Cruz to continue my path to the world title,” said Cabrera. “This is a hard fight, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I want to earn my status as world champion. Spence vs. Crawford is reminiscent of the glory days of boxing when the best fought the best, and I want to continue that legacy. I respect Cruz and I expect a war. May the best fighter win on July 29.”

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. 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 a desire to end his fights early. 

“I’m coming to give the crowd a great show on the biggest card of the year,” said Ramos. “I’m very happy and excited to be back on another huge card. Sergio Garcia is a tough opponent and I know he’s going to bring the best out in me. That’s just gonna make for even more entertainment for the fans. I’m training hard and I promise I’m gonna be ready for whatever Garcia brings on July 29.”

The 30-year-old Garcia (34-2, 14 KOs) returned to the ring April to defeat Ricardo Sebastian Cabana before he steps into the ring for his third stateside bout on July 29. Garcia’s only career defeats have come via decision as he dropped a December 2021 bout against top contender Sebastian Fundora and an April 2022 clash against former world champion Tony Harrison. Fighting out of Torrelavega, Cantabria, Spain, Garcia has competed professionally since 2012. He ascended the rankings by traveling to the U.K. to defeat then unbeaten Ted Cheeseman on his home soil in 2019 and followed that up with a triumph over veteran contender Sergey Rabchenko.

“I’m very motivated by this new opportunity to fight in the U.S. and I want to thank my team for trusting to put me back in this position,” said Garcia. “I’m hoping to give the fans a great fight. Jesus has a great future ahead of him, but I also have a lot of experience in important fights and I think that will lead me to the victory. It will be a hard fight but I’m ready to be at my very best and use everything I have to get my hand raised.”

The 25-year-old Hovhannisyan (4-0, 4 KOs) has delivered four consecutive knockouts since turning pro in September 2021, showing the promise he originally displayed in his extensive amateur career. Originally from Yerevan, Armenia, he now fights out of Los Angeles as he looks to bolster his heavyweight resume. Most recently, Hovhannisyan earned a career-best victory, stopping previous top prospect Michael Coffie in six rounds last October.

“July 29 is a great opportunity for me to showcase myself in front of the world,” said Hovhannisyan. “Boxing is a serious sport, but if you train hard and understand it, you can understand exactly what you have to do in the ring. I’m going to prove what I can do in this fight and make a statement.”

Faust (11-1, 7 KOs) will look to get back in the win column after dropping a battle of unbeatens against Lenier Pero in February. His previous stateside outing saw him engage in one of 2022’s most unpredictable and fast-paced slugfests. The 31-year-old squared off with Iago Kiladze in January 2022 with both men hitting the canvas an astonishing five times combined in less than five minutes of action before the Ukrainian closed out the bout in round two to earn a TKO. Faust followed that up with decision wins over veteran title challenger Kevin Johnson in August 2022 and Franklin Lawrence in December 2022.

“I’m working very hard to come to Las Vegas and put on a great fight,” said Faust. “I’m excited to be back fighting in the U.S. and ready to show the fans what I can do. I had a rib injury in my last fight and couldn’t continue, but it has only made me more motivated to win on July 29. It’s an honor to be fighting on such a big card, and I know this is a big step that I can make toward becoming world champion. I’m sure Gurgen is going to come prepared just like me and that the fans are going to be the real winners.”

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Michel Rivera remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Jerry Perez in a lightweight bout.

Rivera, 134.6 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR won by scores of 80-71 and 79-72 twice and is now 24-0. Perez, 135 lbs of Oak Hills, CA is 14-2.

Gurgen Hovhannisyan stopped Michael Coffie after round six of their eight round heavyweight bout.

Hovhannisyan pounded Coffie until the bout was stopped after the sixth round.

Hovhannisyan, 275.4 lbs of Yerevan, ARM is 4-0 with four knockouts. Coffie, 297.6 lbs of Kissimmee, FL is 13-3.

Michael Angeletti stopped Jeremy Adorno after round five of their six-round super bantamweight fight.

In round two, Angeletti landed a left that put down Adorno. Seconds later, Angeletti landed a grazing punch that made Adorno’s glove touch the canvas for a second knockdown.

Angeletti continued his dominance and Adorno’s corner stopped the bout after round five.

Angeletti, 124.4 lbs of Spring, TX is 7-0 with six knockouts. Adorno, 125.8 lbs of Allentown, PA is 7-1.

James Evans scored a come-from-behind of the year as he stopped Geovany Bruzon on the the third round of their six-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Bruzon dropped Evans with a straight left on the jaw. In round three, Evans came out and rocked Bruzon with a big flurry. Evans rocked Bruzon’s head back and landed a big barrage of punches that forced a referee stoppage at 1:18.

Evans, 231.4 lbs of Toledo, OH is now 5-0-1 with five knockouts. Bruzon, 238.1 lbs of Holguin, CUB is 7-2.

Keeshawn Williams won a six-round unanimous decision over Julio Rosa in a welterweight bout.

Williams, 144 lbs of Lanham. MD won by scores of 60-54 and 59-55 twice and is now 10-1-1. Rosa, 141 lbs of Orlando, FL is now 5-2.

Miguel Roman won a four-round unanimous decision over Jose Negrete in a battle of undefeated super bantamweights.

In round two, Roman dropped Negrete with a right hand

Roman, 122.8 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 40-35 on all cards and is now 3-0. Negrete, 122 lbs of Hanford, CA is 2-1.

BROOKLYN – October 11, 2022 – Exciting rising prospect Vito Mielnicki Jr. will return to action facing Limberth Ponce in an 8/10-round super welterweight showdown that headlines PBC Prelims on FS2 and FOX Deportes this Saturday, October 15 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The FS2 telecast begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and also features unbeaten top lightweight contender Michel Rivera battling California’s Jerry Pérez in an eight-round matchup, and undefeated heavyweight Gurgen Hovhannisyan in an eight-round showdown against Bronx-native Michael Coffie that kicks off the telecast.

Prelims will precede a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View event at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT headlined by the return of boxing superstar and former longtime heavyweight world champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder as he takes on hard-hitting Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius in a WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by BombZquad Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through seatgeek.com and barclayscenter.com. Tickets are also available for purchase in-person at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.

Representing Roseland, New Jersey, Mielnicki (12-1, 8 KOs) returns to fight at Barclays Center for the second-straight fight after stopping Jimmy Williams in six-rounds in July. The 20-year-old will look to add a third victory to his 2022 record, after kicking the year off with a unanimous decision over Dan Karpency in April. Mielnicki first turned heads during his exceptional amateur career where he compiled a 147-22 record and was named the Most Outstanding Boxer of the 2011 Junior National Golden Gloves, amongst many accolades before turning pro.

Born in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico, Ponce (19-5, 11 KOs) fights out of Rock Island, Illinois throughout his pro career that dates back to 2012. The 31-year-old won eight of nine fights before dropping a December 2021 bout against unbeaten Joey Spencer. Most recently, Ponce scored a unanimous decision over Ramiro Hernandez in May.

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and now fighting out of Miami, Fla. Rivera (23-0, 14 KOs) burst onto the scene in 2019, making his U.S. debut with a victory over Rene Tellez Giron. The 24-year-old continued his ascent with five more victories in 2020 and 2021 including knockouts of Jon Fernandez and Anthony Mercado. Most recently Rivera dominated the previously unbeaten Joseph Adorno on his way to a unanimous decision in March.

Trained alongside four-division champion Leo Santa Cruz and his family, Pérez (14-1, 11 KOs) bounced back from an April 2021 defeat against top lightweight contender Frank Martin by knocking out Erick Lanzas Jr. in May. The 29-year-old from Oak Hills, California had put together a three-fight knockout streak heading into the Martin fight, which included a 2020 KO of then once-beaten Joshua Zuniga.

The 24-year-old Hovhannisyan (3-0, 3 KOs) has delivered three consecutive knockouts since turning pro in September 2021. Originally from Yerevan, Armenia, he now fights out of Los Angeles as he looks to bolster his heavyweight resume. Most recently, Hovhannisyan blasted out Jesse Bryan on his way to a second round knockout in May.

Coffie (13-2, 10 KOs) hopes to continue his climb back to contention after back-to-back defeats to Jonny Rice in July 2021 and January of this year. A Marine Corps veteran who picked up boxing after returning from overseas, Coffie quickly impressed in amateur tournaments enough to earn sparring assignments with Deontay Wilder and Adam Kownacki. He was born in the Bronx, but now trains in Orlando, Florida and most recently knocked out Fulgencio Zuniga in July.  

The non-televised undercard lineup will include unbeaten super bantamweight prospects Michael Angeletti (6-0, 5 KOs) and Jeremy Adorno (7-0, 3 KOs) in a six-round showdown, welterweight prospect Keeshawn Williams (9-1-1, 2 KOs) in a six-round matchup against Julio Rosa (5-1, 2 KOs), Cuban heavyweight Geovany Bruzón (7-1, 6 KOs) battling the unbeaten James Evans Jr. (4-0-1, 6 KOs) in a four/six round bout and unbeaten super bantamweight prospect Miguel Román (2-0) taking on fellow unbeaten José Negrete (2-0, 2 KOs).

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ABOUT WILDER VS. HELENIUS

Wilder vs. Helenius will see former WBC Heavyweight World Champion and boxing superstar Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder take on top-rated Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius in a WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator on Saturday, October 15 topping a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

In the co-feature, former IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant faces two-time WBC Super Middleweight Champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell in a WBC Super Middleweight Title Eliminator between 168-pound rivals.

The telecast will feature undefeated Cuban sensation Frank Sanchez battling Puerto Rican Olympian Carlos Negron in a 10-round heavyweight duel, while top bantamweight contenders Gary Antonio Russell and Emmanuel Rodriguez meet in a 12-round rematch opening the pay-per-view telecast at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepageand www.foxdeportes.com, follow #WilderHelenius, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.