MASHANTUCKET, CT – Francis “Frank the Tank” Hogan (19-0, 16 KOs) passed the stiffest test of his young career on Saturday, winning a unanimous decision over Khiary “King Too Sharp” Gray (19-8, 14 KOs) to successfully defend his WBC US Silver Middleweight Title.

The bout topped CES Boxing’s “Winter Brawl 2025,” a scintillating 12-bout card taking place at the regal Premier Theater in Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Going into the bout, Hogan thought Gray would be the perfect opponent for him to show how his power, speed and skills were coming together under the tutelage of coach Mark DeLuca.

After a nip-and-tuck first round, it looked like it was going to be an early night, as the 24-year-old bounced a thunderous counter right hook off Gray’s head that dropped the Worcester native for an 8-count.

However, while Hogan’s speed and skills were on display on Saturday, he was unable stop the motivated Gray, who took exception to Hogan’s pre-fight comments that Francis would be like a tornado ripping through Khiary’s trailer park.

Determined to turn back the clock, “King Too Sharp” rose to his feet and attempted to reestablish his offense, throwing left jabs to the body and overhand rights to the head. The 32-year-old, who usually competes in the jr. middleweight division, began his career at a promising 13-0 before suffering a TKO loss to Ian Green. Since the defeat, Khiary struggled against the likes of Gary O’Sullivan, Bakhram Murtazaliev and Charles Conwell.

Adamant that Hogan was not of that ilk, Gray and head trainer Kenneth Ball Sr. started training camp in November to wrest the green belt from the less experienced Boston native.

After the knockdown, however, Gray found it difficult to connect cleanly with the taller and rangier southpaw, who kept beating Khiary to the punch with his right jab. Gray used movement to avoid most of Hogan’s attack, but by round 6, ‘Frank the Tank’ was fully in control, landing his straight left hand with regularity.

Sensing that he was running out of time, Gray made a final stand in round 8, but Hogan was up for the exchange. A counter left hand dropped Gray’s mouthpiece, and when the action resumed, a clash of heads dropped Khiary to the canvas.

After 10 spirited rounds, Hogan was declared the winner by scores of 98-91 and 96-93 (2x).

Anthony Velasquez KOs Brian Chaves in 3

Anthony “ATV” Velasquez (16-0-1, 13 KOs) made a successful return to the CES ring in the co-feature, blasting out Argentina’s Brian Chaves (14-7, 5 KOs) in round 3 of a jr. middleweight battle.

Chaves, who previously shared the ring with the likes of top welterweight Rashidi Ellis and jr. middleweight contender Chordale Booker, was meant to be a barometer of how ‘ATV’ compares with those world class fighters.

Putting on a patient and measured performance, Velasquez passed with flying colors. While Chaves went on the attack as soon as the bell rang, the cool and composed Velasquez avoided most of the incoming and controlled the rest of round 1 behind an educated jab.

Velasquez began taking the fight to ‘El Elegante’ in round 2, stalking the smaller Chaves behind a high guard and cutting off the ring to land heavy blows to the southpaw’s body and head.

Looking to turn the tide, Chaves decided to trade shots with Velasquez in round 3. It was an unwise decision, as the Springfield, MA native unleashed a counter right hand that dropped the Argentine hard. Chaves beat the count, but referee Arthur Mercante Jr. decided to prevent the outgunned fighter from taking further punishment, waiving the fight at 2:29 of the round.

Victor Reynoso batters Jalen Renaud

In a bloody New England war, Providence, RI welterweight Victor Reynoso (10-0, 7 KOs) stopped Springfield’s Jalen Renaud (10-2, 3 KOs) in the final round of their 6-round matchup.

Reynoso, who was out of the ring for 17-months after undergoing eye surgery, surprised Renaud by coming out in the southpaw stance in rounds 1 and 2. The pair engaged furiously in round 3, with Renaud reeling from Reynoso’s assault. Bleeding from the nose and mouth, Renaud tried his best to keep Reynoso off him, but the Dominican native was relentless in his attack.

Renaud’s luck didn’t improve in round 5, as a headbutt opened a cut over his left eye. Jalen was worse for wear, but he began keeping Reynoso at bay with his left jab. Just as it seemed that he was asserting himself, however, a big right hand at the end of the round stunned the 30-year-old.

The ringside doctor examined Renaud between rounds, warning the 2024 member of the Boston Butchers that the fight would be stopped if he took too much more punishment. Unfortunately for Renaud, Reynoso jumped at the chance to end matters, battering Jalen until referee Arthur Mercante Jr. stopped the assault at 1:11 of the 6th and final round.

Jeffrey Torres retires Matt Doherty

27-year-old jr. welterweight Jeffrey “El Bendecido” Torres improved to 14-2 (8 KOs), stopping grizzled veteran Matt “The Mantis” Doherty (10-10-1, 5 KOs) in a crossroads bout.

The bout pitted Torres’ boxing against Doherty’s brawling, as the 36-year-old from Danvers, MA rushed in to cut distance and nullify Torres’ counters. While Torres started slow, his superior technique began to show over the course of the fight. The Puerto Rican by way of New Haven began landing punishing counter right hands to Doherty’s head and body in round 3, finally dropping Doherty in round 4. ‘The Mantis’ beat the count, but referee Harvey Dock had seen enough, stopping the contest at 2:31 of the round.

Matt Doherty laid down his gloves after the bout, retiring a 21-fight career over 10 years that saw him continuously thrill New England fans with his all-out style, heart, and determination.

Nikolay Shvab overpowers Belmar Preciado

Miami-based Kazakh Nikolay Shvab (13-0, 8 KOs) continued his assault on the lightweight division, stopping tough Colombian Belmar Preciado (22-9-1, 15 KOs) in the 8th and final round of their contest.

Shvab, who trains out of the World-Famous 5th Street Gym that was once the training grounds of the legendary Muhammad Ali, dropped Preciado with a straight left hand in round 1.

Preciado came alive in round 2, landing heavy shots to Shvab’s body. Nikolay patiently stalked the Colombian in the mid rounds with his own body attack, but the tough Preciado absorbed the shots and fired back. A counter left hand in round 6th momentarily stunted Shvab’s advance, but the Kazakh would not be denied. A right jab, left hand combination in round 8 dropped Preciado hard, causing referee Artur Mercante Jr. to stop the fight at 1:17 of the final round.

Other Action

Iman Lee (12-0, 8 KOs) kept his unbeaten record intact, stopping Mexico’ Bernardo Uribe (17-10, 9 KOs) in round 4 of a scheduled 8 round featherweight bout. Uribe came to fight, trying to time the faster Lee with counter right hands. Lee, of Yonkers, NY, boxed smoothly throughout the bout, focusing his attack on Uribe’s midsection and dropping the Guadalajara native with a body shot in round 2. Uribe survived the round, but Lee launched a vicious assault in round 4 that dropped the Mexican twice, causing Harvey Dock to waive off the bout at 1:52 of the round.

In his CES Boxing debut, light heavyweight Steven “The Savage” Sumpter (10-1-1, 8 KOs) stopped tough Argentine Victor Exner (11-19-3, 5 KOs) in round 4 of an 8-round contest. The Lawrence, MA native landed the heavier blows throughout, but Exner never stopped pressing, landing lefts to the body and rights to the head of his own. The fighters traded heavy leather in round 3, with Sumpter hurting Exner twice with right hands. After 4 completed rounds, Exner’s corner indicated that the Santa Fe native had enough, causing Arthur Mercante Jr. to halt the fight.

In a 4 round middleweight bout, Stamford, CT’s Douglas Marroquin (5-0, 3 KOs) won a shutout unanimous decision over Miami’s Austin Spivey, outboxing the Florida native over 4 rounds. Marroquin was too experienced for the debuting Spivey, who fought hard despite being outgunned. Scores were 40-36 (3x).

In an action-packed New England war, New Haven, CT’s Anuel Rosa (5-0-1, 3 KOs) and East Providence, RI’s Elijah Peixoto (4-0-1, 2 KOs) battled to a 4-round draw. It was a pitched battle from the start, with Peixoto looking to land his left hook and Rosa countering with overhand rights. A Peixoto right hand stopped Rosa in his tracks early in round one, but Anuel returned the favor a few seconds later with a right of his own. The fighters traded furiously over the next 3 rounds, with a Rosa right hand in round 3 seriously hurting Peixoto, who stumbled to the neutral corner before composing himself enough to fire back. The fighters traded on even terms in the 4th and final round, with Peixoto appearing to hurt Rosa with a body shot. Anuel quickly threw back, and the round ended with the fighters trading leather. Scores were 39-37 Rosa, 39-37 Peixoto, and 38-38 for a fight so entertaining that it deserves a rematch somewhere down the line.

Joe Bush (6-0, 4 KOs) kept his record intact, winning a 6-round unanimous decision over Springfield, MA’s Derrick Whitely, Jr. (8-5-2). Marshfield’s Bush applied pressure from the opening bell, attacking Whitley’s body and landing right hands over the top. Whitley countered well from the southpaw stance early on, but his lack of power couldn’t deter Bush, who often trapped him on the ropes to land left and right hands. Scores were 60-54 and 59-55 (2x).

Shannel “The Sniper” Butler improved to 2-0 (1 KO), outboxing Melanie “Pitbull” Costa (3-1, 1 KO) via split decision over 4 rounds. The featherweight contest was a contrast of styles, with the shorter, high octane Costa applying pressure and the taller, rangier Butler countering with straight left hands. ‘Pitbull’ pressed to the body behind a peek-a-boo guard, but a Butler counter in round 3 bloodied her nose. Costa, a Norton, MA police officer, made her last stand in round 4, but The Sniper was able to halt her advance behind an educated jab and straight left hands. Scores were 40-36 (2x) for Butler and 37-39 for Costa.

In the opening bout of the evening, power punching jr. welterweight Tevin “The Hitman” Regis (6-0, 5 KOs) wasted little time introducing Chris Gunn to the pro ranks, knocking out the Michigan native with a body shot at 1:00 of the round.

For more information on Winter Brawl 2025 and all other CES Boxing events, visit cesfights.com.

INFORMATION

About CES Boxing

CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast. Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.

About Foxwoods Resort Casino

Foxwoods Resort Casino offers guests a premier destination resort experience throughout its six world-class casinos, AAA Four-Diamond hotels featuring over 2,200 rooms, dining options for all tastes, luxurious spas, award-winning golf, state-of-the-art theaters, Tanger Outlet Mall and conference space for groups of all sizes. There is always something new at Foxwoods that gives guests more reasons to stay, including the opening of dining properties like Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, Wahlburgers and Grace by Nia; celebrity pastry chef Zac Young’s storefront, Sprinkletown Donuts & Ice Cream; and a landmark deal with Great Wolf Lodge, opening in 2025. When it comes to sports betting and gaming, Foxwoods has partnerships with fan-favorite betting and entertainment platforms, including DraftKings and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe’s recently formed Wondr Nation. For a detailed look at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation visit Foxwoods.com.

MASHANTUCKET, CT – Khiary “King TooSharp” Gray (19-7, 14 KOs) promises to turn back the clock on Saturday, February 22, when he challenges Francis “Frank the Tank” Hogan (18-0, 16 KOs) in an all Massachusetts battle for the WBC US Silver Middleweight Championship.The bout is the main event on CES Boxing’s “Winter Brawl 2025,” a stacked card taking place at The Premier Theater inside Foxwoods Resort Casino and streamed live on SwerveCombat TV.‘Winter Brawl 2025’ tickets, priced beginning at $82, are going fast.  Purchase yours now at CES Fights or TicketMaster.  Doors open at 5pm, with the first bout scheduled for 6pm.For Gray, the fight is more than just another matchup—it’s a return to a better time in his life.”Training camp is going well,” said the 32-year-old at a recent press conference.  “I feel like I’m back to when I first started my career.” When Gray turned pro in 2014, he built an impressive record of 13-0 with 9 KOs.  Khiary was the talk of the town until a loss to Ian Green in 2016 seemed to derail his career.The fighter has since struggled both in and out of the ring, suffering setbacks and spending time in prison. Having endured these hardships, the Worcester native rededicated himself to boxing alongside his long-time trainer Kendrick Ball, Sr. at Camp Get Right.”I stayed in shape while I was in jail just so that I can come out and win the green belt,” says Gray of his desire to win the prestigious WBC belt.  “I’ve been in training since November, so while this training camp has been a slow burn, it was what I really needed.  I feel like I’m back to when I first started my career.”      Whereas Waymouth’s Hogan enters the ring with the confidence of an undefeated record, Gray believes his battles—both inside and outside the ring—have forged him into a different caliber of fighter.”He’s good, no disrespect to him,” admits Gray, who normally fights at 154 but moved to middleweight for the opportunity.  “He’s a southpaw with a long reach.  This is a dangerous fight, but I fought lefties and I’m undefeated against them. I’ve fought guys taller than me, and I fought at 160 before.” When considering the keys to victory on fight night, ‘King TooSharp’ points to their difference in experience and overcoming adversity.”I’ve been in there with the top guys,” says Gray, who has shared the ring with the likes of jr. middleweight contender Charles Conwell and current IBF world champion Bakhram Murtazaliev.  I’ve been in with ‘A’ caliber fighters, so I know what it takes.  When you look at his record, he should have gotten his last 3 opponents out of there sooner or he shouldn’t have taken those fights.  He should have fought guys with more experience.”Aside from their differences in the ring, this fight seems a bit more personal for Gray.  The veteran has taken exception to Hogan’s metaphor that he’ll be like a tornado ripping through Gray’s trailer park on fight night.”I feel like it was kind of disrespectful about where I’m from,” confesses Gray.  “I’ve been in the slums.  I’ve been locked up in prison.  He hasn’t been through what I’ve been through.”The comment has sparked the fire in Gray that once made him one of the most exciting and promising prospects in boxing.”This Saturday, you can expect the old Khiary Gray from when I started my career at 13-0,” says Gray. “I’m outboxing him, knocking him out, and taking that title back to Worcester.”    For more information on Winter Brawl 2025 and all other CES Boxing events, visit cesfights.com. INFORMATIONAbout CES BoxingCES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”. About Foxwoods Resort Casino Foxwoods Resort Casino offers guests a premier destination resort experience throughout its six world-class casinos, AAA Four-Diamond hotels featuring over 2,200 rooms, dining options for all tastes, luxurious spas, award-winning golf, state-of-the-art theaters, Tanger Outlet Mall and conference space for groups of all sizes. There is always something new at Foxwoods that gives guests more reasons to stay, including the opening of dining properties like Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, Wahlburgers and Grace by Nia; celebrity pastry chef Zac Young’s storefront, Sprinkletown Donuts & Ice Cream; and a landmark deal with Great Wolf Lodge, opening in 2025. When it comes to sports betting and gaming, Foxwoods has partnerships with fan-favorite betting and entertainment platforms, including DraftKings and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe’s recently formed Wondr Nation. For a detailed look at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation visit Foxwoods.com.

MASHANTUCKET, CT – Francis “Frank the Tank” Hogan (18-0, 16 KOs) returns to Foxwoods Resort Casino on Saturday, February 22 to defend his WBC US Silver Middleweight title against Massachusetts rival Khiary “King TooSharp” Gray (19-7, 14 KOs). The bout headlines ‘Winter Brawl 2025,’ a stacked 14-bout card taking place at The Premier Theater in Foxwoods.  Tickets start at $82 and are going fast. Purchase yours now at CES Fights or TicketMaster.  Doors open at 5pm, with the first bout scheduled for 6pm.    “Training is going good,” said the Boston-born, Weymouth-raised boxer from his training camp at Everybody Fights gym in the Seaport District of Boston.  “I’m training 2-3 times a day, eating right, sleeping enough.  That night, he’s going to be the old trailer park and I’m going to be the tornado.  I’m going to rip him up.” Hogan has come a long way since his first few amateur bouts.  The 24-year-old took up boxing when he was 10 years old with his brother and a childhood friend.  “My dad kept bringing us to amateur shows and we started realizing that everybody was really good,” said Hogan of his first impression.  “So, my brother and I decided to either quit every other sport and start boxing full time or stop boxing and play all the other sports.  I wasn’t really into all the other sports because they were team sports, so we chose boxing.  With boxing, what I get out of it is what I put in, so I started grinding.” Hogan would soon also realize that he had a lot of catching up to do, which was also a test of his resiliency and character. “I had like 40 straight losses as a young kid in the amateurs,” laughs Hogan of the rough start. “But I kept at it.  The next thing you know, I started dropping and knocking people out. Everybody started talking about me.  Then I started going to the Nationals and started winning the tournaments.  I couldn’t believe it.” Considering what changed to make him turn his amateur career around, Hogan cites his family’s willingness to travel to expose him to other styles and levels.  “I was so used to sparring guys that were less or close to my caliber and we didn’t really ever want that,” explains Hogan.  “We always wanted to fight the better, tougher, heavier, stronger guys.  We started going to Big Six in Rhode Island, and to this day, they have some of the top amateurs and pros in New England, all at one gym.  It was a crappy drive coming all the way down from Weymouth, but it was worth it.  I think that’s what changed us and brought us to the next level of boxing.” Hogan’s friend boxed for a few more years before hanging up the gloves, and his brother boxed until enrolling in the Marines 4 years ago.  For Hogan, it became a vocation. The fighter eventually linked up with his childhood idol, former 2-time NABA Super Welterweight champion Mark “The Bazooka” DeLuca, who eventually became his trainer.  “I used to look up to him a bunch when I was a young kid,” says Hogan, who attended many of DeLuca’s pro bouts when he was an amateur.  “When I turned pro, I was always in his training camps, so he became like an older brother to me.  He’s like a mad scientist when it comes to boxing.  He knows all the fighters, who’s won what and who’s a good fight and who would be a crappy fight, so I leave it up to him [to choose my opponents].” Together with CES, DeLuca has done a great job developing Hogan to date.  The Boston native fought 3 times last year, steadily increasing his level of opposition while winning the WBC title along the way.  In his last fight, Hogan faced his most high-profile opponent to date in former title challenger Elvin Ayala.  ‘Frank the Tank’ dominated the first round before knocking out Ayala with a body shot in round 2.   Despite the impressive win, Hogan was not completely satisfied as he wanted to showcase more of what he had been working on in the gym.  “I do wish I had more time,” laments Hogan.  “There are people that say that he took a step back and tore his ACL, but I think that when I hit him with the left to the body, his knee just couldn’t take the pressure of the shot and that’s why it blew out on him.  It’s too bad, because the fight before that was one of the best I’ve looked boxing wise.” In that fight, Hogan patiently stalked veteran Heber Rondon behind his jab before launching a hellacious left hook to the body that knocked the Venezuelan out round one. That bout took place at the Great Cedar Showroom at Foxwoods.  This time, Hogan gets to headline at Foxwoods’ much bigger Premier Theater against a more experienced opponent in Gray. “Everybody’s saying that he’s coming in shape and he’s ready, but that’s what I want,” says Hogan of ‘King TooSharp’, who has shared the ring with the likes of IBF jr. middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev, top contender Charles Conwell and Gary O’Sullivan.  “I don’t want any excuses.  I’m coming to win.  I’m coming to take over, so that’s the goal.” When assessing how the fight will play out, Hogan predicts a breakthrough performance: “I feel this is the fight where I’m going to make a statement.  This is the one where I’m gonna show everybody that the power is real.  I can punch hard, I’m fast, and I have boxing skills in my tool bag, so I think that’s going to show on fight night.  I’m coming for war like Marvin Hagler used to say.” An emphatic win on February 22 will lead Francis one big step closer to the high-profile fights that he covets. “I’m 18-0 and 24 years old,” says Hogan when asked to assess the middleweight division. “I think I am the next generation of boxing and I think there’s going to be a lot of guys that are going to either have to fight guys like me who are hungry, or they will have to retire or vacate their belts.” For more information on Winter Brawl 2025 and all other CES Boxing events, visit cesfights.com. INFORMATION About CES Boxing CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast.  Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”. About Foxwoods Resort Casino Foxwoods Resort Casino offers guests a premier destination resort experience throughout its six world-class casinos, AAA Four-Diamond hotels featuring over 2,200 rooms, dining options for all tastes, luxurious spas, award-winning golf, state-of-the-art theaters, Tanger Outlet Mall and conference space for groups of all sizes. There is always something new at Foxwoods that gives guests more reasons to stay, including the opening of dining properties like Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, Wahlburgers and Grace by Nia; celebrity pastry chef Zac Young’s storefront, Sprinkletown Donuts & Ice Cream; and a landmark deal with Great Wolf Lodge, opening in 2025. When it comes to sports betting and gaming, Foxwoods has partnerships with fan-favorite betting and entertainment platforms, including DraftKings and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe’s recently formed Wondr Nation. For a detailed look at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation visit Foxwoods.com.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. had two knockdowns ruled against him, but was able to gut out a 12-round majority decision over Serhii Bohachuk to win the WBC Interim Super Welterweight Title at the Michloeb Ultra Arena inside the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

In round one, Bohachuk was credited a knockdown when he landed a right hand that connected with Ortiz and after instant replay review, it was ruled the extra point for the Ukranian.

In round eight, Bohachuk landed a left hook that forced the glove of Ortiz to touch the canvas and was ruled a second knockdown. That only inspired Ortiz to land vicious right hands in the round. Ortiz began to bleed from the bridge of his nose. In round 11, Ortiz hurt Bohachuk with a left hook that froze Bohachuk. In round 12, Ortiz wobbled Bohachuk with a right hand.

Lopez landed 265 of 746 punches. Bohachyk was 225 or 832.

Ortiz, 153.8 lbs of Grand Prairie, x was able to win by scores 114-112 twice and 113-113 and is now 22-0. Bohachuk, 153.8 lbs of Vinitza, UKR is 24-2.

“This has been what we have been fighting for since I was five years old,” said Vergil Ortiz, Jr. “Straight from school, go to the gym, do my homework and get straight to work. When I went pro, it was all day business – 24/7 boxing and it has finally paid off. The first knockdown, I didn’t feel like it was a true knockdown, I felt like I hit his shoe, but the second one really was one. I feel like I did enough to win this fight. I proved everyone wrong. Everyone was saying that I’m washed, that I can’t fight at 154, or that I can’t go the distance. All of that fueled me. I am the best in the world now.”“People saw this fight today, and the real boxing fans who watched this fight know what happened tonight,” said Serhii Bohachuk. “I am feeling great. I knocked him down twice. I want to support my country, Ukraine, I want to say thank you to all the fans for all the support.”

Conwell Takes out Gray in 2

Charles Conwell remained undefeated with a second round stoppage over Khiary Gray in a 10-round super welterweight bout.

In round two, Conwell landed two lefts to the head and then a thudding left to the body put Gray down for the 10-count at

Conwell, 153.8 lbs of Cleveland is 20-0 with 15 knockouts. Gray, 154 lbs of Worcester, MA is 18-7.

Sims Jr. Stops Former Champ Romero After 5

Kenneth Sims Jr. stopped very late replacement and former world champion Jonathan Romero After round five of their 10-round super lightweight bout.

Sims dominated and worked the body and slowly beat down Romero, who took the bout on 24 hours notice.

Sims148.4 lbs of Chicago is 21-2-1 with eight knockouts. Romero, 145.4 lbs of Cali, COL 35-5.

Fundora Decisions Asenjo; Defends Flyweight Title

Gabriela Fundora defended her IBF Flyweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Daniela Asenjo.

Fundora landed 194 of 506 punches. Asenjo was 63 of 312.

Fundora, 109.8 lbs of Coachella, CA won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 14-0. Asenjo, 111.3 lbs of Valdivia, CHL is 16-4-3.

Iriarte Stops Ortiz in 1

Joel Iriarte stopped Miguel Ortiz in the opening round of their six-round welterweight bout.

Iriarte hurt Ortiz several times and landed six punches that knocked him between the ropes and the fight was stopped at 2:15.

Iriarte, 146.4 lbs of Bakersfield, CA is 4-0 with four knockouts. Ortiz, 143.6 lbs of Springfield MA is 3-2.

Cecilia Braekhus won the WBC Interim Super Welterweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Maricela Cornejo.

Braekhus, 154.6 lbs of Bergen, NOR won by scores of 96-93 on all cards and is now 38-2-1. Cornejo, 153 lbs of Prosser, WA is 19-7.

Eric Priest remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Luke Lozo in a middleweight bout.

Proest, 159 lbs of Overland Park, KS won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 14-0. Lozo, 160 lbs of Split, CRO is 9-3-1.

Johnny Canas remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Joseph Cruz in a super lightweight bout.

In round three, Cruz was cut over his left eye.

Canas, 136.8 lbs of Santa Ana, CA won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 5-0. Cruz, 132 lbs of Sonora, MEX ia 7-10.

Jordan Fuentes made a successful debut with a four-round unanimous decision over James Mulder in a super featherweight bout.

Fuentes, 122.4 lbs of Fresno, CA won by scores of 40-36 and 39-37 twice and is now 1-0. Mulder, 127 lbs of Antioch, CA is 0-3.

Jennah Creaspn won her pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Kelsey Wickstrum in a welterweight bout.

Creason, 144.6 lbs of Visalia, CA is 1-0. Wickstrum, 146 lbs of Reading, CA is 2-2.

QUINCY, Mass. (November 6, 2023) – Worcester (MA) super welterweight Khiary “Too Sharp” Gray (17-6, 13 KOs) will fight for the first time in two years in his comeback bid against New Haven (CT) veteran and divisional gatekeeper Jimmy “The Quiet Storm” Williams (18-13-2, 6 KOs) in a six-round bout on the December 9^th “Pandemonium at the Palladium 2”, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), at the famed Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

All the action will be streamed live on BXNGTV.com. GCP has partnered with Project New Hope, a Worcester-based charity that supports veterans and their families.

“This is going to be a tremendous fight that has been in the makings for a few years,” GCP president Chris Traietti proclaimed. “I remember grumblings about this fight happening, but it never materialized. Once I connected the dots that Khiary wanted to fight on this show and Williams didn’t have anything scheduled, I immediately went to work to try and make this fight finally happen. It didn’t take much convincing on either side, both guys jumped on it and worked with me to make it happen.”

A 2012 New England Golden Gloves Champion, Gray is anxious to get back in the ring and he’s not necessarily concerned about being rusty after being inactive for two years.

“It definitely feels right and great to get back to fighting,” Gray said. “I’m preparing to put on a show to let Worcester and everyone in the boxing world that I’m back and coming to get back where I’m supposed to be, top contender. I’m looking at this fight and every fight from now on as critical in terms of me needing and wanting to win at this stage of my career.

“I’m avoiding being rusty by staying active in sparring in training camp, but I like to say that I’m like gold because gold doesn’t rust. All I need is some polishing up. It seems right to have my comeback fight in my hometown. I’ve only fought in Worcester once. I am comfortable fighting at home. It doesn’t stress or bother me, it just pushes me to show my city that I’m not done, I still have a lot left in this fight game. I know I can hold my own in my division. I am and will show it with this comeback fight. I will show that I’m coming to break down the doors and in 2024, I want to make a huge mark in the 154-pound division.”

Gray certainly could have picked an easier opponent than Williams, a former college cornerback on Southern Connecticut State University’s football team, as well as the former holder of three titles – World Boxing Council (WBC) USA welterweight, as well as the ABF USA and UBO International super welterweight.

“I am a gatekeeper,” Williams explained. I got in this game late but had success, winning three titles. Now, I’m fighting guys who have to get past me to get to a champion. Eight or nine years ago there was talk about me and him (Gray) fighting. He was dropping down to welterweight, but I knew local fights would always be there, and I wanted bigger fights. We’re going to get it on now. He’s coming back and I test people.”

Williams is more than capable of pulling off an upset. Only two years ago, Jimmy defeated former world champion Yuri Foreman to capture the ABF USA and UBO International titles.

This isn’t Gray’s first comeback, either. He’s officially at the crossroads and he needs to defeat Williams to make a long final run.

“I’d tell him (Williams), don’t let the layoff fool you. I could have picked anyone less risky for my comeback fight, but at the end of the day, that’s not me. I take risks to get where I want to be. I had a 3 ½ year layoff during COVID. My first fight back, I fought Bakhram Murtazaliev, who was 18-0 at the time. He was and still is Jermell Charlo’s mandatory for the IBF World title. I lost to Murtazaliev (currently 21-0, 15 KOs) by decision, but I wasn’t hurt and stayed in there.  

“From the first bell to the last, I’m not scared of taking risks. I was smiling ear to ear when asked to fight him. I had wanted to fight him (Williams) since 2017 after my fight with Nick DeLomba. In all honesty, I thought it was all hype. No disrespect, he can fight. I give him that but at the end of the day, he’s just a tough journeyman, I know I can beat him in dramatic fashion. I expect Jimmy to come out and fight. We are going to put in a show for my city.”

Gray vs. Williams could steal the show.  Another hometown fighter, light heavyweight Kendrick “Peppa” Bell, Jr. (21-1-3, 12 KOs), and International Boxing Association (IBA) Americas Super Middleweight Champion Steve “The Savage” Sumpter (9-0, 7 KOs), of Pittsfield (MA), are also fighting on the card in separate matches.

Card subject to change. Additional fights and fighters will soon be announced.

Tickets are on sale and available for purchase online at www.ThePalladium.net.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET, first bout at 7 p.m. ET.

INFORMATION:  

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