New York, NY (July 31, 2018)–Two members of El Matador Management stable, middleweights Lamar Russ & DeVaun Lee will be featured on the upcoming season of The Contender.

The highly anticipated 12-episode season, from MGM Television and Paramount Television, will premiere on EPIX® on Aug. 24, 2018 at 10 PM ET/PT.

Russ of Wilmington, North Carolina has a record of 17-2 with eight knockouts, while Lee of Queens, New York has a record of 10-3-1 with five knockouts.

DeVaun “Unique” Lee, Age: 30, of Jamaica Queens, N.Y:
When one of his friends was shot and killed at 16, DeVaun “Unique” Lee knew he needed a way out from the mean streets of Queens. Boxing keeps him straight. So do long hours fueling airplanes and caring for his five year old daughter. The real love of his life. Fatherhood and the sport are the motivation to take this NY State Middleweight championship to the next level.

“The Contender will be a good experience for me, and I appreciated to being added to the cast. I will be able to allow the world to learn about who I am and learn about what I do. It will be great to meet new people and learn about their lifestyle as well” said Lee.

Lamar “Omega” Russ, Age: 31, of Wilmington, N.C:
One of four kids raised by a single mom and the first person in his family to graduate college, Lamar “Omega” Russ takes pride in being the underdog, and beneath the loud exterior is a boxer that needs to prove he can put his money where his mouth is. HBO, ESPN and a first round KO on Showtime do all the talking.

“This is an opportunity to create a legacy for my son, and my family. I am a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and we are tight family. I am looking to become the best and show the world that I am the best in the Contender. I am ready and willing to fight anybody they put in front of me. I want to thank my promoter Lou DiBella, my manager Felipe Gomez and The Contender for giving me this great opportunity in life.

“I am excited to have two of my guys on The Contender.” said their manager Felipe Gomez “Both of these fighters not only can fight, but they have an amazing life story to share with the world. This is a great opportunity and can be a life changer for both of my fighter’s career.”

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NEW YORK, N.Y. (December 28th, 2017) – El Matador Management, Inc. signs middleweight contender, Lamar “The Boxing Que” Russ (17-2, 8 KO’s). Felipe Gomez will now be managing the career of Russ, who hails from Wilmington, North Carolina. Gomez will work closely with DiBella Entertainment (Russ’ Promoter) as they jointly look to keep Russ busy, while guiding him toward a world title.

“My team is completed now that I have a manager looking out for my best interest,” said Lamar Russ. “I’m very happy with the direction that my career will be heading now that I have a manager. Felipe Gomez is a reputable guy and is someone I trust. I know he will get the job done managing my career, and I can’t wait to get back in the ring. I am definitely looking forward to my next fight. I would like to thank my family, friends and fans for their continuous support throughout the years. I would also like to shoutout Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. RQQ to all my good brothers!”

“I am extremely happy to be part of Lamar Russ’ team” said Felipe Gomez. “I believe he has all the tools to be a middleweight champion. I have big plans for him and I will work relentlessly with DiBella Entertainment. Russ is a skillful fighter that has punching power. I am happy he decided to join my stable of fighters.”

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New York, NY (5/2/16) – This past Saturday night, DiBella Entertainment saw a trio of its prospects pick up victories on separate cards as Abel Ramos, Dardan Zenunaj and Lamar Russ all added to the win column of their respective records.

Ramos, returning for the first time since his lone loss as a professional at the hands of red-hot undefeated prospect Regis Prograis on ShoBox in December, scored a third-round knockout over Javier Mercado (23-11-2, 21KO’s) in Mexico. The former amateur standout saw his record improve to 15-1-2, 10KO’s, and is set to return later this month in his home state of Arizona, as he looks to gear up for another big fight in the talent-laden 140lb. division.

Like Ramos, Zenunaj (12-1, 9KO’s) also fought on the December ShoBox, when he upset and stopped previously undefeated prospect Bryant Cruz in a thrilling junior lightweight contest. Returning for the first time since career-best victory, Zenunaj pounded out an eight-round decision over tough Mexican Naciff Castillo.

Following a year-and-half layoff, middleweight Lamar Russ scored a devastating one-punch, first-round knockout over former two-time world title challenger Antwun Echols in front of his hometown fans in North Carolina. Russ (16-2, 8KO’s) was involved in a bad car accident in August of 2015, and took off the rest of the year to recover and get himself back into fighting shape. There are many attractive fights to be made in the 160lb. division for the college graduate Russ, who, in 2013, dropped a competitive decision to three-time middleweight world title challenger Matthew Macklin on HBO.

Former Featherweight titlist Elio Rojas won an 8-round unanimous decision over Robert Osiobe in a Super Lightweight bout at BB King’s Blues Club in New York City.

Rojas dominated the fight and Osiobe was docked a point in round 5 for holding.

Rojas, 136.6 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR won by scores of 80-71 twice and 79-72 and is now 24-2. Osiobe, 137.8 lbs of Las Vegas is now 14-10-4.

Bryant Cruz scored a 6-round majority decision over Jose Morales in a Jr. Lightweight bout.

Scores were 60-54, 59-55 and 57-57 for Cruz, 130 lbs of Port Chester, NY and is now 12-0. Morales, 130 lbs of Denver, CO is now 7-6

Louis Cruz got a tough battle but won a 6-round unanimous decision over Cameron Krael in a Super Lightweight bout.

Cruz, 140 lbs of Bronx, NY won by scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 and is now 9-0. Krael, 140 lbs of Las Vegas, NV is 5-6-2.

Junior Younan destroyed Marlon Farr just 26 seconds into their scheduled 4-round Super Middleweight bout.

Younan froze Farr with a left hook and then landed 5 unanswered blows until the bout was stopped.

Younan, 168.2 lbs of Brooklyn is now 6-0 with 5 knockouts. Farr, 167.3 lbs of Zephyrhills, FL is now 4-7.

Rafael Vazquez scored 5th round stoppage over Derrick Wilson in a scheduled 8-round Jr. Featherweight bout.

Vazquez dropped Wilson in round three and the fight was stopped at 1:20 of round round five.

Vazquez, 122.4 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 12-1 with 10 knockouts. Wilson, 122.6 lbs of Ft. Myers, FL is now 10-7-2.

Derrick Findley scored a mild upset as he dropped Lamar Russ twice en route to a 8-round unanimous decision in a Super Middleweight bout.

Findley dropped Russ with a big over hand right in round four. In round six, Findley suffered a grotesque Hematoma but he was able to fight through and drop Russ again in round seven from the same overhand right. Russ for his troubles was deducted a point in the 7th for holding.

Findley, 161.6 lbs of Gary, IN is now 21-13-1. Russ, 162 lbs of Fayetville, NC is now 14-2.

Travis Peterkin remained undefeated with a 6-round unanimous decision over Lamont Williams in a Cruiserweight bout.

Peterkin, 178.6 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won by scores of 60-54 and 59-55 twice and he is now 12-0. Williams, 180 lbs of Sacramento, CA is now 5-5-1.

Jonathan Alonso scored a 3rd round stoppage over Jose Gomez in a scheduled 4-round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Alonso hurt Gomez with a right to the body that crumpled him in the corner and the bout was stopped at 1:52 of round three.

Alonso, 139.4 lbs of Madrid, Spain was making his pro debut. Jose Gomez, 136.6 lbs of Kent, WA is now 3-8.

Photos by Ed Diller / Dibella Entertainment

New York, NY (3/13/14) – Next Friday, DiBella Entertainment’s popular Broadway Boxing series returns to the Aviator Sports and Events Center in Brooklyn, NY, for an exciting eight-bout card. Headlining the card in separate eight-round bouts will be undefeated Brooklyn-native and popular female attraction Heather “The Heat” Hardy (8-0, 2KO’s), “The First Lady” of DBE, and middleweight contender Lamar Russ (14-1, 7KO’s). Hardy is set to square off against Bronx’s Nydia Feliciano (7-4-3) in their female junior featherweight matchup, while Russ takes on upset-minded Tony Hirsch (15-6-2, 6KO’s).

The bout on March 21 will be the first for Russ since suffering his first professional defeat at the hands of three-time world title challenger and top-rated middleweight contender Matthew Macklin. Though Russ took the bout on short notice, he was very competitive throughout. Ultimately, he dropped a 10-round unanimous decision to the much more experienced Macklin, in a bout shown live on HBO. The 27-year-old Russ proved that even with just 14 professional fights, he is able to compete with some of the top middleweights in the world and is looking to get his very promising career back on track with an impressive showing against Hirsch on the March 21. Hirsch is no slouch though, and has been in with a number of top fighters during his 23-fight career. Hirsch holds two victories over previously undefeated prospects and has been stopped only once in his career. He’s gone the distance with 2008 Olympians Shawn Estrada and Demetrius Andrade, who is the current WBO junior middleweight champion.

Hardy is coming off of her first scheduled eight-rounder in her most recent bout when she won an absolute war against Christina Fuentes on February 12, at Roseland Ballroom in NYC. Hardy fought four times in 2013, picking up the UBF international female bantamweight title in the process and is looking to be even busier in 2014 as she closes in on her first world title opportunity. In Feliciano, Hardy will face her toughest opponent to date. The Bronx-native Feliciano has been fighting professionally since 2009 and is a former NY State featherweight titlist and International Women’s Boxing Federation bantamweight champion. In 2012, she fought for the IBF bantamweight championship, dropping a 10-round unanimous decision. Feliciano is coming off back-to-back victories, and will be looking to make it three in a row when she takes on the undefeated Hardy.

Returning to action for the third time in just four months since signing with DBE will be hard-hitting light heavyweight Joe Smith (14-1, 11KO’s). The Long Island-native and NY Golden Gloves champion has won eight consecutive fights since his lone professional defeat back in 2010. In that fight, Smith suffered a broken jaw in the fourth-round of his scheduled six-rounder and was unable to continue. Now fighting under the DBE banner, the 24-year-old Smith is looking to steadily move up the ranks of the light heavyweight division. In his way will be battle-tested fellow former New York Golden Gloves champion Newton Kidd (8-8-2, 5KO’s). Despite his record, Kidd will be no pushover for Smith. Kidd has been on the wrong end of many bad decisions during his career, including a split decision loss to former WBA light heavyweight world champion Lou Del Valle. The bout between Smith and Kidd is scheduled for eight rounds in the light heavyweight division.

Another featured bout on the card will see highly regarded junior lightweight Joel Diaz Jr. (14-0, 12KO’s) put his undefeated record on the line against 67-fight veteran Jose Angel Beranza. The 21-year-old Diaz Jr. comes from a family rich in boxing history. His father is renowned boxing trainer and former contender Joel Diaz Sr. (trainer of Timothy Bradley), and he is the nephew of former titlists Antonio and Julio Diaz. A standout amateur before turning pro in 2010, Diaz Jr. has continued to impress with each outing. Eight of Diaz’ 12 career knockouts have come in two rounds or less, with six coming in the very first round.

Fighting in separate bouts on the card are DBE’s former #1-rated U.S. amateurs and now undefeated junior middleweight prospects Patrick Day (6-0-1, 3KO’s) and Christopher “Golden” Galeano (2-0). Both Day and Galeano won national, regional, and NY Golden Gloves championships and are now are two of the bright young stars on the DBE roster. Day is set to square off against Duane King (4-2, 2KO’s) in a six-round junior middleweight matchup, while Galeano, who is co-promoted by 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions, will take on Azamat Umarzade in a scheduled four-round contest.

Also seeing action on the card will be highly regarded former amateur standout Eduardo Alicea (5-0, 3KO’s) who takes on once-beaten knockout artist James Johnson (7-1, 7KO’s) in scheduled six-round middleweight attraction. The 23-year-old Alicea had an astounding amateur career, which saw him compile a 215-16 record on his way to becoming a six-time national champion and winning gold at the 2007 National Junior Olympics in which he was voted the most outstanding fighter by USA Boxing. Like Alicea, Johnson was a successful amateur, winning the 2004 US Amateur Championship before turning pro and reeling off seven consecutive knockout victories. Johnson then dropped a decision to Darnell Boone before stepping away from the ring. Johnson is now looking to throw his name right back into the mix of prospects to watch when he takes on the promising Alicea.

Rounding out the card will be 2011 US Olympic Team Trials silver medalist and the 2012 NY Golden Gloves heavyweight champion Joseph Williams (1-0, 1KO) squaring off against P.J. Cajigas (1-3, 1KO) in a four-round light heavyweight matchup. The Far Rockaway-native Williams got a late start to boxing, but has quickly progressed and just missed out on the opportunity to represent the US in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.

Tickets are priced at $125, $85, $65 and $45, and can be purchased by calling the DiBella Entertainment office at (212) 947-2577. For more information, please visit www.dbe1.com
Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, with the first bout scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

ATLANTIC CITY–Guillermo Rigondeaux retained the WBA/WBO Super Bantamweight titles at the Adrian Phillips Ballroom inside of Boardwalk HalL.

Rigondeaux used his superior boxing ability as he places precision shots to the body and flicking jabs to the head of Agbeko.

Scores were 120-108 on all cards for Rigondeaux and is now 13-0. Agbeko is now 29-5.

James Kirkland scored a 6th round stoppage over previously undefeated Glen Tapia in a thrilling Jr. Middleweight fight.

Tapia dominated the first frame as he jumped on Kirkland which thrilled the pro-Tapia crowd. Most of the next five rounds were spent with Kirkland unloading hundreds of flush punches to the head and the body of Tapia. Tapia was getting beat up but he showed an unbelievable heart and only god knows what was keeping him standing. Tapia showed short bursts of offense in the beginning of the 4th, 5th and 6th rounds but they were short lived as Kirkland pounded away at Tapia that had blood flying from the nose of Tapia until referee Steve Smoger stopped the bout at 38 seconds of round six.

Kirkland is now 32-1 with 28 knockouts. Tapia is now 20-1.

Matthew Macklin pounded out a ten round unanimous decisioble n over previously undefeated Lamar Russ in a Middleweight bout.

Macklin controlled the action with solid ring generalship and he stuck the jab in the taller Russ’face. Macklin landed several hard blows in round nine that had Russ bleeding from the mouth and the defensive as the round ended. Russ came out and threw hard shots in round ten but none of consequence

Matt Korobov remained undefeated by scoring a 9th round stoppage over Derek Edwards in a Middleweight bout.

In round one, a body-head combination made Edwards buckle Korobov continued to pound Edwards to the body and the head for which he had Edwards stumbling into the ropes. Korobov landed a fuselage of shots until he was rocked badly by a hard right from Edwards. Korobov was clarly hurt and even turned his back in an effort to run away but two three more hard shots before the end of the first round. In round two, Korobov landed a hard straight left that sent Edwards sprawling into the ropes for a knockdown. Korobov rocked Edwards once again in round four when he landed a terrific three punch head combination.

Korobov scored a knockdown at the end of round seven from a hard left hand. The two went to war in round eight with Korobov getting the better of the two way action. Korobov ended the night by dropping Edwards in round nine from yet another straight left and referee Steve Smoger stopped the fight immediately at 28 seconds of round nine.

Korobov, 162.8 lbs of Orotukian, RUS is now 22-0 with 13 knockouts. Edwards, 161.8 lbs of Winston Salem, NC is now 26-3-1.

Toka Khan Clary survived two knockdowns and boxed his way to a six round unanimous decision over Ramsey Luna in a Super Featherweight bout featuring undefeated fighters.

Clary was quicker to the punch throughout as he hit and played good defense. In round four, Luna sent Clary down from a right hand and then dropped him again from a body shot. Clary was able to get out of the round and was never threatened the rest of the way.

Clary, 130.2 lbs of Providence, RI won by scores of 57-55 on all cards and is now 9-0-0-1. Luna, 131.2 lbs of Corpus Christi, TX is now 11-1.

Jesse Hart scored an explosive 1st round stoppage over Tyrell Hendrix in a scheduled six round Super Middleweight bout.

Hart rocked Hendrix with an uppercut an opened up with a huge flurry where he drilled Hendrix several more times before referee Steve Smoger stopped the bout at 1:20 of round one.

Hart, 168.2 lbs of Philadelphia is now 11-0 with 10 knockouts. Hendrix, 168.4 lbs of Los Angeles is now 10-3-2-1.

Julian Rodriguez scored a 4 round unanimous decision over Ryan Picou in a Jr. Welterweight bout.

Rodriguez pounded away on Picou in the 1st with blistering combinations. Picou, who was a late replacement tried and landed some shots here and there. Late in round two, Rodriguez continue to rock Picou for the duration of the fight.

Rodriguez, 140.6 lbs of Hasbrouck, NJ won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 2-0. Picou, 140 lbs of Las Vegas is now 0-2.

Egor Mekhontsev made a successful pro debut with a 3 round beat down of Peter Cajigas in a scheduled four round Light Heavyweight bout.

Mekhonstev showed quick hands and hard combinations over the first two rounds. Mekhonstev dropped Cajigas three times in round three all from all hard body shots and referee Steve Smoger stopped the bout at 35 seconds of round three.

Mekhonstev, 177.2 lbs of Asobest, RUS is now 1-0 with 1 knockout. Cajigas, 179.8 lbs of Franklin Park, IL is now 0-3-1.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Guillermo Rigondeaux 121 – Joseph Agbeko 121.6
Lamar Russ 159 – Matthew Macklin 159
Glen Tapia 156 – James Kirkland 155.1
Egor Mekhonsev 177.2 – PJ Catages 179.8
Julian Rodriguez 140.6 – Ryan Piquot 140
Jesse Hart 168.2 – Tyrell Hendrix 168.4
Ramsey Luna 131.2 – Toka Khan Klary 132
Matt Korobov 162.2 – Derek Edwards 161.8
Tramaine Williams 122.6 – Jovanny Fuentes 121.8

HBO’s hit late-night boxing franchise wraps its 2013 slate with the world-class tripleheader HBO BOXING AFTER DARK: GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX VS. JOSEPH AGBEKO, JAMES KIRKLAND VS. GLEN TAPIA AND MATTHEW MACKLIN VS. LAMAR RUSS, presented SATURDAY, DEC. 7 at 9:45 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team of Jim Lampley, Max Kellerman and Andre Ward will be ringside for the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: Dec. 8 (8:30 a.m.) and 9 (11:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Dec. 8 (5:00 p.m.) and 10 (11:30 p.m.)
In the main event, Cuban sensation Guillermo Rigondeaux (12-0, 8 KOs) puts his super bantamweight titles on the line against Joseph Agbeko (29-4, 22 KOs) of Accra, Ghana. After winning two Olympic Gold medals as an amateur, the Miami-based Rigondeaux, 33, has picked apart 122-pounders like no other in his brief pro career. Most recently, he tactically disposed of Nonito Donaire, one of the sport’s elite, scoring a 12-round unanimous decision in a high-profile unification fight. After a year’s layoff, Agbeko, 33, defeated Luis Melendez last March to win a bantamweight title. With notable victories over Luis Perez and Vic Darchinyan also on his resume, he will work to build on his bantamweight success, making his HBO debut in one of the most competitive weight classes.
The co-main event, a junior middleweight bout scheduled for ten rounds, features Glen Tapia (20-0, 12 KOs) of Passaic, NJ, risking his undefeated record against heavy-handed James Kirkland (31-1, 27 KOs) of Austin, Tex. Since July, Tapia, 23, has scored two knockout victories for his third and fourth wins of 2013. Returning to the ring after nearly two years, Kirkland, 29, expects to improve on the 87% victory by knockout rate that once exhilarated sweet science fanatics. His record includes wins over Alfredo Angulo, Carlos Molina, Joel Julio and Brian Vera.
The evening begins with middleweight contenders Matthew Macklin (29-5, 20 KOs) of Birmingham, England, and Lamar Russ (14-0, 7 KOs) of Wilmington, NC in a scheduled ten-round fight. After suffering a third-round knockout defeat to powerhouse Gennady Golovkin in June, Macklin, 31, hopes to return to the form that merited him a shot at a 154-pound title. Building his own convincing case for a title run, Russ, 26, has dominated opponents in 2013, winning by unanimous decision in each of his three fights.
Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.
All HBO boxing events are presented in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.
The executive producer of HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is Rick Bernstein; producer, Dave Harmon; director, Doug Getts.

ATLANTIC CITY (November 13, 2013) — Undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) / World Boxing Organization (WBO) 122-pound world champion and Cuban sensation GUILLERMO “El Chacal” RIGONDEAUX returns to the ring fresh from his career-best victory. Rigondeaux will be bidding for Fighter of the Year honors when he defends his unified titles against former two-time world champion JOSEPH “King Kong” AGBEKO, Saturday, December 7, at Boardwalk Hall’s Adrian Phillips Ballroom in Atlantic City. The card will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark® beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT. The live telecast will also feature local favorite GLEN “Jersey Boy” TAPIA risking his Top-10 rating and undefeated record in a 10-round junior middleweight battle against knockout artist JAMES KIRKLAND and three-time world title challenger MATTHEW MACKLIN in a 10-round middleweight rumble against undefeated contender LAMAR RUSS.

These six gladiators boast a combined record of 135-10, 96 KOs — a winning percentage of 93% and a victory by knockout ratio of 71%.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Caesars Atlantic City, Caribe Promotions, SMS Promotions, DiBella Entertainment and Tecate, tickets to the Rigondeaux vs. Agbeko world championship event go on sale Tomorrow! Thursday, November 14, at Noon ET. Priced at $200, $100. $50 and $25, plus applicable service charges, tickets can be purchased at Boardwalk Hall box office, all Ticketmaster locations and online at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call 800-736-1420.

“After a brilliant performance against Nonito Donaire, Rigondeaux puts his extraordinary skills to test on December 7 against Joseph Agbeko,” said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank. “This bout epitomizes the contrast of style of slick boxer versus brawler. Which style will prevail?”

“On December 7, fans will see some of the fight game’s purest boxing and punching at its most distilled,” says Peter Nelson, director of programming, HBO Sports. “The Boardwalk in Atlantic City is the perfect home for three such intriguing match-ups.”

“I’m very excited to get back in the ring,” said Rigondeaux. “Joseph Agbeko is a great champion, and I believe all fans will be pleased with the type of performance we will both exhibit to end a great year of boxing. I believe Agbeko will come prepared, ready to engage and be very aggressive. We will both showcase our skills, and I am very pleased to have the opportunity to end 2013 the way I opened it up, with surprise and pure boxing class for the world to see. I would like to thank HBO, my promoters Top Rank and Caribe promotions, my manager Gary Hyde, advisor Alex Bornote, trainers Ramon Garbey, Joel Casamayor, Pedro Luis, and all those that have a part in making this fight happen.”

“This is going to be a great fight. I’m extremely motivated. I plan to make my country proud by becoming world champion again after I defeat Rigondeaux,” declared Agbeko.

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity my whole life. Now that it’s here it’s time for me to show the world that I’m here to stay. This is just the beginning,” said Tapia.

“Tapia hasn’t fought anyone near my level. I’m going for the knockout,” said Kirkland.

“I am looking forward to getting back in the ring and back to my winning ways,” said Macklin. “I’ve seen a few of Russ’ fights and he’s very sharp, very skilled and he’s always in exciting fights as am I. This should be a great fight for the fans both in Atlantic City and those watching on HBO. A big win against Lamar will set me up nicely for a big 2014.”

“This is great opportunity for me and my team,” said Russ. “I want it to be known to the fans and to Macklin that on December 7th I am coming to fight and I am coming to win.”

“We are delighted that Joseph Agbeko has stepped up to the plate by challenging Rigo for his WBA and WBO world titles and we are looking forward to putting on a “master class performance” against little Joe December 7th,” said Gary Hyde, Rigondeaux’s manager.

“Joseph Agbeko is a great warrior in the tradition of African fighters like Azumah Nelson. He’s coming for the title and plans to lay it all on the line. He’s a legitimate danger to Rigondeaux,” said Frank Espinoza, Agbeko’s manager.

“I’d like to thank Top Rank and HBO for giving Glen this opportunity,” said Tapia’s manager Pat Lynch. “I know it’s something he’s worked really hard for. It’s going to be a great fight and Glen will not disappoint his fans on December 7.”

“Kirkland brings all-out aggression into the ring. He’s strong, powerful and exciting,” said Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, of SMS Promotions.

“Macklin-Russ should be a barnburner between two fighters who can bang,” said Lou DiBella, Macklin’s promoter. “The fight means so much to both boxers that it can’t help but be a good one and we are happy that it is on such a high quality card in Atlantic City.”

“We know that Russ will come to fight but we are very confident in Matt’s skills and experience and know those two assets will put us back into the win column,” said Macklin’s advisor Anthony Catanzaro.

“Caesars Atlantic City’s commitment to sponsoring some of the top sporting events on the East Coast is no more evident than with this December 7th HBO triple header set for historic Boardwalk Hall,” said Kevin Ortzman, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Caesars, Bally’s, and Showboat Atlantic City. “As a boxing fan, I’m particularly looking forward to the Tapia v. Kirkland bout. Given Tapia’s New Jersey roots and his quick growing reputation as an up and comer, this match already possesses a great storyline and will certainly be a high energy affair.”

Rigondeaux (12-0, 8 KOs), of Miami, Fla., returns to the ring after unifying the titles by defeating 2012 Fighter of the Year Nonito Donaire on April 13 at a sold-out Radio City Music Hall in New York. Rigondeaux thoroughly dominated Donaire via a unanimous decision victory, ending his 12-year, 30-bout winning streak, as well as claiming his WBO junior featherweight title. Rigondeaux had a stellar amateur career, winning Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2000, World Amateur Championship titles in 2005 and 2001, and Pan American Games gold medals in 2005 and 2003, all at 119 pounds, before defecting from Cuba and embarking on a professional career which began in Miami in 2009. In only his seventh professional fight where both fighters scored knockdowns, Rigondeaux captured the WBA interim super bantamweight title, winning a tough split decision over the vastly more experienced former world champion Ricardo Cordoba in 2010. After successfully defending the interim title in 2011 with a first-round knockout of previously undefeated former European super bantamweight champion Willie Casey, Rigondeaux won the WBA world super bantamweight championship with a sixth-round knockout of previously undefeated defending champion Rico Ramos on January 20, 2012. Rigondeaux has successfully defended that title thrice since then, blasting once-beaten Teon Kennedy in the fifth round, which included Kennedy suffering five knockdowns en route to the loss, and winning a dominant unanimous decision over once-beaten contender Roberto Marroquin last year, on June 9 and September 15, respectively, and Donaire in their April title unification fight.

Before moving up to the junior featherweight division, Agbeko (29-4, 22 KOs), of Accra, Ghana, was one of the dominant forces of the bantamweight division. He captured his first International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight title just one month removed from his U.S. debut, on September 29, 2007, knocking out defending champion Luis Perez in the seventh round, ending Perez’s seven-year winning streak. Agbeko successfully defended the title twice, winning decisions over William Gonzalez and Vic Darchinyan, before losing it to Yonnhy Perez in October 2009. Agbeko avenged that loss and reclaimed the title in their rematch 15 months later. His second reign ended in his first defense, August 2011, a majority decision loss to Abner Mares, who also won the rematch in December of that same year. After taking over a year off, Agbeko returned to the ring last March 22, and defeated Luis Melendez to capture the IBO bantamweight title. Agbeko will be training with Roger Mayweather for his upcoming world title challenge.

Tapia (20-0, 12 KOs), of Passaic, NJ, will be fighting for the fifth time this year, only the second time he has fought this much in a calendar year. And why not? Tapia has starched three of the four opponents he has faced so far this year, with the highlight being his nationally-televised eighth-round knockout of undefeated Abie Han, in July, to capture the vacant NABO junior middleweight title. He returns to the ring fresh from knocking out Elco Garcia in the fifth round on September 28, in Atlantic City. Tapia is currently world-rated No. 9 and No. 10, by the WBO and IBF, respectively.

Promoted by rap star 50 Cent’s SMS Promotions, Kirkland (31-1, 27 KOs), of Austin, TX, returns to the ring after a 21-month hiatus spent dealing with legal issues. The two-fisted wrecking machine has acquired 11 of his last 12 victories by knockout dating back to 2007 and his victory by knockout ratio is an incredible 87%. Prominent victories on his resume include Alfredo Angulo, Carlos Molina, Joel Julio and Bryan Vera.

Macklin (29-5, 20 KOs), of Birmingham, England, has collected Irish, British and European middleweight and junior middleweight titles since making his pro debut in 2001. His steady rise up the ratings matched by his impressive victories earned him his first title shot, against WBA middleweight titlist Felix Sturm in 2011, in the defending champion’s backyard, Cologne, Germany. Macklin took it to Sturm from the opening bell but came up short on the judges’ scorecards, losing a split decision that many observers thought reeked of “home cooking” in favor of the out-gunned Sturm His performance earned him two more title fights, against middleweight champions Sergio Martinez and Gennady Golovkin, losing to both by stoppage.

Russ (14-0, 7 KOs), of Wilmington, NC, has twice served as WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin’s lead sparring partner in previous training camps. Career highlights include spectacular back-to-back knockout victories over Jose Alonzo and Jonathan Cepeda, who boasted a combined record of 25-0 when Russ fought them in 2012. A graduate of Fayetteville State University with a degree in Business Administration, Russ has taken care of business in 2013 winning all three bouts by unanimous decision.

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According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, undefeated Lamar Russ will step in for the injured Willie Nelson and face former world title challenger Matthew Macklin on December 7th in Atlantic City on HBO.

“This is a huge step up for the kid [Russ] but he really wants the opportunity,” said Lou DiBella, who promotes Russ and Macklin. “I think it’s a huge step up for Lamar, but he’s a terrific prospect and obviously we’ll see if he is ready for this kind of fight. He’s certainly a good young fighter. He doesn’t have the experience or the seasoning that Matt has, but he’s talented and he’s new blood in the division, and I know he will try. Matt welcomed the challenge and was willing to fight him. He knows he is fighting a hungry fighter.”

“I give Macklin respect for taking Russ, an unknown but hungry guy,” DiBella said. “And you have to respect Russ to taking this huge step up because he wants to fight on HBO. I give [Russ manager] Egis Klimas major props also for taking the fight. His attitude is that fighters fight and if you’re offered an opportunity you take it, because the worst that happens is you do your best and can’t pull it off. If Russ performs well, even if he loses, with only 14 fights, it won’t hurt him.”