NEW YORK (March 20, 2024) — PPV.COM, which does not require a subscription, returns to the ring when it live streams to boxing fans, in the U.S. and Canada, an action-packed  four-bout card, featuring the 12-round junior middleweight world title tilt between undefeated WBO junior middleweight world champion Tim Tszyu (24-0, 17 KOs), a native of Sydney, Australia, and No. 3 world-rated contender Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs), from Coachella, California, Saturday, March 30, beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.  The co-main event will have WBA super lightweight world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero (15-1, 13 KOs), from Las Vegas, making his first title defense, against Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (25-2-1, 17 KOs), from Mexico City. The Tszyu – Fundora / Rolly – Pitbull championship event will emanate live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Priced at $69.99, it can be ordered by clicking here PPV.COM | Tszyu vs. Fundora.   

The PPV.COM Tszyu – Fundora world championship event live stream will once again feature Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim Lampley, who will be paired with award-winning journalist Lance Pugmire, co-hosting an exclusive viewer chat in real time.  Jim and Lance will be joined in the chat by “Inside Boxing Live” podcast hosts Dan Canobbio and Chris Algieri.  Jim, Lance, Dan, and Chris will also be providing exclusive fight week commentary and reports from Las Vegas for PPV.COM‘s website and social platforms.

Canobbioand Algieri will be bringing their popular Inside Boxing Livepodcast to PPV.COM, where they will produce two fresh episodes weekly, provide onsite coverage during major pay-per-view fight weeks, host their own weekly live chat every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET, and join fight night live viewer chats.  For the latest episodes of Inside Boxing Live presented by PPV.COM, click hereInside Boxing Live – YouTube.

“Obviously the near-last minute switch from Keith Thurman to Sebastian Fundora renders some of the style specifics of Tim Tszyu’s preparation null or inappropriate,” said Lampley.  “Fundora is physically different, stylistically different, generationally different and competitively different than Keith Thurman.  So now it’s a new fight for Tszyu with a week and a half to adjust.  He’s still a heavy favorite, and he’ll have to accept that he gets less credit for the win in what may well be a tougher fight.  But that’s boxing.  Some memorable upsets have emerged from circumstances like this, but they are memorable because they are so rare.  There’s no logical reason yet to see this as less than perfunctory for Tim Tszyu.”       

PPV.COM, which does not require a subscription, will offer Tszyu vs. Fundora in the U.S. and Canada.  iNDEMAND, the parent company of PPV.COM, will also be carrying the event through its network of cable and telco operators in the U.S. and Canada via providers including: Xfinity, Spectrum, Contour, Optimum, Fios, Rogers, Bell, SaskTel, and Telus, among others.

JIM LAMPLEY

Jim is a recipient of the Boxing Writers Association of America’s (BWAA) Sam Taub Award for Excellence in Broadcasting Journalism and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in its 2015 class.  He served as anchor and commentator for “HBO World Championship Boxing” for 30 years and has covered numerous Olympic Games during his long and distinguished career in sports broadcasting.      

LANCE PUGMIRE

Lance is a recipient of the Nat Fleischer Award for Excellence in Boxing Journalism, the BWAA’s highest honor.  He brings over 30 years of experience covering the sweet science for the Los Angeles Times, The Athletic, and USA Today.  He currently serves as senior U.S. writer for BoxingScene.com.

About iNDEMAND and PPV.COM

iNDEMAND is an innovative partnership among three of the leading cable companies in the U.S.– Charter Communications, Comcast Cable, and Cox Communications. iNDEMAND is a company of trusted content aggregators and licensing experts, with unparalleled technical expertise and long-standing relationships with MVPDs, major sports leagues, Hollywood studios, and other entertainment and sports companies across North America. iNDEMAND delivers great content to more than 60 million cable homes and has distribution deals with more than 90 companies.  In December 2021, iNDEMAND launched PPV.COM, an innovative streaming PPV service and the first of its kind to offer interactive fan engagement during live-action sports.  With the addition of PPV.COM, which does not require a subscription, to its existing cable PPV infrastructure, iNDEMAND has consolidated all forms of PPV distribution under one roof, making the company the only provider of turn-key PPV solutions for both industry partners and consumers.  For more information, go to indemand.com.

London, England – (May 3, 2022) – Full steam ahead for ‘The Midnight Train’ Richard Riakporhe as he returns to action at the OVO Arena, Wembley on Saturday, June 11, live and exclusive on Sky Sports, to take on Italy’s Fabio Turchi in an eliminator battle which will see the winner move up the cruiserweight rankings and in prime position to challenge reigning champion Maris Breidis later this year.

With Riakporhe (14-0, 10 KO’s) coming off a stunning knockout victory over Deion Jumah in March and former IBF International Cruiserweight champion Turchi (20-1, 14 KO’s) having a 66% stoppage rate in his victories, this fight matches two proven finishers and promises action from the very start as both men look to score the knockout which will move them on to world championship opportunity.

Bermondsey’s former WBO Global Welterweight Champion Chris Kongo (13-1-0, 7 KO’s) has a route back into world title contention if he defeats the tough German contender Sebastaian Formella (23-2-0, 11 KO’s) in their International showdown.  

Kongo is raring to get back into pole position after winning his comeback fight against Kelvin Dotel in March following his close points loss to Michael McKinson last year. While Formella is looking for his own shot at the World title and his only two losses have been against Former World Champion Shawn Porter and Connor Benn, pushing both big hitters the distance.

Two of the very best young fighters in the UK, English Super-Middleweight Champion Germaine Brown (12-0, 3 KO’s) defends his title against challenger Zak Chelli (11-1-1, 6 KO’s) in an exciting trade fight.

The two Londoners will both be going into this fight totally confident of victory and certain to put on an eye-catching performance in a 50-50 fight which will delight the nation’s boxing fans and looks set to steal the show.

Also on the card, the long-awaited professional debut of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gold Medallist Lauren Price MBE.

One of the most highly-touted amateurs in women’s boxing, Price earned the amateur sport’s supreme honour when she won gold last summer. She was subsequently awarded an MBE in recognition of this stunning success. 

She now looks destined to reach the very highest level of the professional sport in the exciting and fast-moving world of women’s boxing, with the first step towards that greatness coming on June 11.

Cruiserweight star Viddal Riley (5-0-0, 2 KO’s) fights in his home city for the first time in his pro career. The Hackney sensation made his pro-debut in November 2018 with a first round KO of Julio Manuel Gonzalez in Mexico and has since fought in Las Vegas (twice) and Dubai. 

Last time out he was on the huge Amir Khan-Kell Brook undercard in Manchester in February registering a six-round points win over Willbeforce Shihepo via a first round knockdown and aims to showcase his power and skill in front of the London fans.

“I’m ready to continue my assault on the cruiserweight division. The Midnight Train is on an unstoppable roll and Turchi is the next man tied to the tracks in front of me. He’s a good boxer and I’m expecting a tough fight but nothing I can’t handle. I’m coming out of this one with the win and stepping up into world title contention,” said Riakporhe.

“I am very happy to have this opportunity. Since I was a kid I always dreamed of fighting at the international level and in an important venue like this. I’m dedicating my body and soul to get into the best shape and have a great match against Riakporhe who I think is an excellent boxer,” said Turchi.

“Richard Riakporhe has been on an unstoppable rise to world title contention and now he’s potentially within touching distance of getting his shot at gold. Turchi is the former IBF International Champion and brings heavy firepower to the ring. This is Riakporhe’s toughest career challenge to date and a win here will make a strong statement about his potential to be world champion,” said Ben Shalom, BOXXER Founder and CEO.

“The English Super-Middleweight Title showdown between Zak Chelli and Germaine Brown is a fight which every boxing fan in the country will be glued to. It’s impressive that they are willing to fight each other at this stage and lay it all on the line. Don’t be surprised if this is a Fight Of The Year contender.

“Finally, the professional debut of Lauren Price. Olympic gold medalist, MBE – there aren’t many athletes in any sport who have those kind of credentials and we’re proud to be sharing her professional journey and being part of her rise to the top.”

Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development at Sky Sports, said, “This is shaping up to be a fantastic card. I’m looking forward to seeing ‘The Midnight Train’ Riakporhe roll back into Wembley after that excellent win over Jumah. Another big test awaits as he faces the tough and classy Turchi. 

“The fight between Chelli and Brown is a really good match. We’ve seen some absolutely cracking fights in the English title matches, those fights just seem to deliver incredible action, and this is a 50-50 pick ’em. 

“I’m also really excited to see Lauren Price begin her professional journey. She was a standout amateur and achieved so much for the sport, everyone at Sky Sports is very proud to have her with us and we can’t wait to see her achieve equally huge things in the pro ranks.”

Tickets are on sale from 12pm midday tomorrow, Wednesday May 4 via BOXXER.com priced at £250, £150, £100, £75, £60 and £40. 

BOXXER proudly presents this event in association with bet365, Everlast, Wow Hydrate and Village Hotels.

Conor Benn remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Sebastian Formella in a welterweight bout at the SSE Arena in London, England.

It was a solid performance out of Benn, who bloodied the left nostril of Formella as early was round two.

Benn, 147 lbs of Illford, Essex won by scores of 100-91, 99-91 and 99-92 and is now 17-0. Formella, 147 lbs of Hamburg, GER is 22-2.

“I just stuck to my boxing,” Benn told Matchroom. “I was hitting him with some hard shots. The guy just went 12 rounds with Shawn Porter and I think I beat him more convincingly. I didn’t lose a round. It was an okay night’s work. I’ve had harder spars than that. I’m not being funny. I’ve been sparring with Middleweights and Super-Middleweights in 18oz gloves. They wear 14oz gloves and I wear 18oz gloves. When it comes to punching power, if I’m not going to bang them out, I’ll wear them down.

“He’s a former World Champion and I expected nothing less. I stayed cool and composed the whole ten rounds. I could have done 15. I’m barely breaking a sweat now. He tried it on the inside and I beat him to the punches on the inside. He tried it at range and I beat him to the punches at range. I was quicker, faster and stronger. People think their experience is going to get to me, what experience? Jussi Koivula got banged out in two rounds and if they want to go ten or twelve I’ll outbox them for ten or twelve. 

“People will always question me because of my vulnerability. I’m hungry like I come from the ends. I’m hungry like I came from nothing. I fight like a starving man. You don’t need to come form poverty, come from having nothing, to be a great fighter. I have a great life. I live such a blessed life, but I still fight like a starving man because of that championship mindset, that hunger and will to win. 

“I’ve just beaten No.23 in the world, a former IBO World Champion. I’m pushing on. The only domestic fight I’m interested in, the only domestic fight that the public keep talking about, not Instagram, is the Josh Kelly fight. That’s the only fight I’m interested in. If not, get me Samuel Vargas. Get me some of these top Yanks, I’ll have a bit of them. The only domestic fight I’m interested in is Josh Kelly. Let’s have it.”

Fabio Wardley remained undefeated by stopping Richard Lartey in round two of their scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.

Wardley pawed with a left and then landing a booming right that sent Lartey down and the fight was stopped at 1:22.

Lartey needed some oxygyn, but seemed alright.

Wardley, 230 lbs of Ipswich, ENG is 10-0 with nine knockouts. Lartey, 258.1 lbs of Accra, GHA is 14-4.

“The first round took some adjusting,” said Wardley afterwards. “I like to use that first round to gather information, figure out my opponent, see where gaps are, see what’s going on. Just analyse the whole situation. I did that, took a few shots doing it but that’s all part of the game. A bit of that chin check thing was ticked off for me. I can take a bang and it’s not going to give me too much bother. We got through that first round and I figured out what I was going to do from then onwards. 

“I stung him with a few jabs and I always saw that those gloves came straight up in front of him. I fought sting him with one and come around the side. That was the plan and it came off perfectly. Nobody is ever going to grumble at an early night’s work. I get to go back and chill out now. I need to start getting those rounds in and get tougher tests. I’ve ticked that box of ‘do I have one punch power?’. 

“The comparisons are always going to come. Does me knocking out Lartey quicker than Daniel Dubois mean I’m better than him? Does it mean I’d do the same to Daniel? Boxing isn’t that cut and dry. There’s a lot more to it. I take it for what it is. I beat Richard Lartey in two round and I’m happy with that performance. I did well and that’s all you take from it. We keep moving and we keep working.”

Alen Babic kept his perfect knockout streak alive by taking out Tom Little in round three of their scheduled eight-round heavyweight bout.

Babic had a tremendous unrelenting workrate. In round three, Babic put Little down with a right hand, but Little went down more from exhaustion. Later in the round, Babic landed a chopping right that put Little down flat on his back and the fight was stopped at 2:38.

Babic, 213.8 lbs of Zagreb, CRO is 6-0 with six knockouts. Little, 235 lbs of Hatfield, ENG is 10-9.

“My Savage Army, I never lie to you,” Babic told Matchroom. “If I tell them I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it. I said I would do it in the first round and it should have been in the first round, he was well prepared. He could take a punch. I think I broke both of my knuckles on his head. I can feel it. He can take a punch. “Nobody can go three rounds with me. I had fuel in my tank for twenty like that. Filip Hrgovic bet against me, I’m so glad he lost money on me. He is my fellow Croat, we live like 2km away from each other. He bet against me. That just shows he doesn’t know shit about boxing. He doesn’t know the history of boxing. He’s just a technical guy, a very good technical guy. As soon as the fans come back, I want him. 

“I’m going to take Tom back to my Savage Army because he’s a good guy. He’s a good fighter but he’s not even close to my level. He’s two stone heavier than me. and I want you to write that down. I box every day. I don’t do anything out of the ring. My training is old school, boxing, sparring and pads. Just that. I didn’t do a single push up or pull up. 

“I’m not faking anything. Hrgovic is a fake. I’m real and I want to fight. I like fist fights. I think it was a beautiful fight. I want to give people entertainment. That’s who I am and I’m always going to be like that. Unless somebody tests me I’m going to keep knocking them out. Give me a strong puncher, a knockout artist. You’re going to see the sweet science. I can do it. I can punch and I have stamina. I have a strong head, you can’t beat that with muscles.”

Jez Smith won a decision over previously undefeated Ben Ridings in a six-round super middleweight contest.

Smith, 166 lbs of Harrow Weald, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is now 12-2-1. Ridings, 165 lbs of Bury, ENG is 3-1.

“I’m over the moon,” Smith said afterwards. “I can’t put it into words. I had a game plan and I knew what I was going to do. I knew I had a good game plan so I stuck to my boxing. I think it was a dominant performance. The referee didn’t give him a round. If I can box like that and do that when I’m not even 30% fit,  imagine what I can do when I’m fully fit. I took this fight on five days’ notice, I’m not taking anything away from Ben, I knew I was levels above him. I’ve hardly been in the gym. I’m going to dedicate myself to this craft. I’m going to be back with another win on my record. 

“I’m a fighting man. As soon as I got the call to fight live on Sky Sports on a massive bill like this I jumped at the chance. I’ll fight anyone. I’m going to get back down to Light-Middleweight. Me and Ted Cheeseman have unfinished business from the amateurs. Me and him had a fight called off after one round as there was fighting in the arena. That would be an electric fight with fireworks. If he wants it he can have it. I’ve put myself on the map so hopefully I can start being used on these big shows more. 

“I knew tonight was my night. I knew I had to go in there and put on a boxing performance. I believe that’s what I did. He hardly touched me. I claimed every round. I think this is the biggest arena that I’ve fought in so far in my career. I’m ecstatic and over the moon. I just want to say a massive thank yo to Eddie Hearn and Matchroom for giving me this opportunity. I’ll be ready for the call when it comes again.”

Liam Davies stopped Sean Cairns after round six of their scheduled 10-round bantamweight bout.

Davies battered Cairns over the six-round battle.

In round five, Cairns began to bleed from the nose, and his right started to swell. After the 6th, the corner stopped the bout.

Davies, 118 lbs of Telford, ENG is 8-0 with three stoppages. Cairns, 118 lbs of Liverpool, ENG is 7-3.

“And the new English Bantamweight Champion sounds good,” Davies told Matchroom afterwards. “It is music to my ears. I’m just happy. I knew I could do it. It was just about getting in there and getting the job done, making sure that everything went to plan. I felt like it did tonight.

“I still had a lot left in the tank. I wasn’t slowing down for nothing. I was building up the pressure and putting my punches together. You’ve got to give it to him, he’s as tough as anything. He kept coming and coming! That’s why I didn’t go mad with it. I respected how tough he was and how game he was. Full respect to Sean and I wish him all the best in the future. 

“I’d give myself an eight out of ten. I know there’s still more to come from me. I just hope I get the chance to come again and show another level because this is just the start for me. I’m looking to build and get more belts around my waist. 

“The show in Telford didn’t go ahead but I landed on my feet fighting live on Sky Sports here wining my first title. This is a memory that I will never forget and hopefully something that we can build on. I don’t fold under pressure. If anything, I rise to it. I rise to the occasion and next time I’ll rise again with a bigger and better performance for another belt hopefully. That’s the plan. 

“I’m here to impress and I felt like I did tonight. I did what I intended to do. I won in style. Most people would have gone over. I hit him hard and you’ve got to respect him for taking those shots. I don’t think most Bantamweights could have taken that power. Roll on whoever is next because I’m coming now.”

19:00 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS 

10 x 3 mins vacant English Bantamweight Title  
LIAM DAVIES 8st 5lbs 12oz v SEAN CAIRNS 8st 5lbs 12oz        
(Telford, England)                    (Liverpool, England)

followed by

6 x 3 mins Middleweight contest
BEN RIDINGS 11st 10lbs 12ozv JEZ SMITH 11st 11lbs 12oz
(Bury, England)                            (Harrow Weald, England)

followed by

8 x 3 mins International Heavyweight contest
ALEN BABIC 15st 3lbs 8oz v TOM LITTLE 16st 10lbs 12oz
(Zagreb, Croatia)                     (Hatfield, England)

followed by

10 x 3 mins International Heavyweight contest
FABIO WARDLEY 16st 6lbs 0oz v RICHARD LARTEY 18st 6lbs 1oz
(Ipswich, England)                       (Accra, Ghana)

followed by

10 x 3 mins WBA Continental Welterweight Title
CONOR BENN 10st 6lbs 12oz v SEBASTIAN FORMELLA 10st 6lbs 13oz
(Ilford, Essex)                             (Hamburg, Germany)

Eddie Hearn:

“Here we go again. We’re back in the bubble. We’re up against it once again. Every week and every show is a bonus. Last week was a tremendous show. A women’s World Championship triple-header, the great Katie Taylor, the numbers were through the roof. Boxing is buzzing. Somehow, someway, we’re finding a way to keep cracking on with great shows. This Saturday night we’re live and exclusive on Sky Sports and on DAZN in the US.”

Conor Benn – Ilford, England – 16-0, 11 KOs – defending his WBA Continental Welterweight Title against Sebastian Formella:

“The novelty does wear off. I miss my family. On Saturday night I will take that frustration out on my opponent. I’ve worked too hard to get to where I am now to let it slip between my fingers.

“To many, I’m a role model. To the older generation, I will always be Nigel Benn’s son but the younger generation say to him: ‘Oh, you are Conor Benn’s dad!’

“There will be ups and downs. I have come through adversity. The sky is the limit. I will reach the end goal but I won’t put a time limit on it. I don’t know when. I don’t know what I’ll have to go through to get there.

“But I will get there because I’ve too hard. I plan to show that I am the business. My four-year apprenticeship is done, finished. I’m here to prove that I am a contender.

“He’s a tough opponent but that doesn’t bother me. People said Jussi Koivula would beat me but he got banged out. If you get hit by a right hand, left hook then it doesn’t matter who you are.

“I’ve got to win in good fashion. I’m good for 10 rounds or to get him out in the first couple. It’s not down to him. It doesn’t matter what he does. If he wants to move I’ll hunt him down. If he wants to have a tear-up? More fool him, I’ll soon make him regret that.

“He’s nice and polite – trying to be Andy Ruiz Jr – waving at me from across the room! It ain’t all good when we get in there. I know he thinks this is an easy fight. I’ve sacrificed too much for me to not perform.”Sebastian Formella – Hamburg, Germany – 22-1, 10 KOs – challenging Conor Benn for the WBA Continental Welterweight Title:

“Firstly I would like to thank everyone for their hospitality. The staff have been very helpful and I feel completely at home. It’s very cool to stay here in the bubble. 

“Conor Benn is a difficult fighter to face with good skills. It will be a good fight. I have trained very hard. Of course I will win the fight on Saturday, I won’t make it easy for him.

“I learnt to put up my hands and have a good defence in my last fight against Shawn Porter. Of course it is a short amount of time after the Shawn Porter fight, but it was enough to change things a little bit. It was a very good experience and I was happy to do this fight in America.

“Because I am higher in the rankings than him, I am the test for him. He is also a good fighter and I have seen many of his fights. He comes forward and has a good defence when he wants. 

“It’s a good step up for the both of us because when I win the fight, there will be more good fights in the future for me. It could be a tactical fight or we could stand feet to feet and fight, hitting each other all of the time.”

Fabio Wardley – Ipswich, England – 9-0, 8 KOs – fighting Richard Lartey in a ten round Heavyweight contest:

“I’m always ready for the step-up. This is another fight on our progress of me moving forward, proving that the different tests you throw at me, the different types of opponent, whatever they may be, that I can overcome them.

“Obviously prove that I’m a real contender for the division, that I’m here to do some damage and make some waves.

“You know exactly what you’re going to get from him. He’s not coming there to roll over. He’s not coming there to just get some money and go home. He’s coming to take my head off.

“You’ve seen in his previous fights, he was more than happy to stand there and go toe to toe with Daniel and try and take his jaw and he’ll be doing the same with me.”I’ve got to be switched on, I’ve got to be paying attention, and as long as I stick behind my game plan, I can always get them out of there.”

Richard Lartey – Accra, Ghana – 14-3, 11 KOs – fighting Fabio Wardley in a ten round Heavyweight contest:

“Thank you very much for this opportunity. I respect Matchroom for giving me such a wonderful opportunity to appear on this bill. Thank you to Wardley for accepting this contest.

“I have to respect anybody that I come into contact with in the ring. No party, no Lartey is coming on Saturday. We’re coming to do some wonderful work in the ring. 

“I respect my opponent and the people that have brought me here to fight in London again. This is my third time being in London. I’ve got a lot of fans who I know will be watching. I thank them for what they are doing for me. 

“I know definitely something massive and positive is going to come on Saturday night. I’m not here to joke, I’m here to prove my worth.”

Alen Babic – Zagreb, Croatia – 5-0, 5 KOs – fighting Tom Little in an eight round Heavyweight contest:

“Why does he talk like that? I said nothing but nice things so why do you take Hrgovic’s side? That’s a sell-out. You can’t be in ‘The Savage’ army anymore.

“There is a lot of disrespect. They always talk about Hrgovic. I don’t care about him – he has fought no-one. You are not a friend, you are a sell-out. Hrgovic said you are a bum but you take his side?

“You have done cross-fit for one month and you talk like you have the biggest arms. He talks like I am nothing. I have five fights, 10 rounds. Everybody beat you, brother!””‘The Savage’ is mad. I was his friend when he was as fat as a doughnut. Now he says he will finish me then say ‘Hrgovic is better’. Why does he say this?

“Everyone can keep doubting me. I’ve heard enough. I keep knocking everyone out in two rounds. I’ll knock him out in one round. One round is my plan. Everyone keeps questioning me.”

Tom Little – Hatfield, England – 10-8, 3 KOs – fighting Alen Babic in an eight round Heavyweight contest:

“I had an epiphany when I got home from Saudi Arabia. This runs deeper than just myself. For what I want to do, this is the first stop on the way. I’ve said a lot of cheap words but they were masking agents.

“I rate Babic highly. But this isn’t about how I rate him. If he can manage to get the job done, he is fighting [a better version of me] than Hrgovic, Dubois or Majidov fought.

“Me and this man have promised everyone a war. Blood and guts. We will go out and deliver. I’m not going to run. I’m a man of my word and I’ll meet him in the middle. I won’t give any ground.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if both of us have to climb off the canvas. There is not a cowardly bone in my body. I am there to fight, bleed and win.”Ben Ridings – Bury, England – 3-0 – fighting Jez Smith in a six round Middleweight contest:

“I was ecstatic when I got the call to be honest because as you all know I was supposed to be appearing on the Ultimate Boxxer competition fighting Zak Chelli but that fell through because me and Kieran tested positive for coronavirus so we’ve been quarantining ever since. I was just at home with my family when we got the call for this fight. One minute it was on, one minute it was off. 

“Everyone is looking at my old YouTube videos. I’ve not fought like that in nearly two years now. I’ve been sparring the best every week. I’ve been sparring Callum Smith every Wednesday. Obviously there’s other great fighters in that gym. I fight completely different. I can hold my own. It’s going to be exciting. 

“I’m going to fight with everything that I’ve got. I’m just a local Bury lad. It’s a massive opportunity, look at all of these cameras! He’s a good fighter, I’m not taking that away from him. If he’s looking through me think it’s going to be an easy win for him then he needs to think different because I am game for the night. It’s the biggest stage that I could be on and I’m here.”

Jez Smith – Harrow Weald, England – 11-2-1, 5 KOs – fighting Ben Ridings in a six round Middleweight contest:

“Firstly I’d like to thank Eddie and Matchroom for having me on this show. I just stay ready all of the time. I’m always in good fights. On Saturday night Ben is getting smashed. It’s as simple as that. There’s levels to this game and he’s taking a step up too quickly. He’s getting dealt with on Saturday. I think my experience will be too much for him. He hasn’t been in with anybody. He’s only fought journeymen. I know he’s been out of the ring for a while. If he comes and has a scrap he gets knocked out. If he comes to box he gets smashes. Either way, on Saturday night it’s going to be a dominant performance from me and I’m going to deal with him. I probably start too fast sometimes. Six rounds definitively won’t be a problem for me.”

Liam Davies – Telford, England – 7-0, 2 KOs – fighting Sean Cairns for the vacant English Bantamweight Title:

“I just want to start off by saying thank you to Eddie Hearn, Matchroom, BCB and Errol Johnson for making this happen. I’m here and I’m ready to grab it with both hands. I’m so excited, and what a card to be on. Hopefully it’s my first title of many. Expect some good skilled boxing and a guaranteed win for Liam Davies. This is the hardest fight of my professional career and I expect that. I know he’s a tall awkward southpaw, I’m tall myself so it’s going to be a great fight and I can’t wait to get in there now.”

Sean Cairns – Liverpool, England – 7-2, 1 KO – fighting Liam Davies for the vacant English Bantamweight Title:

“We’ve both got to take our opportunities haven’t we. Liam is looking past me, and I know he’s looking past me. I like that. This is what you dream of when you turn pro isn’t it. To be on big shows like this. I’m just so blessed to be here. If you’d look at my life ten years ago, you’d have never of dreamed of my being here. Honest to god I’m just so blessed to be here and I’m going to take advantage of that. I’m going to grab this opportunity with both hands and you’ll have me back again. 

“I’m a great advert for what boxing can do for you. I’m from probably the roughest part of Liverpool. You’re a product of your environment aren’t you. I was led down the wrong road when I was younger but boxing took me out of that and look where I’m sitting now. Ten years ago you would never expected it. Not even ten years ago, seven years ago even. Where I’m from there’s no youth clubs or anything like that anymore. There’s only boxing clubs for the kids to go to. They’re the only places that keep kids off the streets. Boxing has saved my life.”

Matchroom Boxing can confirm that Conor Benn’s WBA Continental Welterweight Title clash with former IBO Welterweight World Champion Sebastian Formella will now headline on Saturday November 21 at The SSE Arena, Wembley, with all of the action shown live on Sky Sports and DAZN.

‘The Destroyer’ (16-0, 11 KOs) scored two big knockout wins in 2019, firstly obliterating Jussi Koivula with a brutal second-round stoppage in his first headline fight at York Hall in June, and then explosively knocking out Steve Jamoye in four rounds at The O2 in October. 

Formella (22-1, 10 KOs) went on a 22-fight winning streak, picking up the IBO Welterweight crown against Roberto Arriaza in January earlier this year, before taking two-time World Champion Shawn Porter the distance in his first career defeat in August. 

After two quick wins on the spin, unbeaten Croat Alen Babic (5-0, 5 KOs) looks to continue his red-hot run of form with another big knockout win, this time against Hatfield’s Tom Little (10-8, 3 KOs), who has been in with some huge punchers including Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois. 

“It’s been a busy period, but I don’t want to rest, I want to fight,” said Babic. “Tom’s a cool guy, he’s a warrior. We’ve exchanged messages on social media but that won’t hold me back, ‘The Savage’ is waiting to be released and score another KO.”

“Alen makes too many mistakes,” said Little. “I’ve boxed at a much higher level and it will show. “I’ll be too much for him, this is too early in his career. I’ve been training for a while now with this fight in the back of my mind, so I’m prepared. The so-called Savage won’t hear the final bell.”

Fresh from winning the English Heavyweight Title with a third-round stoppage of Simon Vallily at Fight Camp, Ipswich talent Fabio Wardley (9-0, 8 KOs) takes on Ghana’s Richard Lartey (14-3, 11 KOs) – a former opponent of Dubois and Nathan Gorman. 

“Lartey’s a great opponent for me at this stage of my career,” said Wardley. “He’s a really strong and durable opponent that will definitely look to test me and take me in to the later rounds. You’ve seen in his previous fights that he’s not shy of a tear up so there may be moments in the fight when I’ll have to bite down on my gum shield and get stuck in, which I can’t wait for!”

Following the disappointment of his fight with Christopher Lovejoy falling through at the last moment, Heavyweight fan favourite Dave ‘White Rhino’ Allen (18-5-2, 15 KOs) returns to the ring looking to end the year on a high.

Also on the card, Leeds Featherweight prospect Hopey Price (3-0, 1 KO) returns after his win over Jonny Phillips on Fight Camp Week 2 and Donnington’s Liam Davies (7-0, 2 KOs) battles Liverpool’s Sean Cairns (7-2, 1 KO) for the English Bantamweight Title. 

Adam Smith,? Sky Sports ?Head of Boxing Development ?said:? “Conor Benn is back, continuing his exciting journey next Saturday night, live on Sky Sports. Of course, we fondly remember his father Nigel, a former World Champion, and we’ve covered Conor’s career since the very start.

“He’s an explosive young talent, so get ready for more fireworks when Conor collides with Sebastian Formella. Britain’s Welterweight division is really heating up with Josh Kelly and Chris Kongo also waiting in the wings – and Benn will be hoping to seize his opportunity to impress on a big stage.

“There’s also a Heavyweight triple-header – Fabio Wardley can enhance his growing reputation against Richard Lartey, while Alen ‘The Savage’ Babic battles Tom Little, and Dave Allen also returns in a thriving top division. It should be another superb evening of action on Sky Sports.”

Conor Benn faces the toughest test of his career on Saturday November 21 when he clashes with former IBO Welterweight World Champion Sebastian Formella on the blockbuster Alexander Povetkin vs. Dillian Whyte 2 undercard, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK. 

Benn (16-0, 11 KOs) scored two big knockout wins in 2019, firstly obliterating Jussi Koivula with a brutal second-round stoppage in his first headline fight at York Hall in June, and then explosively knocking out Steve Jamoye in four rounds at The O2 in October. 

Formella (22-1, 10 KOs) went on a 22-fight winning streak, picking up the IBO Welterweight crown against Roberto Arriaza in January earlier this year, before taking two-time World Champion Shawn Porter the distance in hist first career defeat in August. 

“Formella is a world level operator,” said Benn. “His only loss came against two-time World Champion Shawn Porter. I know a win here will make a huge statement on the world scene. I feel the critics have a lot of unanswered questions and now I have the opportunity to answer them in a globally recognised fight. 

“From the outside this may look like a big step up but I have prepared extremely hard behind closed doors, working on my craft and climbing the ranks for a fight like this! It’s now time to carry the Benn name back to where it belongs and this will be another step closer to the top. Make no mistake, I’m going into this fight to destroy Formella, I want to win in true Benn style.”

“Conor is a strong undefeated man who likes to box at home,” said Formella. “This will not be an easy fight. But it makes me very proud to fight in the UK this year after my debut in the USA. Of course a fight with spectators would have been even better, but to box in the UK at all is great.

“I am looking forward to this challenge. We will have a good tactic to leave the ring as the winner. We will use the short time optimally.“

Promoter Eddie Hearn added: “This is a huge fight for Conor and a monumental step up. We saw Formella tough it out with Shawn Porter a few months ago and he didn’t stop trying for 12 rounds and showed a great chin and a lot of heart.

“I have to give Conor a lot of credit, although he has been inactive, he hasn’t left the gym and feels that after all he has learned, now is the time to take that big leap. This is the fight that can make him a genuine World level contender – it’s sink or swim time November 21!

Benn vs. Formella lands on the undercard of the blockbuster rematch between Alexander Povetkin (36-2-1, 25 KOs) and Dillian Whyte (27-2, 18 KOs).

By Bart Barry-

Saturday in three mainevents that miraculously did not conflict and more miraculously concluded before midnight ESPN’s Joe Smith beat the fight out light heavyweight former titlist Eleider Alvarez, former titlist “Showtime” Shawn Porter won each of his 2,160 seconds with a German welterweight named Sebastian Formella on Fox, and Russian former heavyweight contender Alexander Povetkin put the cuss in concussion against British hopeful Dillian “The Body Snatcher” Whyte on DAZN.

Smith was the evening’s best winner, even while Povetkin was its biggest and Porter its least-surprising, at least so far as mainevents went, and whosoever has time or desire anymore to endure much more than those?  (Actually, that’s a touch disingenuous; bantamweight southpaw Robert Rodriguez has emerged as something of a bubble phenom, needing fewer than seven minutes to ice fighters with an aggregate record of 19-0-1.)  Saturday favored men who work hard without needing inspiration from without.

Pressure guys, volume guys, the undissuadable.  While Smith fetches all the bluecollared clichés Porter fights no less doggedly, even while trying to sparkle.  Povetkin doesn’t seem to care one way or the other.

He’s chinnier than publicists colored him as a young Soviet, and at 6-foot-2 almost prohibitively short for a contemporary heavyweight, but he can crack and crack proper.  I recall a local trainer telling me about Povetkin’s power, wildeyed, while standing in a tent at Camp Verde, Ariz.,13 years ago, an hour before Tommy Morrison’s MMA debut, many years before Povetkin began flunking IQ tests administered by various sanctioning-body-approved drug examiners.

I know, I know, the two guys who beat Povetkin and looked ready for a Mr. Olympia posedown were clean as whistles, of course, and you can’t possibly judge an athlete’s substance regimen by something unreliable as your own eyes and experience, but whatever put Povetkin in position for a perfect left uppercut Saturday was no more likely a banned substance than what put him on the bluemat twice a few minutes before.

Aside from the knockdowns, at 40 Povetkin didn’t look any worse – slow, robotic, predictable – than his heavyweight peers do and hardly worse than Whyte did at 32.  He looked chinny and uninspired to Whyte’s merely uninspired.

There’s a counterintuitive element of cardiovascular fitness required simply to stand across from a heavyweight, it’s damn taxing even when nothing happens, and it makes a decent argument for busyness: You’re going to be heaving for breath after three minutes of trying not to get whirligigged, anyway, so why not move round a bit and give folks a show?  Heavyweights used to do this, really, before all became lumbering headhunters.

Povetkin, for being the shorter man in his career’s biggest fights, knew better, somehow, to snatch Whyte’s body than did the Body Snatcher, and while the previous round’s crumplings on the bluemat weren’t premeditated to make Whyte overconfident they had that effect, and Povetkin’s telegraphed hook to Whyte’s body was indeed premeditated.  Whyte’s eyes followed Povetkin’s head and Whyte’s mind followed the pattern Povetkin’s earlier hooks set.  Then suddenly Povetkin’s fist was through Whyte’s chin, not after his liver, and if Whyte tells you he remembers any of the 10 minutes that followed he’s fibbing.

If Eleider Alvarez tells you he still enjoys prizefighting he’s fibbing too.  Alvarez hadn’t the tools nor will to dissuade Smith in Saturday’s best match, and Smith gobbled him up.

A few months ago I purchased a Roomba and have spent hours, fully unpredicted hours, mind you, diverting myself with its observation.  I didn’t envision writing about Carlota – that’s her name – but then I didn’t either expect to think of her while watching Joe Smith.  It’s the undiscouraged relentlessness they share.  About halfway between Carlota coming in my consciousness and Smith snatching Alvarez’s, too, I read a book by Melanie Mitchell, Complexity: A guided tour, that explores genetic algorithms, first explored by the irreplaceable John Henry Holland, and how they might be used in a self-learning program to teach a digital robot to collect cans on a virtual grid.

The simple strategy – go in a straight line till you hit a wall then pause and look around – succeeds in a way much more complicated strategies do not.  It succeeds with machines for the reason it fails with most humans: Without a need to find meaning in their universe, machines suffer never from discouragement or boredom and do not mind repeating work.  It’s how a Roomba like Carlota, who “cares” not a whit whether surfaces are sparkling or filmed with dust, outperforms humans who care deeply.  Carlota’s job is to go in straight lines till she hits a wall then turn slightly and go in another straight line and keep doing so till her power is cut; if she’s not entirely oblivious of feedback from her environment neither is she staking her identity on it.

Similarly volume punchers like Joe Smith find satisfaction in the doing much more than the effecting.  They begin with a wisely limiting strategy of doing the same thing over and over in a faith that looks nigh machine-like: If I simply hit something with my fists 30 times next round I succeed.  They are constants who rely on other men’s variability, other men’s reliance on feedback, other men’s proneness to discouragement.

Alvarez exhibited all these things, Saturday, and eventually got knocked out the ring for them.  Showtime Shawn exhibited none of these things and went 36-0 on official scorecards against a German who didn’t have a chance at a thing more than moral victory even before making his trip from Hamburg.  Porter is a pro.  He takes every opponent seriously and goes hard.  He’s the PBC fighter for whom I most often catch myself cheering.

I like him the way I liked Juan Diaz and loved Timothy Bradley; they beat over 12 rounds flashier guys who undress them in three-round sparring sessions; they don’t have off nights because they haven’t a plan B.  That makes them vulnerable to their sport’s alpha predators, yes, but they reward their supporters disproportionately to their talent.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Former world champion Shawn Porter won a 12-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Sebastian Formella in a welterweight elimination bout at The Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Porter landed 304 punches of 785 thrown. Formella was 148 of 586.

Porter, 146.6 lbs of Akron, OH won by shutout scores of 120-108 on all cards, and is now 31-3-1. Formella, 146 lbs of Germany is 22-1.

“He was a tough fighter,” said Porter. “After about six rounds my dad told me that he’s going to keep taking these punches, so I just needed to keep the pressure on him.”

“I’m still here and I’m not going anywhere,” said Porter.

“The game plan was to use finesse and subtlety,” said Porter. “I went in there looking for the shot and ready to take the openings. I wanted to be aggressive, but not too aggressive, because we knew he would run. We worked on cutting off the ring and I think it all worked out tonight.

“For me it made sense to fight up on my toes. It’s a different type of rhythm and a lot of guys don’t know when I’m coming and going. I think it mixed things up for Formella tonight. We worked on fast jabs, powerful jabs, directing the jab and today he couldn’t tell which one was coming. I was popping his head back and of course also going to the body.”

“We had a lot of film on Formella,” said Porter. “I knew that his focus would be on his feet and when it wasn’t the feet, he would be covering up. I could tell his corner was telling him to punch with me or right after me, so he connected on me that way. I had to get on a different rhythm for him. He was able to play some chess and he did well. My dad always says that the mind controls everything. I think he had his mind made up that he was going to take everything and go 12 rounds. His body followed his mind tonight.”

“We definitely worked on throwing the overhand right for this fight,” said Porter. “We worked on our power a lot and in the beginning I wanted to land that overhand right. I was really keyed in on that. My dad said to stick to the speed and that would set up the power. I switched it up to straight rights to the body because that’s more of a speed punch.”

“I’m still here and I’m not going anywhere,” said Porter, who dropped a close decision to Spence in a unification bout last year, and defeated Garcia to capture the WBC title in 2018.

“There’s no telling what they’ll see from me in a rematch,” added Porter later. “I think both guys can also make adjustments. That’s what makes rematches so great, the fans have seen what both of you can do and they want to see who will make the right adjustments. I definitely think that I will be a little different against either guy.”

Fundora Stops Gallimore in 6

Sebastian Fundora stopped Nathaniel Gallimore in round six of a scheduled 10-round junior middleweight fight.

The 6’6″ Fundora beat up and battered Gallimoe for the balance of the fight, and the fight was stopped after Fundora landed a hard combination at 1:28.

Fundora, 153.2 lbs of Los Angeles is now 15-0-1 with 10 knockouts. Gallimore, 152.6 lbs of Kingston, JAM is 22-5-1.

“I give my performance a 10 out of 10,” said Fundora. “I did what I had to do tonight. We’re always working on our distance and controlling that part of the fight, because I know I’m going to need it throughout my career. Whatever my team thinks is best for me next, I’ll be ready for it.”

“My ring outfit tonight is dedicated to the COVID-19 victims,” said Fundora. “I just want to say, keep wearing your masks, wear your gloves and sanitize your hands so we can bring boxing back to the fans. I also want to dedicate this fight to my promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, who just won a big fight with cancer and I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

Joey Spencer remained undefeated by stopping Shawn West in a scheduled six-round middleweight bout.

In round two, Spencer dropped West with a right hand that was followed by a hard combination that finished up by a right to the head.

In round four, Spencer rocked West with a hard right hand. West was on shaky legs before Spencer jumped on him and landed a hard combination that put West down, and the fight was stopped at

Spencer, 155.8 lbs of Linden, MI is 11-0 with eight knockouts. West, 155.6 lbs of Davenport, IA is 5-2.

“I felt great about my performance tonight,” said Spencer. “I did everything we had been working on. After the knockdown, I took my time and threw a good flurry. We knew he was tough, so I just stayed calm and took the right shot when it came. I think the experience I’ve had so far in my career showed through in this fight.”

“I studied everybody heading into this fight,” said Spencer. “That’s something that made a big difference. I used to study boxing as a hobby and got away from it the last couple years, mostly watching just my own fights. But I’ve watched a wide variety of fighters, from classic fighters, to current prospects. I watched a lot of Sugar Ray Leonard and Robert Duran, a lot of contrasting styles. I also watched a lot of Errol Spence, Jr., Caleb Plant and Shawn Porter, amongst others. There was no limit on how much I watched in this camp and I think it showed.

“I couldn’t do this if I didn’t have the family and the team that I have. Everyone plays a huge part and does something to keep the train moving. Tough situations like the pandemic are just another day for me.”

Justin DeLoach stopped previously undefeated Livan Navarro in the opening round of their scheduled 10-round welterweight fight.

DeLoach dropped Navarro twice with the 2nd knockdown ending the fight at 2:15.

DeLoach, 149.9 lbs of Augusta, GA is 19-4 with 10 knockouts. Navarro, 147.8 lbs of Havana, CUB is 11-1.

Edward Ortiz won a eight-round split decision over Antonio Todd in a super middleweight bout.

Todd outlanded Ortiz 90-89.

Ortiz took cards by 77-75 scores. Todd won a card 77-75.

Ortiz, 163.4 lbs of San Antonio is 11-0-2. Todd, 161 lbs of Atlanta is 7-4.

LOS ANGELES (August 20, 2020) -Two-time welterweight champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter and unbeaten German contender Sebastian Formella previewed their welterweight title eliminator on an international media conference call Thursday, before they headline FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes, this Saturday, August 22 from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

The call also featured rising undefeated contender Sebastián “The Towering Inferno” Fundora and hard-hitting Nathaniel Gallimore discuss their 10-round super welterweight showdown that serves as the co-main event.

FOX PBC Fight Night begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will also see sensational rising prospect Joey Spencer in a six-round middleweight special attraction against Shawn West. All programming can be live streamed in English and Spanish on the new FOX Sports app. FOX Deportes offers delayed coverage of all FOX and FS1 programming beginning at 10:00 PM ET.

The Porter vs. Formella event will be promoted by TGB Promotions and Shawn Porter Promotions and will take place without fans in attendance at the Microsoft Theater, an AEG venue, in downtown Los Angeles.

Here is what the conference call participants had to say Thursday:

SHAWN PORTER

“This fight for me is a matter of getting boxing back going. We’ve had a couple of big fights, but I really do think that boxing gets kicked off this Saturday night with ‘Showtime’ Shawn Porter and Sebastian Formella. We’ve trained hard and endured the conditions that everyone has had to endure and made the most of it. We started training in my father’s backyard in April and now we’re back up and running. We’ve done everything we were able to do against any other fighter in preparation for this fight

“I know that Formella is a boxer who likes to move and use the outside and box. We’re prepared to take the fight to him. We’re going to be smart and tactical, but aggressive as always. We’re going to go in there shining, looking great and make a statement to the world that boxing and Shawn Porter are still here.

“I think Formella has more of an amateur rhythm, because he’s not going to fight in the middle of the ring and slip and counter. He has a very well developed style of fighting that has helped him get to where he is.

“I’m different from most fighters. It’s a trend in boxing where fighters look past opponents, but I learned a long time ago that you have to focus on what’s in front of you and make the most of it. In my dad’s mind, we did even more for this fight than we did in getting prepared for Errol Spence, Jr.

“The plan is to get back into a world title fight. I don’t know exactly when that plan will come together, but I’ll be ready. I’m keeping my eye on the Errol Spence, Jr. vs. Danny Garcia fight as a potential future opponent, but also as a fan of the sport.

“My dad is all about hard work, commitment and integrity. We get that in every camp and in preparation for every fight, no matter who it is. Our mindset after the fight with Spence is the same as it’s always been, that’s to win. That’s what we’re going to do.

“We’ve been in a lot of uncomfortable positions inside the ring and in training and that’s what helps me get better. I’m comfortable in discomfort. That’s what I thrive off of. I’m always willing and usually able to make the adjustments to adapt to these situations.

“One thing we really worked on in this fight, without even knowing we were facing Formella, is our power. We did our strength program longer than we normally would and I know that the power is going to show up on Saturday night.

“I have friends in Germany who were able to give me information on Formella. We got all the tape and the information needed. We knew who he was training with and when he came to the U.S. I’ve done everything I need to do to be ready for this fighter.”

SEBASTIAN FORMELLA

“I’m happy to have this chance to fight one of the best welterweight boxers in the world. I trained very hard and I’m very excited to get into the ring.

“We made plans A, B and C because Porter is a strong fighter who comes forward and attacks the body and head. He has heavy hands so we looked at his mistakes and made a plan to box him and show off our style. I have good footwork and can move around. I think it will be an interesting style for him to face. I have the skills to make life very difficult in the ring for Shawn Porter.

“I’m a fighter who moves very well and I have good defense. I know how to keep my distance. I’m not the hardest hitter, but I’m a very smart fighter. I make my opponent have to think and make it very difficult for them. Fast feet and fast hands will be the key.

“My jab is going to be very important. Porter is going to attack me very hard and fight on the inside. I have to make sure I don’t fight inside with Porter too much. I’m going to keep the distance.

“We sparred with Yordenis Ugas for a week but we also worked with other strong fighters who really trained me to fight on the inside. All of the work put me in a great position. I learned a lot in that week with Ugas and I will show it in the fight.

“It makes me very sad that we can’t have fans in the stadium. The atmosphere in the U.S. for big fights is so crazy and beautiful. It’s disappointing, but I think it will help me because it’s something new for Shawn and not what he’s used to.

“My movement is going to be the most important, but also my mindset. I say all the time, strong mind and strong life. I’m going to be something new for him and I’m going to make it an interesting fight for everybody watching.

“Shawn Porter is a complete fighter, but we have a plan to beat him and that’s what we will do on Saturday. It’s very important for me to get this win and open the door for more big fights. Welterweight is a strong division in the U.S. and I have to do everything I can to earn more opportunities.”

SEBASTIAN FUNDORA

“It’s nice to be here in this position and back fighting in my home state of California. I’m very grateful for the opportunity. Come Saturday night, I’m ready to make a statement.

“I won’t have any problem on the scales tomorrow. I walk around at this weight and we were prepared and ready for the scales before we even came to the venue.

“Every fight is different, and every camp is different, so we worked on different things. We’ll see what Gallimore brings on Saturday and take what we learned in camp into the ring.

“My life is a camp. I basically lived the quarantine life already. My gym is in my backyard so I didn’t have to go anywhere. We just had to bring in sparring and we were ready.

“I fight however I feel comfortable. Inside or outside. However it feels best to me in the training camp, that’s what I bring into the ring. I understand why people say that I need to work on my jab, but a lot of those people haven’t been in the ring. I listen to my trainer and my team and do what makes sense to me.

“My dad is good at finding sparring partners, so that wasn’t a problem for me. This really was just like any other camp. I couldn’t say there were any problems.

“I definitely fight with the Mexican style. That’s the side of me that I’m representing in the ring, so that’s what I’m looking to show off every time.

“This an opportunity to face another elite fighter, so a win will definitely get me closer to the title. The final decision will be up to my team, but I feel like I’ll be ready soon. I think this is the toughest competition of my career. Getting a win will be a big step forward.”

NATHANIEL GALLIMORE

“I’m glad to be back in the ring. I’m fully focused, back with my original coach George Hernandez and ready to show the world what I have.

“Fundora is a good fighter, but I know that he hasn’t faced anyone like me. It’s going to be totally different facing me. Whatever he has prepared for, it won’t be enough when he faces me.

“The experience is definitely something that I have over him. But I just know that in my last couple fights I wasn’t really near my best. I know what I really bring to the table and I’m going to execute and do what I do best on Saturday.

“I wasn’t fighting in a way that I was comfortable with in the Erickson Lubin fight. I was thinking too much. I just have to fight my fight and be me. I know what I have to do.

“This is the first step toward a world title. I have to take care of Fundora, then the gates are going to be wide open after that.

“You always have to study your own fights and see the positives and negatives. I know what was missing and I’ve worked with my trainer to fix those mistakes. That makes me very confident in what I need to do Saturday night.

“It’s not Fundora’s height that I’m worried about. I’ve just been working with the best southpaws possible to get the angles right. I’ve worked hard to be prepared for anything.

“I’m a different type of animal in the ring. I’m not a typical fighter. I’m ready to show that Saturday night. I just feel like I’m the better fighter overall. It’s nothing against him, I just believe that I’m better.”

TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions

“This is going to be another terrific night of boxing on FOX and FOX Deportes from our bubble at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. We have the two-time welterweight champion Shawn Porter with his fan friendly style going up against the unbeaten Sebastian Formella in an IBF title eliminator.

“Sebastian and his team were very happy to get the call so he can prove himself against one of the best in the world. We know what Shawn is coming into the ring with after that terrific ‘Fight of the Year’ in September against Errol Spence, Jr., where Shawn’s stock actually went up that night. It’s going to be great to have Shawn back in the ring in a big fight.

“We also have the sensational rising prospect Joey Spencer on the broadcast, plus a fight I’ve really been looking forward to in this showdown between Sebastian Fundora and Nathaniel Gallimore. Nate has been asking us for months for a fight like this because he wants to get back in the ring and prove himself again. Fundora brings the action again and again and it should combine for something great.”

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ABOUT PORTER VS. FORMELLA
Porter vs. Formella will see two-time welterweight champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter face unbeaten German contender Sebastian Formella in a 12-round welterweight title eliminator headlining FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes, Saturday, August 22 from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

FOX PBC Fight Night begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features rising undefeated contender Sebastián “The Towering Inferno” Fundora going up against hard-hitting
Nathaniel Gallimore in the 10-round super welterweight co-main event. Sensational rising prospect Joey Spencer will also compete on the broadcast in a six-round middleweight special attraction against Shawn West. All programming can be live streamed in English and Spanish on the new FOX Sports app. FOX Deportes offers delayed coverage of all FOX and FS1 programming beginning at 10:00 PM ET.

The Porter vs. Formella event will be promoted by TGB Promotions and Shawn Porter Promotions and will take place without fans in attendance at the Microsoft Theater, an AEG venue, in downtown Los Angeles.

Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information:
Visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @TGBPromotions become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

LOS ANGELES (August 19, 2020) – Two-time welterweight champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter sees limited adverse effects from his pandemic induced layoff, and actually believes the time in quarantine was an advantage, as he prepares to take on German contender Sebastian Formella in a welterweight title eliminator headlining FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes this Saturday, August 22 from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

“I think the quarantine helped me,” said Porter. “When this all began, I just took some time, and I believe that it refreshed and rejuvenated me. It gave me the opportunity to make some adjustments and we’ve all grown from it. Once I knew that we were coming back to boxing, I wanted to take on the responsibility of bringing big-time boxing back. I’m one of the first big names to come back and I’m proud to represent my team and my family by getting back in the ring sooner than later.”

Porter, who resides in Las Vegas, initially used the time off from the pandemic to spend time with his wife and two children, but he was back in the gym by April with his father and trainer Ken Porter. Although the pandemic led to safety concerns in the early weeks, the father and son duo sparred each other to limit outside interaction, they soon were back into the rhythm of their normal training.

“I took all of March off,” said Porter. “When the pandemic first hit, it was a little scary just going anywhere outside of the house. Ever since April though, we’ve been back at it. My dad lives right around the corner from me so we started off training in his back yard. Then we went back to the gym in May and I actually sparred with my dad for a few weeks, because we wanted to be as safe as possible. We just weren’t sure who else was safe to have around. But then in June we started bringing in other sparring partners. That was probably the aspect of training camp that was most affected by the pandemic.

“I have a wife and two kids now, so initially when the pandemic hit, I was just enjoying being at home with my family. But once my dad told me I had to get back moving, we got back to it. That’s just our relationship. My dad knows he can always count on me to do what’s necessary and best for my career. We played it safe, but no excuses to be made. It might be a pandemic, but my dad got me back to work safely.”

Porter will return to the ring for the first time since narrowly dropping a welterweight unification match against Errol Spence, Jr. last September, in a showdown that turned out to be one of 2019’s most action packed and dramatic fights. The 32-year-old believes that slight adjustments will help him get back to a title opportunity and beyond.

“By fighting an eliminator on Saturday, we believe we can be back in a world title fight the next time we’re in the ring,” said Porter. “For me, any improvement is about more than just hard work. Everyone knows that I work hard. Now it’s about knowing what to do and when to do it. I can’t have mental lapses and I just have to make sure that I’m staying composed inside the ring. I also have to make sure that I’m always listening to my corner and that I have the right state of mind when I’m in the ring.”

While Porter has faced a litany of the best welterweights of this generation, Saturday’s showdown puts him up against a fairly unknown entity in the German Formella, at least among U.S. observers. However, Porter’s affable personality outside of the ring has helped him gather the intel needed for this matchup.

“The good thing about being Shawn Porter, is that people like me,” said Porter. “My connections have helped me find out information on Formella, including when he was coming to the U.S. It’s awesome to have people so willing to help me out. One person that I’ve been talking with has seen Formella train a number of times and their insight has been very helpful. I’ve also gotten seven or eight tapes of his fights. We’re looking to throw some wrenches into what we think his game plan will be and do what we need to in order to get the win.”

With just days remaining before stepping into the ring and beginning his quest toward becoming a three-time champion, Porter has a clear statement for the rest of the division.

“The statement is that I’m still here,” said Porter. “I’ve had three losses, but I haven’t gone anywhere. I’m still here fighting at an elite level and that’s what they’re going to see in this fight.”

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ABOUT PORTER VS. FORMELLA
Porter vs. Formella will see two-time welterweight champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter face unbeaten German contender Sebastian Formella in a 12-round welterweight title eliminator headlining FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes, Saturday, August 22 from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

FOX PBC Fight Night begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features rising undefeated contender Sebastián “The Towering Inferno” Fundora going up against hard-hitting
Nathaniel Gallimore in the 10-round super welterweight co-main event. Sensational rising prospect Joey Spencer will also compete on the broadcast in a six-round middleweight special attraction against Shawn West. All programming can be live streamed in English and Spanish on the new FOX Sports app. FOX Deportes offers delayed coverage of all FOX and FS1 programming beginning at 10:00 PM ET.

The Porter vs. Formella event will be promoted by TGB Promotions and Shawn Porter Promotions and will take place without fans in attendance at the Microsoft Theater, an AEG venue, in downtown Los Angeles.

Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information:
Visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @TGBPromotions become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

LOS ANGELES (August 19, 2020) – German contender Sebastian Formella relishes the opportunity he has in front of him in his U.S. debut as he prepares to face two-time welterweight champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter in a welterweight title eliminator headlining FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes this Saturday, August 22 from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

“I have always said that I want to compete with the best,” said Formella. “Now I have the chance. Even though I’m coming from Germany and the U.S. fans aren’t as familiar with me, I’m ready to do whatever it takes to win. I can’t wait to test myself against a welterweight superstar like Shawn Porter.”

For the 33-year-old Formella, challenges are nothing new. He debuted as a pro in 2014, already 26 years old, but quickly showed his mettle, winning a German middleweight title in just his sixth pro fight. After moving down into the welterweight division full time in 2018, he has reeled off five straight wins against opponents with a combined record of 95-8-1.

“Everyone who knows me, knows that I will face any opponent,” said Formella. “When my promoter called and offered me the fight, I immediately said yes – without knowing the details. I know what I can do and I’m willing to prove it against whoever is available. I am not a guy who gives up or avoids anything.”

Heading into this fight, Formella has been on a training camp world tour, participating in training camp in his native Germany, before two weeks of sparring in Istanbul. Eventually he arrived in the U.S., where he sparred with top welterweight Yordenis Ugas, who faced Porter in dropping a close title fight last March on FOX.

“One of the reasons this opportunity came at the right time is because I had been in training in Germany since June,” said Formella. “Since then, we had two weeks of sparring in Istanbul. We had rough conditions there and that made it all the better for training so I feel prepared for whatever is going to happen in the ring.

“One of the sparring partners in Istanbul was my promotional stablemate Volkan Gökcek. It was optimal work day in and day out. Once we got to the U.S., I sparred with Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas and I know that experience can only help me on fight night.”

Formella will have a tall task on fight night against the two-time 147-pound titlist Porter, who’s career resume is littered with big name opponents such as Errol Spence, Jr., Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia, amongst many others. Porter is defined by his rough and tumble, all-action style that ensures nobody is in for any easy night against him.

“Porter makes a lot of pressure, he can bridge the distance very well with his fast movements and he is very strong on the inside,” said Formella. “You always have to be careful and concentrated. You must not let him drag you into his fighting style. We’ve analyzed Porter, and we know it’s going to be tough. But it’s boxing and the nice thing about our sport is that a lot of things can happen that you don’t expect. We have a tactic set up and I’m going to throw everything at him to get the win.”

In his corner, his promoter Erol Ceylan has drawn a direct line between Formella’s underdog status against Porter and Formella’s similar status when he triumphed over Thulani Mbenge, who had come into that fight off of victories over Miguel Vazquez and Diego Chaves.

“Nobody believed in Sebastian when he fought for the IBO title against Mbenge and he surprised everyone,” said Ceylan. “Sebastian is someone who grows with the strength of his opponents. You should not underestimate him and the strength of his will to win.”

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ABOUT PORTER VS. FORMELLA
Porter vs. Formella will see two-time welterweight champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter face unbeaten German contender Sebastian Formella in a 12-round welterweight title eliminator headlining FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes, Saturday, August 22 from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

FOX PBC Fight Night begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features rising undefeated contender Sebastián “The Towering Inferno” Fundora going up against hard-hitting Nathaniel Gallimore in the 10-round super welterweight co-main event. Sensational rising prospect Joey Spencer will also compete on the broadcast in a six-round middleweight special attraction against Shawn West. All programming can be live streamed in English and Spanish on the new FOX Sports app. FOX Deportes offers delayed coverage of all FOX and FS1 programming beginning at 10:00 PM ET.

The Porter vs. Formella event will be promoted by TGB Promotions and Shawn Porter Promotions and will take place without fans in attendance at the Microsoft Theater, an AEG venue, in downtown Los Angeles.

Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information:
Visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @TGBPromotions become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

Los Angeles, 19th of August– Sebastian Formella is not your everyday boxer. Especially not if you consider the fact that the 33-year old from Hamburg, Germany carries world championship gold around his waist. When Formella is not busy working in the gym, he is controlling container bridges at the port of Hamburg. In other words: apart from being a professional boxer he still has a daytime job that pays his bills. Even when he won the IBO World Title in 2019 he got back to work less than 48 hours later.

It doesn‘t get more humbling than that, but it’s something that might give him an edge over a lot of his opponents. Formella knows that without hard work and dedication everything means nothing in the end. In 2017 he found the perfect partner to put his laser focus to use, when he signed a contract with EC Boxing in Hamburg. Alongside Erol Ceylan „Hafen-Basti“ build himself up, selling out arenas with several thousand people in his hometown.

 Then, in July of 2019, he got a shot at then IBO Champion Tulani Mbenge from South Africa. The German homecrowd pushed Formella all the way to the end of this 12 round affair. A couple of minutes later legendary ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. declared him the unanimous winner and therefore the new world champion. Without this victory Formella wouldn’t be where he is today. Without this a big fight on a big stage would never come to fruition.
 

 But now dreams have become reality. On August 22nd Formella will take on non-other than former two time world champion „Showtime“ Shawn Porter. It‘s by far the toughest challenge of his career, but the German is not visiting Los Angeles to lose: „I have great amounts of respect for Shawn Porter, who is a world-class fighter. But I’ll come prepared. Me and my team have studied him closely“, Formella explains.

In preparation Formella held training camps in both Istanbul and Las Vegas. At the gym of famous coach Ismael Salas he got around to spar former Porter-foe Yordenis Ugas. No stone was left unturned for the biggest fight in Formella’s boxing career.

LOS ANGELES (August 18, 2020) – Two-time welterweight champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter will face unbeaten German contender Sebastian Formella in a 12-round WBC/IBF welterweight title eliminator headlining FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes, Saturday, August 22 from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

FOX PBC Fight Night begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features rising undefeated contender Sebastián “The Towering Inferno” Fundora going up against hard-hitting Nathaniel Gallimore in the 10-round super welterweight co-main event. Sensational rising prospect Joey Spencer will also compete on the broadcast in a six-round middleweight special attraction against Shawn West. All programming can be live streamed in English and Spanish on the new FOX Sports app. FOX Deportes offers delayed coverage of all FOX and FS1 programming beginning at 10:00 PM ET.

“With championship-winning performances and numerous ‘Fight of the Year’ battles, Shawn Porter has made himself into one of the top welterweights of this generation and he will bring his fan friendly style to the ring yet again as he seeks a path to a third world title,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Standing in his way is a hungry undefeated fighter in Sebastian Formella, who no doubt is coming from Germany intent on pulling off the upset August 22. In addition, rising super welterweight Sebastián Fundora will face perhaps his toughest test to date in Nathaniel Gallimore, and top prospect Joey Spencer again will look to show the promise that makes him a potential rising star in the sport.”

The Porter vs. Formella event will be promoted by TGB Promotions and Shawn Porter Promotions and will take place without fans in attendance at the Microsoft Theater, an AEG venue, in downtown Los Angeles.

Born in and Akron, Ohio and now living and fighting out of Las Vegas, Porter (30-3-1, 17 KOs) returns to the ring after narrowly losing a welterweight unification showdown against Errol Spence, Jr. last September, in one of 2019’s best fights. The 32-year-old has faced a slew of big names throughout his two runs as champion in the stacked 147-pound division. Porter’s first title was won in 2013 by defeating Devon Alexander, while his second championship came in a 2018 triumph over Danny Garcia. Along the way he was beaten top fighters such as Adrien Broner, Yordenis Ugas and Andre Berto, while coming up just short in memorable showdowns against Keith Thurman and Kell Brook.

“Me and my dad have been working hard since April staying ready for this opportunity to get back in the ring,” said Porter. “Over the past couple of years, any time I step in the ring there are some new wrinkles to my game. We understand that you can’t fight one way against everyone, so you’re going to see some small, slight wrinkles, but I’ll always been an aggressive fighter. Once I smell that blood, I’m going for it. We’re excited to show off a different side of Shawn Porter.”

The 33-year-old Formella (22-0, 10 KOs) turned pro in 2014 at the age of 26, racking up seven wins in the year before fighting and winning his first 10 round fight in 2015. He continued to rise up the rankings fighting in his native Hamburg, Germany, before capturing a regional title in 2018 by stopping Angelo Frank. He continues to ride his winning streak into his U.S. debut on August 22, having won three-straight 12 round decisions over Betuel Ushona, Thulani Mbenge and most recently Roberto Arriaza in January of this year.

“I have always said that I wanted to compete against the best, and now I have that chance on Saturday, August 22,” said Formella. “Even though the experts may think I’m the underdog, I have trained hard for this fight and will give everything I have in the ring. Shawn Porter is rightly a superstar in this weight class and I’m excited to get in the ring and test myself against him.”

Towering at nearly six-feet six-inches, Fundora (14-0-1, 9 KOs) has used his height and length, combined with power and aggressiveness, to rack up an unbeaten record since turning pro in 2016. The 22-year-old most recently defeated previously unbeaten Daniel Lewis in his 2020 debut on February 22. Fighting out of Coachella, California, Fundora entered the ring three times in 2019, including TKO victories over then unbeaten fighters Donnie Marshall and Hector Manuel Zepeda, before an exciting split-draw against fellow contender Jamontay Clark.

“You have to be at your very best when there’s adversity, like this pandemic, and I will be the best version of myself when I face Gallimore,” said Fundora. “You’ve only got three choices in life: give up, give in, or give it all you’ve got. I always rise up to the toughest challenges that are put in front of me and I plan on doing it again on August 22.”

Fighting out of Chicago, the Jamaican-born Gallimore (21-4-1, 17 KOs) has faced an impressive lineup of top super welterweights throughout his career, having most recently dropped a decision to Erickson Lubin last October. The 33-year-old also owns a TKO victory over unified super welterweight champion Jeison Rosario, and decision defeats against former unified 154-pound champion Julian Williams and current super welterweight titleholder Patrick Teixeira.

“I’m back working with my old trainer George Hernandez and I’m excited for everyone to see a new and improved fighter,” said Gallimore. “I have to go in there and prove myself. Fundora is a good fighter, but he’s never experienced the caliber of competition that I’ve fought. There are levels to this. I’m planning to to dominate each round. I just want everyone to tune in and catch the action because it’s going to be a fight to remember.”

The 20-year-old Spencer (10-0, 7 KOs) has made fast strides since turning pro in February 2017. The Linden, Michigan native kicked off 2020 in January with a six-round decision victory over Erik Spring on FOX. That win built on an impressive four-win 2019 that he punctuated by stopping previously unbeaten Travis Gambardella in September. He will be opposed by the 31-year-old West (5-1, 3 KOs), who fights out of Davenport, Iowa and enters this fight the winner of his last two contests.

“This was the best training camp I ever had,” said Spencer. “I feel better than ever coming into fight week. I know I have a pretty tough opponent with a good record, so I want to come out and show how much I’ve grown during this time away from the ring.”

“I’m blessed to be back and do what I love,” said West. “Joey is a popular fighter who’s been molded and shaped for big situations and shows like this. I’m extremely excited to pick his brain and talk combat in the with him on Saturday night.”

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Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.
For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @TGBPromotions become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.