ARLINGTON, TEXAS – August 25, 2026 – Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced MVPW-07, a championship supercard with a quadruple world championship event at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas on Sunday, November 8, live on ESPN and the ESPN App, headlined by MVP and Dallas, Texas’ unified super featherweight world champion Alycia “The Bomb” Baumgardner (18-1, 7 KOs), who will step up to 135lbs seeking to become a two-division world champion when she challenges MVP’s newest signee, Turkey’s undefeated IBF lightweight world champion, the “Golden Turkish Warrior” Elif Nur Turhan (14-0, 8 KOs), in a 10-round championship bout with three-minute rounds for the IBF lightweight world title. Baumgardner enters the matchup following a dominant run as unified champion at super featherweight and now takes on one of the most dangerous punchers in women’s boxing in Turhan, who claimed the IBF lightweight world title with a stunning TKO victory over previously unbeaten Brazilian Olympic gold medalist Beatriz Ferreira and enters her third world title defense. 

MVPW on ESPN showcases the sport’s most elite fighters with championship bouts on every card and will always feature a main card composed entirely of female fighters, with an undercard including a mix of female and male bouts. The Arlington Sports Commission will serve as Host Partner for the event. Fans can sign up for MVPW-07 Presale HERE. Tickets will go on sale Thursday, September 10 at 11am ET / 10am CT at AXS.com. All media interested in being credentialed for MVPW-07 must apply HERE.

Elif Nur Turhan said: “Alycia is a boxer who steps into the ring determined to win, never even entertaining the possibility of defeat; I know I am proud to be representing Turkiye on such a major international stage as I face an opponent who steps into the ring solely for victory. I do not want to lose, either. As two boxers sharing a ‘win at all costs’ mentality, we guarantee a fierce, relentless battle where everything is left on the line. Two warriors, one fight, and only one winner.”

Alycia Baumgardner said: “When I set my mind to something, I see it through, and 135 will be no different. Sunday, November 8 is a superfight—the kind of fight boxing deserves—and the beginning of my next chapter. I know what it takes to become undisputed. I’ve done it before, and I’ll do it again. To everyone in Dallas-Fort Worth and Arlington, this is my backyard, and I want you there with me. Come out to College Park Center, be part of the moment, and watch me make history.”

In the co-main event, MVP’s and Ft. Myers, Florida’s reigning WBC featherweight world champion Tiara Brown (21-0, 11 KOs) will make a 10-round defense at 126lbs against MVP’s and Catford, London, England’s former undisputed champion Ellie Scotney (12-0), who steps up to 126lbs seeking to become a two-division world champion. Turhan and Baumgardner and Brown and Scotney will come face-to-face for the first time at the official MVPW-07 kickoff press conference on Thursday, August 27 at 3pm BST / 10am ET at bp pulse LIVE arena in Birmingham, England ahead of the MVPW-06 final fight week press conference. 

Tiara Brown said: “She may have been the youngest undisputed champion in UK history, but I’m not stepping into the ring to admire her history. I’m stepping in to make my own. I’m a seasoned veteran who has been overlooked, but never outworked. Come fight night, we’ll see who’s truly built for greatness.”

Ellie Scotney said: “I can’t wait for the next chapter to begin at 126lbs, where I truly believe the world will see the best of me. It’s time to make more history on Sunday, November the 8th and become a two-weight world champion.”

Also joining the main card, MVP’s and Australia’s reigning WBC super bantamweight world champion at 122lbs, two-division champion, and 2020 Olympian Skye Nicolson (16-1, 3 KOs) will make her highly anticipated MVP debut in a 10-round title defense against Japan’s three-time, two-division world champion Miyo Yoshida (19-5, 1 KO). 

Skye Nicolson said: “I’m excited to announce we have a new date locked in. Having to withdraw due to injury was incredibly frustrating, especially after everything that went into preparing for this fight, but unfortunately these things happen in elite sport. The focus now is completely on moving forward and taking on Miyo Yoshida in what I know will be a great fight. I’m looking forward to getting back in there, putting on a big performance and making sure everyone and anyone in my way is officially put on notice. This delay has only made me hungrier. I’ll be ready to make a big statement for Australia on fight night and finish the year exactly where I want to be.” 

Miyo Yoshida said: “Many people see Skye Nicolson as the favorite and I understand why as she is an excellent fighter. But I have dedicated my life to boxing and I am prepared to give everything for this opportunity. I promise the fans will see a fearless Miyo Yoshida. I will bring the heart of Japan, my experience as a three-time World Champion and everything I have into this fight. On fight night, I believe the world will see me crowned as the new WBC super bantamweight champion.”

Rounding out the quadruple world championship main card, MVP’s multi-talented Somali-British boxer, activist, and high-fashion model Ramla Ali (11-2, 3 KOs) will face New York’s undefeated Mikiah Kreps (11-0, 3 KOs) in a 10-round championship bout for the vacant WBO and IBF super bantamweight world titles at 122lbs.

Ramla Ali said: “People assume the hardest fights of my life happened in a ring, under lights, with a bell to tell you when it’s over. They didn’t. The real fights never had a bell. They lasted years, some of them are still going. Every time a door closed, I found another way through. That’s the one true thing anyone could say about me: I’m relentless in my pursuit of anything I do. Mikiah and I have sparred probably a hundred rounds together. I have a lot of respect for her, and I know her journey in boxing hasn’t been easy either. We both know we’ll leave everything in that ring on Sunday, November 8th, the same way we left everything in every round of sparring that got us here. What does sit heavy with me is that so many of the people who made this possible won’t be able to watch it happen live as a result of new travel bans on Somalis and people who have travelled to Somalia. I would have loved to fight this one in London, where I was raised and haven’t competed in for four years. But that’s never been how my path has worked, I always seem to take the harder route, and I’ve made peace with that, because nothing worth having has ever come easy, and these titles are worth everything.”

Mikiah Kreps said: “I’ve been working toward this moment since I was a little girl watching my mom train in the boxing gym, and I’m ready for it. Fighting for my first world title means everything to me, but I’m not coming just to fight for a championship — I’m coming to win it.  I appreciate MVP, DBE, and Team Kreps for working together to make this fight happen, and I’m grateful to the WBO & IBF for the opportunity to fight for a unified title.  I can’t wait to step in the ring and show the world what I can do.”  

Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions said: “MVPW-07 is one of the biggest championship events in boxing history, with four back-to-back world title fights, bringing together eight elite fighters from around the world with belts at stake in every matchup. Elif Nur Turhan joined MVP to take on the biggest fights in the sport, and in her first event under the MVP banner she will defend her IBF lightweight world title against pound-for-pound great Alycia Baumgardner, one of the most dominant champions of this generation, as Alycia steps up to 135 pounds in pursuit of becoming a two-division world champion. Undefeated WBC featherweight champion Tiara Brown will defend her title against the undefeated former undisputed champion and ESPN’s 2025 Female Boxer of the Year Ellie Scotney, who moves up to 126 pounds seeking to become a two-division world champion. Two-division champion Skye Nicolson will make her MVP debut, defending her WBC super bantamweight world title against three-time, two-division champion Miyo Yoshida, and Ramla Ali faces undefeated Mikiah Kreps for the vacant WBO and IBF super bantamweight world titles at 122lbs. Four world championship fights. One massive night for boxing. Live on ESPN from Arlington, Texas.”

Further information, including additional bouts, will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions, or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions.

About Elif Nur Turhan

Reigning IBF lightweight world champion at 135lbs Elif Nur Turhan has taken women’s boxing by storm over the past two years having established her reputation as one of the most dangerous and devastating punchers in the sport. The ‘Golden Turkish Warrior’ hails from Istanbul, Turkey, and boasts a flawless record of 14-0 with eight victories by way of knockout. Turhan captured the world title in December 2025 in Monte-Carlo with a remarkable upset: a fifth-round stoppage over Brazil’s previously unbeaten Olympic hero Beatriz Ferreira. The 31-year-old sensation, who turned pro four years ago, has since successfully defended her crown with wins over Taylah Gentzen in Newcastle, England, in January 2026 and again against Gabriella Tellez in June 2026 in Arizona. Now Turhan is excited for what comes next with the Turkish star determined to capture more major titles. Turhan signed with MVP in August 2026 as part of MVP’s strategic alliance with Matchroom Boxing. She is currently ranked ESPN’s #3 talent in the world in the lightweight division.  

About Alycia Baumgardner

MVP’s reigning unified WBO, WBA, and IBF super featherweight world champion Alycia “The Bomb” Baumgardner is one of the most electrifying superstars in boxing today and one of the most dominant athletes in the sport. Born in Fremont, Ohio, and of Korean, German, and African-American descent, she has built a career defined by power, precision, and resilience. Her success is fueled not only by her relentless work ethic but also by her deep faith, which guides her journey both in and out of the ring. Baumgardner turned pro in 2017, making an immediate impact with a first-round TKO victory. In November 2021, she shocked the boxing world by knocking out Terri Harper in Sheffield, England, to claim the WBC and IBO world titles. She followed with wins over Edith Matthysse and Mikaela Mayer, adding the WBO and IBF belts to her collection. In February 2023, she became undisputed, defeating Elhem Mekhaled in New York to claim the WBA title. In July 2023, Baumgardner avenged her only career loss with a dominant win over Christina Linardatou in Detroit, successfully defending her undisputed crown. She returned in September 2024 against Delfine Persoon, scoring an early knockdown before an accidental clash of heads led to a no-contest ruling. She defended her undisputed title in the co-main event of Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3, live on Netflix, before making a 12×3:00 unified world title defense vs. Leila Beaudoin in the co-main event of MVP’s Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day live on Netflix in December 2025–becoming just the second woman in boxing history to defend her unified world titles under equal rules to men’s champions. Most recently, Baumgardner headlined MVPW’s inaugural U.S. event on ESPN, earning a unanimous decision victory over Bo Mi Re Shin in a unified title defense contested with three-minute rounds. Outside the ring, Baumgardner is breaking barriers for women, proving that skill, strength, and marketability can coexist at the highest level.

About Tiara Brown

MVP’s reigning WBC featherweight world champion Tiara Brown holds a career built on an exceptional amateur pedigree, technical excellence, and championship-level discipline. Long before capturing world honors in the professional ranks, Brown established herself as one of the most accomplished amateurs in the United States, becoming a multiple-time US national champion, competing at the highest levels of USA Boxing and consistently defeating top-tier competition across the country, culminating with a gold medal at the 2012 amateur world championships. That foundation seamlessly translated into the pro ranks, where her experience, composure, and adaptability have set her apart on the world stage. Brown’s style showcases speed, sharp fundamentals, and intelligent pressure. She is equally comfortable boxing off the back foot or engaging in high-paced exchanges, making her one of the most technically sound and versatile fighters in women’s boxing today. Representing Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s proud boxing tradition, Brown defeated Skye Nicolson in March 2025 to claim the WBC featherweight title before successfully defending the belt against Emma Gongara in September 2025 and again against challenger Hannah Rapp in June 2026. She was ranked among ESPN’s best women’s boxers of 2025, and is now  ranked Boxrec’s #10 pound-for-pound female fighter, and ESPN’s #2 featherweight talent globally. 

About Ellie Scotney

MVP’s former undisputed super bantamweight world champion Ellie Scotney became the youngest in UK history, male or female, to become undisputed champion in April 2026. The Catford, England native made her pro debut in 2020. In her seventh pro fight, Scotney dethroned former 122lb champion Cherneka Johnson by UD to become the new IBF world champion. Scotney successfully defended her IBF belt against Laura Griffa in September 2023 before unifying the division and adding the WBO and Ring Magazine titles to her collection in a UD win over then-undefeated 18-0 champion Segolene Lefebvre. The 27-year-old faced the longest-standing division champion, former WBC titlist Yamileth Mercado on the Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3 all-women’s card live on Netflix, winning by UD and adding the WBC belt to her unified collection. The outstanding performance earned her recognition as ESPN’s 2025 Female Boxer of the Year, which she followed by defeating then-WBA titlist Mayelli Flores in the co-main event of MVPW-01 in April 2026 to claim the undisputed world title and become the youngest in the United Kingdom’s history, male or female, to become an undisputed boxing champion. Scotney is currently ranked Boxrec’s #6, ESPN’s #9, and Ring Magazine’s #9 pound-for-pound boxer globally, as well as ESPN’s #1 super bantamweight in the world. 

About Skye Nicolson

Skye Nicolson was born and raised in Queensland, Australia to an English mother and Scottish father. She began boxing at age 12, following in the footsteps of her late brother. Her stellar amateur career saw over 150 fights around the world including a Commonwealth Games gold medal, bronze at the amateur world championships, and representing Team Australia in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, where she finished as a quarter-finalist. Off the back of the Olympics, she signed a long-term promotional deal with Matchroom and began a very active professional career that skyrocketed her to her first world title in just her 10th professional fight, defeating Sarah Mahfoud for the WBC featherweight title in 2024. Now 16-1 as a professional, Nicolson most recently rose to Interim champion and mandatory challenger for the WBC 122lbs title. Shortly after, the belt was vacated by former undisputed champion Ellie Scotney, and Nicolson was elevated to become a two-time, two-division WBC world champion in May 2026. Entering this next chapter under the MVP and Matchroom strategic alliance, the 30-year-old prepares to unify the super bantamweight division and aims to be part of the biggest fights in women’s boxing. She is currently ranked ESPN’s #2 super bantamweight globally.

About Miyo Yoshida

Miyo Yoshida is a three-time, two-division world champion from Kagoshima, Japan. A former IBF bantamweight world champion and two-time WBO junior bantamweight world champion, Yoshida has established herself as one of Japan’s most accomplished female fighters. She made history as one of only a handful of Japanese women to win world titles in multiple weight classes and has earned recognition for her technical skill, resilience, and championship pedigree. Known as the “Fighting Single Mother” in Japan, Yoshida is a former The Ring Most Inspirational Female Fighter award recipient and a revered role model both inside and outside the ring. After relocating to the United States, she now trains at the legendary Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, New York. Yoshida most recently earned a victory over Edith de Jesus Flores in April 2026, following a unanimous decision win over Beata Dudek in February 2025. She captured the IBF bantamweight world title with a dominant unanimous decision over Ebanie Bridges in December 2023 after accepting the fight on less than two weeks’ notice.

About Ramla Ali

Ramla Ali is a 35-year-old Somali-British professional boxer, philanthropist, high-fashion model, and social activist. Born in Somalia, Ali and her family fled the country following the loss of her brother in a grenade attack and civil unrest. At age 12, she took up boxing in secret to overcome bullying and obesity, becoming the first Muslim woman to win national amateur boxing titles in England in 2015 and 2016 before making history as the first female boxer to represent Somalia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She made her pro debut in October 2020, winning the vacant IBF Intercontinental title at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2023 in just her 8th pro fight before winning the WBA International super bantamweight title in a hard-fought rematch against Mexico’s Julissa Alejandra Guzman later that year. A passionate advocate for women’s rights and women in boxing, Ali established the Somali Boxing Federation in Mogadishu, Somalia. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the fight for women’s equality, Ali was one of twelve extraordinary leaders named among TIME’s 2023 Women of the Year.

About Mikiah Kreps

Mikiah Kreps is an undefeated American professional boxer from Niagara Falls, NY, and a former elite member of Team USA.  A lifelong boxer who first stepped into the gym at five years old when her mother was training for amateur fights, Kreps achieved an accomplished amateur career of more than 75 bouts, winning multiple national championships and a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships before turning pro.

Kreps has built an 11-0 record as a professional and has established herself among the elite of the Super Bantamweight division. She is currently ranked #1 in the world by both the WBO and IBF, positioning her for the biggest opportunity of her career: her first shot at a world championship and for a unified title.

Trained by Manny Robles and known for her relentless pressure, explosive power, slick combinations, and high ring IQ, Kreps brings an aggressive and technically polished style to the ring. Now, with a world title within reach, she is looking to turn years of preparation and sacrifice into the first chapter of a championship legacy.

About MVP

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) is a global combat sports and entertainment company built for the next generation of athletes and fans. The company operates across boxing, mixed martial arts, live events, media, content, athlete development, and global distribution, with a fighter-first philosophy centered on equitable compensation, maximum visibility, and long-term brand building.

Led by co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian and Chief Executive Officer John Martin and backed by founding investors 885 Capital & Knighthead, MVP promotes some of the world’s biggest combat sports events and represents a roster of nearly 400 elite athletes, including world champions, titleholders, contenders, and emerging stars. MVP’s portfolio includes MVP, MVPW, and MVP MMA, bringing together premier boxing and mixed martial arts properties under one global brand.

Through partnerships with leading media and distribution platforms including Netflix, ESPN, Sky Sports, and an extensive international network reaching fans across more than 170 countries, MVP delivers world-class competition and entertainment to audiences worldwide. By combining elite athletes, premium live events, compelling storytelling, and global media reach, MVP is building the future of combat sports.

About ESPN

ESPN offers its full suite of networks and services directly to fans on the ESPN App, providing more choice, flexibility and access to all of ESPN, including more than 47,000 live events per year, on-demand replays, industry-leading studio shows and original programming, and more. The ESPN App gives fans a unique viewing experience that includes multiview and synchronized two-screen viewing options, swipe-able vertical video and a personalized SportsCenter For You, as well as integrated game stats, ESPN Fantasy sports, betting odds and information from DraftKings, sports merchandise, and more. These features are available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices, whether they subscribe directly or through a pay TV package. Bundling options available for fans include a limited time offer for the ESPN DTC Unlimited plan with Disney+ and Hulu for $29.99/month for the first 12 months. For more visit stream.espn.com.

About the Arlington Sports Commission 

As a division of the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Arlington Sports Commission recruits and supports high-impact youth, amateur, collegiate, professional and international sporting events to Arlington, driving economic impact and reinforcing the city’s status as one of the nation’s premier sports destinations. With world-class stadiums, professional sports teams, strong local connections and a team that knows how to make big events happen, Arlington delivers unforgettable sports experiences at every level. To learn more, visit arlingtonsportscommission.org.

About College Park Center

College Park Center (CPC) is a 7,000-seat multipurpose arena which opened in 2012 on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). It is the home court for the Dallas Wings of the WNBA, the UTA basketball and volleyball programs, and offers professional class training facilities. In addition, CPC is host to concerts, professional wrestling and boxing, world-renowned speaker events, graduation ceremonies, banquets, various local education events and more, in total averaging over 140 events per year.

NEW YORK, NY – July 28, 2026 — Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced the signing of Australia’s two division champion, reigning WBC super bantamweight world champion at 122lbs, and 2020 Australian Olympian Skye Nicolson (16-1, 3 KOs) as Nicolson becomes the first fighter to compete under the newly announced strategic alliance from MVP and Matchroom Boxing, focused on accelerating the continued global growth of women’s boxing. Under the alliance, Matchroom will work with MVP to continue elevating Nicolson throughout the next phases of her professional career.

Nicolson will make her MVP event debut on MVPW-06 at bp pulse LIVE on Saturday, August 29 in Birmingham, England. She will defend her WBC super bantamweight world title in a 10-round defense at 122lbs against Japan’s two-division champion Miyo Yoshida (19-5, 1 KOs), airing live on Sky Sports in the UK and ESPN+ in the US. The announcement was made during the MVPW-06 UK vs USA: Mikaela Mayer vs. Chantelle Cameron kickoff press conference today at Glaziers Hall in London, England, as Skye Nicolson joined MVP CEO Nakisa Bidarian onstage in a surprise appearance. 

Nicolson joins MVP’s global roster of elite athletes while also becoming the first athlete to compete as part of MVP’s and Matchroom’s landmark strategic alliance. Nicolson joins a decorated roster of fellow Australian signees at MVP including Australia’s first-ever undisputed champion in the four belt era, male or female, Cherneka Johnson, unified unified IBF and WBO middleweight world champion Desley Robinson, and former IBF bantamweight world champion Ebanie Bridges. 

Skye Nicolson was born and raised in Queensland, Australia to an English mother and Scottish father. She began boxing at age 12, following in the footsteps of her late brother. Her stellar amateur career saw over 150 fights around the world including a Commonwealth Games gold medal, bronze at the amateur world championships, and representing Team Australia in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, where she finished as a quarter-finalist. Off the back of the Olympics, she signed a long-term promotional deal with Matchroom and began a very active professional career that skyrocketed her to her first world title in just her 10th professional fight, defeating Sarah Mahfoud for the WBC featherweight title in 2024. Now 16-1 as a professional, Nicolson most recently rose to Interim champion and mandatory challenger for the WBC 122lbs title. Shortly after, the belt was vacated by former undisputed champion Ellie Scotney, and Nicolson was elevated to become a two-time, two-division WBC world champion in May 2026. Entering this next chapter under the MVP and Matchroom strategic alliance, the 30-year-old prepares to unify the super bantamweight division and aims to be part of the biggest fights in women’s boxing.

“Women’s boxing is entering a new era, and I want to be right at the centre of it. This partnership with MVP and Matchroom gives me the opportunity to chase legacy, compete in the biggest fights out there, and help continue pushing women’s boxing forward,” said Skye Nicolson. “My goal has always been to test myself against the very best and be involved in the biggest fights in women’s boxing. I truly believe this move puts me in the best possible position to do exactly that. I’m excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait for this next chapter of my career to unfold.”

Nicolson also joins MVP’s global roster of Olympic talent at MVP, including US Olympian Mikaela Mayer, Team Great Britain Olympian Caroline Dubois, 2x Canadian Olympian Tamm Thibeault, US Olympic bronze medalist Oshae Jones, US Olympian Jahmal Harvey, 2x Brazilian Olympian Keno Marley, and Germany’s Olympic bronze medalist Nelvie Tiafack.

“Skye is one of the most recognizable athletes in women’s boxing today,” said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions. “As a two-division world champion, Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Olympian, and one of Australia’s biggest stars, she represents the caliber of athlete we’re building MVP around. Since launching MVPW, our mission has been to create the premier global platform for women’s boxing by bringing together the sport’s biggest champions and delivering the biggest fights. Skye shares that vision and ambition, and together we’re excited to help create the defining moments of the next chapter of her career, beginning with her world title defense against another outstanding former champion in Miyo Yoshida on Saturday, August 29.”

Miyo Yoshida is a three-time, two-division world champion from Kagoshima, Japan. A former IBF bantamweight world champion and two-time WBO junior bantamweight world champion, Yoshida has established herself as one of Japan’s most accomplished female fighters. She made history as one of only a handful of Japanese women to win world titles in multiple weight classes and has earned recognition for her technical skill, resilience, and championship pedigree. Known as the “Fighting Single Mother” in Japan, Yoshida is a former The Ring Most Inspirational Female Fighter award recipient and a revered role model both inside and outside the ring. After relocating to the United States, she now trains at the legendary Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, New York. Yoshida most recently earned a victory over Edith de Jesus Flores in April 2026, following a unanimous decision win over Beata Dudek in February 2025. She captured the IBF bantamweight world title with a dominant unanimous decision over Ebanie Bridges in December 2023 after accepting the fight on less than two weeks’ notice.

“Many people see Skye Nicolson as the favorite and I understand why as she is an excellent fighter,” said Miyo Yoshida. “But I have dedicated my life to boxing and I am prepared to give everything for this opportunity. I promise the fans will see a fearless Miyo Yoshida. I will bring the heart of Japan, my experience as a three-time World Champion and everything I have into this fight. On fight night, I believe the world will see me crowned as the new WBC Super Bantamweight Champion.”

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @skyebnic, or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @skyebnic.

About MVP

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) was founded in August 2021 by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian with a fighter first ethos. Since inception, MVP has produced 30 live boxing events, currently promotes over 60 fighters, 18 world champions, and 26 top contenders.

MVP has led boxing’s evolution in the streaming era through partnerships with the world’s leading platforms. In November 2024, MVP’s Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2 was the first-ever live professional sports event streamed on Netflix. Paul vs. Tyson shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event of all time with 125 million live viewers worldwide. MVP went on to partner with Netflix twice in 2025 for MVP’s Taylor vs. Serrano 3 and Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day.

Today, MVP is the global home of women’s boxing. MVP’s Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano in 2022 was the first female fight to headline Madison Square Garden, while Taylor vs. Serrano 2 in 2024 saw 74 million viewers globally on Netflix and became the most-watched professional women’s sports event in US history with 47 million AMA in the US. Their 2025 trilogy on Netflix topped an all-women’s megacard that set the official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most world championship belts ever contested on a single fight card, male or female, with 17 world titles, earning nearly 6 million viewers globally. 

NEW YORK CITY (December 22, 2025) – Three-time, two-division World Champion Miyo Yoshida (18-5, 0 KOs) is long overdue for her 8^th world title fight as the International Boxing Federation’s (IBF) No. 1 rated, mandatory challenger.

Now, Team Yoshida is demanding the IBF order reigning, undisputed World Bantamweight Champion Cherneka Johnson (19-2, 8 KOs) to fight Miyo next.

“I am ready to challenge Johnson,” Yoshida said. “She is a respected champion, but I will emerge as the undisputed bantamweight champion of the world when our fight is finished.”

Yoshida, 37, won the WBO Super Flyweight titles in 2019 and 2021. On December 23, 2024, she stepped in as a late replacement in San Francisco and upset IBF Bantamweight World champion Ebanie Bridges (9-1) by a 10-round unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91, 97-93).

Yoshida, 37, won the WBO Super Flyweight titles in 2019 and 2021. On December 23, 2024, she stepped in as a late replacement in San Francisco and upset IBF Bantamweight World champion Ebanie Bridges (9-1) by a 10-round unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91, 97-93).

On October 23, 2024, Yoshida relinquished her IBF title in a 10-round rematch against Shurretta Metcalf (13-5-1, 2 KOs), with the judges awarding disputed scores of 99-91, 96-94, and 96-93. Yoshida’s manager, Attorney Keith Sullivan, submitted an appeal to the IBF, asserting that Yoshida’s performance—highlighted by accurate jabs and a superior punch connection rate—warranted a different outcome. The appeal was substantiated by COMPUBOX statistics. Furthermore, Yoshida employed defensive strategies that limited Metcalf’s effectiveness, resulting in 91% of Metcalf’s punches not landing. In total, Yoshida connected with 50% more punches (96-64) than Metcalf and had a significantly higher accuracy rate of 22% compared to Metcalf’s 9%.

The IBF ruled this past January to install Yoshida as its No. 1, mandatory challenger, ordering Metcalf to defend her crown against Yoshida by October 2025.

Metcalf, though, requested and was granted a voluntary defense by the IBF for a unification fight with Johnson, the WBA World Champion (18-2, 8 KOs), who with an 9^th-round knockout of Metcalf also captured the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) world titles.

Yoshida, who took a risky fight this past February 1 to stay relatively active, defeating Beata Dudek by way of a 10-round unanimous decision (99-91, 97-93, 96-94), remains the IBF’s No. 1, mandatory challenger for Johnson, who last Saturday in Miami defeated challenger Amanda Galle (12-1-1, 1 KO) by way of a unanimous decision in her first undisputed world titles defense on the Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua card.

“Johnson versus Yoshida is the best fight in the bantamweight division,” Sullivan stated, “champion against the most dangerous contender. This is the fight fans deserve to see. Miyo Yoshida never lost her standing in this division; she lost her title on paper. She’s the IBF mandatory challenger for a reason, and a fight with Johnson is the rightful next chapter.”

Yoshida, known as the “Fighting Single Mother” in Japan, is a respected role model and recipient of Ring Magazine‘s 2023 Most Inspirational Female Fighter award. She is among just 23 female world champions from Japan and only the sixth to hold world titles in multiple divisions.

Sullivan, a former New York State Athletic Commission Deputy Commissioner, also manages undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor (10-0, 6 KOs), Bronx NYPD officer Nisa Rodriguez (3-1, 1 KO), and junior featherweight/influencer Brooklyn “The Big Deal” Barwick (4-0, 4 KOs). Sullivan also co-manages IBF Welterweight World title challenger Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-2, 11 KOs) and his cousin, middleweight Jim Donovan (2-0, 1 KO), alongside head trainer and former world champion Andy Lee.

NEW YORK CITY (July 15, 2025) – Three-time, two-division World Champion Miyo Yoshida (18-5) is tired of waiting for her mandated International Boxing Federation (IBF) Bantamweight world title shot as its No. 1-rated mandatory challenger.

Yoshida won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super Flyweight title in 2019 and 2021. On December 9, 2022, she fought in San Francisco as a late replacement on only two weeks’ notice, impressively defeating IBF Bantamweight World titleholder Ebanie Bridges (9-1) by unanimous decision over 10 rounds (99-91, 99-91, 97-93).

Last October, Yoshida lost her IBF title in a controversial 10-round decision to Shurretta Metcalf (14-5-1, 2 KOs). Last Friday night, Metcalf lost the IBF belt to Cherneka Johnson (18-2, 7 KOs), the WBA Bantamweight World Champion, on the Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano III undercard at Madison Square Garden. With the win, Johnson also scooped up the vacated World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) world titles.

When Metcalf defeated Yoshida, it was with highly questionable tallies of 99-91, 97-93, and 96-94. Her manager, Attorney Keith Sullivan, appealed the result to the IBF, arguing that Yoshida’s accurate jabs and higher punch connection rate should have earned her the win. Sullivan’s appeal was strongly supported by COMPUBOX statistics: Yoshida out-landed Metcalf in eight of the 10 rounds by a margin of 96 to 64 in total connects, including a 49-17 edge in jabs and 30 to 16 in punches landed to the body. Yoshida’s defensive skills were also on display with Metcalf landing just nine percent of her overall punches thrown.

The IBF ruled in January that Yoshida was its No. 1 mandatory challenger, requiring the titleholder to defend against Miyo by this October.

Yoshida’s promoter, Lou DiBella, got her back into the win column against a tough opponent on February 1, when she defeated Beata Dudek via 10-round unanimous decision (99-91, 97-93, 96-94).

“Miyo is a three-time world champ and a trailblazing symbol for Japanese women as an athlete and single mom. I applaud the IBF for recognizing that Yoshida deserves the opportunity to regain her belt. We will continue to push for Miyo to get her title shot as soon as possible and I am confident that we can work out a deal with MVP. They are in the business of making the best fights in women’s boxing. Undisputed Champ Cherneka Johnson vs. Miyo is a terrific match,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment.

“Lou has done a great job keeping Miyo active and creating great opportunities for her. The time is here for Miyo’s title match to finally get scheduled. Fortunately, Jake and Nakisa are helping to change the landscape for women in boxing under their MVP banner,” stated Miyo’s manager, Keith Sullivan, “Congratulations to Cherneka, who fought a great fight and made history. The styles of Miyo and Johnson will make for an exciting fan-friendly fight. We have two promoters who firmly support women’s boxing, so I am confident we will get that title fight scheduled as soon as possible,” concluded Sullivan.

From ringside Friday night, Miyo said, “Johnson had the perfect fight plan. I respect her, but we’ll have a more intense fistfight. So, let’s finally get my mandatory title fight scheduled. We’ll see in the ring who deserves to raise the belt as the IBF bantamweight champion.”

Miyo Yoshida, known as the “Fighting Single Mother” in Japan, is a respected role model and was the recipient of Ring Magazine‘s “Most Inspirational Female Fighter” award in 2023. She is among just 23 female world champions from Japan and only the sixth to hold world titles in multiple weight classes.

Sullivan, a former New York State Athletic Commission Deputy Commissioner, also manages undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight Pryce Taylor (8-0, 6 KOs) and Bronx NYPD officer Nisa Rodriguez (3-1, 1 KO). Sullivan co-manages IBF Welterweight World title challenger Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-1, 11 KOs) and his cousin, pro-debuting middleweight Jim Donovan, alongside coach and ex-world champion Andy Lee.

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NEW YORK CITY (January 27, 2025) – Coming off her controversial loss by decision to new International Boxing Federation (IBF) Bantamweight World Champion Shurretta Metcalf (14-4-1, 2 KOs) last October, three-time, two-division world champion Miyo Yoshida (17-5) returns to the ring February 1st against Slovakian super bantamweight Beata Dudek (5-5, 4 KOs).

Yoshida vs. Dudek is a scheduled 8-round fight on a card presented by Prime Time Promotions at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

COMPUBOX statistics for last October’s Yoshida vs. Metcalf 2 were heavily in favor of Yoshida, who lost her IBF Women’s Bantamweight World title, due to the judge’s dubious scores of 99-91 (Robin Taylor), Robert Perez (97-93) and Max DeLuca (96-94).

According to COMPUBOX, Yoshida finished the fight ahead 96-64 overall, 49-17 in jabs, 30-16 in body punches and 8-0-2 in a round-to-round breakdown of total connects.

Yoshida’s masterful defense kept her opponent at a distance, resulting in a large percentage of Metcalf’s punches falling short of connecting, striking nothing but air.

Overall, Yoshida landed an astonishingly 50-percent more punches (96-64) than Metcalf, in addition to having a much higher accuracy percentage, nearly three times as great at 22-percent to her opponent’s 9-percent.

Yoshida’s manager, New York-based lawyer Keith Sullivan, filed an appeal to the IBF, requesting an immediate rematch. The IBF reviewed Sullivan’s legal filing and supporting statistical data and took the rare move of maintaining Yoshida in the #1 ranking, and ordering her as Metcalf’s mandatory challenger, demanding Metcalf to defend her crown against Yoshida.

“I am very grateful to the IBF and my manager, Mr. Sullivan,” Yoshida said about her present status. “Looking back at the last match, I am horrified by the scoring results, especially 99-91. We had an excellent game plan to address the height and reach advantage of my opponent and we were faulted by the judges for executing it perfectly.”

The main difference between her last and upcoming fights is her mental approach to win so clearly that everyone will agree when her hand is raised in victory. Yoshida’s unconcerned about risking her mandatory title shot versus Metcalf by taking this fight with Dudek, who fights out of Hungary.

“Last year,” she explained, “I only fought one match. There was a gap between matches. In order to be in top condition, I want to fight consistently, and I’ll definitely be ready to win this match.

“My opponent (Dudek) is one weight class higher and the same height as Metcalf. So, I wanted this fight for those reasons, a bigger and taller opponent to prepare me for the re-match. Dudek is an opponent not to be underestimated. I have been training hard to keep up my spirits. I started fighting at flyweight and this will be my first time fighting at 121 pounds, but I’ve braced myself for it.”

“Miyo had a great camp. She will put on a tremendous display of her boxing skill and power. Her focus and commitment to her training is inspiring,” noted her head trainer Jimmy Sosa, who trains her with his brother Aurelino and conditioning coach, Sergiy Korchynskyy.

“By taking this fight, Miyo risks losing the title shot but she was adamant she wanted to keep busy and wanted a taller, heavier, and stronger opponent,” added Miyo’s manager Keith Sullivan. “I was very pleased with the IBF decision. I filed that within 48 hours of the decision. God willing, Miyo emerges Saturday victorious then the title shot is next.”

A boxing lawyer as well as a former Deputy Commissioner for the NYS Athletic Commission, Sullivan also manages undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor (5-0, 3 KOs) and undefeated Bronx NYPD Officer Nisa Rodriguez (3-0, 1 KO), the WBA No. 3 rated welterweight, in addition to co-managing world-rated (WBA #5, IBF #6, WBC #13) welterweight contender Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0, 11 KOs), the reigning WBA Continental Champion from Limerick, Ireland. Sullivan co-manages Donovan with former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, who is also Donovan’s head trainer.

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NEW YORK CITY (October 25, 2024) – COMPUBOX numbers from this past Wednesday night’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) Women’s Bantamweight World Championship match between defending champion Miso Yoshida and challenger Shurretta Metcalf clearly do not support the judges’ controversial 10-round unanimous decision in favor of Metcalf.

The judge’s dubious scores of 99-91 (Robin Taylor), Robert Perez (97-93) and Max DeLuca (96-94) awarded Metcalf the disputed victory. The right outcome appeared clear – both in the surprise reactions of Metcalf’s corner and also the thunderous objection from the crowd. As the scores were read, immediate objections reigned down through the arena as Yoshida and many ringsiders looked stunned.

Metcalf’s unproductive higher work rate of wildly ineffective aggression apparently was favored more by the judges than Yoshida’s well timed and forceful jabs, which set up her more impactful power shots, as well as a much higher comparable percentage of connected punches.

According to COMPUBOX, punch-wise, Yoshida finished the fight ahead 96-64 overall, 49-17 in jabs, 30-16 in body punches and 8-0-2 in a round-to-round breakdown of total connects. Yoshida’s masterful defense kept her opponent at a distance, resulting in a large percentage of Metcalf’s punches falling short of connecting, and striking nothing but air.

Overall, Yoshida landed an astonishingly 50-percent more punches (96-64) than Metcalf, in addition to having a much higher accuracy percentage, nearly three times as great at 22-percent to her opponent’s 9-percent.

Considering her 4-inch height and 6 ½ -inch reach disadvantages, Yoshida shouldn’t have been discredited by the judges for her style – fighting on the outside, moving inside to land punches, and then returning to the outside – because it was really the only way she could defeat the much larger Metcalf. Based on COMPUBOX statistics, she did just that and should have had her hands raised in victory.

Putting aside the bizarrely lopsided scores from Taylor, if the other two judges scored the first, sixth and eighth rounds properly based on the COMPUBOX numbers, Miyo would have won the fight by way of a majority decision. Yoshida out-landed Metcalf in rounds one and eight by 100-percent and by 175-percent in round six. Inexplicably, those rounds were scored against Yoshida.

Go here to read COMPUBOX’s complete report: https://beta.compuboxdata.com/

“Yoshida vs. Metcalf 2” headlined the “Heroes on the Hudson 2” card, presented by DiBella Entertainment, which was broadcast live from The Theater at Madison Square Garden on ProBoxTV.

“It was an honor to once again share the ring with Shuretta,” the dejected Yoshita said shortly after the fight, “this time in the mecca of boxing, Madison Square Garden. “I felt I did more than enough to win the fight, and I don’t understand why the judge’s awarded my opponent for throwing wild punches that never landed and the few that did, had no effect.”

“Having watched it ringside, read disagreement in the boxing media with the outcome and now seeing these lopsided statistics in Miyo’s favor,” Yoshita’s manager Keith Sullivan commented. “It is hard not to question the accuracy of the scoring. A 7-3 score is a disturbingly extreme stretch. The 9-1 score turned a world championship fight into a tragic farce. This was a disservice to the sport.”

The ProBox TV announcers agreed on air that the 99-91 score was “absurd”. Hall of Fame boxing writer Thomas Hauser, who covered the fight live for www.tss.ib.tv, wrote the following about “Yoshita-Metcalf 2”: “Shurretta threw wild punches from long range all night. When she landed, it seemed almost by accident. The decision could have gone either way. I thought each fighter clearly won three rounds with four rounds up for grabs. 97-93 was a stretch. 99-91 reeked of being an agenda-driven scorecard. Matt Delaglio was recently named executive director of the New York State Athletic Commission and inherited a job that has long been marked by incompetence and neglect. Delaglio is conscientious and well-qualified for the position. But he has a lot of work to do. One of the things on his ‘to-do list’ should be an overhaul of ring judging in New York. Right now, the judging in New York is unacceptable.”

A single mother of daughter Mina, Miyo is known as the “Fighting Single Mother” in Japan, where she is a revered role model. Yoshida received the 2023 Most Inspirational Female Fighter award from The Ring magazine. She moved half-way around the world from Japan to New York City to enhance her pro boxing career, unable to speak English, although she is studying to learn the language.

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NEW YORK CITY (October 21, 2024) – So much has changed in the last year for three-time, two-division World Champion Miyo Yoshida (17-4, 0 KOs) when she enters the ring this Wednesday night (Oct. 23) to make the first defense of her International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight title, as well as avenge a loss to her challenger, No. 1 contender Shurretta “Chiccn” Metcalf (13-4-1, 2 KOs), at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Yoshida vs. Metcalf will headline the “Heroes on the Hudson 2” card, presented by DiBella Entertainment and broadcast live on ProBoxTV, in the 10-round (2-minutes each) main event to celebrate and support heroic veterans of the United States Armed Forces in advance of Veterans Day in the latest addition of the popular Broadway Boxing series.

A year ago, in the inaugural “Heroes on the Hudson” card, Metcalf defeated Yoshida by way of a 10-round unanimous decision, but, a month later, Yoshida answered the call to challenge IBF Bantamweight World Champion Ebanie Bridges (9-1) and the Japanese boxer was an upset winner in San Francisco via a 10-round unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91, 97-93), capturing her third world title.

“Everything changed when I received the offer two weeks before the world title I won,” Yoshida explained. “I had planned to fight if I received a nomination order, and I want to take revenge and increase my value. I can learn from my losses, so this result will be different.

“I think Metcalf maintains her boxing style with that blessed height (5’ 7 ½”) because she works so hard. She is a single mother (as is Miyo) and tries many things. She can be rough with her language, but I basically respect her. I will defend and firmly avenge my loss to her to advance my story.”

Yoshida also attributed much of her success to her New York City-based team: head trainer Jimmy Sosa, his brother and assistant trainer Aurelinna, strength-and-conditioning coach Sergie Korchynskyy, and manager Keith Sullivan.

“The Sosas are like a father to me and Sergie is like my brother,” Yoshida said. “They come to listen to my lectures, and I learn important things in life, not only through boxing, but also with many kids at Cops & Kids Boxing (gym in Brooklyn). Team Sosa patiently teaches me until I understand even if there is a language barrier. I appreciate that and members of Team Sosa are learning Japanese, because the team is united as one. (4-time World Champion Jorge Linares will work her corner and he speaks fluent Japanese.)

“Keith is my manager, and he listens to me kindly and explores many possibilities for me. He understands my struggles as a single mother, in a foreign country.”

Yoshida vs. Metcalf launches the Great 8 Tournament to crown the undisputed women’s World Bantamweight Champion.

Miyo had been training regularly with veterans and active duty personal at the U.S. military bases in Japan since her July 2016 match at Camp Zama, which inspired her to move to New York. She is still supported by the people at Camp Zama and Atsugi Base.

“It is truly an honor to be managing Miyo,” Sullivan commented. “She is a three-time world champion who brings tremendous professionalism and commitment to her training. This fight has a great drama built into it because of the loss she suffered in their first fight followed by Miyo convincingly winning the world title one month later as a last-minute fill-in. This is a Do Not Miss fight. It will be an exciting fight. I am hopeful that this tournament can be the blueprint for other female divisions to keep the champions and their mandatories active. It is a win-win for all involved.”

Sullivan is a former Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Athletic Commission, who manages IBF and WBA #6 rated welterweight Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0, heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor (4-0, 2 KOs), and WBC #9 rated super middleweight Nisa Rodriguez (2-0, 0 KOs), amongst several other professional fighters.

Tickets priced between $200 and $55, are available for purchase at: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/3B00613413292E16?did=yoshida

NEW YORK, NY (October 18, 2024) Next Wednesday, October 23, Lou DiBella’s DiBella Entertainment presents “Heroes on the Hudson 2,” a stacked card including three title fights, live from The Theater at Madison Square Garden. The main event features the much-anticipated rematch between IBF Bantamweight World Champion Miyo Yoshida and Shurretta Metcalf. “Heroes on the Hudson 2” will be broadcast live on ProBoxTV, beginning at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT. A portion of the event’s proceeds will be donated to West Point Society of New York, Merging Vets & Players, and The Headstrong Project.

Tickets for “Heroes On The Hudson 2”, priced at $182, $157, $82 and $57, can be purchased via Ticketmaster.com HERE. Doors at The Theater at Madison Square Garden will open on the night of the event at 7:15 PM ET.

How to Watch: Download the free ProBoxTV app available in all app stores, in English and Spanish. It is available on Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, Samsung, LG and Fubo Sports Channel, as well as on ProBoxTV’s YouTube channel.

The evening will kick off with a heavyweight clash between Jerry “Slugger” Forrest (27-6-2, 20 KOs), of Newport News, VA, and Brooklyn, NY’s Earl Newman (10-3-1, 7 KOs), scheduled for eight rounds. Forrest, who is coming off of a unanimous decision win against Robert Hall Jr. late last year, plans to set the stage for a major fight in 2025. Before turning pro, Newman was an accomplished amateur, winning the National Golden Gloves, National PAL tournament, and New York Golden Gloves twice.

Forrest, the heavy-handed six-foot-one southpaw was given his “Slugger” nickname by his grandmother after he survived complications at birth. In 2021, Forrest engaged in back-to-back slugfests, both of which ended in controversial draws, against then-undefeated Chinese southpaw Zhilei Zhang and a rematch against top-rated contender Michael Hunter. Forrest has also battled Jermaine Franklin, Carlos Takam, Kubrat Pulev and Jared Anderson.

“I’ve been in camp for the last few months,” said Forrest. “I always stay in shape, and I’m always ready. I’m feeling good, feeling healthy, and I’m ready for a fight. We’ve been studying footage of Newman. I’m not going in the ring feeling like this will be a pushover. I will be prepared for whatever Newman brings.”

Being a part of “Heroes on the Hudson 2” is especially important to Forrest, as his father, Duane, was a Master Chief Petty Officer aboard the USS Nimitz before recently retiring from the Navy. At the outset of his ring career, Jerry had been employed as a nuclear electrician for 10 years, working on submarines and aircraft carriers.

“My parents were always very supportive of me pursuing boxing. When my dad was in the Navy, he would get the carriers to show my fights. I had soldiers all over the world supporting me whenever I fought. It is an honor to fight on this card. The military blessed my family. We wouldn’t have what we have now without it.”

The elder Forrest is proud of his son for pursuing his dream.  

“Jerry got into a fight at school with a bully, a gang member,” said Mr. Forrest, describing his son’s start in boxing. “The bully hit my son from behind, and Jerry responded by beating him up. The school official described my son’s punches sounding like a bat hitting a wall. After that, some kids came to our front door at home looking to fight my son, and he beat up them too. I told my son that if he wanted to fight, he needed to do it in the ring.

“We have always been supportive of my son’s career,” continued Mr. Forrest, who is proud that his son will fight on an event benefiting veterans. “My heart is with the veterans. I’m one myself. Men and women sign their names on dotted lines to defend this country and it’s about freedom. We enlist at our free will. That takes courage, heart, grit and guts. Only one percent of the population joins. Any member of any branch, I applaud you and thank you for your service. A lot of people won’t make the sacrifice. Most people do other things in life. It’s not easy by any means. Veterans made a sacrifice to give a part of their lives to defend democracy and freedom in our nation. I tip my hat to them because they are true leaders.”

Also on the undercard, Polish light heavyweight Konrad Kaczmarkiewicz (7-1-1, 3 KOs), a popular fighter out of Brooklyn, NY, takes on Pennsylvania’s Khainell Wheeler (7-5, 6 KOs) in a six-round bout. A Polish National Champion as an amateur, Kaczmarkiewicz trains out of the same gym as world champion Miyo Yoshida and is cornered by Aureliano Sosa. Managed by Lukasz Kownacki, he made his US debut last month in Queens, NY, with a fifth-round stoppage.

World-ranked super lightweight contender “Marvelous” Mykquan Williams (21-0-2, 10 KOs), of East Hartford, CT, squares off against Rochester, NY’s Lavisas Williams (10-1-1, 3 KOs) in the co-main event. Mykquan, who will defend his WBA Continental Americas Gold Super Lightweight title, last fought in June, stopping Willmank Brito in the third round. 

Edward “Kid” Vazquez (16-2, 3 KOs), of Fort Worth, TX, vies for the vacant IBF USBA Junior Lightweight Championship against Kenneth Taylor (14-3-2, 6 KOs), of Tyler, TX, in a 10-round contest. Vazquez has been anxious to return to the ring following his dominant win against Daniel Bailey in May. The fight followed a controversial majority decision loss to then-IBF featherweight world champion Joe Cordina in an action-packed “Fight of the Year” contender for 2023.

“Heroes on the Hudson 2” is proudly sponsored by CAVU Securities and Morgan Stanley. Companies interested in purchasing sponsorship packages available can contact DiBella Entertainment at (212) 947-2577.

A portion of the event’s proceeds will be donated to the following Veterans causes: 

West Point Society of New York provides camaraderie and support to graduates and former cadets of the United States Military Academy.  

Merging Vets & Players is an organization that combines veterans with the sporting community to help our heroes thrive and make connections and a difference on the field and in their communities. Learn more at vetsandplayers.org.

The Headstrong Project provides free, confidential, and easy-to-access mental healthcare for members of the military community. More information can be found at theheadstrongproject.org.

NEW YORK, NY (October 9, 2024) Live from The Theater at Madison Square Garden, DiBella Entertainment presents “Heroes on the Hudson 2”, a night of championship boxing to celebrate and show appreciation for our country’s military veterans. The event, set to take place on Wednesday, October 23, will be broadcast live on ProBoxTV beginning at 8:00pm ET. A portion of the proceeds from “Heroes on the Hudson 2” will be donated to West Point Society of New York, Merging Vets & Players, and The Headstrong Project.

In the main event, Miyo Yoshida (17-4) rematches Shurretta Metcalf (13-4-1, 2 KOs) for Yoshida’s IBF Bantamweight World Title. The two faced off at the first annual Heroes on the Hudson event last November, with Metcalf winning a unanimous decision. 

ProBoxTV is becoming a force in boxing broadcasting, with its Wednesday Night Fights series garnering widespread attention from fans and boxing media alike.

“I am thrilled that this year’s Heroes on the Hudson event will be streamed live on ProBoxTV via its various platforms. It is a tremendous opportunity to help spread much-needed awareness for Veterans causes and charities,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “We will have a great card for the fans in attendance and those watching around the world. Miyo Yoshida defends her world title in a rematch against Shurretta Metcalf in what will be the start of the Great 8 tournament that will ultimately crown an undisputed women’s bantamweight world champion.”

“ProBoxTV is excited to be working with DiBella Entertainment on this Veterans awareness Wednesday night fight card from The Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 23. It is an honor to be involved with an event in celebration of our Veterans of the United States Armed Forces,” said Garry Jonas, CEO of ProBoxTV. “Our Wednesday night fight series is known for evenly matched action fights and this main event, a female world title fight, is sure to deliver on that.”

Tickets for “Heroes On The Hudson 2”, priced at $182, $157, $82 and $57, are on sale now and can be purchased via Ticketmaster.com HERE. Doors at The Theater at Madison Square Garden will open on the night of the event at 7:00 PM ET.

“Heroes on the Hudson 2” is proudly sponsored by CAVU Securities and Morgan Stanley. Companies interested in purchasing sponsorship packages available can contact DiBella Entertainment at (212) 947-2577.

How to Watch: Download the free ProBoxTV app available in all app stores, in English and Spanish. It is available on Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, Samsung, LG and Fubo Sports Channel, as well as on ProBoxTV’s YouTube channel.

A portion of the event’s proceeds will be donated to the following Veterans causes: 

West Point Society of New York provides camaraderie and support to graduates and former cadets of the United States Military Academy.  

Merging Vets & Players is an organization that combines Veterans with the sporting community to help our heroes thrive and make connections and a difference on the field and in their communities. Learn more at vetsandplayers.org.

The Headstrong Project provides free, confidential, and easy-to-access mental healthcare for members of the military community. More information can be found at theheadstrongproject.org.

Further details on this event will be announced shortly.

NEW YORK CITY (October 7, 2024) – Three-time, two-division World Champion Reigning Miyo Yoshida (17-4, 0 KOs) will add a special addition to her corner on October 23rd, when she makes the initial defense of her International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight title against No. 1 contender Shurretta “Chiccn” Metcalf (13-4-1, 2 KOs), at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Yoshida vs. Metcalf will headline in a 10-round (2-minutes each) main event on the “Heroes on the Hudson 2” card, presented by DiBella Entertainment, which will celebrate and support heroic veterans of the United States Armed Forces in advance of Veterans Day in the latest addition of the popular Broadway Boxing series.

Future Hall of Famer Jorge “El Nino de Oro Golden Boy” Linares (47-9, 29 KOs), the four-time, three-division world champion from his native Venezuela, will be making the trip from his home in Tokyo to the Big Apple, where he fought twice during his 21-year pro boxing career.

“My senior, Jorge Linares, will be joining me as my second this time,” through a translator Yoshida explained the difference between her first fight with her Oct. 23rd challenger. “It is reassuring to have someone who can give me instructions in Japanese for spur-of-the-moment decisions during this fight. The members of Team Sosa (Jimmy Sosa is her head trainer) are also learning Japanese. The team is united.

“Although I am struggling with the English language, I am very happy to have come to New York City. I am grateful to Lou DiBella (her promoter, DiBella Entertainment) for giving me the opportunity. The condition from him was for me and my daughter to immigrate here. I am very thankful to my manager, Keith Sullivan, for handling the business side and guiding me. Even though I don’t speak English, I have met many friends who saw what I was doing and supported me.”

Linares moved to Japan at the age of 17 because he wanted to turn pro and would have had to wait until he was 18 if he had remained in Venezuela. He was 10-4 in world title fights, defeating six world champions: Hugo Rafael Soto, Oscar Larios, Gamaliel Diaz, Jesus Chavez and Anthony Crolla (twice).

Yoshida, 35, captured the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super Flyweight crowns twice in 2019 and 2021. She is one of 23 female world champions from Japan, only the sixth to capture world titles in two or more divisions.

In her last fight, Metcalf defeated Yoshida by way of a 10-round unanimous decision for the International Boxing Federation (IBF), ironically, on the original “Heroes of the Hudson” last November 7 also at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Last December in her most recent fight, Yoshida put on a boxing clinic in San Francisco, replacing injured Avril Mathie on less than two weeks’ notice to defeat defending IBF bantamweight title-holder Ebanie Bridges (9-1) by way of a dominant 10-round unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91, 97-93).

A single mother of daughter her, Mina, Miyo is known as the “Fighting Single Mother” in Japan, where she is a revered role model back, and for that reason as well as her success in the ring, Yoshida received the 2023 Most Inspirational Female Fighter award from The Ring magazine

Yoshida vs. Metcalf launches the beginning of the Great 8 Tournament to determine the undisputed women’s bantamweight world champion

“Miyo is a 3-time World Champion, she has proven she knows what it takes to win. Outside the ring she is an amazing single mother raising her beautiful daughter in a foreign country. Few have made the sacrifices to create opportunities for her and her daughter the way Miyo has. It is an honor to be working with such a dynamic and exciting world champion”, said Miyo’s manager New York City-based lawyer Keith Sullivan.

Sullivan is a former Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Athletic Commission, who manages IBF and WBA #6 rated welterweight Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0, heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor (4-0, 2 KOs), and WBC #9 rated super middleweight Nisa Rodriguez (2-0, 0 KOs), amongst several other professional fighters.

Tickets priced between $200 and $55, are available for purchase at

https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/3B00613413292E16?did=yoshida

NEW YORK, NY (September 25, 2024) Professional boxing returns to The Theater at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, October 23, when DiBella Entertainment presents “Heroes on the Hudson 2” to celebrate and support our heroic veterans of the United States Armed Forces in advance of Veterans Day. With the goal of raising money and awareness for deserving Veterans charities, this latest edition of Broadway Boxing will be headlined by a world title fight featuring IBF bantamweight champion Miyo Yoshida defending her belt in a rematch against Shurretta Metcalf.

“On October 23, at the Theater at Madison Square Garden, we will honor our veterans once again with ‘Heroes on the Hudson 2’ to help generate much-needed awareness and funds for military charities. The first ‘Heroes on the Hudson’ event, held at Times Square’s Edison Ballroom, was such a resounding success that we had to move it to a bigger venue this time around,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Last year’s card was headlined by a former world champion making a comeback. This year’s main event will be a compelling world title fight between two talented, hard-working single mothers, the champion Miyo Yoshida and well-deserving #1 contender Shurretta Metcalf. It will mark the beginning of the Great 8 Tournament, aimed at crowning an undisputed women’s bantamweight world champion.”

“Heroes on the Hudson 2” is proudly sponsored by CAVU Securities and Morgan Stanley. Companies interested in purchasing sponsorship packages available can contact DiBella Entertainment at (212) 947-2577.

Tickets for “Heroes On The Hudson 2”, priced at $182, $157, $82 and $57, are on sale now and can be purchased via Ticketmaster.com HERE. Doors at The Theater at Madison Square Garden will open on the night of the event at 7:00 PM ET, with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 PM ET.

A portion of the event’s proceeds will be donated to the following Veterans causes: 

West Point Society of New York provides camaraderie and support to graduates and former cadets of the United States Military Academy.  

Merging Vets & Players is an organization that combines Veterans with the sporting community to help our heroes thrive and make connections and a difference on the field and in their communities. Learn more at vetsandplayers.org.

The Headstrong Project provides free, confidential, and easy-to-access mental healthcare for members of the military community. More information can be found at theheadstrongproject.org.

Yoshida and Metcalf initially met on November 7, 2023, as part of the undercard to last year’s “Heroes on the Hudson” event. Metcalf got the win that night via unanimous decision, using her size and consistent jab to outpace Yoshida and pick up the IBF Inter-Continental belt.

One month later, Yoshida was chosen as a late replacement opponent to face IBF world champion Ebanie Bridges in San Francisco. Coming in as a 7-1 underdog, with her young daughter cheering from ringside, Yoshida put on a dominant performance to lift the title from the Aussie in a 10-round all-action fight. With the win, she became a three-time, two-division world champion. Yoshida previously held the WBO Super Flyweight World Title twice.

Now, Yoshida and Metcalf will do battle once more, each equally motivated to settle the score.

“I’m eager for revenge against Metcalf,” said Yoshida, of Kagoshima, Japan, now based out of New York City. “Just weeks before the fight against Ebanie, I joined Sosa Crew and have been training well with them ever since. There is a lot of pressure on me heading into this rematch, but I am looking forward to seeing how much I have grown over this past year.”

Yoshida (17-4) promises that the rematch with Metcalf will have a different outcome.  

“I didn’t have a detailed strategy last time,” she continued. “I couldn’t handle the unexpected moves. I thought it was a close fight. The result was a decision loss, but I’ve learned the importance of how to score points. I am burning for revenge and I am sure I will win.”

Metcalf (13-4-1, 2 KOs), of Dallas, TX, is also eager for the rematch and determined to capture the world title. 

“I am so happy,” said Metcalf. “This is something I have worked hard for and I will finally get the opportunity I have earned. I beat Yoshida the last time and will come out on top again to become a world champion.”

Further details on this event will be announced shortly.

NEW YORK, NY (March 22, 2024) Before she became a three-time, two-division world champion, Japan’s Miyo Yoshida made her U.S. debut on April 27, 2023, at Sony Hall in New York City, as part of DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing series. Boxing fans who missed the event live will be able to catch the action that took place that night premiering this Sunday, March 24, at 6:00pm ET, on SNY. The stacked card, which was promoted in association with Boxing Insider Promotions, was headlined by a thrilling junior middleweight battle between Brian Ceballo and Luis Alberto Veron.

“This Sunday night, Broadway Boxing will premiere an exciting episode from its vault that was first broadcast on DAZN, featuring three stars from the DiBella Entertainment stable,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Before capturing her bantamweight crown, Miyo Yoshida made her U.S. debut, with her daughter watching from ringside, as she took on a very game Indeya Smith. Tsendbaatar Erdenebat, known to some as the Mongolian Mole following his intense sparring sessions with Ryan Garcia, employed his wide arsenal against Edy Valencia Mercado. Rising star David Lopez picked up his first win under the DBE banner. His next fight will be April 19 back on DAZN as part of the Overtime series.”

Now the IBF women’s bantamweight world champion, Yoshida, on this night, squared off against the tough Indeya Smith, of Dallas, TX, in an eight-round super flyweight contest. Born in Kagoshima, Japan, Yoshida now resides in New York, NY. She won her first world title in June 2019, seizing the WBO super flyweight belt from Casey Croft via unanimous decision. Miyo made one successful defense, then lost the title by technical decision (stoppage due to gash over her eye). She regained that belt in a rematch six months later. After losing the title on a split decision in 2022, Yoshida decided to leave Japan with her young daughter and build upon her career in the United States.

The co-main event featured the unbeaten Mongolian power puncher Tsendbaatar Erdenebat taking on Mexican veteran Edy Valencia Mercado in an eight-round contest. Erdenebat grew up on the countryside steppes of the Mongolian grassland, living a nomadic lifestyle with his family, herding horses and livestock, which helped him to develop his lauded strength. As an amateur, Erdenebat was a two-time Olympian, competing in the 2016 Rio Games and 2020 Tokyo Games. Accumulating an impressive 147-41 record, Erdenebat won 11 Mongolian National titles, as well as gold medals at the AIBA Asian Championships twice, the 2018 Asian Games, and a bronze medal at the 2019 AIBA World Championships.

Touted junior welterweight prospect “Dynamite” David Lopez made his DBE debut on the undercard against Dominican Nelson Morales. Lopez, from Oakland, CA, now based out of Las Vegas, turned professional at 17 years old while still enrolled in high school. Coming from a family of fighters, Lopez, a southpaw who is of Black and Filipino heritage, is trained by his father and former pro boxer, Kris Lopez. Amassing an overall amateur record of 34-4, Lopez won the Desert Showdown World Amateur Boxing Championships, Puerto Rican National Championships, and a bronze medal at the Junior Olympics.

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 at 6:00pm 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). 

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NEW YORK CITY (March 4, 2024) – Reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) Bantamweight World Champion Miyo Yoshida (17-4, 0 KOs) has signed with New York-based lawyer Keith Sullivan.

Yoshida, 35, is a three-time, two-division world champion having captured the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super Flyweight crowns twice in 2019 and 2021. A native of Japan, she moved to Manhattan last year, trains at the famed Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, and is promoted by DiBella Entertainment.

She is one of 23 female world champions from Japan, only the sixth to capture world titles in two or more divisions.

“Keith Sullivan is an excellent lawyer with an undisputed reputation,” Yoshida said. “I believe that he will be able to advance my career forward by becoming my manager. He was highly recommended, and I am happy he is part of Team Miyo. ”It will also broaden the scope of my career.”

“Miyo is a great story on many levels, both in and out of the ring,” Sullivan commented. “She was a single mom in a foreign country coming off a took loss, took that fight on two weeks’ notice and dominated her way to another World title,” Sullivan commented. “She has a lot of fight still in her. It’s an honor to work with someone as professional and respectful as Miyo.”

Last December, Yoshida put on a boxing clinic in San Francisco, replacing injured Avril Mathie on less than two weeks’ notice to defeat defending IBF bantamweight title-holder Ebanie Bridges (9-1) by way of a dominant 10-round unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91, 97-93).

“Without a doubt,” Yoshida talked about her title fight against Bridges, “this match was my greatest career achievement. I want to get stronger than I am now and continue to be a great champion.”

Miyo Yoshida (picture courtesy of DiBella Entertainment)

A single mother of daughter her, Mina, Miyo is known as the “Fighting Single Mother” in Japan, where she is a revered role model back, and for that reason as well as her success in the ring, Yoshida received the 2023 Most Inspirational Female Fighter award from The Ring magazine.

“Many senior Japanese women have paved the way for me without giving up,” Miyo added. I would like to follow in their footsteps and pave the way for my juniors. Women’s boxing in the United States is by far the largest market. In Japan, you get used to fighting against Japanese styles. In the U.S. there are so many various fighting styles. It’s always interesting. The support and scale of women’s boxing is superior in the U.S. than in Japan.”

Ten years ago, Yoshida moved from Kagoshima, Japan, to Hawaii to learn kickboxing because she wanted to change her life. She kickboxed and learned MMA before turning to boxing at the age of 26. After two years out of boxing to take care of her baby, she made her professional debut at the age of 28. Miyo started boxing because as a kickboxer, she often sparred boxers and enjoyed the challenge of the sport.”

Sullivan also manages Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor (2-0, 2 KOs), standout amateur Nisa Rodriguez, and the reigning WBA Continental Champion from Limerick, Ireland, Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (13-0, 10 KOs).

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NEW YORK (January 12, 2024) This Sunday at 9:00pm EST, DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing Veterans Day event, dubbed “Heroes on the Hudson,” will premiere on SportsNet New York (SNY), New York City’s premier destination for sports and sporting news. The card, originally broadcast by DAZN, was part of a Veterans Day celebration, sponsored by Morgan Stanley and Cavu Securities, to support the heroic veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

The 120^th edition of the Broadway Boxing series is highlighted by the ring return of former WBO world champion and US Marine Jamel Herring against the undefeated Nick Molina.

Newly crowned IBF Bantamweight World Champion Miyo Yoshida took on Shurretta Metcalf in a 10-round bantamweight contest on the undercard with the vacant IBF Inter-Continental belt at stake. Rising heavyweight Roney Hines put his undefeated record on the line versus Jonathan Gruber, and super bantamweight contender Mikiah Kreps faced the experienced Isis Vargas Perez. 

A portion of the proceeds from the event were donated to Merging Vets and Players and the West Point Society of New York. 

“Our last Broadway Boxing event, held at Edison Ballroom in New York City, titled ‘Heroes on the Hudson’, not only celebrated the 20^th anniversary of the series, it more importantly helped to honor and support our military veterans. First broadcast on DAZN, I’m thrilled to now premiere this card to SNY’s audience,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Former world champion and US Marine Veteran, Jamel Herring, began his comeback, determined to get back into the world title picture. Miyo Yoshida, now a three-time world champion, battled Shurretta Metcalf for the IBF Inter-Continental bantamweight title on the undercard. Also that night, super bantamweight contender Mikiah Kreps, co-managed by Herring, took on former world title challenger Isis Vargas Perez and heavyweight prospect Roney Hines rumbled with Jonathan Gruber.”

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, 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 “Heroes on the Hudson” can do so by tuning in to SNY on Sunday at 9:00pm EST. 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). 

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NEW YORK, NY (December 12, 2023) DiBella Entertainment is thrilled to congratulate both Miyo Yoshida and Amanda Galle on becoming world champions over the weekend.

On Saturday, Miyo Yoshida seized the IBF Bantamweight World Title with a unanimous decision victory against Australian Ebanie Bridges at the Chase Center, in San Francisco, CA, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View, as part of the Haney-Prograis undercard. Taking the bout on short notice as a late replacement opponent, oddsmakers had Yoshida, of Kagoshima, Japan, as a 7-1 underdog. With her eight-year-old daughter watching from ringside, Yoshida outworked Bridges over 10 entertaining rounds, often finding a home for her overhand right. After a hard-fought battle by both fighters, the scorecards read 99-91 twice, and 97-93, all for Yoshida. With the win, Yoshida, 17-4, is now a three-time, two-division world champion. She previously held the WBO Super Flyweight World Title twice.

“Ebanie Bridges was a great champion and it was a very tough fight,” said Yoshida. “I really want to say it is thanks to Lou and DiBella Entertainment that I was able to become a world champion again after only one year in the United States. I am very grateful to all of them. Coming in as a late replacement, we only had about two weeks to train for this title match. However, I joined with Team Sosa and I believe that my victory was made possible thanks to the support of the entire team.”

“I am so proud of Miyo,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “What an epic performance to win a third world title. A thrill for a hard-working, dedicated, single mom to realize this dream in front of her little girl! Miyo is a warrior and she beat a warrior. I am so happy for one of the nicest people in boxing.”

Photo Credit: Jeff Lockhart Photo

On Sunday, Amanda Galle, of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, defeated Niorkis Carreno, of Trujillo, Venezuela, to capture the IBO Bantamweight World Title. The two fought at Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto, with Galle winning by unanimous decision via tallies of 98-92, 97-93, and 96-94. The event was promoted by Lee Baxter Promotions, who co-promotes Galle with DiBella Entertainment. Galle, now 9-0-1 (1 KO), used her footwork, angles and speed to outbox the experienced Carreno, 24-4 (19 KOs), who was a three-time world title challenger entering the bout.

“I’m on a mission to be what I am destined to be. On Sunday, I became the new IBO World Bantamweight Champion,” said Galle. “The ultimate goal for me is being the undisputed bantamweight world champion. I am made for this. I am now reaping the rewards for all of my dedication and hard work in boxing for the past 16 years. Everything beforehand prepared me for this moment and whatever is to come ahead.”

“I knew when I signed Amanda to a co-promotional deal with Lee Baxter that she had the potential to become a world champion and I am thrilled to see her achieve her dream,” said DiBella. “She worked incredibly hard to reach this moment in her career and there are even bigger hurdles to overcome that I know she’ll be prepared for. Amanda Galle is one of the best fighters at bantamweight and she is ready to take on the division’s elite.”

On the undercard in Toronto, world ranked super lightweight contender Jessica Camara, of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, earned a dominant victory against Mexican Estafania Orozco Oliva. Stopping Oliva at the 1:18 mark of the fourth round, Camara improved to 12-4, with 3 KOs. Camara is rated #1 by the WBC and #7 by the WBO. In 2021, she challenged Kali Reis for the unified WBA/WBO/IBO Super Lightweight World Championship, losing a very close split decision.

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By Mario Ortega Jr. (Ringside)

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA  — The former unified lightweight champion Devin Haney impressed in his 140-pound debut, issuing Regis Prograis the most one-sided defeat of his career en route to claiming the WBC light welterweight title before his hometown crowd.

Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada was just too much of everything for Prograis (29-2, 24 KOs) of Houston, Texas by way of New Orleans, Louisiana over the twelve rounds.

After a feeling out opening stanza, the fight was all Haney. In the second round, Haney, 140, began to find the angles he needed to land, which he did with one right uppercut in particular.

Early in the third, Haney scored a knockdown with a lead right over the top of Prograis’ guard.

Prograis, 139, came out for the fourth on steady legs, but the challenger continued to give him a boxing lesson as the fight wore on. Haney landed a crisp one-two combination to punctuate the fourth round.

Haney continued to blister Prograis with combinations in the fifth round, while also putting some money in the bank via a body attack.

The one-two worked again for Haney as he rocked Prograis back on his heels with less than a minute to go in the sixth.

The pace slowed in the seventh, with Prograis was unwilling to let his hands go. The referee and the ringside doctor took a long look in the Prograis’ corner prior to the eighth.

Haney led the action in the eighth and ninth, but with less and less to counter, the Bay Area native was content to box and move. With a minute to go in the ninth, Prograis over extended himself with a left and Haney made him pay with a clubbing right that excited the crowd.

Haney seemed satisfied sending the bout to the cards as he exhibited some flashy defense in the championship rounds, but never pressed for the stoppage as he outboxed Prograis from bell-to-bell.

In the end, all three judges scored the shutout for Haney, 120-107. The question now is where does Haney go next. 140-pounds is one of the deepest divisions in boxing, but the Haneys have already floated designs on the welterweight division. Promoter Eddie Hearn floated the name of Ryan Garcia after the bout, but that seems like an unlikely prospect.

In the final appetizer before the main event, WBO #11 ranked light welterweight Liam Paro scored two knockdowns early in the sixth en route to stopping Montana Love midway through the round.

Paro (24-0, 15 KOs) of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and Love (18-1-1, 9 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio fought on even terms early in the fight. There was not much to distinguish the two as the boo birds derided the lack of early action. 

Things heated up a bit more late in the fifth, but it was the sixth where the fight took a quick turn. Paro, 140, landed clean with a left uppercut that sent Love, 140, to the seat of his pants for the first knockdown. 

When action resumed, Paro moved in aggressively, eventually landing a straight left that sent Love down for a second time. Love made it to his feet, but when Paro forced him into a neutral corner with a flurry, Love covered up for too long for referee Thomas Taylor’s liking. The referee stopped the fight at 1:49 of round six.

With the win, Paro, who had a scheduled title bout against Regis Prograis slip between his fingers due to injury earlier this year, claimed the vacant regional WBO Intercontinental 140-pound title.

Cruz Takes out Straffon in 3

Fast-rising lightweight prospect Andy Cruz (2-0, 1 KO) of Miami, Florida by way of Matanzas, Matanzas, Cuba completely steamrolled normally durable Jovanni Straffon (26-6-1, 19 KOs) of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico en route to a third-round stoppage. 

Cruz, 134.4, let loose with both hands from the opening bell. It was all Straffon, 134, could do to weather the onslaught. The second round was especially one-sided, as Cruz straffed Straffon with everything in his arsenal.

Early in the third round, Cruz pressed Straffon into a neutral corner, landing clean with both hands. Having seen enough of the mismatch, referee Edward Collantes leaped in to stop the bout at :53 of the third round. 

With the win, Cruz successfully defended his IBF International lightweight title and claimed the vacant WBA Continental Latin America lightweight title. 

Yoshida Upsets Bridges to Claim Bantamweight Title

Coming in on short notice, Miyo Yoshida (17-4) of New York, New York by way of Kagoshima, Kagoshima, Japan upset media darling Ebanie Bridges (9-2, 4 KOs) of New South Wales, Australia to claim the IBF bantamweight championship by ten-round unanimous decision. 

Yoshida, 117.6, was in the face of the champion Bridges, 117.8, from the get-go and never took a backward step. Yoshida, despite having campaigned mainly in the 115-pound super flyweight division throughout her career, looked like the bigger fighter and landed the harder shots.

Bridges, fighting for the first time in a year with a surgically-repaired right hand,  never was able to force Yoshida into any sort of retreat and ate the more eye-catching shots as they exchanged throughout a fight fought completely on the inside. 

Yoshida, who entered the ring as the IBF #10 ranked bantamweight and had fought just one month ago in a losing effort to Shurretta Metcalf, closed out the fight strong and raised her hands in celebration as the final bell rang. In the end, all three judges scored the fight wide for Yoshida by scores of 97-93 and 99-91 twice

Middleweight prospect Amari Jones (11-0, 10 KOs) of Las Vegas by way of Oakland, California was impressive in his Bay Area homecoming as he stopped tough veteran Quilisto Madera (14-5, 9 KOs) of Stockton, California in the fifth-round. 

Jones, 159.2 controlled Madera, 160, in the opening round with his jab. As the fight progressed into round three, Jones’ right hand came more into play and became the dominant punch of the fight. 

The end of round four got Jones’ home crowd excited as a right hand snapped Madera’s head back against the turnbuckle and set off an exchange along the ropes. 

Jones picked right up where he left off early in the fifth. With Jones landing clean, two-handed combinations as Madera backed against the ropes, referee Thomas Taylor leaped in to stop the fight. Official time of the stoppage was 1:44 of the fifth round. 

Beatriz Ferreira (4-0, 2 KOs) of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil saw her own blood for the first time as a professional en route to an eight-round stoppage of a game Destiny Jones (5-2, 2 KOs) of Austin, Texas.

Ferreira, 130, found a willing opponent in Jones, 129.8, who had her moments throughout the bout. Ferreira is just a fearless punching machine and Jones had to work hard to keep pace. Twice Ferreira knocked Jones’ mouthpiece out, once with a right late in the second and again in the fourth.

After Jones drew blood with an accidental elbow late in round four, Ferreira seemed more determined to go for the stoppage as the fight progressed. Ferreira eventually landed with a sweeping left hook with seconds to go in round seven that dropped Jones, who was leaning that way.

At the beginning of round eight, Jones did not react well when asked to touch gloves and referee Edward Collantes asked the doctor for a look. On the advice of the doctor, Collantes stopped the bout. Official time of stoppage was :05 of round eight.

In the opening bout, Shamar Canal (7-0, 4 KOs) of Albany, New York continued his rise with a dominant six-round unanimous decision over veteran Jose Antonio Meza (8-9, 2 KOs) of Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico. 

Canal, 132, had too many dimensions for the durable Meza. After comfortably outboxing Meza, 131.8, over the early rounds, Canal pressed on the gas in the last two and finally broke through with a straight right that dropped the Mexican native late in the sixth. All three judges were in agreement on the shutout, 60-53.

NEW YORK (December 8, 2023) This weekend, DiBella Entertainment fighters are staying busy with bouts in San Francisco, Toronto, and Dubai. Miyo Yoshida, Amanda Galle, Jessica Camara and Lucas Browne are all in action in separate bouts.

Two-time world champion Miyo Yoshida (16-4), of Kagoshima, Japan, will vie for her third world title in a second weight class when she faces Ebanie Bridges (9-1, 4 KOs), of New South Wales, Australia, for the IBF World Bantamweight Title on the undercard of the Devin Haney-Regis Prograis super lightweight championship at the Chase Center in San Francisco, CA. Their bout will open up the DAZN Pay-Per-View broadcast beginning at 8pm EST. Yoshida, who previously held the WBO Super Flyweight Title twice, was a late replacement for Bridges’ original opponent.

“A year ago, I moved to New York City with my daughter, and I am very honored to have been given the opportunity to compete for the world title in such a short period of time,” said Yoshida. “I left my stable life in Japan and came to the US with a strong determination to become a world boxing champion again in the United States. That dream is now becoming a reality. Ebanie Bridges is a great champion, but I want to prove by becoming a champion again that dreams always can come true if you don’t give up.”

Former WBA Heavyweight Champion Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne (31-4, 27 KOs), of Perth, Western Australia, will return to the ring on Saturday, following his war with Jarrell Miller earlier this year. He will face undefeated Russian southpaw Mark Petrovsky (6-0, 4 KOs) at the Agenda Arena in Dubai.

“I’m looking forward to getting in the ring and putting on a show,” said Browne. “This is an important fight for me, and a win will put me back on track. Of course, any time I can secure a victory with a highlight reel knockout is extra special to me. I know my opponent was a good amateur, but I’ve seen a few things that I can exploit. I’ve trained well for this bout, and now it’s about executing on the night.”

On Sunday, Amanda Galle (8-0-1, 1 KO), of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, competes for her first world title when she faces Niorkis Carreno (24-3, 19 KOs) for the vacant IBO World Bantamweight Championship at the Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto. A three-time Canadian National champion and four-time Ringside National champion as an amateur, Galle captured the Canadian women’s super bantamweight title earlier in her pro career. Her opponent, Carreno, of Trujillo, Venezuela, is an experienced contender and three-time world title challenger. Galle is co-promoted by Lee Baxter Promotions, who is promoting the Toronto event.

“I’m on a mission to be what I’m destined to be,” said Galle. “On Sunday, December 10, it’s time to be in the world rankings and finally get on with the ultimate goal; being THE undisputed world bantamweight champion! I am made for this!”

Former world title challenger Jessica Camara (11-4, 2 KOs), of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, also fights on the Toronto card against Farina Roemling (5-1, 1 KO), of Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, in a six-round super lightweight bout. In 2021, Camara challenged Kali Reis for the unified WBA/WBO/IBO Super Lightweight Championship, losing a very close split decision.

NEW YORK (October 23, 2023) In pursuit of another world title opportunity, two-time world champion, Miyo Yoshida, from Kayoshima, Japan, will face off against Shurretta Metcalf, of Dallas, TX, on Tuesday, November 7, as part of the latest installment of DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing series, titled “Heroes on the Hudson” – a One Night Only event to support the heroic veterans of the United States Armed Forces. The bout, scheduled for 10 rounds at Edison Ballroom in New York City, will be contested for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental bantamweight title. Former world champion and US Marine Veteran, Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring, will compete in the main event.

The evening will kick off with five amateur bouts, each featuring an NYPD officer or military veteran, and will conclude with four world-class professional bouts. The amateur bouts will be exclusive to those in attendance. The professional boxing portion of the card, featuring Yoshida vs. Metcalf, will air live exclusively on DAZN, beginning at 8:00 PM ET.

Tickets for “Heroes On The Hudson” can be purchased via Telecharge.com or by calling (800) 447-7400. Tables of 10, including a sit-down dinner, are $10,000. Ringside seats, including buffet, are $250 plus ticket fees. Standing Room Only tickets are $125 plus ticket fees. All tickets, regardless of price, include open bar. Edison Ballroom is located at 240 West 47th Street, New York, NY 10036. Doors will open on the night of the event at 5:30 PM ET, with the first bout scheduled for 6:00 PM ET.

“Heroes On The Hudson” is proudly sponsored by Morgan Stanley and Cavu Securities. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to support Merging Vets and Players and the West Point Society of New York.

“Miyo Yoshida is a very talented fighter and a two-time world champion for a reason,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “Her opponent on November 7, Shurretta Metcalf, is a formidable fighter herself, who has already shown me she is capable of competing at the top level of her division. This is an important fight with the IBF Inter-Continental title at stake and, likely, a world title challenge for the winner.”

Yoshida (16-3) defeated Casey Croft in 2019 to capture the WBO super flyweight world title. She lost the belt in her second title defense via technical decision after an accidental headbutt cut the bout short against Tomoko Okuda in December 2020. However, she regained the belt in a rematch six months later.

In her debut under the DiBella Entertainment banner, Yoshida defeated Indeya Smith on points over eight rounds on April 27. It was also her first fight in the United States. Despite her victory, she had reservations about her performance that she looks to put to rest on November 7.

“Last time, I was unable to properly prepare for the fight due to visa issues and the fact that I had just arrived in the US,” said Yoshida. “Communication was very difficult, especially with my trainers. For this bout, I have been able to train well at Gleason’s Gym and work very hard with my team. This time, I believe I’ll be able to show the true Miyo Yoshida.” 

Yoshida hopes that a win on November 7 will place her one step closer to fighting for a world title once again. After arriving in the States about a year ago, Yoshida now considers New York home and looks forward to fighting at Edison Ballroom in Times Square.

“I have been treated with kindness by many New Yorkers and I really love the city. I am very grateful to be able to have a fight on an event supporting military veterans just days before this important holiday. I will fight in this match as a New Yorker.”

“I have watched videos of my opponent,” Yoshida said of Metcalf. “My impression of her is that she is tall and has a good out-boxer style. I have not fought at 118 pounds in five years. However, I have fought a lot of taller fighters, so it is not a problem.” 

There is no shortage of inspiration for Yoshida, who will be cheered on by her eight-year-old daughter.

“I am inspired by my daughter, who believes in me and is always there for me, and by all of the people that support me. 

“My childhood was very difficult,” she continued. “I want to prove that no matter how difficult things get, if you don’t give up on your dreams and keep pursuing them, you can make your dreams a reality regardless of your background. I also want to give people who are in the same situation as me the courage to live strongly.”

For her part, Metcalf (12-4-1, 2 KOs) is ready to show that she belongs in the ring with a two-time world champion. 

“I’m feeling great,” said Metcalf. “I’m feeling strong. I’ve been manifesting this fight and working hard. I know [Yoshida] was a two-time WBO world champion and she’s coming to fight. I’m letting her know that I’m here to fight and I’m on that level as well.”

The experienced Metcalf, once ranked the #1 super bantamweight in the US as an amateur, is coming off of a win against previously unbeaten, former IBO bantamweight world champion Melissa Oddessa Parker on July 29. She has lost just once over the past six years, via majority decision.

Metcalf, who comes from a military family, said, “It means a lot to me to fight on ‘Heroes on the Hudson’. I have family that was in World War II. I have family who still lives in Killeen, TX, on the army base. All of my great uncles were in the army as well. They’re buried at the army cemetery here in Dallas.”

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New York, NY, March 29, 2023 – – BoxingInsider returns for its fourth promotion in 6 months with Broadway Boxing, a card stacked full of local and international talent. Boxinginsider is thrilled to once again work with Hall of Fame promoter Lou DiBella’s DiBella Entwetainment to promote this Broadway Boxing show. This episode features former Mongolian Olympian Tsendbaatar “Chinggis Khaan” Erdenebat, former women’s world champion Miyo Yoshida against Indeya Smith, local boxers Sydney Mccow, Christian Oltero, and Ireland’s Larry Fryers. They will all lace’em up on Thursday, April 27 at Sony Hall, in the heart of Times Square, Manhattan.

The April 27 event, promoted by BoxingInsider Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment 

“Its crazy to think this is our 4th show since October, in Manhattan,” said BoxingInsider’s Larry Goldberg. “My goal from day 1 has been simple – to put on the best fights with local and international talent and to expose those to the largest possible audience online with quality production. We have a mix of world class fighters and down and dirty slugfests scheduled for this show and there will be 2 more fights to announce in the coming days.”

2021 Mongolian Olympian Tsendbaatar “Chinggis Khaan” Erdenebat (5-0, 3 KOs) will be in an eight-round super featherweight bout against an opponent to be named. Tsendbaatar’s last bout was a third round TKO win on February 23 at Sony Hall.

Former World Champion Miyo “Miyo Musashi” Yoshida (15-3) was born in Kagoshima, Japan and now resides in New York, NY. Prior to becoming world champion in 2019, Miyo won the Japan Boxing Commission title and the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title. As world champion, Miyo made one successful defense, then lost the title by technical decision (stoppage due to gash over eye), then won it back in a rematch six months later. In her last fight she lost the WBO title via split decision. 

Indeya Smith (6-6, 1 KO) from Dallas, TX via New Orleans, made her BoxingInsider Promotions debut on December 21 with an upset win over Sulem Urbina, dominating the bout from the opening bell.

Sydney “The Jackal” Mccow (8-8, 3 KOs) born in St Maarten now residing in Brooklyn is coming off a five-fight streak of four wins sandwiched around a no decision. Christian “Veneno” Otero (4-3, 2 KOs) from New York, NY, made his pro debut on October 31, 2020 and his career began with four straight victories.

In one of the most exciting matches a club show could make, this bout features a real-life NYC grudge match between Church St. Boxing trainer and boxer Mccow and fellow New Yorker Otero. The dislike here is real and born in the gym as these two went to war in sparring. Edited footage showing a Mccow beatdown soon hit social media which started an issue that must be solved in the ring, for real.

Joshua David “Pretty Boy” Rivera (8-2, 3 KOs) from La Mesa, California, made his pro debut in 2018 and his first nine fights took place in Tijuana. His last bout, in Madison Square Garden on the Serrano-Cruz February 4 card, was a unanimous decision loss against an undefeated Aaron Aponte.

Larry “Lethal” Fryers (11-6, 4 KOs) was born in Clones, Ireland and now resides in Yonkers, NY. “I love fighting in New York,” said Fryers. “It’s top class and can’t wait for April 27th to fight there again and put on a show for the fans.” Fryers won eleven of his first twelve fights after making his pro debut in 2016. As an amateur, he was an Ireland Nationals U 21 finalist and a U23 semi-finalist.  “Lethal” has a large Irish following and is eyeing another chance at glory.

Streaming and additional match information will be announced shortly.

ABOUT BOXING INSIDER

Established in 1997 as a premier boxing news and information destination, Boxing Insider has recently transitioned into the promotional business.  This will be Boxing Insider’s fourth professional boxing promotion.  It has promoted one amateur boxing event and three professional events, on October 13, December 21, and February 22, all at Sony Hall, Times Square, New York, NY.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (June 6, 2019) – Super Flyweight Casey “Lady Hawaiian Punch” Morton (8-1-3, 1 KO) of San Francisco, California, will look to win her first world title as she faces Miyo Yoshida (12-1) for the vacant WBO super flyweight world title at Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, Japan on June 19, 2019.

Morton, a decorated amateur, is now looking to make her dream a reality as she seeks her first world title. In her last fight she was victorious against Chie Higano, a fight that took place in the Philippines.

“It is a dream come true to fight for a world title,” said Morton, who is managed by Greg Hannely of Prince Ranch Boxing. “I am very grateful to everyone who has supported me, but I couldn’t have done it without the help of Victor Conte and SNAC System, which has helped my career greatly. I am also thankful for my coach Nonito Donaire Sr., and my manager Greg Hannley. I am excited to show the world my skills on June 19th.”

“Casey Morton is a great body puncher and applies pressure, unlike any female fighter I have ever seen,” said Greg Hannely. “I am glad to work with her and believe that she is a person, who will always find a way to be successful. I know she has it in her to bring home a world title.”

“Fighting in Japan is great,” Morton continued. “I have been fighting in China and the Philippines for the last two years and it has been a wonderful experience. I am so eternally grateful and thankful to have this opportunity in my career.”