New York, NY (October 20, 2022) – Banquet. Booze. Boxing. Broadway Boxing returns to New York City Thanksgiving week and DiBella Entertainment is pulling out all the stops with dinner, full bar, and world-class professional boxing in an intimate environment. On Tuesday, November 22, International Boxing Hall-of-Famer Lou DiBella hosts a night of entertainment, drinking and gourmet food from the famous Edison Ballroom.

The 117^th edition of the longest-running grassroots boxing series will be headlined by rising junior welterweight contender “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (18-0-1, 8 KOs) and Brooklyn’s former world title challenger Mikkel “Slikk Mikk” LesPierre (22-3-1, 10 KOs), in a crossroads battle that will determine the future of both men. The two Broadway Boxing veterans have fought on the series 20 times between them.

Top undefeated American heavyweight prospect, Stephan “Big Shot” Shaw (17-0, 13 KOs), co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Top Rank, will be featured in the co-main event. On his march toward a world title shot, the heavy-handed Shaw has knocked out seven of his last eight opponents, appearing on widely visible platforms, such as ESPN, NBC Sports Net and UFC Fight Pass.

“It’s been too long since we’ve had a Broadway Boxing on Broadway,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “On November 22, we’re going to celebrate the return of our storied series to our city and we’re going to party during Thanksgiving week. Williams versus LesPierre is a tremendous main event between two fighters who have built their careers on Broadway Boxing. New York fight fans will also get to see heavyweight sensation Stephan Shaw in an incredible intimate setting before he returns on ESPN early next year.”

This exclusive event will sell out fast. Tables of 10 and individual seats at various levels are available now by calling (212) 947-2577. VIP, Platinum, Gold tables, and VIP ringside seats, include dinner and open bar. Other ringside patrons can sample a buffet dinner with drink tickets available for purchase. A limited number of General Admission tickets without dinner are also available.

Since its inception in 2003, Broadway Boxing has featured many boxing luminaries and world champions, including George Kambosos Jr., Bakhodir Jalolov, Vitali Klitschko, Gennady Golovkin, Sergio Martinez, Jose Pedraza, Amanda Serrano, Heather Hardy, Andre Berto, and Paulie Malignaggi.

A stacked undercard featuring heavyweight sluggers, top rated women and local favorites will be announced in the coming days.

NEW YORK–Top-10 Heavyweight Michael Hunter scored a sensational fourth round stoppage over Mike Wilson in a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

In round four, Hunter uncorked a crushing right to the face that put Wilson on the deck. The punch opened up cuts on the face of Wilson. Wilson got up at the count of nine, but the fight was rightfully stopped at

Hunter, 217 1/4 lbs of Las Vegas is 20-1-1 with 14 knockouts. Wilson, 224 1/4 lbs of Medford, OR is 21-2.

Former world champion Chris Algieri won a 10-round unanimous decision over former world title challenger Mikkel LesPierre in a junior welterweight bout.

Algieri landed 242 of 609 punches; LesPierre was 142 of 430.

Algieri, 142 3/4 lbs of Huntington, NY won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91 and is now 25-3. LesPierre, 144 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 22-3-1.

Aponte stops Gonzalez in 2

Aaron Aponte destroyed Gerardo Gonzalez in round two of a scheduled four-round junior welterweight bout.

In round one, Aponte dropped Gonzalez with a hard straight right. In round two, Aponte dropped Gonzalez with a blistering combination, and the fight was stopped at 30 seconds.

Aponte, 139 3/4 lbs of Hialiah Gardens, FL is 4-0 with two knockouts. Gonzalez, 138 3/4 lbs of Las Vegas is 2-1.

Highly decorated amateur Christina Cruz made her long-awaited pro debut in the flyweight division winning a spirited four-round decision over Indeya Smith, (1-3-1, 1 KO), of Dallas, TX. The New York City native Cruz was victorious by majority decision scores of 40-36, 39-37 and 38-38.

Undefeated light-heavyweight prospect Matthew Tinker, (7-0, 6 KOs), of Yorkshire, UK stopped Utica, New York’s Michael Rycraft, (4-2-1, 3 KOs) by technical knockout. Following two rounds of one-way traffic from Tinker, Rycraft’s corner stopped the bout before the third stanza started.

Fighting in the heavyweight division, Brooklyn’s Robert Sabbagh improved to 3-0 with a four-round unanimous decision over Cleveland Billingsley III, (3-6, 3 KOs), of Chattanooga, TN. Scores for the impressive victory over the valiant Billingsley were 40-36 twice and 39-37.

Opening the show in a tremendous battle of undefeated super welterweight prospects, Guido Schramm, (12-0-1, 8 KOs), of Los Angeles, CA won a six-round unanimous decision over Nikoloz Sekhniashvili, (7-1, 5 KOs), of Gori, Georgia. Scores for the fight which featured excellent two-way action throughout were 59-55, 58-56 and 58-55 for Schramm as both combatants raised their stock.

New York, New York (August 2, 2021)-Former WBO World Champion, and Long Island native, CHRIS ALGIERI (24-3 9KO’s) returns to the ring for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, against fellow New Yorker, Brooklyn’s, MIKKEL LESPIERRE (22-2-1 10KO’s) over 10-rounds at the Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden.

This all-New York battle takes place on the undercard of Michael Hunter vs Mike Wilson heavyweight bout, and will be aired on Triller Fight Club and FITE.TV. Algieri-LesPierre is promoted by DiBella Entertainment in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.

Chris Algieri won the WBO Super Lightweight World Title in 2014 in a thrilling fight at the Barclays Center against RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV that saw Algieri come back after being downed twice in the first round, with one eye completely shut, to upset Provodnikov for the championship of the world. Algieri would go on to challenge legend MANNY PACQUAIO in Macao China, and then return to New York to face the likes of AMIR KHAN and ERROL SPENCE JR.

Algieri has fought and won his previous two bouts at The Hulu Theatre at MSG, first defeating Star Boxing stablemate and fellow New Yorker, DANNY “EL GALLO” GONZALEZ (on 1/18/19) by unanimous decision in a competitive bout on DAZN, followed by a dominating victory over British fan-favorite, TOMMY COYLE (on 6/1/19), as Coyle could not come off the stool for the 8th round. In the midst of campaigning for another world title at super lightweight, everything was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but now, Algieri refocuses, preparing for another march to the top of the division.

Opposing Algieri, is Trinidad and Tabago born, Brooklyn raised southpaw, Mikkel LesPierre. LesPierre made a name for himself on the undercard of Star Boxing’s current WBO Light Heavyweight World Champion JOE SMITH JR. – DMITRY BIVOL main event, when he challenged MAURICE HOOKER for the WBO Super Lightweight World Title. While falling short, LesPierre earned the respect of fans everywhere, taking Hooker the full 12-rounds. During the day, LesPierre is a data specialist in the ENT department at Mt. Sinai Hospital.

This bout has major implications for both Algieri and LesPierre, as a victory over the other will bring the victorious fighter one step closer to another world title challenge. Both men are set to tip the scales today at 1PM at MSG ahead of tomorrows fight night. Tune in to Algieri-Lespierre LIVE tomorrow night at 7PM ET on FITE.TV – order HERE.

The Archives: Chris Algieri
The Archives: Chris Algieri

Former two-division world champion Jose Pedraza won a 10-round unanimous decision over former world title challnger Mikkel Lespierre in a junior welterweight bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas,

In round one, LesPierre began to bleed from his nose. Pedraza was dominant early. In round five, LesPierre was credited with a knockdown when a left hit an off-balanced Pedraza. Seconds later, Pedraza landed a big right that was followed by a left that sent LesPierre to the deck. After the round, referee Kenny Bayless went to the replay, and ruled that the knockdown by LesPierre was ruled a slip as the feet got tangled.

In round nine, LesPierre was bleeding over the right eye. In round 10, Pedraza knocked LesPierre with a jab.

Pedraza outlanded LesPierre 168-69.

Pedraza, 143.9 lbs of Cidra, PR won by scores of 100-88 and 99-89 twice and is now 27-3. LesPierre, 143.5 lbs of Brooklyn is 22-2-1.

“Mikkel was a tough opponent, but I stuck to my game plan. I wanted the knockout, but he stayed strong in there. I give him a lot of credit,” Pedraza said. “I would like to fight any of the world champions, but we have to see what happens next. I proved I belong with the top guys in the 140-pound division.”

Albert Bell remained perfect by winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Mark Bernaldez in a junior lightweight fight.

Bell outlanded Bernaldez 125-46.

Bell, 133 lbs of Toledo, OH won by scores of 100-90 on all cards, and is now 17-0. Bernaldez, 132 lbs of General Santos City, PHL is 20-4.

Elvis Rodriguez remained undefeated with a 1st round stoppage over Danny Murray in a scheduled six-round junior welterweight bout.

Rodriguez landed a jab right on the eye that sent Murray through the ropes, and the fight was stopped at 2:13.

Rodriguez, 140.2 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 7-0-1 with all wins coming by knockout. Murray, 139.2 lbs of Lanoka Harbor, NJ is 5-4.

Two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner Robeisy Ramirez avenged his disappointing pro debut by winning a six-round unanimous decision in a featherweight bout.

Ramirez was quicker and landed more blows. Gonzalez had swelling over his right eye in round five.

Ramirez outlanded Gonzales 62-55.

Ramirez, 125.1 lbs of Cienfuehos, CUB won by scores of 60-54 on all cards, and is now 4-1. Gonzales, 125.4 lbs of Denver is 5-3-2.

In round three, Ibeh began to bleed from the nose

Kingsley Ibeh won his 2nd fight in seven days as he won a six-round majority decision over previously undefeated Patrick Mailata in a heavyweight fight.

Ibeh outlanded Francis 86-75

Ibeh, 284.1 lbs of Phoenix, AZ won by scores of 58-56 twice and 57-57 and is now 5-1. Mailata, 284 lbs of South Auckland, NZ is 4-1.

Jose Enrique Vivas won a ten-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Carlos Jackson in a featherweight fight.

Vivas, 125.9 lbs of Montebello, CA won by scores of 97-93 and is now 19-1. Jackson, 125.1 lbs of Atlanta, GA is 16-1.

•  Jose Pedraza 143.9 lbs vs. Mikkel LesPierre 143.5 lbs
(Junior Welterweight — 10 Rounds)

    •   Albert Bell 133 lbs vs. Mark Bernaldez 132 lbs 
(Junior Lightweight — 10 Rounds)

 •   Elvis Rodriguez 140.2 lbs vs. Dan Murray 139.2 lbs 
(Junior Welterweight  — 6 Rounds)

•   Patrick Mailata 284 lbs vs. Kingsley Ibeh 284.1 lbs 
(Heavyweight  — 6 Rounds)

•   Robeisy Ramirez 125.1 lbs vs. Adan Gonzales 125.4 lbs 
(Featherweight  — 6 Rounds)

•   Carlos Jackson 125.1 lbs vs. Jose Enrique Vivas 125.9 lbs 
(Featherweight  — 10 Rounds)

LAS VEGAS (June 24, 2020) —Jose Pedraza and Mikkel LesPierre will give it another shot. The junior welterweights will face off in the 10-round main event Thursday, July 2 from the MGM Grand Conference Center—Grand Ballroom. Pedraza-LesPierre was originally scheduled for June 18, but the bout was postponed after LesPierre’s manager tested positive for COVID-19.

Week 4 of the Top Rank on ESPN summer series begins Tuesday, June 30 at the MGM Grand, when top junior welterweight contender Alex Saucedo faces Sonny Fredrickson in a 10-round showdown.

The Pedraza-LesPierre and Saucedo-Fredrickson cards will air on ESPN and ESPN Deportes beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. 

“Mikkel and Jose deserve this opportunity, and I commend both camps for agreeing to reschedule this fight on short notice,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Alex Saucedo is destined to be a world champion, but he has an incredibly tall task in Sonny Fredrickson. We have another great week in store at MGM Grand.”

June 30
MGM Grand Conference Center – Grand Ballroom

Main Event
Alex Saucedo (29-1, 19 KOs) vs. Sonny Fredrickson (21-2, 14 KOs)
10 Rounds, Junior Welterweight

Saucedo has fought only once — a first-round knockout over Rod Salka — since he was knocked out by Maurice Hooker in November 2018 in a bid for the WBO junior welterweight world title. The Oklahoma City product is entering his second fight with head trainer Pedro Neme and will move closer to a second world title opportunity with a victory over the 6-foot-1 Fredrickson. From Toledo, Ohio, Fredrickson is a former U.S. amateur standout who is hoping to re-establish his momentum following a majority decision defeat to Samuel Teah last November.

“I have gotten a lot of quality sparring during the last few months, and I believe that’s going to show on June 30,” Saucedo said. “We have done 130 rounds in this camp sparring three times a week. We were able to get some taller guys to prepare for what Sonny brings to the table. I’ve worked on the things I need to win this fight. I’m still the same aggressive fighter, but we put a lot more movement in there. I’ve gone back to basics.”

Undercard

Junior welterweight prospect Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas (16-1, 9 KOs) will seek to increase his winning streak to 11 when he faces the battle-hardened Salvador Briceno (17-5, 11 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Vargas fought four times in 2019, including a win over Noel Murphy that earned him the IBF North American junior welterweight strap. Briceno is 4-2 in his last six fights, including competitive showings in decision losses to unbeaten prospects Gabriel Flores Jr. and Yomar Alamo.

Former U.S. amateur superstar Javier Martinez, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will make his professional debut against an opponent to be named in a six-rounder at middleweight. Martinez won the U.S. Olympic Trials at 165 pounds and was ranked number one in the nation at that weight, but after being named an alternate for the Olympic squad, he turned pro with Top Rank and noted manager Tim VanNewhouse.

Junior welterweight rising star John “El Terrible” Bauza (13-0, 5 KOs) will return from a nearly one-year layoff against the Irish-born, New York-based Larry Fryers (11-2, 4 KOs) in an eight-rounder. 

Unbeaten Cleveland native Fred Wilson Jr. (6-0-2, 2 KOs) will face Rance Ward (4-1-1, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder at junior middleweight.

In a six-round junior welterweight bout, Adrian Valdovinos (5-0-1, 4 KOs) will fight Gerardo Alvarez (2-2-2, 0 KOs).

July 2
MGM Grand Conference Center – Grand Ballroom

Main Event
Jose Pedraza (26-3, 13 KOs) vs. Mikkel LesPierre (22-1-1, 10 KOs)
10 rounds, Junior Welterweight

Pedraza, who won world titles at junior lightweight and lightweight, is taking another run at the super lightweight division following last September’s decision loss to Jose “Chon” Zepeda. His opponent LesPierre challenged Maurice Hooker for a world title last year, dropping a unanimous decision. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Brooklyn resident received deliveries and assisted doctors and nurses at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in Manhattan.

“I didn’t want to wait around for this fight, so I’m glad we got the deal done,” Pedraza said. “My march toward a junior welterweight world title continues July 2 in Las Vegas.”

“I want to thank Top Rank and DiBella Entertainment for making this fight happen through the trials and tribulations,” LesPierre said. “I’m honored to be the main event on July 2, and I am ready to showcase my talent to the world and prove my world championship caliber.”

Undercard

Robeisy Ramirez (3-1, 3 KOs) is out for revenge. The two-time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba will fight Adan Gonzales (5-2-2, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder at featherweight. It was Gonzales who shocked the boxing world last August when he spoiled Ramirez’s pro debut with a four-round split decision victory. Ramirez has scored three knockout wins since then, including June 9 at MGM Grand. Gonzales has not fought since the Ramirez fight.

Top junior lightweight contender Albert Bell (16-0, 5 KOs), from Toledo Ohio, will face Filipino puncher Mark Bernaldez (20-3, 14 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight bout. Bell graduated from prospect to contender last June on the Tyson Fury-Tom Schwarz undercard, defeating Andy Vences (22-0-1 at the time) over 10 rounds. He returned in October and shut out Frank De Alba. 

Featherweight prospect Carlos Jackson (16-0, 11 KOs), who has knocked out five of his last six opponents, will face Jose Enrique Vivas (18-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-rounder. 

Elvis Rodriguez (6-0-1, 6 KOs), the southpaw sensation from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, will seek to register his fifth consecutive knockout in a six-round junior welterweight tilt against Daniel Murray (5-3, 0 KOs). The only blemish on Rodriguez’s record came in this third pro fight, a technical draw following an accidental clash of heads.

Featherweight prospect Luis Melendez (8-1, 6 KOs) will fight an opponent to be named in an eight-round bout. 

Tonight’s Top Rank on ESPN main event between Jose Pedraza and Mikkel LesPierre has been canceled after LesPierre’s manager, Jose Taveras, tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this morning. The Gabriel Flores Jr.-Josec Ruiz lightweight bout has been elevated to the main event (ESPN & ESPN Deportes, 8 p.m. ET).
 
Said LesPierre: “My manager, Jose Taveras, tested positive for COVID-19. Due to the rules and regulations set forth by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, I will be unable to fight tonight as scheduled against Jose Pedraza. I understand the severity of COVID-19 because I have been working on the front lines of helping treat this virus at Mount Sinai Beth Israel—Petrie Division in Manhattan.
 
“I am devastated. This was my opportunity to showcase my talent to the world, but everything happens for a reason. This is just another roadblock in my story.
 
“I apologize to Jose and his team for any inconvenience this caused. He is a great boxer, and I hope we can reschedule the fight as soon as possible.”
 
Said Taveras: “I apologize for the inconvenience this caused. I am not exhibiting any symptoms. I am looking forward to hopefully rescheduling this fight as soon as possible. I am devastated for Mikkel.”

 Jose Pedraza 140.4 lbs vs. Mikkel LesPierre141 lbs
(Junior Welterweight — 10 Rounds)
              Adrian Servin 118 lbs vs. Robert Rodriguez 120.3 lbs(Bantamweight — 6 Rounds)       Victor Rodriguez 140.2 lbs vs. Justin Horsley 140.7 lbs(Junior Welterweight — 4 Rounds)
    Frevian Gonzalez 129.4 lbs vs. Jose Martinez 127.8 lbs(Junior Lightweight — 4 Rounds)
David Kaminsky 164.3 lbs vs.  Clay Collard 163.6 lbs
(Super Middleweight — 6 Rounds)

    Gabriel Flores Jr 132.4 lbs vs.  Josec Ruiz 132.4 lbs
(Lightweight — 10 Rounds)

LAS VEGAS (June 9, 2020) — Don’t blink. Top Rank on ESPN’s summer schedule resumes with a trio of shows, commencing Tuesday, June 16, with the return of bantamweight contender Joshua “Don’t Blink” Greer Jr. in a 10-rounder against 23-year-old Filipino upstart Mike Plania at the MGM Grand Conference Center – Grand Ballroom in Las Vegas. 
 
The action continues from MGM Grand Thursday, June 18, when former two-weight world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza will face former world title challenger Mikkel LesPierre in a 10-round super lightweight showdown.
 
Week 2 concludes Saturday, June 20, at TV Azteca Studios in Mexico City, when WBO junior featherweight world champion Navarrete will fight Uriel “Yuca” Lopez in a 10-round featherweight bout. Navarrete-Lopez will headline one of two June cards from TV Azteca Studios, which will be promoted by Top Rank in association with Zanfer Promotions.
 
All three Week 2 events will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (in Spanish), with start times to be announced shortly.
 
“It is exciting to see these great fighters back in action and in fights that promise to be action-packed,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Greer and Pedraza have tough opponents in front of them, but if they are victorious, we could see them in world title fights before the end of the year. Navarrete is the king of the 122-pounders, a throwback fighter who wants to stay as active as possible.”
 
June 16
MGM Grand Conference Center – Grand Ballroom
 
Main Event
Joshua Greer Jr. (22-1-1, 12 KOs) vs. Mike Plania (23-1, 12 KOs)
10 rounds, Bantamweight
 
Greer, the Chicago product who taunts potential KO victims with custom-made pillows, is knocking on the doorstep of a world title shot. He has won 19 fights in a row and is currently the WBO No. 1 contender at bantamweight. Plania, meanwhile, has won eight straight bouts since a March 2018 decision loss to Juan Carlos Payano, a fight that propelled Payano to a world title shot against pound-for-pound great Naoya Inoue.
 
“Whoever the opponent is, it doesn’t matter. I prepare the same,” Greer said. “Every fight is a world title fight for me. I’m ranked number one in the world, so I have to take advantage of this opportunity. ‘Mr. ESPN’ is back!”
 
Co-Feature
Antonio DeMarco (33-8-1, 24 KOs) vs. Giovani Santillan (25-0, 15 KOs)
10 rounds, Welterweight
 
Former lightweight world champion DeMarco, who is coming off a competitive decision loss to top contender Jamal James, represents a quantum leap in class for the 28-year-old Santillan. A native of San Diego who has stopped his last four opponents, Santillan hopes to become the first man to knock out DeMarco in nearly eight years. In his last bout, he overcame a nearly 19-month layoff to knock out Wilfrido Buelvas in two rounds.
 
Undercard
 
Nikoloz Sekhniashvili (5-0, 4 KOs), a 26-year-old who hails from the nation of Georgia, will make his 2020 debut against Detroit native Isiah Jones (8-1, 3 KOs) in a six-rounder at super middleweight. Sekhniashvili, trained by Javiel Centeno, is part of a deep stable of fighters that includes Puerto Rican phenom Xander Zayas and lightweight contender George Kambosos Jr.
 
Super featherweight prospect Edward Vazquez (7-0, 1 KO), from Fort Worth, Texas, will face an opponent to be named in a six-rounder.
 
Puerto Rican-born heavyweight Hector Perez (6-2, 3 KOs) will fight southpaw spoiler Juan Torres (5-2-1, 2 KOs), from Cypress, Texas, in a six-round bout. Torres has won two straight and has never been knocked out in a professional match.
 
June 18
MGM Grand Conference Center – Grand Ballroom
 
Main Event
Jose Pedraza (26-3, 13 KOs) vs. Mikkel LesPierre (22-1-1, 10 KOs)
10 rounds, Super Lightweight
 
Pedraza, who won world titles at junior lightweight and lightweight, is taking another run at the super lightweight division following last September’s decision loss to Jose “Chon” Zepeda. His opponent LesPierre challenged Maurice Hooker for a world title last year, dropping a unanimous decision. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Brooklyn resident received deliveries and assisted doctors and nurses at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in Manhattan.
 
“I am very excited to finally return to the ring after this long break. During quarantine, I made adjustments and trained hard from home, Pedraza said. “Despite everything that is happening in the world, my team and I have had a great training camp. I have done many runs up the mountains in Cidra, Puerto Rico. I am now focused on giving the fans a great show on June 18 against Mikkel LesPierre. We know he is a world-class fighter, but I am, too, and I am determined to return to the top once again.”
 
“I’m excited and blessed to be a part of the first round of televised sports as we navigate through this pandemic,” LesPierre said. “Jose Pedraza is a good fighter and a former world champion, but I feel that I have the tools to beat him. It will be a great fight and an opportunity for me to take my career to the next level. The Maurice Hooker fight was just a taste of what the elite level is all about. I’m determined to get back to title contention. This fight is the first step toward that goal. I’m ready to go.” 
 
Co-Feature
Gabriel Flores Jr. (17-0, 6 KOs) vs. Josec Ruiz (21-2-3, 14 KOs)
10 rounds, Lightweight
 
The 20-year-old Flores, fresh off a win on the Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury 2 undercard, returns in his first scheduled 10-rounder. Flores, the Stockton, California native who signed with Top Rank when he was 16 years old, packed more than 10,000 spectators into the Stockton Arena last May to establish himself as one of the sport’s top regional ticket-sellers. Ruiz is unbeaten in his last 16 bouts.
 
Undercard
 
David “The Lion of Zion” Kaminsky (6-0, 3 KOs) will face noted spoiler Clay Collard (6-2-3, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder at super middleweight. Collard, who also is a veteran MMA pro, has defeated unbeaten prospects in his last two fights.
 
In four-round bouts each, Puerto Rican super featherweight Frevian Gonzalez (2-0, 1 KO) will fight an opponent to be named, while super lightweight Victor Rodriguez (2-0, 1 KO) will face Justin Horsley (0-1).
 
June 20
TV Azteca Studios
 
Main Event
Emanuel Navarrete (31-1, 27 KOs) vs. Uriel Lopez (13-13-1, 6 KOs)
10 rounds, Featherweight
 
Boxing’s most active world champion, Navarrete defended his title five times (all by KO) in nine months, most recently knocking out Jeo Santisima on the Wilder-Fury 2 Pay-Per-View undercard. Navarrete is fighting as a featherweight for the first time in nearly three years in what will be his sixth bout in 13 months. Lopez has a 2016 knockout victory over longtime Japanese contender Ryo Matsumoto.
 
Undercard action will feature Carlos “Chinito” Ornelas (25-2, 14 KOs), who will take on Edwin “Pupo” Palomares (12-3-1, 3 KOs) in a 10-rounder at featherweight. Featherweight prospect Sergio Chirino Sanchez (14-1, 8 KOs) will look to extend his winning streak to six against Gustavo Alan Pina (8-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-round bout.
 
Former interim world champion Silvia Torres (20-2-2, 7 KOs) will face 21-bout veteran Edith de Jesus Flores in an eight-rounder at light flyweight.
 
Mexico City-based flyweight prospect Ivan Armando Garcia (5-0, 3 KOs) will fight Roberto Palomares (5-4-1, 1 KO) in his first scheduled six-rounder.
 

Maurice Hooker hopes to land a big homecoming fight in Dallas next as he defends his WBO World Super-Lightweight title for the second time against Mikkel LesPierre at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York on Saturday March 9, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW PRICED FROM $49 VIA TICKETMASTER.COM

Hooker (25-0-3 17 KOs) won his title on the road by ripping it from champion Terry Flanagan in Manchester, England in June and then packed his bags again for his first defense, a thrilling win over local favorite Alex Saucedo in Oklahoma City in November, Hooker climbing off the canvas in the second round to stop Saucedo in the seventh.

Hooker hits the road again to put his belt on the line against Brooklyn’s LesPierre (21-0-1 10KOs) but ‘Mighty Mo’, who has predicted a devastating KO win over the challenger, wants to come home in his next fight – and believes he can do so in a major fight that will stake his claim to being the best in the world at 140lbs.

“It would mean so much to me to fight in Dallas as a champion,” said Hooker. “I want to show the kids in my neighborhood that don’t have anyone to look up to that they can look at me – I’m a champion that they can follow and look up to.

“I wasn’t a disciplined kid so boxing taught me a lot. My attitude was bad so boxing taught me to keep calm no matter what. When you look at what I’ve achieved, that’s the example I want to show the kids where I am from.

“My kids are my motivation – I want to give them the life that I didn’t have growing up, give them everything they want and be there for them.

“I am my biggest opponent. Sometimes you can think ‘I’m a World champion, I don’t need to train.’ I know that can backfire on me in the gym so I am working harder than ever because i want to stay a champion and achieve more in the future.

“It’s an open division, and one I think I can take over. There’s a lot of good fighters in there making a name for themselves and a lot coming up.

“I’m a champion and I want to fight the best. I feel I am the best. My long arms, my chin, my skills and my hard work will put me on the top – I think that sets me apart.

“Dallas is my home and in my heart, but there’s too many distractions to train there. In San Diego, I wake up thinking about boxing and go to bed thinking about boxing, and just train in between. The weather is great, I just love it.”

Hooker’s clash with LesPierre is part of a huge night of action at Turning Stone Resort Casino with a second mouthwatering World title fight on the bill in the shape of Dmitry Bivol (15-0 11KOs) defending his WBA World Light-Heavyweight title against Long Island’s Joe Smith Jr (24-2-0 20KOs).

Callum Johnson (17-1-0 12KOs) and Sean Monaghan (29-2-0 17KOs) will both have a keen eye on Bivol’s clash as they battle in a crunch fight in the 175lbs division, World-ranked heavyweight contender Sergey Kuzmin, (14-0 11 KOs), of St. Petersburg, Russia will battle Philadelphia based veteran Joey Dawejko, (19-6-4 11 KOs) and Otha Jones III makes his pro debut on the card.

Maurice Hooker says he’ll bring the heat early to Mikkel LesPierre and send a big statement to the rest of the division when he defends his WBO World Super-Lightweight title for the second time at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York on Saturday March 9, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

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Hooker (25-0-3 17 KOs) defended his title in thrilling fashion in November, climbing off the canvas in the second round against home town favorite Alex Saucedo to silence the Oklahoma City crowd with a clinical seventh round stoppage.

The Dallas star now hits the road again to meet LesPierre (21-0-1 10KOs) in upstate New York, with the unbeaten Brooklyn man lacing them up in his first World title fight – and Hooker plans to test the challenger’s ambitions from the opening bell, and predicts a spectacular KO on the horizon.

“What do I know about Mikkel? He’s going down on March 9, that’s all I know,” said Hooker. “He’ll be a little nervous and jittery. I’ll pop him with a hard jab early to see where his mind is. I’ll be looking in his eyes when I hit him to see how he reacts like, ‘god damn!’ or ‘OK, bring it’ – that will tell me what he’s going to be like the whole fight, if he’s there to win and be great, or just there to collect the cheque.

“He doesn’t have power but I still have to be wary as he could close his eyes and swing, hit me with the backhand – it’s boxing. But if I see a weakness in him, I’m not going to hesitate – I want to KO him hard and fast, I don’t get paid overtime. I will show real power in both hands, and show I can put any southpaw in the world to sleep.

“I don’t feel any extra pressure as a defending champion – I am getting paid to do my job. As long as I train hard and stay focused, there’s no-one out there that can beat me and I will prepare hard for anyone put in front of me.

“He’s a short southpaw that’s going to sit outside the box, and he’s going to be in the danger-zone. I wish him the best in the build-up, I am sure that he’s trained hard as this is the biggest fight of his life – fighting for a World title at home – but that’s just like Saucedo, he’s going to come, not as aggressive as Saucedo, but he’ll still come.

“After the first round though, he’ll die down as he’ll be thinking ‘man this guy is long, rangy, I can’t get to him – AND he hits hard’. He’ll shell up. But I’ll be explosive. Fighters say they don’t look for the KO – I am looking for a big KO on March 9, I want it bad and I will KO him.”

Hooker’s clash with LesPierre is part of a huge night of action at Turning Stone Resort Casino with a second mouthwatering World title fight on the bill in the shape of Dmitry Bivol (15-0 11KOs) defending his WBA World Light-Heavyweight title against Long Island’s Joe Smith Jr (24-2-0 20KOs).

Callum Johnson (17-1-0 12KOs) and Sean Monaghan (29-2-0 17KOs) will both have a keen eye on Bivol’s clash as they battle in a crunch fight in the 175lbs division, World-ranked heavyweight contender Sergey Kuzmin, (14-0 11 KOs), of St. Petersburg, Russia will battle Philadelphia based veteran Joey Dawejko, (19-6-4 11 KOs) and Otha Jones III makes his pro debut on the card.