Kurt Scoby and Jesus Vasquez Jr. step in last minute in Main Event of Rising Star Promotions April 27th Card at Carteret Performing Arts Center, Live on DAZN

CARTERET, NJ – April 17, 2025 – Rising Star Promotions, in assocation with OTX and DiBella Entertainment, is proud to announce a thrilling new main event for its April 27th boxing showcase at the Carteret Performing Arts Center. Following an unfortunate training injury suffered by Jonathan Montrel, who fractured his hand just weeks ahead of his scheduled bout with Mack Allison IV, Duarte, California’s Kurt Scoby (16-1 14KOs) will step in on short notice to face Jesus Vasquez Jr. (11-3 3KOs) of Englewood, Colorado  streaming live and exclusively on DAZN.

The revised main event underscores the resilience and agility of the sport, and the unshakable commitment of all parties involved to deliver quality action for fight fans.

The new main event came together thanks to behind-the-scenes effort between Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna’s Rising Star Promotions, OTX, and Lou DiBella’s DiBella Entertainment. The cross-promotional collaboration was crucial in securing a replacement bout of such high caliber on such short notice.

“This is what boxing is all about, staying ready, stepping up, and putting on a show,” said Thomas LaManna, President of Rising Star Promotions. “We didn’t want to let the fans and our partners at DAZN down, and thanks to the willingness of Kurt Scoby and Jesus Vasquez Jr., as well as the strong working relationships we have with DiBella Entertainment and OTX, we were able to pivot and upgrade and save this card in a matter of days.”

The April 27th event, originally anchored by the now-canceled Montrel vs. Allison IV bout, remains a highly anticipated fight night. With Scoby vs. Vasquez Jr. headlining, fans can expect fireworks from the opening bell in a matchup that now carries even more intrigue and narrative depth.

“I’m beyond grateful to my team and everyone behind the scenes for getting me back in the ring so quickly,” said Scoby. “I’ve got big goals this year, and this fight is perfect as we prepare for the matchup everyone’s talking about with Giovanni Marquez. But first things first, Jesus Vasquez Jr. is tough and talented, and I’m coming to make a statement on April 27.”

The Co-Main event is a high-stakes clash of unbeatens, as former Canadian amateur standout Thomas Blumenfeld (8-0, 7 KOs) puts his perfect record on the line against Miami’s hard-hitting Christopher Rodriguez (13-0-1, 11 KOs) in an eight-round junior welterweight showdown. 

Complete Undercard

6 ROUNDS

Newly crowned WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine Welterweight Champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis proteges Ismail Muhammad (7-0 4KOs) vs Jose Edgardo Perdomo (6-5 3KOs) of Uruguay and Dennis Thompson (5-0 3KOs) vs Rafael Castillo (2-5 1KO) of The Bronx, New York. 
 

Rising Star Promotions own Gabriel Gerena (7-1 6KOs) of Piscataway, New Jersey continues his comeback in a Jr. Welterweight bout against an opponent to be announced.
 

4 ROUNDS

DKO Boxing’s Jr. Welterweight Julio Sanchez III (1-0) takes on Andrew Toppin (0-3) of Gretna, Louisiana and Heavyweight Bruce Seldon Jr. (5-0 4KOs) takes on Erick Prieto (3-4 2KOs) of San Antonio, Texas.

Bloomingdale, New Jersey’s Kirc Bargamento will make his Professional Debut in a Lightweight bout against Arkansas’ Freddie Adams (0-2).

Cruiserweight Jersey City’s Bernard Gardner aka “Rex Presidental” makes his long anticipated Professional Debut taking on DeJon Farrell-Francis (1-3) of nearby Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Yonkers, New York Michael Boyle (1-0 1KO) takes on Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Jarell Sanders (1-3 1KO) in Cruiserweight Bout. 

Elvina White (5-1 2KOs) of Los Angeles, California kicks off the night in a Lightweight bout with Brittany Ordonez (5-5-3 1KOs) of San Antonio, Texas.




Haven Brady Jr. Decisions Jesus Vazquez Jr.

Haven Brady Jr. remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Jesus Vazquez Jr. in a junior lightweight bout at the OTE Arena in Atlanta.

Brady landed 184 of 522 punches. Vazquez was 40 of 346.

Brady, 130 lbs of Albany, GA won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 13-0. Vazquez, 133 lbs of Los Angeles is 11-3.

Saul Sanchez won an eight-round unanimous decision over Arthur Villanueva in a bantamweight fight.

Sanchez, 119 lbs of Los Angeles won by scores of 78-74 twice and 77-75 and is now 21-3. Villanueva, 119 lbs of Bagp City, PHL is 35-6-1.

Oshae Jones stopped Simone Da Silva in round five of a scheduled eight-round junior middleweight bout.

In round five, Jones dropped Da Silva with perfect right to the body. Jones continued to hurt Da Silva until a big flurry in the corner forced a stoppage at 1:54.

Jones, 153.2 lbs of Philadelphia via Toledo, OH is -0 with three knockouts. Da Silva, 150 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 17-34.

Kurt Scoby made shirt work of Daniel Lim by registering an opening round stoppage in a scheduled six-round junior welterweight bout.

In the first minute, Scoby dropped Lim by landing a jab that was followed by a hard right. Lim was dropped for aa second time with a left hook. It was another nasty left hook to the body that put Lim down for a third and final time as he did not neat the count at 2:03.

Scoby, 138.5 lbs of Duarte, CA is 14-1 with 12 knockouts. Lim, 136.4 lbs of Don Carolina, CA is 11-2.

David Lopez remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Pedro Pinillo in a junior welterweight fight.

Lopez landed 63 of 229 punches. Pinillo was 29 of 176.

Lopez of Oakland won by scores of 60-54 on all cards is now 6-0. Pinillio of Cali, COL is 5-8/

Johnny Mansour stopped Edgar Uvalle in the opening round of their four-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Mansour landed about 20 unanswered punches that resulted in a standing-eight count. The fight did not last long after as Mansour dropped Uvalle againt after big flurry and a right dropped him in the corner and the bout was stopped at 2:25.

Mansour, 134.6 lbs of San Diego is 2-0 with one knockout. Uvalle, 133.2 lbs of Des Moines, IA is 2-5-2.




KURT SCOBY’S DBE DEBUT ON BROADWAY BOXING TO PREMIERE ON SNY THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 31

NEW YORK (March 29, 2024) New York’s Kurt Scoby, one of boxing’s top rising prospects, made his debut under the DiBella Entertainment (DBE) banner headlining Broadway Boxing last year on June 29, facing former world title challenger Hank Lundy. The event, held at Sony Hall in Times Square, New York City, was promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Boxing Insider Promotions. Catch Scoby and all of the action from that card premiering on SNY this Sunday, March 31, at 7:00pm ET.

Trained by Don Saxby out of Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, NY, Scoby, now 13-0 (11 KOs), is coming off of three impressive wins in 2023. In his last fight, on August 18, Scoby earned a sixth-round stoppage win against previously unbeaten Narciso Carmona, of Sevilla, Andalucia, Spain, on DAZN as part of the Overtime series.

He began 2023 handing previously unbeaten Aussie prospect John Mannu his first defeat via second-round stoppage on Showtime’s “ShoBox” series on a card promoted by DiBella Entertainment. Four months later, Scoby was signed to DBE and making his New York debut against the experienced Lundy, of Philadelphia, PA.

“2023 was a breakout year for Scoby, who has the talent, power and charisma to become a star. He beat two undefeated prospects and a former world title challenger. Against Lundy, Scoob mixed in a devastating body attack with sharp shots upstairs to expertly dismantle the hard-nosed Philadelphia veteran. Tune in to SNY this Sunday to watch this impressive performance,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Boxing fans will get to see Scoby back in action soon, as he takes on the cagey Dakota Linger on April 19, returning to the Overtime series on DAZN.”

The June 29 undercard featured a gaggle of New York talent. In the co-feature, super welterweight contender Brian Ceballo, of New York, NY, battled Canadian Mitch Louis-Charles in an eight-round bout.

Undefeated welterweight Arnold Gonzalez, of New York, NY, squared off in a six-rounder against Colombian Alejandro Munera.

A pair of undefeated Ridgewood, Queens, NY residents, junior welterweight Mathew “Lefty Gunz” Gonzalez and junior lightweight Raymond “The Scientist” Cuadrado, also competed in separate bouts. Gonzalez, a Puerto Rican southpaw, took on Terell Bostic, of Wyandanch, NY, in an eight-round contest and Cuadrado took on Dominican Yeuri Andujar in a four-rounder.

Since its inception in November 2003, Broadway Boxing has featured many boxing luminaries and world champions, including Vitali Klitschko, Gennadiy Golovkin, George Kambosos Jr., Jamel Herring, Jose Pedraza, Amanda Serrano, Miyo Yoshida, Andre Berto, Heather Hardy, Paulie Malignaggi, Peter Quillin, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Joshua Clottey, DeMarcus Corley and Randall Bailey, among others.

Boxing fans wishing to enjoy this premiere of Broadway Boxing can do so by tuning in to SNY on Sunday, March 31, at 7:00pm ET. SNY can be found on the following platforms (list not all-inclusive – see your local TV guide): DirecTV (639), Time Warner Cable (26), Verizon FiOS: (577 ,77), Cablevision (718, 60), Comcast (843, 73).  

DiBella Entertainment

Instagram: @DiBellaEnt

X (Twitter): @LouDiBella, @DiBellaEnt

Facebook: @DiBellaEntertainment




Undefeated Super Lightweight Kurt Scoby Returns to the Ring in Atlanta on April 19

NEW YORK, NY (March 26, 2024) – Undefeated super lightweight slugger Kurt Scoby (13-0, 11 KOs) is ready to make his highly anticipated return to the ring at the Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 19, 2024. Scoby will be facing off against Dakota Linger (13-6-3, 9 KOs) of Buckhannon, West Virginia, in a scheduled 8-round main event bout.

This fight, promoted by OTX (Overtime Boxing), will be televised live on DAZN, giving fans across the globe the opportunity to witness Scoby’s impressive power and skills.

Training in the gritty depths of Brooklyn’s infamous Gleason’s Boxing Gym, Scoby’s grinding away, fine-tuning his craft with the seasoned wisdom of trainers Don Saxby and Leon “Cat” Taylor. Coming up strong in the tough New York boxing scene, Scoby’s known as a real fighter, one who can end sparring with one punch. He’s rapidly becoming boxing’s next fresh face in NYC.

Kurt Scoby, who tends to keep his words short and to the point, sums up his feelings about his reputation and training regimen saying, ““I’ll never be satisfied!”

Co-managers Brandon Stump and Daniel Gonzalez, alongside the seasoned promoter Lou DiBella, believe Scoby has every attribute to become something special in the ring. With their combined efforts, they have confidence that they will strategically guide Scoby’s journey to the top of the boxing world. Here is what they had to say.

“Kurt Scoby has been making a lot of noise training in New York, everyone is talking about him,” stated Scoby’s co-manager Brandon Stump, President of CTB Athletics. “Everyone watching live in Atlanta or on DAZN is going to see his explosiveness. There is no doubt in my mind that Scooby will become the face of boxing in New York City, it’s just a matter of time.”

“Kurt Scoby is a world class athlete with world class discipline and world class talent,” said Scoby’s co-manager Daniel Gonzalez. “2024 is going to be an amazing year for him and for OTX Boxing. There is no doubt in my mind that he will move from being a prospect to being a real contender in the loaded super lightweight division.

“Kurt Scoby is one of the best prospects in boxing right now at 140 pounds,” said renowned boxing promoter, Lou Dibella, from NYC. “He’s also an explosive puncher. He had a stellar 2023 and will begin 2024 back on Overtime in a tough contest, on April 19, against an upset-minded Dakota Linger. A win here helps push Scooby further up the world ratings.”




Scoby Stops Carmona in 6

Kurt Scoby remained undefeated with a sixth round stoppage over Narcisco Carmona in a eight-round junior welterweight bout at The Overtime Arena in Atlanta.

In round six, Scoby started pounding away on Carnona by landing vicious hooks and the fight was stopped at 2:31.

Scoby of New York is 13-0 with 11 knockouts. Carnmona of Spain is 11-1-1.

Shawn McCalman remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Money Powell IV in a super middleweight bout.

McCalman landed 58 of 346 punches. Powell was 58 of 275.

McCalman, 167.2 lbs of Denver won by scores of 79-73 twice and 78-74 and is now 14-0. Powell, 168 lbs of Phoenix City, AL is 13-2.

In a tremendous war that went to the “Overtime” round, Lorenzo Parra II outlasted Javon Woodard in a super bantamweight contest.

In round seven, Woodard started to bleed from his mouth.

Parra landed 261 of 726 punches. Woodard was 207 of 631.

Parra, 122.8 lbs of Machiques, VEN won by scores of 86-85 twice with Woodard winning a card 86-85. Parra is now 23-1. Woodard, 122.6 lbs of Raleigh, NC is 12-2.

LeAnna Cruz remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Maryguenn Vellinga in a flyweight bout.

Cruz landed 88 of 271 punches. Vellinga was 34 of 224.

Cruz, 111.6 lbs of Allentown, PA won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is 6-0. Vellinga, 111.2 lbs of Park City, UT is 4-4-2.

Asa Stevens remained undefeated with a four-round split decision over D’Angelo Hopgood in a super bantamweight fight.

Stevens, 121.7 lbs of Waianae, HI won by scores of 40-36, 39-37 and Hopgood took a card 39-37.

Stevens landed 66 of 205 punches. Hopgood was 67 of. 273.

Stevens is 5-0. Hopgood, 121.2 lbs of Milwaukee is 2-2-1.

Javier Zamarron remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Sabastian Santiago in a featherweight bout.

In round one, Zamarron dropped Santiago with a perfect counter left to the head.

In round four, Zamarron with cut around the right eye,

Zamarron landed 87 of 265 punches. Santiago was 52 of 307.

Zamarron, 128.2 lbs of Milwaukee won by scores of 40-35 on all cards and is now 5-0. Santiago, 128.4 lbs of Cidra, PR is 0-2.




OTX SUMMER BOXING SERIES WEEK THREE SET WITH 6 MARQUEE MATCHUP

OTX – Overtime’s boxing platform – is back in action with a slate of matches featuring some of the most promising next generation fighters, Friday, August 11th at OTE Arena in Atlanta and live on DAZN around the world.

The main event sees undefeated Kurt Scoby (12-0-0) out of Duarte, California facing off against Narciso Carmona (10-0-1) out of Sevilla, Spain in a Super Lightweight fight. Scoby looks to continue his march towards contention, with Carmona looking for the upset at OTE Arena.

In the co-main event, Money Powell (13-1-0) from Hanau, Hessen, Germany will fight Shawn McCalman (13-0-0) out of Aurora, CO. McCalman looks to stay undefeated against the talented Powell in the Super Middleweight division.

Javon Woodard (12-1) out of Raleigh, NC will face the 44-year-old Lorenzo Parra (22-1-0) who has been out of the fight game for decades in the Super Bantamweight bout.

In the Super Flyweight division, Leanna “Bumblebee” Cruz (5-0-0) from Allentown, PA will fight to keep her undefeated record against Maryguenn Vellinga (4-3-2) out of Santaquin, Utah.

Asa Stevens (4-0-0) out of Wainae, Hawaii will fight D’Angelo Hopgood (2-1-0) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the Bantamweight division.

“El Guerito” Javier Zamarron (4-0-0) and Sebastian “The Viper” Santiago (0-1-0) out of Cidra, Puetro Rico will square off in a Super Featherweight duel.

OTX is implementing an Overtime Round. If there is a draw on the judges’ scorecards after the regularly scheduled rounds, there will be an additional “winner takes all” round. This allows the fighter to take their fate into their own hands and for the victory.

To incentivize the fighters, OTX is also offering a unique KO Bonus for every fight on the card. A KO in any round is rewarded, but there is a multiplier effect if the KO is in the first or last round to create a more compelling fight for fans from start to finish. On top of the KO bonuses OTX is opting for an 18×18 ft ring versus the standard 20-22 square foot sizes which means extra action.

All the fights will air exclusively on DAZN. For more information, visit https://otboxing.com/

Fight Week Schedule

Friday, August 18th

7:30 pm                     Doors Open

Javier Zamarron vs. Sebastian Santiago

Weight – 125 lbs / 4 Rounds / 2 min each

Asa Stevens vs. D’Angelo Hopgood

Weight – 115 lbs / 6 Rounds / 3 min each

Leanna Cruz vs. MaryGuenn Vellinga

Weight – 115 lbs / 6 Rounds / 3 min each

Javon Woodard Jr. vs. Lorenzo Parra

Weight – 125 lbs / 6 Rounds / 3 min each

Money Powell vs. Shawn Mccalman

Weight – 170 lbs / 8 Rounds / 3 min each

Kurt Scoby vs. Narciso Carmona

Weight – 140 lbs / 8 Rounds / 3 min each




DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT SIGNS DYNAMIC POWER PUNCHER KURT SCOBY

NEW YORK, NY (June 28, 2023) Tomorrow night, standout prospect Kurt Scoby (11-0, 9 KOs) will enter the ring for the first time since signing a multi-year promotional deal with DiBella Entertainment. Scoby will face Hank Lundy in the eight-round main event at Sony Hall in Times Square, New York City. 

When he steps into the ring on Thursday, among the many eyes who will tune in to see him embark on this next chapter in his career are a multitude of foster parents and additional trainers and mentors that Kurt Scoby has called his village over the course of his 27 years.  

Growing up in Duarte, CA, Scoby endured a hellish childhood, rife with abuse and neglect. He threw himself into sports, becoming a standout in basketball, football, and eventually boxing, craving the mentorship and stability that being an athlete offered. At 12 years old, after one too many close calls at the hands of his family, Scoby entered the foster system, determined to not become a statistic like so many of his peers. 

Scoby would live in 14 different foster homes over the years, sometimes for two weeks, sometimes for two months or more. He would lose his mother, who passed away from Lupus shortly after he entered the system. Much like the proverbial baggage he carried throughout these homes, he rarely unpacked his things, knowing that a move to the next foster home could be minutes away. He would grow to depend heavily on his intuition as he struggled to stay out of trouble, a skill that would come in handy as his boxing career developed.

Throughout his childhood, his coaches kept an eye out for him, particularly Joe Lopez, a football coach who would pick up Scoby from the motel he stayed in to take him to football games at the local college. Lopez considered adopting Scoby, but sadly he lost his life in a motorcycle accident when Scoby was 14. It was yet another tragic loss for the young man, who by now was learning to think with his head and not his heart.

Scoby first stepped into a boxing gym at 10 years old. Fighting in the streets was a way of life for the youngster, and while en route to an after-school brawl, he heard the ding of a boxing bell. His curiosity was piqued. He quickly fell in love with boxing, and would go on to amass an impressive amateur record of 130-20, including a win at the 2019 California Golden Gloves tournament.

In 2017, Scoby’s life changed forever when his daughter, Leo Noelle, was born, giving him a purpose beyond himself, and even more motivation to be successful.

Despite receiving a scholarship to Fresno State University for football as a running back, followed by three years studying criminal justice at Azusa Pacific University, Scoby continued to fight, ultimately leaving football to pursue his boxing career.

In 2020, at the height of the Covid pandemic, Scoby caught a flight to New York City for $11 to begin a new life on the East Coast. He quickly began training out of Brooklyn’s Gleason’s Gym, under the tutelage of head coach Don Saxby, and made his professional debut in September of that year, earning a first-round knockout against Pablo Luna.

In February 2023, he fought on a DiBella Entertainment-promoted event in Topeka, KS, dropping John Mannu twice en route to a second-round knockout, impressing both DiBella and viewers watching Showtime’s “ShoBox” series.

“I am hugely excited about signing Kurt Scoby. He has the talent and punching power to become a star. Everyone will love him as they watch his career progress,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “He is an intelligent, well-spoken young man who has overcome every obstacle that has been put in front of him, while establishing longstanding relationships with everyone that has crossed his path. Scoob looks like a walking, talking action figure and has the charisma and smarts to succeed both inside and outside of the ring. His manager, Daniel Gonzalez, and I will work together to bring Kurt the right opportunities to reach his full potential and become the champion I know he is capable of becoming.”

“There’s no ‘side of the street’ talk when signing with DiBella Entertainment. Lou is a Hall of Fame promoter who has proven that he can make the big fights,” said Scoby. “Signing with DiBella makes all the sense in the world in my mind. I am very excited to work with DBE and am confident that their team, along with my trainers and management, will guide me toward achieving my dreams of being a world titleholder.”

“Lou DiBella and DiBella Entertainment are true professionals in the sport of boxing,” said Scoby’s manager, Daniel Gonzalez, Esq. “I know that, as a team, we will work together to make sure Kurt Scoby has the storied career that we envision for him. Lou’s track record for making boxing stars in New York City is undeniable. We are excited for this partnership and know that Kurt is going to be a force in the 140lb. weight division.”

If sports were a lifeboat during Scoby’s childhood, boxing is now his ship to command. When he begins his journey with DiBella Entertainment this Thursday at Sony Hall, he does it with the support of the village that helped raise him, and the poise and confidence of a fighter who has walked through fire and not only lived, but thrived




THE BURROUGH’S TOP BOXING TALENT FILLS BOXINGINSIDER’S JUNE 29 CARD AT MANHATTAN’S SONY HALL

New York, New York, June 6, 2023 – Undefeated New Yorker Kurt Scoby will face his toughest test to date when he goes up against battle tested and Philly Tough Hammerin’ Hank Lundy in an eight-round super lightweight match-up in the June 29 main event at Sony Hall.

The fiull card, presented by Boxing Insider, will be streamed live, with no paywall, beginning at 7:30, at BoxingInsider.com

Tickets, priced at $95, $125, $200 and $325, are available at Ticketweb here

This edition of Broadway Boxing will also air on SNY on a delayed basis.

The card . . . 

Main Event – 8 Rounds – Super Lightweights

Kurt Scoby, 143.1 lbs. (11-0, 9 KOs) from New York, NY

Hammerin’ Hank Lundy, 139.8 lbs. (31-13, 14 KOs), Philadelphia, PA

8 Rounds – Super Welterweights

Brian Ceballo, 154.8 lbs. (14-1, 7 KOs), Brooklyn, NY

Mitch Louis-Charles, 153.2 lbs (7-3-2, 4 KOs), Quebec, Canada

8 Rounds – Super Lightweights

Terell Bostic, 139.8 lbs. (7-1, 1 KO), Wyandanch, NY

Matthew “Lefty Gunz” Gonzalez, 140.2 lbs. (12-0-1, 8KOs), Ridgewood, NY

6 Rounds – Weltwerweights

Arnold Gonzalez, 150.6 lbs. (11-0, 6 KOs), New York, NY

Alejandro Munera, 146.2 lbs. (8-7-4, 7 KOs), , Medellin, Colombia

Opener – 4 Rounds – Super Featherweights

Raymond “The Scientist” Cuadrado, 130.8 lbs. (7-0, 3 KOs), Ridgewood, NY

Yeuri “Dinamita” Andujar, 131.4 lbs. (5-5-1, 3 KOs), San Cristobal, Dominican Republic