Follow all the action as Errol Spence Jr. defends the IBF/WBC Welterweight titles against former two-division world champion Danny Garcia.  The action begins at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT with Eduardo Ramirez taking on Miguel Flores; Josesito Lopez against Francisco Santana and Sebastian Fundora battling Habib Ahmed

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED.  THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY

Round 1: Jab from Spence..Combination..Counter left from Garcia..Right to body..Left to body from Spence..Counter from Garcia..Good left from Spence..Right from Garcia..

Round 2 Good straight left from Spence..Lead left..

Round 3 3 punch combination from Garcia…Jab from Spence..Hard left to body,..Hard right from Garcia..Good jab from Spence..

Round 4 Spence applying pressure..Hook from Garcia..2 rights..Jab from Spence..Body shot

Round 5 Hard left from Spence..Hard right..2 body shots from Garcia..Combination from Spence

Round 6 Body shot from Garcia..Good body shot from Spence..Combination on the ropes..Jab..Right counter from Garcia…Left counter from Spence

Round 7 Right from Garcia..2 rights to the body

Round 8 Body shot from Garcia..Spence working on the inside..Good body shot,..Garcia right eye swelling…Double jab and left to body

Round 9 Combination from Garcia…

Round 10 Quick right from Garcia

Round 11 Spence jabs to the body..Body shot from Garcia,,

Round 12 Good right hook from Spence..Spence working on inside..

116-112 TWICE AND 117-111 FOR SPENCE

Round 1 Huge uppercut hurt Ahmed..Hard hooks

Round 2 Power shots landing for Fundora..HuGE SHOTS ON THE ROPES FIGHT IS STOPPED

Round 1: Jab by Lopez…LEFT TO BODY AND BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES SANTANA..  Left hook wobbles Lopez..Body shot from Lopez

Round 2 Body shot by Lopez..Counter from Santana

Round 3 Hard right and Combination from Lopez..Hard Jab

Round 4 Good jab from Lopez..Counter right from Santana..Good counter hook…

Round 5 Good body shot from Lopez..Body shot hurts Santana

Round 6 Lopez lands a body shot…Body shot

Round 7 Left hook from Santana..Good left hook from Lopez..2 rights and left uppercut ..Hard left hand..Body shot

Round 8 Left from Lopez

Round 9 hard right hurts Lopez…BIG FLURRY AND DOWN GOES SANTANA

Round 10  BIG HOOK AND DOWN GOES SANTANA..Right from Lopez..HUGE HOOKS AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

Round 1 Hard Right hook from Ramirez..Overhand left..Hard body shot..Body work from Flores

Round 2 Good uppercut from Ramirez..Lead left..Hard shots and a body shot from Ramirez..Uppercut..2 body shots from Flores..

Round 3 Left from Ramirez…Good body shot from Flores

Round 4 Good right to body from Ramirez..Flores lands a body shot and hook to head..Good combination from Ramirez..2 jabs from Flores..

ROUND 5 HUGE RIGHT COUNTER AND DOWN GOES FLORES…HE GETS UP BUT THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

14 Months after being involved in a gruesome automobile accident, Errol Spence Jr. retained the IBF/WBC Welterweight titles with a solid 12-round unanimous decision over former two-division champion Danny Garcia in front of 16,101 fans at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Spence was very effective with his jab and pressure that would not let Garcia get off in the fight. Garcia was able to land some shots in between the pressure of Spence.

The right eye of Garcia began to sell in the 8th round. The activity of Spence was clear in the fight and won by scores of 117-111 and 116-112 twice.

Spence landed 187 of 707 punches; Garcia was 117 of 700. Spence out-Jabbed Garcia 84-14.

Spence, 146.5 lbs is 27-0. Garcia, 146.75 lbs of Philadelphia is 36-3.

ERROL SPENCE JR.“The moment is surreal. Coming back from the accident, I feel like I looked pretty good tonight. 

“All training camp I felt good. I told people I didn’t want a tuneup fight. I proved to everyone that I’m the best 147-pound fighter in the world. 
“Danny Garcia pushed me to the limit, especially in training camp. I’ve watched him fight since he was an amateur. I knew he was a great champion and I had to be 100% ready.”

“I’m the taller fighter and he had shorter arms, so the jab made sense to use. Everything was set up off the jab. We were prepared to out point him using that jab. I think Lennox Lewis would be proud of me using the jab the way I did.

“I had a great training camp where I was sparring and taking punches. I wasn’t surprised when I had to take a punch in the fight. I had already been taking punches and I’ve always had a great chin anyway.

“I give my performance a B. I think I had a little bit of ring rust. But I was in such great shape and took everything seriously in training so that I would not be discouraged by that. I worked my jab and used my angles because that was my best move.

“I’m just thinking about seeing my kids tomorrow and hanging out on my ranch. I’m going to eat some good food and we’ll see what the future holds. It’s been a long year and a half, so I’m going to wind down for a week or two, then get back on it.

“It was a lifelong dream of mine to be a household name in Dallas and I’ve done that. I’m thankful to have that support. I was smiling walking to the ring because it was a long road back. It took a lot of trials and tribulations to get to this point tonight, and it all paid off. I’m here for a reason.

“I proved that I’m back and here to stay. I’m the unified champion of the world for a reason.

“I felt some of his punches, but it wasn’t enough to discourage me from coming forward. He was strong and I give him his kudos. He came to fight and tried to take my titles, but I defended it well at home.

“I’m glad that my hard work and path to get back ended with my titles around my waist again in my hometown in front of my home fans.

“I think I hurt him a bit, but Danny Garcia is very gritty and he’s not going to cower down to anybody. I thought I got him a couple times to the body, but I knew he wasn’t going to back down. He’s a real fighter.”

DANNY GARCIA

“He was the better man tonight. No excuses. I fought a hard and tough fight. He had a good jab and that was the key to the fight. He was also a bit busier than me.

“I just have to rebuild and see what we do next. I fought hard and I’m proud. All my losses were hard fights that I fought till the end, so I’m proud of my effort.

“I knew what he was bringing to the table. I just had to believe in my hook more and throw it more. I can’t make any excuses. We can only get better from here. 

“His jab was rangy and threw my timing off a bit. That was the key to the fight. Everything else I feel like I adapted to. The jab was the only thing that was better than expected.

“I think Spence is physically stronger than Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter. They’re all on pretty much the same level, but Spence is the strongest one. 

“I was trying to be more active. He did a good job taking away what I wanted to do. Everyone is looking for my left hook, so I thought my right hand could be the difference. I had some success going to the body with it. When two champions fight, one guy is going to be better on the night.”

Fundora Destroys Ahmed in 2

6’7″ Inch Sebastian Fundora took out Habib Ahmed in round two of their scheduled 12-round super welterweight bout.

Fundora obliterated Ahmed from the opening bell as he landed furious flurry of punches for both rounds before the fight was stopped at 1:30 of round two.

Fundora, 153.5 lbs of Cochella, CA is 16-0-1 with 11 knockouts. Ahmed, 152.5 lbs of Accra, GHA is 27-2.

SEBASTIAN FUNDORA
“We just fought in an eliminator, so I’m pretty sure I’m high up in the rankings now. We’ll go back and talk about what’s next with my team. I may take a week off and enjoy the holidays, then come back strong with whatever is next. I want to fight anyone. The 154-pound division is stacked, so I’ll be ready for anyone. 

“I had the time to admire my work in round one. I was happy to enjoy it while I had the chance after I landed that uppercut. 

“We were ready for anyone who we had to face tonight. A win like this doesn’t surprise me because we were so prepared. 

“I feel like I’m meant for this. I’ve worked so hard for this. Me and my father have worked on this dream since I was eight-years-old. By now, big stages like this feel normal to me. 

“I don’t think I’m peaking yet. I turn 23 this month. I feel like I have a lot of room to grow. I’m going to be in this sport for a long time and I’m going to be champion, but we’re not there yet. 

“We saw him buckle in the first round. I heard my dad yell from the corner that he was shaken. I knew he couldn’t take the power, so I decided to walk right through him.”

HABIB AHMED“I’m disappointed with how the fight went. I took the fight on short notice so I knew it would be difficult. But I was training hard and wanted to test myself. 

“He’s tall and he’s a good boxer. I didn’t start working fast enough and he started working immediately. That’s why he got me with the uppercut in round one. That messed up my rhythm. I was surprised he came out so fast. 
“I’m still young and have a future in this sport. I’m going to get back in the gym, correct my mistakes, and come back better.”

Lopez Stops Santana in 10th

Josesito Lopez stopped Francisco Santana in the 10th and final round of their welterweight bout.

Lopez dominated the bout from the get-go as in round one. Lopez landed a big right that was followed by a left to the body that put Santana on the deck.

In round nine, Lopez scored a 2nd knockdown as he landed some hard hooks on the ropes. Lopez continued to batter Santana for the balance of the round and the fight could have been stopped there. In the 10th, Lopez dropped Santana again. The fight went on, but only for a few seconds more as Lopez landed a barrage of punches that forced the stoppage at 1:22.

Lopez, 146.2 lbs of Riverside, CA is 38-8 with 21 knockouts. Santana, 147 lbs of Santa Barbra, CA is 25-9-1.

JOSESITO LOPEZ“Santana is one of the toughest fighters out there not holding a belt. I’m never in an easy fight but, I’m always going to give it everything I have.

“He knew that if he made a small mistake, he was going to pay. I made sure he paid and I dictated the pace with my jab while utilizing good footwork against a tough fighter.

“I was patient. He’s a tough crafty fighter who can take good punches. He’s a solid fighter with a strong punch.

“You can’t deny me anymore. If I’m not in with the best, I’m in with the toughest. I want one of the world champions or one of the top fighters. 

“It was a tough fight like I expected. I had to be smart in there, dictate the pace and pick my shots. We managed to do what we set out to do.

“The work I put in with Robert Garcia has showed in every fight. I get better each and every fight and come out with wins. Today I stopped one of the hardest guys in the sport to finish.  

“I feel like I’ve gotten stronger, smarter and faster. I’ve improved in every part of my game thanks to Robert Garcia. 

“I deserve to be fighting the best now. I’ve proved it. I’d fight the winner or loser of tonight’s main event. Not only am I as good as any of them, but I’m one of the most entertaining fighters in the division. 

“We worked out positioning. We were maybe a little too cautious at times. But we wanted to break him down little by little. I was happy to be able to finish the job.”

FRANCISCO SANTANA

“He got me with a flash knockdown in the first round. He throws big wide shots and he caught me on the top of my head and messed with my equilibrium for a second. I was able to get up and go back to work. 

“I thought I had something left, but after tonight I have to go back and talk with my family. I think that was my last fight. I was able to do a lot of great things in the sport. No fighter ever wants to hang them up, but I thank God that I was able to meet so many great people in the boxing world. I might be retired as a boxer, but I’m still going to be around this sport.”

Ramirez stops Flores in 5

Eduardo Ramirez stopped Miguel Flores in round fie of their scheduled 12-round featherweight bout.

In the beginning of round five, Ramirez landed a crushing left hook to the jaw that sent Flores crashing on his back. Flores got up with blood flowing out of his mouth, and the bout was stopped at 20 seconds.

Ramirez, 125.2 lbs of Los Mochis, MEX is 24-2-3 with 11 knockouts. Flores, 125.4 lbs of Dallas, TX is 24-4.

EDUARDO RAMIREZ

“I’m very happy about the win. I worked very hard and I’m thrilled to get the victory tonight.

“This was all the result of the hard work I put into the gym. The Montiel brothers trained me well and it all paid off tonight.

“This was a last minute opponent. I didn’t get to train specifically for him. But I’m getting better every day in the gym, that’s my main focus. I feel like I can beat anyone in this division.

“I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself. Whatever my team wants to do, we’ll talk about it. I just want to become a world champion. I’ll be ready anywhere at any time.

“I always felt in control of the fight. My intensity dropped a bit in the third round, but my corner kept telling me to put the pressure on and I’d get the knockout. That’s exactly what ended up happening.

“I like to do it all in the ring. I can move around and box. But I love to go in there and fight inside. I’m learning so much day after day from training in Tucson with the Montiel brothers.

MIGUEL FLORES

“I was having fun in there. I thought I was doing better on the inside than the outside with him. We were putting on a good fight. He just caught me with one of those looping shots. It happens, it’s part of boxing. I’m a fighter and I’ll be back.

“I thought I hurt him with a few body shots and was coming on in the fight. I was effective on the inside. I thought I could have taken over, but he’s a crafty guy. It felt like an even fight.”

EARLY RESULTS

Isaac Avelar won a 10-round unanimous decision over Sakaria Lukas in a featherweight bout.

Avelar landed 225 of 686 punches; Lukas was 100 of 562.

Avelar, 126.8 lbs of Mexico won by scores of 98-92 on all cards and is now 17-2. Lukas, 127.6 lbs of Namibia is 23-1.

Vito Mielnicki Jr. remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Steve Pulluaim in a welterweight bout.

In round one, Mielnicki dropped Pulluaim with a right to the top of the head. in round two, he dropped Pulluaim with a left to the body.

Mielnicki landed 121 of 309 punches; Pulluaim was 47 of 247.

Mielnicki, 146.8 lbs of Roseland, NJ scores of 60-52 on all cards, and is now 7-0. Pulluaim, 144.8 lbs of Riverside, MO is 5-3.

Marco Delgado won a six-round split decision over previously undefeated Burley Brooks in a super middleweight bout.

In round five, Brooks was deducted a point for a low blow. In round six, he was deducted another point for the same infraction.

Delgado landed 95 of 387 punches; Brooks was 85 of 366.

Delgado , 170/6 lbs of Anaheim, CA won by scores of 59-53 twice with Brooks taking a card 57-56.

Delgado is 7-1. Brooks, 170.4 lbs of Dallas, TX is 6-1.

Juan Tapia won a eight-round unanimous decision over Fernando Garcia in a super bantamweight bout.

In round six, Garcia had some blood on the bridge of the nose.

Tapia, 123 lbs of Brownsville, TX won by scores of 79-73 twice and 78-74 and is now 10-3. Garcia, 122.4 lbs of Dallas. TX is 13-3.

Frank Martin stopped Tyrone Luckey in round five of their scheduled eight-round lightweight bout.

Martin dropped Luckey twice in round two, once in round five and ended with a body shot at 2:31 of round five.

Martin, 138,6 lbs of Indianapolis, IN is 12-0 with nine knockouts. Luckey, 138.4 lbs of Long Beach, NJ is 12-13-4/

ARLINGTON, TX. (December 2, 2020) – Super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora will face former title challenger Habib Ahmed in a Super Welterweight Title Eliminator on the FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View event headlined by Errol Spence Jr. vs. Danny Garcia this Saturday, December 5 from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The pay-per-view begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features all-action contenders Josesito “The Riverside Rocky” Lopez and Francisco “Chia” Santana squaring-off in a 10-round welterweight affair while featherweight contender Miguel Flores will meet Mexico’s Eduardo Ramirez in a Featherweight Title Eliminator to open the pay-per-view.

Ahmed replaces Jorge Cota and Flores replaces Julio Ceja, after Cota and Ceja tested positive for COVID-19. Flores had already been preparing to face Isaac Avelar on December 5 and Ahmed had been in training as a potential replacement on this card.

Buy the pay-per-view now on www.foxsports.com/ppv and watch on any screen.

Mexico’s Avelar will take on the unbeaten Sakaria Lukas in a 10-round super featherweight showdown headlining FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View Prelims on FS2 and FOX Deportes. Prelims begin at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and will also feature top prospect Vito Mielnicki Jr. taking on Steven Pulluaim in a six-round welterweight bout, plus unbeaten super middleweight prospect Burley Brooks facing Marco Delgado in a six-round attraction.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, Man Down Promotions and DSG Promotions, are on sale now, and can be purchased at SeatGeek.com, the Official Ticketing Provider of AT&T Stadium.

Non-televised action will see Dallas-native Fernando Garcia (13-2, 8 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight fight against Brownsville, Texas’ Juan Tapia (9-3, 3 KOs) and unbeaten Indianapolis native Frank Martin (11-0, 8 KOs) dueling New Jersey’s Tyrone Lucky (12-12-4, 8 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout.

Towering at nearly six-feet six-inches, Fundora (15-0-1, 10 KOs) has used his height and length, combined with power and aggressiveness, to rack up an unbeaten record since turning pro in 2016. The 22-year-old owns two victories in 2020, beating then unbeaten Daniel Lewis by decision in February, before most recently becoming the first fighter to knock out Nathaniel Gallimore with his August triumph on FOX. Fighting out of Coachella, California, Fundora entered the ring three times in 2019, including TKO victories over then unbeaten fighters Donnie Marshall and Hector Manuel Zepeda, plus an exciting split-draw against fellow contender Jamontay Clark.

A native of Accra, Ghana, Ahmed (27-1-1, 18 KOs) steps into the ring after his August fight with Alantez Fox ended with a no-contest after three rounds. Prior to that, Ahmed scored a dominant unanimous decision over Juan De Angel in May 2019. The 29-year-old has won back-to-back fights since dropping a 2018 world title contest against Gilbert Ramirez. Ahmed was unbeaten in his first 26 pro fights since his 2011 debut, leading up to the Ramirez fight.

Lopez (37-8, 20 KOs) has long established himself as a fiery competitor and top contender in multiple weight classes and has compiled an impressive resume. He owns victories over Victor Ortiz, Miguel Cruz and Mike Dallas Jr., having given the last two the first defeat of their careers. Additionally, he has squared off against Canelo Alvarez, Andre Berto, Marcos Maidana and Jessie Vargas. In 2019 the Riverside, California native lost a majority decision to Keith Thurman, before most recently knocking out John Molina Jr. last September.

Santana (25-8-1, 12 KOs) has taken on the toughest challenges at 147 and 154 pounds and has made his name with his action style throughout a long career as a contender. Santana returns to the ring after losing to former unified champion Jarrett Hurd in January. The Santa Barbara, California native owns a victory over Olympic gold medalist Felix Diaz in April 2018 and has faced unified champion Jermell Charlo and former champion Sadam Ali, while also fighting to a six-round draw against former unified champion Julian Williams in 2011.

The 28-year-old Flores (24-3, 12 KOs) will return to action for the first time since dropping a decision to four-division champion Leo Santa Cruz in their 130-pound title fight last November. Born in Michoacan de Ocampo, Mexico and fighting out of Houston, Texas, Flores scored stoppage wins over Luis May and Raul Chirino heading into that title fight. A pro since 2009, Flores won his first 22 pro fights.

Fighting out of Sinaloa, Mexico, Ramirez (23-2-3, 10 KOs) has risen up the featherweight rankings with wins in three of his last four fights since losing to then 126-pound champion Lee Selby in 2017. The 27-year-old Ramirez most recently gave Leduan Barthelemy his first career loss via a fourth-round stoppage in their rematch last November, following up on their split-draw the first time they faced off. Overall, Ramirez has won 14 of his last 17 outings.

The 23-year-old Avelar (16-2, 10 KOs) lost a narrow split decision to Miguel Tique in December after being stopped by unbeaten top super bantamweight Stephen Fulton in August 2019. The Auguascalientes, Mexico native was unbeaten in his first 16 pro fights, including a 2019 triumph over Juan Antonio Lopez in his U.S. debut. He will be opposed by the undefeated Lucas (23-0, 16 KOs), who will make his U.S. debut on December 5 after victories in 2019 over Raston Kayira and Ndodana Ncube.

A Roseland, New Jersey native Mielnicki (6-0, 4 KOs) steps into the ring under the guidance of renowned coach Joe Goossen for the first time on December 5 as he looks to continue to show the skillset of a future champion. The 18-year-old Mielnicki has scored three victories in 2020, including most recently stopping Chris Rollins in August. He will take on the 30-year-old Pulluaim (5-2, 1 KO) who defeated Emeka Ifekandu in his last fight in October 2019. The Riverside, Missouri native Pulluaim has fought professionally since 2018.

The 24-year-old Brooks (6-0, 5 KOs) trains alongside Errol Spence Jr. and under the guidance of top trainer Derrick James. A Dallas native, Brooks made his 2020 debut in February, scoring a first round stoppage of Melvin Russell. He will face Anaheim, California’s Delgado (6-1, 5 KOs), a 29-year-old who has fought professionally since 2016 and who most recently stopped Joseph Ward in October 2019.

#

ABOUT SPENCE VS. GARCIA
Spence vs. Garcia will see unified welterweight world champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. duel two-division world champion Danny “Swift” Garcia in the blockbuster main event of a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View Saturday, December 5 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The pay-per-view begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features unbeaten super welterweight sensation Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora taking on Habib Ahmed in a Super Welterweight Title Eliminator in the co-main event. The lineup will also see all-action contenders Josesito “The Riverside Rocky” Lopez and Francisco “Chia” Santana squaring-off in a 10-round welterweight affair, plus Texas contender Miguel Flores faces featherweight contender Eduardo Ramirez in a WBC Featherweight Title Eliminator to kick off the pay-per-view.

AT&T Stadium, which has hosted NFL fans during the 2020 Dallas Cowboys season, will be following guidelines from the CDC with protocols regarding COVID-19 safeguards and cleaning procedures. All fans attending the event will be required to wear a mask. Tickets will be distributed in seat blocks known as “pods” to maintain distance between groups who are not known to one another. For more information on AT&T Stadium’s Safe Stadium Policy, please visit the site here: https://attstadium.com/safestadium/.

Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.
For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @TGBPromotions become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

About AT&T Stadium:
AT&T Stadium is one of the largest, most technologically advanced entertainment venues in the world. Designed by HKS and built by Manhattan Construction, the $1.2 billion stadium features two monumental arches, the world’s largest HDTV video board cluster, an expansive retractable roof and the largest retractable end zone doors in the world. Features of the stadium include seating for 80,000 and expandability for up to 100,000, over 300 luxury suites, club seating on multiple levels and the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop, open to the public year round. The stadium is also home to a world-class collection of contemporary art, made up of over 50 pieces from an international array of curated artists displayed on the walls and in the grand public spaces of the venue. In addition to being the Home of the Dallas Cowboys since opening in 2009, the stadium has hosted Super Bowl XLV, the 2010 NBA All Star Game, the 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four, the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship Game and the annual Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. The venue has also played host to high school and college football, concerts, championship fights, international soccer matches, and other special events. For more information, go to www.attstadium.com.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Dec. 5, 2019)– Rob “Bravo” Brant’s quest to regain a world title will begin on the Boardwalk. Brant, a former middleweight world champion, will make his ring return against former super middleweight world title challenger Habib “Wild Hurricane” Ahmed Saturday, Jan 11 as the co-feature to the Jesse Hart-Joe Smith Jr. main event at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena (ESPN & streaming on the ESPN App (Spanish), 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).

Brant is fighting for the first time losing his belt via second-round stoppage to Ryota Murata, the man he upset to win the WBA middleweight title in October 2018. Following the Murata defeat, Brant enlisted the services of trainer/manager Brian “BoMac” McIntyre and has been training alongside pound-for-pound king Terence “Bud” Crawford, WBO junior lightweight world champion Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring and former junior welterweight world champion Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker.

“I am excited to be back fighting under the Top Rank banner with a new team,” Brant said. “Training in Colorado Springs has shown me what it’s like to work with a coaching staff that have mastered their craft. I am expecting a tough fight with Ahmed, as he has proven to be a dangerous Ghanaian fighter. I’m confident my team will train me to showcase my talent. There hasn’t been a day that has gone by that I haven’t thought about regaining my title. None of that happens until I conquer the task at hand. I will reign again as a world champion.”

“This is a great opportunity to prove I am a middleweight to watch,” Ahmed said. “Super middleweight was not my natural weight, and I feel fresher and more powerful since moving down in weight. Rob Brant and his team made the wrong choice for a comeback opponent. I am coming to shock the boxing world and earn another world title shot.”

Brant (25-2, 17 KOs), from St. Paul, Minn., authored one of the biggest upsets of 2018 when he bested Murata over 12 scintillating rounds in Las Vegas. He threw 1,262 punches that evening and followed up his title-winning effort with a dominant 11^th-round TKO over Khasan Baysangurov in Hinckley, Minn. In July, he traveled to Osaka, Japan, and Murata flipped the script, engaging in a toe-to-toe battle that lasted 5 minutes, 34 seconds. Murata landed 64 power punches in the second round before referee Luis Pabon stopped the bout.

Ahmed (27-1-1, 18 KOs), from Accra, Ghana, is best known for his February 2018 title challenge against Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, which ended via sixth-round TKO defeat. He moved down to middleweight in May, notching a shutout eight-round decision over Juan De Angel in Biloxi, Miss. Ahmed has been training in Miami recently and has sparred with the likes of former world champion Andre Dirrell.

The ESPN+ undercard stream, which begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, will include the following bouts:

• The fighting Adorno brothers will once again appear on the same undercard. Older brother Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno (14-0, 12 KOs) will face Hector Garcia (14-7-3, 8 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout, while 18-year-old Jeremy “Magic Hands” Adorno (3-0, 1 KO) will battle Artrimus Sartor (4-3, 1 KO) in a four-rounder at super bantamweight.
   
• South Jersey native Chris “Sandman” Thomas (13-1-1, 8 KOs) will fight for the sixth time as a pro in Atlantic City versus Samir Barbosa (37-16-3, 26 KOs) in a six-rounder at super middleweight.
   
• Shinard Bunch (4-1, 4 KOs), the fighting pride of Trenton, N.J., will take on Dennis Okoth (4-2-1, 2 KOs) in a six-round welterweight tilt. Bunch’s only defeat came via close decision in August to unbeaten prospect Paul Kroll.
   
• Heavyweight prospect Sonny “The Bronco” Conto (5-0, 4 KOs), who hails from South Philadelphia, will make his Atlantic City debut in a four-rounder against an opponent to be named.
   
• Xander Zayas (2-0, 2 KOs), the 17-year-old welterweight fresh off a first-round TKO Nov. 30 in Las Vegas, will see action in a four-rounder against Antonio Duarte (2-2, 0 KOs). Zayas, a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, won 11 national amateur titles before signing a pro contract with Top Rank at the age of 16. 

For more information, visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Star Boxing, tickets priced at $100, $60, $40 and $25 (not including applicable fees) are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.ticketmaster.com and www.hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com.  

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service from Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ grew quickly to 3.5 million subscribers in 18 months, offering fans thousands of live events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, as well as premium editorial content.

Programming on ESPN+ includes exclusive UFC and Top Rank boxing events, thousands of college sports events (including football and basketball) from more than a dozen sports at 20 conferences, hundreds of MLB and NHL games, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, Bundesliga – beginning in 2020, EFL Championship and Carabao Cup, Eredivisie), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, exclusive ESPN+ Original series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films.

Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) through the ESPN App, (on mobile and connected devices), ESPN.com or ESPNplus.com.  It is also available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu (ad-supported), and ESPN+ ­— all for just $12.99/month.

Chordale Booker won an 10-round unanimous decision over Wale Omotoso in a junior middleweight bout.

Booker, 154 lbs of Stamford, CT won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 15-0. Omotoso, 153 lbs of Lagos, NIG is 27-4.

Ahmed Elbiali stopped Marlos Simoes in round two of a scheduled 10-round light heavyweight bout.

Elbiali dropped Simoes with a hard right hand in the 2nd frame, and Simoes could not beat the count at 1:12.

Elbiali, 176 lbs of Cairo, EGY is 19-1 with 16 knockouts. Simoes, 174.2 lbs of Brazil is 13-2-2.

Efe Apochi stopped Earl Newman in round seven in a scheduled eight-round cruiserweight war

In round two, Apochi hammered Newman with several shots that rocked Newman all over the ring. Apochi hurt Newman several times over the next few rounds. Each time when it looked like the referee would stop the bout, Newman would come back and land some hard power shots of his own.

In round seven, Apochi landed a hard right hand that rocked and dropped Newman and the fight was stopped at 2:12.

Apochi, 198 lbs of Nigeria is 8-0 with all wins coming early. Newman, 202.1 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 10-2-1.

Amon Rashidi kept his perfect knockout streak intact with a final round stoppage in his four-round junior middleweight bout with Juan Jesus Garces.

In the final round, Rashidi landed a shot on the side of the head that sent Garces down for the count at 2:12.

Rashidi, 149.6 lbs of Dallas, TX is 7-0 with seven knockouts. Garces, 153 lbs of Mexico is 19-25.

Habib Ahmed won a eight-round unanimous decision over Juan De Angel in a middleweight bout.

Ahmed, 159.6 lbs of Accra, GHA won by scores of 80-72 on all cards, and is now 27-1-1. De Angel, 162 lbs of Barranquilla, COL is 23-11-1.

Shawn Simpson remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Sergio Quiroz in a bantamweight bout.

Simpson, 118 lbs of Chicago won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 10-0. Quiroz, 117.8 lbs of Los Angeles is 6-2.