Elijah Pierce won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jose Samartin in a super bantamweight bout at the OTX Arena in Atlanta.

In round four, Pierce dropped Samartin with a body shot, but was ruled a slip.

Pierce, 122 lbs of Atlanta via Oklahoma City won by scores of 99-91 and 97-93 twice and is now 19-2. Samartin, 121.8 lbs of Barranquilla, COL is 35-9-1.

Brandon Adams punched his way into finals of the OTX Junior Middleweight tournament with a 10-round unanimous decision over Francisco Veron.

In round one, Veron began to bleed from the nose.

Adams, 154 lbs of Watts, CA won by scores of 98-91, 96-93 and 95-94 and is now 25-3. Veron, 153.6 lbs of Buenos Aires, ARG is 14-1-1.

In the first semi-final of the OTX Junior Middleweight Tournament, Andreas Katzourakis won a 10-round split-decision over Robert Terry.

Katzourakis, 154 lbs of Houston via Athens, GRE won by scores of 98-92 twice, while Terry took a card card by a 98-93 score.

Katzourakis is now 14-0. Terry, 152 lbs of Jersey City, NJ is 12-1-1.

Maliek Montgomery stopped former interim world champion Oscar Escandon in round two of their eight-round lightweight bout/

In round two, Montgomery dropped Escandon with a hard combination to the body and the fight was stopped at 1:39.

Montgomery of Macon, GA is 19-0 with 17 knockouts. Escandon of Colombia is 27-8.

Donte Layne remained perfect with his fourth first-round stoppages in as many bouts as he took out Noah Kidd in a four-round super middleweight bout,

In round one, Layne dropped Kidd with a left hook to the jaw and a little right inside and Kidd did not beat the count at 1:52

Layne, 167.2 lbs of New York is 4-0 with four-knockouts. Kidd, 168 lbs is now 8-11.

Gustavo River Rios won a six-round unanimous decision over Carlos Dos Samtos Rocha in a lightweight bout.

In round one, Rocha dropped Rivera with a hard right hand. In round two, River dropped Rocha with a combination that was punctuated by a body shot in the corner.

Rios, 133 lbs of Houston won by scores of 58-54 on all cards and is now 10-1. Rocha, 132.8 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 3-6.

Raiko Santana won a split decision over Lorenzo Simpson when he won two of the three rounds in the overtime round. The fight was even ater eight-rounds.

Santana, 167,5 lbs of Cuba is 11-4. Simpson, 167.2 lbs of Baltimore 14-2.

Maliek Montgomery scored a eight-round unanimous decision over former two-time world title challenger in a junior lightweight bout.

Montgomery dropped Juarez with a powerful left hook in round eight.

Montgomery, 130.2 lbs of Macon, GA won by scores of 80-71 twice and 79-72 and is now 18-0. Juarez, 131 lbs of Mexico City is 29-16.

Tiara Brown earned a WBC Mandatory Featherweight world title opportunity with a 10-round unanimous decision over former world champion Gabriela Bouvier.

Brown, 126 lbs of Fort Myers, FLA

Casey Dixon remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Gerald McClellan Jr. in a light heavyweight bout.

In round one, Dixon scored a knockdown when he landed a left inside that was followed by a right that sent McClellan on a knee.

Dixon, 175.6 lbs of East Atlanta won by scores of 39-36 twice and 38-37 and is now 5-0. McClellan, 177 lbs of Milwaukee is 6-2.

Donte Layne scored his third consecutive first round stoppage as he destroyed Montrel James in the opening round of their foiur-round super middleweight bout.

Towards the end of the opening frame, Layne landed a huge right hook that sent James crashing first-first on the canvas and the fight was stopped at 2:52.

Layne, 167.2 lbs of Elmont, NY is 3-0 with three knockouts. James, 167.4 lbs of Saint Louis is 2-12.

HOLLYWOOD, FLA–IBF #10 Luis “King Kong” Ortiz 33-2(28KO) kept his name in the top Heavyweight conversation with big over IBF #2 Charles Martin 28-3-1 (25KO) at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Martin former IBF heavyweight champion dropped Ortiz in round one and four, but round six was all Ortiz when he let his hands go in a fist of fury to drop Martin twice on the way to his TKO Victory.  Ortiz has been a fixture atop heavyweight rankings for years, with his only defeats coming in memorable contests against former longtime heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. Official Time was 1:37 Round 6.

FRANK SANCHEZ REMAINS UNBEATEN WITH A DECISION WIN OVER HAMMER

Canelo Alverez was on hand to watch his stablemate Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sanchez 20-0 (13KO) go to work in his heavyweight showdown against war-tested Christian Hammer 26-9 (16KO). Sanchez dropped Hammer in the final frame on his way to a shutout, with all the cards reading 100-89.  In comparison, Luis Ortiz nor Alexander Povetkin was able to stop Hammer but he was stopped by Tyson Fury in 2015 and Hugie Fury in October (retired due to a bicep injury.). 

JONNIE RICE BEATS MICHAEL COFFIE AGAIN

Heavyweight Jonnie Rice 15-6-1 (10KO) outlasted Michael Coffie 12-2(9KO) for his second upset in a row. In a slow-paced 10 round flightThis was a rematch from his upset win in July when Coffie was stopped by Rice in the 5th.

The cards read 97-93 twice and 99-91.

Demirezen Stops Washington in 8

The heavyweight action continued at the Seminole Hard Rock & Casino with Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen 15-1(12KO) stopping Gerald Washington 20-5-1(13KO) in the eighth round.  Demirezen hunted Washington from the opening bell, it was an effort of hard work and “chopping of the tree” as they say, until 0:29 of the eighth when referee Frank Santore Jr halted the action in round 8. Washington was stopped by Charles Martin last year and before that, Adam Kownacki, Jarrell Miller, and Deontay Wilder.

Faust stops Kiladze in 2 Round Classic

The main card started with bombs and fireworks with Heavyweights Viktor Faust 9-0 (7KO) and Iago Kiladze 27-6-1(19KO) who put on an instant classic in an absolute 2 round war. 

Five total knockdowns, In round one Faust dropped Kiladze, then Kiladze returned the favor and dropped Faust then Faust was dropped Kiladze for a second time in round one.  The fireworks continued immediately in round two when Kiladze dropped Faust and then Faust came right back and dropped Kiladze, during the count referee Sam Burgos saw concern and waved off the fight, a very unpopular decision to the crowd. Officially a TKO2 win for Faust. What a fight!

Frank “The Ghost” Martin dropped Romero Duno 24-3 (19KO) twice with big straight left hands in the fourth for a TKO win improving his impressive record to 15-0 (11KO). After the fight, Martin put the top of the lightweight division on notice. “We right here we don’t need no time, we are ready for whoever, anyone in the top 5, We could do Devin Haney.”

The 26-year-old southpaw Martin is originally from Detroit and now trains in the Dallas area under the guidance of top trainer Derrick James and alongside unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.

In a slugfest of two unbeaten Cuban Heavyweights southpaws, former Olympian Lenier Pero 6-0 (3KO), outworked Geovany Bruzon 6-1 (5KO) in an 8 round battle.  The cards read 78-74 and 77-75.  Great matchup of two young undefeated fighters.

Former 2 time national Golden Glove Champion junior lightweight Maliek Montgomery improved to 12-0 (11KO) while stopping Angel Luna 14-9,  at 1:59 in the 3rd.

Welterweight Alayn Limonta moved his record to a perfect 4-0(4KO) with a 4th round TKO over Ray Barlow 5-2 (3KO)

In another slugfest of unbeaten heavyweights Steven Torres 5-0-1(5KO) and James Evans 4-0-1(4KO), battled for 4 hard rounds, often testing the others’ chins with big right hands.  In the end, the cards read 40-36 for Torres, 39-37 Evans, and 38-38 resulting in a split draw.

Light heavyweight Atif Oberlton 5-0 (5KO) dropped Ernest Amuzu 26-6 (22KO) in the first round and kept the pressure on until 2:59 of round 2 when Amuzu’s corner called an end to the fight to save their fighter.

In an action packed war, Maliek Montgomery won a 10-round unanimous decision over Aleem Jumakhonov in a featherweight battle in Bakersfield, California.

The two banged away on the inside, landing heavy shots. Montgomery landed many more and some thudding shots that swelled the left eye of Jumakhonov.

Montgomery landed 339 of 973 punches; Jumakhonov was 185 of 864.

Montgomery, 126 lbs of Macon, GA won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 and is now 11-0. Jumakhonov, 125 lbs of Resada, CA is 9-4-2.

Juarez Decisions Lopez

Omar Juarez won a eight-round unanimous decision over Jairo Lopez in super lightweight fight.

In round five, Juarez landed a big right that sent Lopez to a knee.

Juarez landed 195 of 557 punches; Lopez was 103 of 466.

Juarez, 142 lbs of Brownsville, TX won by scores of 80-71, and 79-72 twice and is now 12-1. Lopez, 141 lbs of Nuvo Leon, MEX is 23-14.

Barrientes Decisions Torres

Angel Barrientes won a six-round unanimous decision over Victor Torres in a super bantamweight fight.

In round three, Barrientes began to bleed from the nose.

Barrientes landed 118 of 344 punches; Torres was 60 of 344.

Barrientes, 121.4 lbs of Las Vegas, NV won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 6-1. Torres, 121.6 lbs of Modesto, CA is 7-9-1.

NEWARK, N.J. (July 27, 2021) – Rising unbeaten heavyweight Michael Coffie will face Jonathan Rice in the main event of FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes, this Saturday, July 31 from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Coffie was originally scheduled to face former title challenger Gerald Washington, who was forced to withdraw after a positive COVID-19 test.

The FOX broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will also see James Martin battle welterweight prospect and New Jersey-native Vito Mielnicki Jr. in an eight-round rematch in the co-main event and unbeaten prospect Joey Spencer take on Dan Karpency in an eight-round showdown.

At 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT following the FOX broadcast will be FS1 PBC Fight Night topped by veteran contender and Olympic bronze medalist Andre Dirrell competing for the second time at light heavyweight as he faces Philadelphia’s Christopher Brooker in a 10-round fight. The FS1 telecast also features unbeaten featherweight prospect Maliek Montgomery dueling Ángel Contreras in a 10-round attraction and top welterweight prospect Paul Kroll squaring off against Justin DeLoach in a 10-round showdown.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com.

The non-televised undercard will feature unbeaten Patterson, New Jersey-native Norman Neely (8-0, 7 KOs) in a six-round heavyweight attraction against Texas’ Juan Torres (6-3-1, 3 KOs), Philadelphia-born super lightweight contender Karl Dargan (19-1, 9 KOs) battling Los Angeles-native Ivan Delgado (13-3-2, 6 KOs) in an eight-round attraction, Maryland’s Keeshawn Williams (7-0-1, 2 KOs) taking on Missouri’s Noah Kidd (6-3-2, 5 KOs in a six-round welterweight tilt and Newark’s own Michael Anderson (20-3-1, 14 KOs) in a six-round welterweight bout facing Tennessee’s DeMarcus Rogers (14-3-1, 5 KOs).

Rounding out the night of action is Denville, New Jersey’s Nicky Vitone looking to remain unbeaten in a four-round welterweight fight against Jordan Rosario, unbeaten Philadelphia-born prospect Quadir Albright taking on Jared Tallent in a six-round super welterweight tilt and the pro debut of Avenel, New Jersey’s Malik Nelson in a four-round super featherweight duel versus Alejandro Ramirez.

A Marine Corps veteran who picked up boxing after returning from overseas, Coffie (12-0, 9 KOs) quickly impressed in amateur tournaments enough to earn sparring assignments with Deontay Wilder and Adam Kownacki. The 35-year-old was born in the Bronx, but now trains in Orlando, Florida. Coffie broke through in 2020 by stopping previously unbeaten Luis Pena in the fifth round of their August matchup before earning a TKO over Joey Abell in November. Coffie added a highlight-reel knockout over previously unbeaten Darmani Rock in January of this year.

Born in South Carolina and now fighting out of Los Angeles, Rice (13-6-1, 9 KOs) won six of seven fights from 2018 through 2019. The 34-year-old will look to bounce back from a pair of losses in 2020 against unbeatens Efe Ajagba and Demsey McKean. In a pro career that dates back to 2014, the blemishes on Rice’s records have all come against previously unbeaten fighters as he looks to offer a stiff test to the so far undefeated Coffie.

An accomplished veteran contender in the 168-pound division, Dirrell (34-2-1, 25 KOs) returns to the ring for the second time at light heavyweight after a successful debut in December 2021 in which he knocked out Juan Ubaldo Cabrera in round five. The Flint, Michigan native and brother of two-time champion Anthony, Dirrell won a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics and lost narrow decisions in world title fights against Carl Froch and James DeGale. Dirrell will be opposed by the 30-year-old Philadelphia-native Brooker (16-7, 6 KOs), who has scored a pair of victories so far in 2021. Prior to those two triumphs, Brooker’s previous two outings saw him drop a June 2019 contest to Michael Seals and defeat Lanell Bellows in September 2018.

The 25-year-old Montgomery (10-0, 10 KOs) turned pro in 2017 after an impressive amateur career that included two national Golden Gloves titles and victories over recognizable names such as Edgar Berlanga, Keeshawn Williams and Joseph Adorno, to name a few. The Macon, Georgia born fighter has stopped all 10 of his opponents inside of the distance in his pro career to date. He will face the 27-year-old Contreras (10-4-2, 6 KOs), who most recently fought unbeaten prospect Jalan Walker to a draw in April. The Monterrey, Mexico native’s previous outing had seen him drop a narrow split-decision against super bantamweight contender Ramon Cardenas in February.

A decorated U.S. amateur from the fighter-rich city of Philadelphia, Kroll (8-0, 6 KOs) turned pro in August 2018 with a first-round stoppage of DeAngelo Alcorn. The 26-year-old ended his first four fights inside of two rounds before going the distance and beating then unbeaten Shinard Bunch in August 2019. Most recently, Kroll’s 2020 campaign saw him score a TKO victory over Marcel Rivers in January and a unanimous decision over Luke Santamaria on FS1 in October. He will be opposed by DeLoach (19-5, 10 KOs), who will look to return to the win column after dropping his last contest to unbeaten welterweight Eimantas Stanionis in November. The 27-year-old from Augusta, Georgia put together an impressive run in 2017, defeating three-straight unbeaten fighters in Dillon Cook, Junior Castillo and Domonique Dolton, before knocking out Christopher Pearson in 2017.

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