MONTREAL, April 29, 2026 — The “Dragon” is heading to England! Eye of the Tiger’s Steve Claggett will face top-10 world contender and European champion Adam Azim on May 30 at the OVO Arena Wembley in London, England.

“I’ve spent my entire life working towards an opportunity like this. I’m grateful and excited to be coming to the UK to fight Adam Azim. I know Adam is a good, young boxer, and I’ll be preparing for the very best version of him on the night. I’ve put in the hard work, I’m already in great shape, and on fight night I’ll be ready to show the UK fans what I’m all about,” said Calgary’s Steve Claggett.

Already experienced in high-profile bouts, Steve Claggett (40-8-2, 28 KOs) went toe-to-toe with Teofimo Lopez in June 2024 in a hard-fought 12-round world championship fight in Florida. The boxer trained in Montreal by Mike Moffa returned to winning ways the following October and recently secured his 40th career victory this past March, in his 50th professional bout. Currently ranked No. 22 in the world by the WBC at super lightweight (140 lb), he’s ready to climb back toward the top on May 30.

British boxer of Pakistani origin Adam Azim (14-0, 11 KOs) is considered one of the rising stars of the division. In just 14 fights, “The Assassin” has already captured the WBC Youth, WBO Intercontinental, IBO World, and European titles. After defeating former world champion Sergey Lipinets last year, he is currently ranked No. 7 in the world by the WBO, and No. 8 by both the WBA and WBC.

“This is another big step forward for me on my journey to a world title. I’m excited to be headlining live on the BBC in front of a massive audience. I always want to be involved in entertaining fights, and on May 30, I’m going to give the fans a night to remember. Steve Claggett is a tough, experienced fighter, he gave Teofimo Lopez his toughest fight, and that’s exactly the kind of challenge I want. I’m ready to put on a great performance and show everyone why I’m destined for the top,” said Adam Azim.

The full #AzimClaggett event, presented by BOXXER, will be broadcast nationally on the BBC platform in the UK. Tickets will go on sale in the coming days. Photos from Steve Claggett’s recent fights are also available in the press kit (HERE).

Jhon Orobio remained undefeated with a freighting fifth round stoppage of Yomar Alamo in a 10-round junior welterweight bout.

In round three, Orobio put Alamo on the canvas with a vicious left to the head that was followed by an overhand right. In round five, Orobio landed a huge overhand right to the jaw that knocked Alamo completely out and the fight was stopped at 45 seconds.

Orobio, 138.8 lbs of Montreal is 17-0 with 15 knockouts. Alamo, 139.2 lbs of Caguas, PR is 22-6-1.

Steve Claggett stopped Alejandro Frias in round two of their 10-round junior welterweight fight.

In round two, Claggett landed a left hook that put Frias on the canvas and the fight was stopped upon Froas getting to his feet at 2:13.

Claggett, 142.8 lbs of Calgary, CAN is 40-8-2 with 28 knockouts. Frias, 144.1 lbs of Tepic, MEX is 21-13-2.

Daylen Pepin won a four-round unanimous decision over Felipe Bocaz in a lightweight bout.

Pepin, 134.1 lbs of Trois-Rivieres, CAN won by scores of 40-36 and 39-37 twice and is now 2-0. Bocaz, 134.2 lbs of El bosque, CHL is 3-3.

Dante Tice stopped Patrik Velky in the fourth and final round of their junior middleweight nout.

In round four, Tice dropped Velky with a hard left to the body. Seconds later, another body shot put Velky down and the fight was stopped at 1:44.

Tice, 151.7 lbs of Longueil, CAN is 3-0 with two knockouts. Velky, 148.2 lbs is 2-5-1.

Moreno Fendero remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Shawn McCalman in a super middleweight bout.

Fendero, 167.9 lbs of Montreal won by scores of 96-94 twice and 98-92 and is now 14-0. McCalman 166.5 lbs of Aurora, CO is 17-2.

ORLANDO, FL (August 6, 2025) – Super lightweight contender Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (19-2-1, 9 KOs), from Worcester, Massachusetts, will return to the ring on August 23, 2025, to face seasoned veteran Steve Claggett (39-8-2, 27 KOs), from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The 10-round bout will be for the WBA Continental USA Championship and will serve as the co-main event on the MVP Fight Night card at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. The event will be televised live worldwide on DAZN. Tickets on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com.

Currently ranked #10 by the WBA and IBF and #13 by the WBC, Ortiz is coming off a strong unanimous decision victory over Yomar Alamo (22-4-1, 13 KOs) on March 15, 2025, a performance that reestablished him as one of the division’s most technically gifted fighters.

Now, Ortiz, who is co-promoted by Boxlab Promotions and CES Boxing, looks to keep that momentum rolling against Claggett, a battle-tested contender with knockout power and a reputation for pushing opponents to their limits. “It feels great to be back in the ring after my win over Alamo,” said Ortiz. “That fight was a reminder to myself and the boxing world of what I can do when I’m locked in. I’m sharper than ever, and I’m coming into this fight with a lot of confidence and purpose.”

Ortiz, known for his high ring IQ and superior boxing skills, has his eyes firmly set on a world title opportunity. “I’m as hungry as I’ve ever been,” Ortiz added. “I truly believe I have what it takes to become a world champion. Every fight from here on out is a step toward that goal, and I’m willing to face whoever I need to in order to get there.”

While Ortiz enters as the favorite, he knows Claggett’s experience and rugged style make him a dangerous opponent. “Claggett is a tough, experienced fighter who comes to win every time out,” Ortiz noted. “He’s been in there with some of the best, and I know he’s going to test me. But I’ve prepared for every challenge he can bring, and on fight night, I’m going to show why I’m the one walking away with the victory.”

Amaury Piedra, President of Boxlab Promotions, voiced his excitement for Ortiz’s continued rise and praised the collaboration with CES Boxing. “We’re thrilled to be working with CES Boxing on Jamaine’s career,” said Piedra. “He’s a world-class talent who is on the brink of breaking into the world title picture once again. This fight with Claggett is another important step for him, and with his skill set and determination, I believe it’s only a matter of time before Jamaine is fighting for — and winning — a world championship.”

This event is brought to you by Most Valuable Promotions in association with Boxlab Promotions. Doors open at 5:00 pm ET with the first bout beginning at 6:00 pm ET. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com. 

ORLANDO, FL – June 20, 2025 – Today, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) announced its upcoming MVP Fight Night on Saturday, August 23, streaming live globally as part of the DAZN subscription package. MVP’s Puerto Rican Olympian Yankiel “El Doctorcito” Rivera (7-0, 3 KOs), ranked the #1 WBA, #5 WBC, and #7 WBO contender at 112lbs, will headline the main card vs. WBO international flyweight titleholder Angelino “Huracan” Cordova (19-0-1, 12 KOs) in a 12-round bout at 112 lbs for the WBA interim flyweight world title. Joining the main card is Boxlab Promotions’ and CES Boxing’s Puerto Rican standout Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (19-2-1, 9 KOs), who will face Calgary, Alberta, Canada’s powerhouse Steve “The Dragon” Claggett (39-8-2, 27 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight bout contested at 140 lbs for the WBA Continental USA title. Tickets for MVP Fight Night are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

Headlining the MVP Fight Night main card on Saturday, August 23 is MVP’s Puerto Rican Olympian and the WBA’s #1 ranked flyweight contender Yankiel “El Doctorcito” Rivera (7-0, 3 KOs). From Toa Alta, Puerto Rico by way of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, 27-year-old flyweight sensation Rivera holds an undefeated record and currently reigns as the WBA Continental, WBC Silver, and WBO Intercontinental flyweight champion at 112 lbs. Rivera launched his standout amateur career in 2014 and quickly rose through the ranks, capturing Puerto Rico’s National Championship at 108 lbs in both 2015 and 2016. In 2017, he transitioned to the 114-pound division, where he remained unbeaten at the national level, claiming the national championship title five years in a row from 2017 through 2021. Internationally, Rivera earned bronze medals at the 2018 Central American Games and 2019 Pan American Games, and competed twice in the world amateur championships. Campaigning as a flyweight, he became Puerto Rico’s sole boxing representative at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Rivera turned professional in September 2022 with a first-round TKO over Jose Antonio Jimenez, followed by a third-round TKO win over Ramon Velasquez that November. He appeared on MVP’s Amanda Serrano vs. Erika Cruz undercard in February 2023, facing Fernando Diaz and earned a unanimous decision victory. In February 2024, he claimed the then-vacant WBA and WBC Continental Americas titles with a unanimous decision over Andy Dominguez Velasquez. He followed that up in June 2024 by capturing the vacant WBO Intercontinental title via unanimous decision against Victor Efrain Sandoval. In his most recent outing, Rivera defended his titles with a dominant fourth-round TKO of Angel Gonzalez in December 2024. He is currently ranked #1 by the WBA, #5 by the WBC, and #7 by the WBO in the flyweight division at 112lbs.

“Fighting for the WBA interim World Championship is both an honor and another great challenge that I must face,” said Yankiel Rivera. “I remember Angelino from the amateurs, although our paths never crossed. Angelino is an extraordinary fighter who has all my respect. I’m training accordingly, and it’ll be an honor to share the ring with him and fight for that belt. You can be sure of one thing, I’ve been preparing for this moment since I first put a pair of gloves. The belt and the opponent I’m facing only fuel my hunger for working hard and win. I hope Angelino is also training at full capacity. We’ll surely bring a great show. But in the end, only one hand will be raised and that hand will be mine. I hope to see all my fans from Florida and Puerto Rico in what will be a great night of boxing. Those who can’t attend can watch my fight through DAZN. I thank MVP and my manager, Peter Kahn, for this great opportunity. Puerto Rico, that belt is coming home!”

From Caracas, Venezuela by way of Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela, WBO international flyweight champion Angelino “Huracan” Cordova (19-0-1, 12 KOs) will look to make a major statement in the division when he faces Rivera on Saturday, August 23. He debuted professionally in 2017 at age 21, defeating Dallan Llovera, and quickly rose through the ranks, capturing the WBO Latino Junior Flyweight title in 2022 against Axel Vega and the WBO International Flyweight title in 2023 by upsetting former world champion Ángel “Tito” Acosta. In March 2024, Cordova contested for the WBC flyweight world title against Julio Cesar Martinez, though the bout was ruled a no contest due to Martinez violating anti-doping rules. Cordova most recently defeated Josue Morales by unanimous decision in December 2024. The 29-year-old remains a top contender with ambitions to claim a world championship.

Joining the main card is Boxlab Promotions and CES Boxing’s Puerto Rican standout Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (19-2-1, 9 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight bout contested at 140 lbs. From Worcester, Massachusetts, Ortiz’s passion for combat sports began at just seven years old when he began boxing, paving the way for a strong amateur career that kicked off in March 2011. After nearly five years of honing his skills, Ortiz made his professional debut in May 2016, earning a victory by RTD against Josh Parker. After years of dominating in the ring, Ortiz delivered two career-defining performances: in October 2022, he pushed former unified lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko to the brink in a razor-close decision loss, showcasing his elite defensive skills and heart; and in February 2024, he challenged Teofimo Lopez for the WBO super lightweight title, nearly dethroning the champion in another tightly contested decision loss after 12 grueling rounds. Despite this setback, Ortiz is mounting a determined comeback in pursuit of another title shot. He most recently secured a fourth-round TKO over Cristian Ruben Mino in November 2024, followed by a unanimous decision victory against Yomar Alamo in March 2025. Ortiz will look to keep this momentum going as he faces Claggett on Saturday, August 23. 

Calgary, Alberta, Canada’s powerhouse Steve “The Dragon” Claggett (39-8-2, 27 KOs) began boxing at 13 years old and had an impressive amateur career, capturing three Golden Gloves titles. He turned professional at 19, making his debut in September 2008 with a majority decision win over Brandon Carlick. Claggett remained undefeated until March 2011, when he suffered his first loss by TKO to Romeo Jakosalem. Undeterred, he continued to climb the ranks, and in June 2024, he challenged Teofimo Lopez for the WBO super lightweight world title. After a hard-fought 12-round bout, Claggett fell short by unanimous decision. Most recently, he delivered a dominant fourth-round TKO against Eduardo Estela in October 2024, reaffirming his drive to earn another shot at a world title.

“MVP Fight Night in Orlando represents our continued commitment to delivering world-class boxing events that spotlight emerging global talent,” said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of MVP. “Our newest signee Yankiel Rivera, a rising star from Puerto Rico with the potential to become one of the sport’s next great champions, will make his MVP debut in the main event and Jamaine Ortiz vs. Steve Claggett will be a high-stakes clash between two of the top contenders at 140lbs looking to break into the world title conversation. We’re proud to showcase this caliber of talent live on DAZN and look forward to announcing additional matchups in the coming weeks.”

“MVP has put together an incredible card, and Caribe Royale is once again proud to host them,” said Amaury Piedra, President of Boxlab Promotions and Managing Director of the Caribe Royale Resort. “This card features two titles so far, with more to come, plus a stacked undercard. Central Florida fans should be excited and turn out for this event! Caribe Royale is excited to welcome the local public as well as visitors to the area coming in to see one of the best cards of the year in Florida!”

MVP Fight Night is produced and marketed by MVP, promoted by MVP and Boxlab Promotions, and distributed globally by DAZN. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drinks, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP. Fansly, TORKLAW, and Event Ticket Center will also sponsor the event.

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

About MVP

MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP have produced Jake Paul’s last six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson streamed live globally on Netflix and shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app.

For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit?dazngroup.com.

NEW YORK (June 281, 2024)–Split-T Management’s WBO Junior Welterweight world champion Teofimo Lopez defends his title against Steve Claggett on Saturday night at The James L. Knight Center in Miami.

Lopez of Brooklyn is a five-time, two-division and former undisputed lightweight world champion, will look to make his second defense of his 140-lb. crown.

Lopez, who now resides in Las Vegas via Brooklyn, is managed by Split-T Management, and has a record of 20-1 with 13 knockouts. The former undisputed lightweight champion is a five-time world champion as he won the IBF Lightweight title with an explosive second-round stoppage of Richard Commey on December 14, 2019 at Madison Square Garden. Lopez picked up three more belts when he won a unanimous decision over Vasiliy Lomanchenko on October 17, 2020.

The 26 year-old Lopez became a two-division world champion with a master class performance when he won a unanimous decision over WBO Junior Welterweight title over Josh Taylor on June 10th at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. In his last bout, Lopez made the initial defense of his title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Jamaine Ortiz on February 8th in Las Vegas.

Claggett of Calgary, Alberta, Canada will be making his first attempt at a world title.

The 35 year-old has been a professional for 16 years. Claggett earned the opportunity on the strength of a current nine-fight winning streak that has consisted of wins over Sebastian Aguirre (18-3), Tony Luis (29-5), Rafael Guzman Lugo (26-2-2), former world champion Alberto Machado (23-3), Carlos Sanchez (24-1), Miguel Madueno (30-1) and his last out when he blasted out Marcos Gonzalez Baraza (23-3) in two rounds on January 25th in Montreal.

Claggett also has wins over Harrison McBain (2-0-1), Abdou Sow (3-0), Ryan Wagner (4-1), Ricky Duenas (12-1), Stuart McLellan (12-1-3), Emanuel Robles (15-0-1), Yves Ulysse Jr, (14-0), Petros Ananyan (13-0-2) and David Theroux (16-3).

Lopez is promoted by Top Rank, weighed 139.4 lbs at Friday’s weigh-in. Claggett was 139.5

The Lopez – Claggett bout will be on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ beginning at 10 PM ET.

Photo by Mikey Williams / Top Rank

In a preliminary bout, undefeated featherweight, Yan Santana will make his United States debut when he takes on Brandon Valdes in a bout scheduled for 10 rounds.

Santana of La Romana, Dominican Republic is 11-0 with all wins coming via stoppage. The 24 year-old Santana of La Romana, Republic has stopped three undefeated opponents and is coming off a fourth round stoppage over Rodolfo Hernandez Montoya on April 6th in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Valdes of Rosemead, California is 15-4 with seven knockouts. The 25 year-old Valdes is coming off a loss to former world title challenger Ruben Villa on September 15, 2023 in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Santana weighed 127 lbs. Valdes was also 127 lbs.

The bout will be streamed on ESPN+ at 5:45 PM ET.

Friday night in Atlanta, two more members of the Split-T Management team will be in action.

Photo By OTX Boxing

Friday in Atlanta, two members of the Split-T Management team will be in action as Tiara Brown will take on former world champion Gabriela Bouvier in a 10-round featherweight bout.

Brown of Lehigh Acres, Florida is managed by Brian Cohen and carries an impressive mark of 16-0 with 11 knockouts.

Brown, 36, has wins over Vanessa Bradford (5-1-2), Jennifer Martinez (2-0), and is coming off a first round stoppage over Angi Romero on February 17th in Colombia.

Bouvier of Uruguay is 19-12-1 with four knockouts. The 32 year-old Bouvier won the IBF Flyweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Florencio Roxana Centeros. She made one defense of the crown. Bouvier had three more world title opportunities. Bouvier has won four in a row with the latest being a 10-round unanimous decision over Augustina Marisa Delen Rojas on December 9, 2023 in Uruguay.

Brown weighed in at 126 lbs. Bouvier was 125.8.

Photo By OTX Boxing

Also in Atlanta, undefeated super middleweight Donte Layne takes on Montrel James in a four-round bout.

Layne, 21 years-old of Elmont, Long Island. New York is 2-0 with two knockouts. Both of Layne’s wins have been first round stoppages with the most recent being over DeShuan Mitchell (2-0) on March 29.

James of Saint Louis is a 12 fight veteran who is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Raymond Harrison (5-1-1) on August 11, 2023 in Saint Louis.

Layne was 167.2 lbs. James was 167.4 lbs.

The Brown and Layne fights are Live on DAZN at 8 PM ET

  •   Teofimo Lopez 139.4 lbs. vs. Steve Claggett 139.5 lbs
(Lopez’s WBO & Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight Titles – 12 Rounds)

   •  Robeisy Ramirez 124.8 lbs vs. Brandon Leon Benitez 127.1 lbs
(Vacant NABO Featherweight Title — 10 Rounds)
* Benitez was 1.1 pounds over the featherweight limit. Only Ramirez is eligible to win the title.

   •  Nico Ali Walsh 156.9 lbs vs. Sona Akale 156.3 lbs
(Middleweight— 6 Rounds)

(ESPN+, 5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT)

•  Emiliano Fernando Vargas 139.8 lbs vs. Jose Zaragoza 139.1 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight — 8 Rounds)

•   Elvis Rodriguez 141.6 lbs vs. Jino Rodrigo 141.2 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight — 10 Rounds)

•  Lorenzo Medina 235.6 lbs vs. Detrailous Webster 247.7 lbs
 (Heavyweight — 6 Rounds)

•   Rohan Polanco 142.4 lbs vs. Luis Hernandez 143 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight — 8 Rounds)

•   Yan Santana 127 lbs vs. Brandon Valdes 127 lbs
 (Featherweight— 10 Rounds)

•   Euri Cedeno 161.4 lbs vs. Dormedes Potes 161.7 lbs
 (Middleweight— 8 Rounds)

MIAMI, Fla. (June 27, 2024) — WBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez is primed for the Miami spotlight. Lopez, who was raised in South Florida, hopes to bring the heat Saturday night when he defends his titles against Canadian challenger Steve Claggett at James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida.

Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) is making the second defense of the titles he won from Josh Taylor via upset unanimous decision last June. He defended the crown in February against Jamaine Ortiz and now turns his attention to Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs), a Calgary native who is unbeaten in nine fights since 2021. His winning streak includes victories over former world champion Alberto Machado and top contender Miguel Madueño.

In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, Cuban former world champion Robeisy Ramirez (13-2, 8 KOs) returns against Mexico’s Brandon Leon Benitez (21-2, 9 KOs). If Ramirez is successful on Saturday, he could be in line for a rematch against WBO champion Rafael Espinoza, who dethroned him in an instant classic last December.

The six-round televised opener will see middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (10-1, 5 KOs) attempt to avenge his only pro defeat in a rematch against Sona Akale (9-1, 4 KOs).

Teofimo-Claggett, Ramirez-Benitez, and Ali Walsh-Akale II will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK and Ireland.

Promoted by Top Rank and Eye of the Tiger, remaining tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.com.

This is what the fighters had to say on Thursday at the final press conference.

Teofimo Lopez

“This event is long overdue. Miami has been great. I did my training camp here preparing for Josh Taylor, and we just thought that we needed to revisit this. I’m in great spirits. So I look forward to it.”

“This guy is no slouch. He has waited 15 years for this opportunity. And now he has it. This is the most important moment of his career. I just need to stick to my game plan and listen to my team. This is going to be a good slugfest. This is going to be a good fight.”

“We know how to get the job done. We know how to get the win. We’re not a two-time lineal champion for no reason. We do this. We face the best fighters in boxing. So, Steve Claggett is going to come to bring it. However, there are levels to this. I look forward to what he brings to the table, and we’ll dissect him from there.”

Steve Claggett 

“This is something I’ve worked my whole life for. I feel like I have great momentum right now. It’s the time for me.”

“I don’t really care about what other people say. You can only control your perspective, so I do what I know is right and prepare like I best know. I sacrificed and put in the work.”

“The name of the game is to work on your weaknesses. I’ve made consistent improvements and stayed dedicated. I added all the things I couldn’t do to my game. I’ve been getting better every fight. I feel like I’m progressing more than ever now. It’s a nice time for me.”

Robeisy Ramirez
“I feel very happy to be coming home here to Miami, and I’m very happy for the support that the fans have given me. I’m excited to be back.”

“I don’t think I have to do anything different. I have my objective, which is to do my work and demonstrate the quality of fighter that I am. The true Robeisy will be seen Saturday.”

“What I learned {from the Espinoza loss} is that one has to be very concentrated on the work you have to do. This is a very tough sport where you have to sacrifice a lot, and if you are not concentrated 100 percent on what you have to do, then sometimes you can be taken off on what you need to do in the fight.”

Brandon Leon Benitez

“I’ve looked for a big fight like this for a while. Now that I have the opportunity, I am going to take advantage of it. So, I am here to win, and I am happy to be here with all of you here in Miami, and it’s going to be a fabulous fight.”

“We’ve been preparing for southpaws for more than a year. So, I don’t think we’ll see any difficulties in facing a southpaw. But, of course, we know that we have a tough fighter. He’s an Olympian and a former world champion, so we know he’s a great fighter. This is a big challenge, but I like challenges, and we’re coming for the victory.”

“This is the most important fight of my career. It’s a great opportunity. If I win, it will position me for a world title shot. I’ve prepared mentally, physically, and spiritually. In my mind, there’s nothing else but winning.  I’m prepared.

Nico Ali Walsh

“A lot has changed. This isn’t my first rematch. So, we know that I’m able to adapt quickly early in my career. I’m changing every month. And I’m looking forward to the fight.”

“I’ve got love in my corner. I’ve got people who believe in me, which is the most important thing. I’m working with Fernando Diaz, Jamie Belt. All of Salas Academy is amazing. I get along with every single person there. So, I’m just happy to be where I’m at.”

Sona Akale

“I’m very excited. I’m eager to prove that {the first fight} was no fluke.”

“It’s been a whirlwind. I love it all. I’m already a legend in my city. Win, lose, or draw, I’m happy to be here, but I’m here to win. Always here to win.”

Emiliano Fernando Vargas

“I love it here {in Miami}. But, we’re locked in. All those fun activities can be held after. I’ve got family with me. I’ve got the right people in the corner with me. So, we’re looking to get the job done on Saturday night. That’s the only thing on my mind.”

“I just want to be the best young fighter I can be now. I know I’m in a grown man’s sport. World champions now are 27, 28, or 30 years old. So, all I have to do is keep my head down and get the experience. And when it’s time, my team and I will sit down with Bob Arum and the rest of the team.”

Saturday, June 29

ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)

Teofimo Lopez vs. Steve Claggett, 12 Rounds, Lopez’s WBO and Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight World Titles 

Robeisy Ramirez vs. Brandon Leon Benitez, 10 rounds, Benitez’s NABO Featherweight Title

Nico Ali Walsh vs. Sona Akale II, 6 rounds, middleweights

ESPN+ (5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT)

Emiliano Fernando Vargas vs. Jose Zaragoza, 8 rounds, junior welterweights

Rohan Polanco vs. Luis Hernandez , 8 rounds, junior welterweights

Yan Santana vs. Brandon Valdes, 10 rounds, featherweights

Euri Cedeño vs. Dormedes Potes, 8 rounds, middleweights

# # #

MIAMI, Fla. (June 26, 2024) — Teofimo Lopez, Robeisy Ramirez, and Nico Ali Walsh hosted a public workout today ahead of their respective showdowns this Saturday, June 29, at James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida.

Lopez(20-1, 13 KOs) will defend his WBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight world titles against Canadian contender Steve Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs) in the main event.

Former world champion Ramirez (13-2, 8 KOs), who lost his belt in a Fight of the Year Epic to Rafael Espinoza last December, is in line for another shot at the featherweight crown if he can defeat Mexico’s Brandon Leon Benitez (21-2, 9 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.

The six-round televised opener will see middleweight prospect Ali Walsh  (10-1, 5 KOs) attempt to avenge his only pro defeat in a rematch against Sona Akale (9-1, 4 KOs).
 
Teofimo-Claggett, Ramirez-Benitez, and Ali Walsh-Akale II will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK and Ireland.

Vargas (10-8, KOs), the son of Fernando Vargas, will step up against Jose Zaragoza (9-8-2, 3 KOs) in an eight-rounder on the ESPN+-streamed undercard (5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT).
 
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Eye of The Tiger, remaining tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.com.
 
This is what Lopez had to say at Wednesday’s media workout.

Teofimo Lopez

“I’m grateful for all of this. It’s great to be back to where I started in boxing. This is it right here. This was supposed to happen in 2021. It’s happening now for a good reason.”

“This is a homecoming for me. And this is what we needed to do. We needed to go back to my roots. We fought nine times at Madison Square Garden, and now we’re here. The feeling has been fun. The energy has been great. And we’re focused.” 

“I look forward to making a statement. I have everything that is needed to win as a true champion. It doesn’t matter who they put in front of me. We’re always going to get the job done. However, we needed a good dance partner, and on Saturday night, we’re going to have a tough, rugged fighter in Steve Claggett. This is a guy who has been a professional for many years and who knows how to slow the pace of his opponents and make them fight his style. I look forward to a great competitive fight.”
 

Saturday, June 29

ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)

Teofimo Lopez vs. Steve Claggett, 12 Rounds, Lopez’s WBO and Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight World Titles 

Robeisy Ramirez vs. Brandon Leon Benitez, 10 rounds, Benitez’s NABO Featherweight Title

Nico Ali Walsh vs. Sona Akale II, 6 rounds, middleweights

ESPN+ (5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT)

Emiliano Fernando Vargas vs. Jose Zaragoza, 8 rounds, junior welterweights

Rohan Polanco vs. Luis Hernandez , 8 rounds, junior welterweights

Yan Santana vs. Brandon Valdes, 10 rounds, featherweights

Euri Cedeño vs. Dormedes Potes, 8 rounds, middleweights
 

Top Rank Boxing on ESPN, presented by AutoZone: Teofimo vs. Claggett, will be presented live this Saturday, June 29, at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+. The event takes place at James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida.

Teofimo Lopez will defend his WBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight world titles against Canadian contender Steve Claggett. 

Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs), a two-weight lineal champion who grew up in South Florida, won the IBF lightweight world title in 2019 and later claimed the WBA, WBO, and WBC Franchise titles by defeating Vasiliy Lomachenko. After a shocking loss to George Kambosos Jr. in 2021, the 26-year-old made his junior welterweight debut in 2022 and won the WBO and Ring Magazine titles the following year with an upset victory over Josh Taylor. Lopez is coming off February’s decision win over top contender Jamaine Ortiz.

Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs), a native of Calgary, Canada, is a 15-year veteran who hasn’t lost a fight since 2021. In June 2023, the 35-year-old knocked out former world champion Alberto Machado in three rounds to capture the vacant NABF junior welterweight strap. He dispatched Marcos Gonzalez Barraza in two rounds this January.
 
In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, Cuban former WBO world champion Robeisy Ramirez returns against Mexico’s Brandon Leon Benitez. 
 

Ramirez (13-2, 8 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist, won the WBO featherweight world title by defeating Isaac Dogboe in April 2023. His first defense was that July in Japan, where he beat hometown hero Satoshi Shimizu via fifth-round TKO as the co-feature of the Naoya Inoue-Stephen Fulton main event. Ramirez lost the title via majority decision against Rafael Espinoza last December in a Fight of the Year contender.

Benitez (21-2, 9 KOs) looks to extend his seven-fight win streak. His last defeat was against Saul Sanchez in 2019. His wins since then include a split decision upset over former world champion Xu Can in 2022 and a body shot knockout over Rigoberto Hermosillo last December.

The six-round televised opener sees middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh attempt to avenge his only pro defeat in a rematch against Sona Akale.

Ali Walsh (10-1, 5 KOs), grandson of “The Greatest,” went 8-0 before suffering his first pro defeat against Akale last August. Akale (9-1, 4 KOs) heads into the rematch after decisioning Tray Martin across six last December.

Undercard action begins at 5:35 p.m. ET/ 2:35 p.m. PT exclusively on ESPN+.

Calling the action will be ESPN’s Joe Tessitore, Mark Kriegel, Bernardo Osuna, and former world champion Chris Algieri, who will be filling in for Timothy Bradley Jr. this week.

ESPN+: On Demand Shows, Archives & Premium Articles

• Top Rank: Real Time– All-access with top fighters throughout fight week as they work to fight night. 
• Who Do U Fight 4?– Learn what drivesthe next generation of Top Rank stars. 
• State of Boxing– Post-show coverage of the biggest fights on ESPN and ESPN+. 
• Best of Boxing Spotlight – An archive of the all-time best Top Rank fights. 

Follow @ESPNRingside: Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) TikTok

Teofimo vs. Claggett (All Times ET)

MIAMI, Fla. (June 18, 2024) – WBO, Ring Magazine, and lineal junior welterweight world champion Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) prepares to defend his titles against Steve Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs) on Saturday, June 29, at James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida.

Lopez, the first world champion of Honduran descent, will headline in South Florida for the first time, where he honed his skills as both an amateur and a pro.

In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, Cuban former world champion Robeisy Ramirez (13-2, 8 KOs) returns against Mexico’s Brandon Leon Benitez (21-2, 9 KOs).

The six-round televised opener will see middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (10-1, 5 KOs) attempt to avenge his only pro defeat in a rematch against Sona Akale (9-1, 4 KOs).

Teofimo-Claggett, Ramirez-Benitez, and Ali Walsh-Akale II will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK and Ireland.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Eye of The Tiger, remaining tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.com.

Following a recent training session in South Florida, this is what Lopez had to say:

Teofimo Lopez

“This is going to be a tough fight. A lot of people look at Claggett’s record and think I’m going to fight a nobody, but he hasn’t lost in three years. He has fought former champions. He always comes to fight and throws a lot of punches. I need to be in great condition to battle a fighter like him. I can’t overlook him, get overconfident, and play around with him. I know this fight will be great for all my people in Miami.”

“Unlike these other supposed champs at 140, Steve Claggett is the only fighter who raised his hand and stepped up to challenge me. No other fighters were interested in getting in the ring with me. These other fighters want me to help them make a name for themselves. Although people don’t know much about him, Claggett is very tough and always comes to fight. I want to face fighters like that. I don’t want to face fighters who talk a lot and are just trying to become famous, like my last opponent. I hit him in the second round, and then he ran the rest of the fight. That’s not good for boxing.”

“I want to face the top dog in any division I campaign in. Despite the doubters, I have overcome similar skepticism in the past, like before my fights against Josh Taylor and Vasiliy Lomachenko. Throughout my career, I have always sought to compete against the very best. I am always willing to challenge myself. After this fight, if I can get the other junior welterweight champs to get in the ring with me, my primary goal will be to test and push my limits. I want the triple crown.”

MIAMI, Fla. (May 20, 2024) – The Takeover is returning to his South Florida roots.

Teofimo Lopez will defend his WBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight world titles against Canadian contender Steve Claggett on Saturday, June 29, at James L. Knight Center in Downtown Miami, Florida.

In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, Cuban former WBO world champion Robeisy Ramirez returns against Mexico’s Brandon Leon Benitez. 

The six-round televised opener sees middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh attempt to avenge his only pro defeat in a rematch against Sona Akale.

Teofimo-Claggett, Ramirez-Benitez & Ali Walsh-Akale II will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK & Ireland.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Eye of The Tiger, tickets go on sale Wednesday, May 22 at 2 p.m. ET via Ticketmaster.com.

“Teofimo Lopez is among the most electrifying fighters in the sport, and I know he’s motivated to put on a show against a very tough challenger in Steve Claggett,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “Robeisy Ramirez wants to become a two-time world champion, and the road back starts in his adopted hometown. Nico Ali Walsh has been asking for the Akale rematch from the moment the judges’ decision came back after their first fight, and he now has a chance for revenge.”

Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs), a two-weight lineal champion who grew up in South Florida, captured the IBF lightweight world title with a second-round knockout against Richard Commey in December 2019. The following year, he triumphed over pound-for-pound king Vasiliy Lomachenko to claim the WBA, WBO, and WBC Franchise titles. He lost the belts in a shocking upset to George Kambosos Jr. in November 2021. The 26-year-old made his junior welterweight debut in August 2022, registering a seventh-round TKO versus Pedro Campa before tallying a points verdict over Spanish southpaw Sandor Martin that December. In June 2023, Lopez painted a fistic masterpiece when he upset former undisputed champion Josh Taylor to capture the WBO and Ring Magazine titles. He defended his crown with a unanimous decision over former amateur rival Jamaine Ortiz in February. 

Lopez said, “I have always wanted to fight in South Florida, where I grew up and developed as a fighter. I never thought it would happen, but now, on June 29, I get the opportunity to do so not just as a world champion but as the lineal world champion of my division. This has been one of my goals since turning pro, and I’m motivated to showcase my talent there in front of my Honduran fans and the entire Latino community. This is like a Rocky Balboa story for Steve Claggett. I’m very much looking forward to what kind of style I’m going to see. There were no other fighters who were interested in fighting me, and I felt like he would give not just me, but the fans as well, a great fight to watch.”

Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs), a native of Calgary, Canada, is a 15-year veteran who hasn’t lost a fight since 2021. The 34-year-old went 4-0 with two knockouts in 2023. In March, he stopped Rafael Guzman Lugo in seven to capture the vacant NABF junior welterweight strap. He defended it with a third-round TKO against former world champion Alberto Machado in June before decisioning Carlos Sanchez in September and Miguel Madueño in November. He kicked off his 2024 in January by dispatching Marcos Gonzalez Barrera in two. 

Claggett said, “I have worked my entire life for this opportunity, and I intend to make the most of it. I am more motivated than ever before, and I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got.”

Ramirez (13-2, 8 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist, won the WBO featherweight world title by defeating Isaac Dogboe in April 2023. The 30-year-old traveled to Japan for his first defense, battering hometown hero Satoshi Shimizu en route to a fifth-round TKO in the July 2023 co-feature to the Naoya Inoue-Stephen Fulton main event. Ramirez lost the title via majority decision against Rafael Espinoza, dropping the Mexican in the fifth before himself visiting the canvas in the 12^th round of a Fight of the Year contender. Benitez (21-2, 9 KOs) looks to capitalize on a seven-fight win streak. His last defeat was against Saul Sanchez in May 2019. His wins since then include a split decision upset over former world champion Xu Can in October 2022 and a body shot knockout over Rigoberto Hermosillo in December.

Ramirez said, “Last December, we put on an action-packed battle, a worthy ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate. While the result was unexpected, we also proved to the boxing world just how amazing a Miami crowd can be. On June 29, I will begin my quest to recapture my world title and return to the top, where I know I belong. It’s Cuba vs. Mexico again, and I’m excited to have the loyal support of the Cuban community of Miami.”

Benitez said, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to show that I belong among the best of the division. But I want Robeisy Ramirez to know that this is nothing new to me. I know what it’s like to go on enemy turf against a tough former world champion. Like I did with Can, I’m going to make it a tough night for Ramirez. I respect him as a fighter, but as soon as I get in the ring, I’m not going to stop throwing punches until my hand is raised.”

Ali Walsh (10-1, 5 KOs) went 8-0 before suffering his first pro defeat against Akale last August in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The grandson of “The Greatest” bounced back with a points triumph over Noel Lafargue last December in Conakry, Guinea, and made his 2024 debut with a six-round unanimous decision win against Charles Stanford in March. Ali Walsh thrived in the lone rematch on his dossier. In August 2022, he knocked out Reyes Sanchez in two rounds after edging him by majority decision the previous December. Akale (9-1, 4 KOs) heads into the rematch after decisioning Tray Martin across six last December.

“I’ve had a rematch before. I know how to right my wrongs,” Ali Walsh said. “I appreciate Akale for not running from the rematch, but on June 29, I’ll leave no doubt.”

Akale said, “I’m excited and thankful for the opportunity to fight again for Top Rank on ESPN. I’m going to prove my first win over Nico was no fluke. After this fight, everyone will know I’m the real deal.”

In scheduled undercard action, streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+:

· Junior welterweight Rohan Polanco (12-0, 7 KOs), who represented the Dominican Republic at the Tokyo Olympics, returns in an eight-rounder against Mexican veteran Luis Hernandez (23-4, 20 KOs). Polanco thrilled the South Florida fans last December with a sixth-round TKO over Keith Hunter in Pembroke Pines.

· Middleweight puncher Euri Cedeño (8-0-1, 7 KOs), an Olympic teammate of Polanco’s, looks to increase his winning streak to three in an eight-rounder against Colombian southpaw Dormedes Potes (14-6-1, 10 KOs). 

· Rising Dominican prospect Yan Santana (11-0, 11 KOs) seeks his 12^th straight knockout in a 10-rounder against the tough-as-nails Brandon Valdes (15-4, 7 KOs), who is coming off a decision loss to Ruben Villa last September.

· South Florida-born heavyweight fan favorite Lorenzo Medina (10-0, 9 KOs) fights Baltimore native Colby Madison (11-7-2, 7 KOs) in a six-rounder. The 19-year-old Medina has won three straight bouts by knockout, including December’s sixth-round stoppage over Joshua Temple.

· Puerto Rican middleweight prospect Bryan Polaco (6-0, 4 KOs) faces fellow unbeaten Richard Acevedo (6-0-1, 5 KOs) in a six-rounder.

Highly ranked super middleweight Erik Bazinyan stopped Billi Godoy in round three of their 10-round bout at Montreal Casino in Montreal, Canada.

In round three, Bazinyan dropped Godoy with a chopping right hand and the fight was stopped at 2:24.

Bazinyan, 169.9 lbs of Laval,QUE, CAN is 32-0 with 23 knockouts. Godoy, 166.3 lbs of Centaras, ARG is 41-8.

Albert Ramirez won a 10-round unanimous decision over Artur Ziyatdinov in a light heavyweight bout.

Ramirez, 174.8 lbs of El Vigna, VEN won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 and is now 18-0. Ziyatdinov, 174.3 lbs of Montreal is 15-2.

Steve Claggett stopped Marcos Gonzalez after two rounds of their eight-round junior welterweight fight.

Gonzalez could not answer the bell for round three.

Claggett, 142 lbs of Calgary, ALB, CAN is 38-7-2 with 26 knockouts. Gonzalez, 141.1 lbs of Chihuahua, MEX is 23-4.

Recent world title challenger Mary Spencer stopped Sonya Dreiling after the opening round of their eight-round junior middleweight fight.

Spencer had a good first round as she landed a couple of good combinations. Dreiling did not continue after the round.

Spencer, 153.8 lbs of Montreal is 8-2 with six knockouts. Dreiling, 153.2 lbs of Albertsville, AL is 6-4.

Jhon Orobio stopped Juan Carlos Garcia after round three of their six-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Orobio dropped Garcia with a hard flurry. Orobio battered Garcia and the fight was stopped at 3:00 in the corner.

Orobio, 133.5 lbs of Montreal is 6-0 with six knockouts. Garcia, 134.7 lbs of Mexico City is 5-5.

Wilkens Mathieu remained undefeated with a fourth round stoppage over Oscar Soto Quintana in a scheduled six-round light heavywight bout.

In round four, Mathieu landed a hard right that was ruled a standing eight count and the fight was stopped at 31 seconds.

Mathieu, 173.1 lbs of Montreal is 7-0 with four knockouts. Quintana, 173.2 lbs of Sonora, MEX is 6-5.

Moreno Fendero remained undefeated with a second round stoppage over Ricardo Lara in a scheduled four-round middleweight fight.

In round one, Fendrro dropped Lara with a left uppercut to the body. In round two, it was a left over the top that put Fendero down in the corner. Fenderp ended things when he landed a big right hook that put Lara down and the fight was stopped at 1:46.

Fendero, 163.9 lbs of Besancon, FRA is 4-0 with three knockouts. Lara, 163.6 lbs of El Grullo, MEX is 22-12-2.

Steve Claggett won a 10-round unanimous decison over Miguel Madueno in a junior welterweight at Casino Montreal in Montreal, Canada.

Claggett, 139.8 lbs of Calgary, CAN won by scores of 99-91 twice and 98-92 and is now 37-7-2. Madueno, 139.6 lbs of Orange, CA is 30-2.

Steven Butler stopped Ivan Alvarez in round nine of their 10-round middleweight bout.

In round nine, Butler landed a big right hand that hurt Alvarez. Butler followed up with a flurry that put Alvarez down in the corner. Later in the round Butler sent Alvarez down with a straight right hand. Alvarez got to his feet, but the fight was waved off at 2:36.

Butler, 161.9 lbs of Montreal, CAN is 33-4-1 with 27 knockouts. Alvarez, 160.9 lbs of Mexicali, MEX is 32-15-4.

Imam Khataev stopped Fernando Galvan in round two of their eight-round light heavyweight bout.

In round one, Khataev dropped Galvan with a one-two. In round two, it was a right hand that put Galvan down and the fight was stopped at 44 seconds.

Khataev, 178.6 lbs of Sydney, AUS is 5-0 with five knockout. Galvan, 179.4 lbs of Mexico is 8-9-1.

Mehmet Unal stopped Jaime Lopez after round two of their eight-round light heavyweight bout.

In round one, Unal dropped Lopez with a left hand. Unal dominated the bout and the fight was stopped in the corner due to injury.

Unal is now 7-0 with six knockouts. Lopez is 10-11.

Wikens Mathieu remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Gregorz Mardyla in a super middleweight.

Mathieu, 169.5 lbs of Quebec, CAN won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 5-0. Mardyla, 168.6 lbs of Krackow, POL is 1-1-1.

Moreno Fendero stopped Cristian Lozano in round two of their four-round middleweight bout.

Fendero dropped Lozano at the end of the first round. In round two, Lozano began to bleed from his nose. The fight was stopped when Fendero landed a hard combination at 1″05.

Fendero, 163.6 lbs of Chartres, FRA is 2-0 with one knockout, Lozano, 160.9 lbs of San Pedro, MEX is 2-3.

Top-rated super middleweight Christian Mbilli stopped Demond Nicholson in round four of a scheduled 10-round super middleweight bout at Hotel Lec Lemay in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.

In round one, Mbilli dropped Nicholson with a hard right hand. In round two, Mbilli dropped Nicholson with a right that was high on the head. In round four, Mbilli landed a vicious left that dropped Nicholson in the corner and the fight was stopped at 1:56.

Mbilli, 167.1 lbs of Montreal is 25-0 with 21 knockouts. Nicholson, 167.7 lbs of Laurel, MD is 26-6-1.

Steve Claggett scored three knockdowns en-route to a 10-round unanimous decision over Carlos Sanchez in a junior welterweight bout.

In round four, Claggett scored a knockdown as he landed a left to the body.

In round six, it was a head shot that put Sanchez on the canvas. In round seven, Claggett continued he beating and dropped Sanchez again with a body shot.

Claggett, 139.7 lbs from Calgary, ALB, CAN won by scores of 98-89 and 99-88 twice and is now 36-7-2. Sanchez, 139 lbs of Baja, CA, MEX is 24-2.

Alexandre Gaumont won an eight-round unanimous decision over Ulices Tovar in a middleweight bout.

In round four, Tovar was bleeding under his left eye.

Gaumont, 159.1 lbs of Buckingham, QUE won by scores of 79-73 on all cards and is now 9-0. Rivera, 157.9 lbs of Guanjanto, MEX loses for the first time and is now 8-1.

Vanessa Lepage Joanisse won a six-round unanimous decision over Timea Nagy in a cruiserweight bout.

In round four, Joanisse landed a combination to that put Nagy on the canvas for a knockdown.

Joanissem 178.7 lbs of St. Abelein, QUE won by scores of 60-53 on all cards and is now 6-1. Nagy, 178.2 lbs of Hungary is 3-2.

Harley David O’Reilly won a four-round unanimous decision over Ismael Nava Lopez in a light heavyweight bout.

O’Reilly, 177.2 lbs of Gatineau, QUE won by 40-36 on all cards and is 2-0. Lopez, 178.4 lbs of Durango, MEX is 3-3.

Mehmet Unal won an six-round unanimous decision over Hernan David Perez.

Unal, 177.8 lbs of Montreal won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 and is now 5-0. Perez, 175.4 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 9-9.

Jhon Orobio stopped Luis Godinez in the opening round of their four-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Orobio dropped Godinez with a left hook to the body. He got up, but the fight was stopped at 3:00.

Orobio, 134.9 lbs of Montreal is 4-0 with four knockouts. Godinez, 135.6 lbs of Mexico City is 4-3-2.

Luis Santana stopped Sergio Palafox in round two of their six-round junior welterweight bout.

In round two, Santana landed a left to the body that was followed up by two hard rights that put Fox on the canvas. Santana continued to land flush punches and the bout was stopped at 2:29

Santana, 138 lbs of Montreal is 10-0 with four knockouts. Palafox, 143.1 lbs of Mexico is 9-4.

Christopher Guerrero remained undefeated with a third round stoppage over Vesselin Markov in a scheduled six-round welterweight bout.

In round three, Guerrero landed a left hook to the body that froze Markov. Guerrero landed another right to a wounded Markov and he took a knee and could not get up at 3:00.

Guerrero, 149.4 lbs of Montreal is now 8-0 with four knockouts. Markov, 149.5 lbs of Sofia, BUL 7-1-1.

Moreno Fendero made a successful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Uziel Bueno in a super middleweight bout.

In round three, Fundero dropped Bueno with a right hook.

Fendero, 164 1/2 lbs of France won by scores of 40-35 on all cards and is 1-0. Bueno, 162 3/4 lbs is 3-3.

Devin Tomko (9-2, 4 KOs) stopped Juan Santiago (6-8-1). Santiago was taken to the hospital.

LOS ANGELES, CA (April 23, 2019): Golden Boy, the leading media and entertainment brand, along with global sports streaming giant DAZN, are proud to announce that the new monthly boxing series, Thursday Night Fights, will be distributed to regional cable channels throughout the U.S.

The series will be available on networks such as NBC Sports Regionals, Spectrum Sportsnet, AT&T SportsNet, and Root Sports Networks. The combination of these regional sports networks brings the reach of Thursday Night Fights to 62 million U.S. households. Fight fans who want to learn more about when and where the program will be available in their area can use our interactive widget below.

Thursday Night Fights will continue with its second installment on April 25 in an event headlined by the 10-round rematch between super lightweight contender Yves Ulysse Jr. (17-1, 9 KOs) of Montreal, Canada and Steve Claggett (27-5-2, 17 KOs) of Calgary, Canada. The fight will take place at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif.

The series consists of a three-hour program, featuring a two-hour block of live fights followed by a one-hour studio show. The studio show will feature renowned writers from Ring Magazine as they provide in-depth analysis and previews from boxing events around the globe. The three-hour program will air from 10:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. ET/7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. PT and will also be available on RingTV.com and on Facebook Watch via the Golden Boy Fight Night Page.

The monthly series will continue on the following dates:
May 16, 2019
June 13, 2019
July 18, 2019
August 22, 2019
September 26, 2019
October 24, 2019
November 14, 2019
December 5, 2019

Details for these upcoming cards will be announced in the near future.

Ulysse Jr. vs. Claggett II is a 10-round fight for the WBA Gold Super Lightweight Title presented by Golden Boy and Eye of the Tiger Management. The event is sponsored by Tecate,”THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING.” The fights will take place Thursday, April 25, 2019 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. The Thursday Night Fights broadcast will be streamed live on RingTV.com and on Facebook Watch via the Golden Boy Fight Night Page beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The series will also be available on regional sports networks around the nation. To see when and where the series is available, click here.

Tickets for the event are on sale and start at $25. Tickets will be available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office, by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

Media interested covering Ulysse Jr. vs. Claggett II must be pre-approved for credentials. Credential applications are due Monday, April 22, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. PT. Click here to apply for a media credential. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval for a credential. You cannot transfer your credentials to someone else. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #UlysseClaggett2, #ThursdayNightFights and #TNF.

Photos and videos are available to download by clicking here or by copying and pasting link: http://bit.ly/UlysseClaggett2 into a browser. Credit must be given to Golden Boy for photos and videos used.

INDIO, CALIF. (April 9, 2019): Future Hall of Famer James “Lights Out” Toney will be the special VIP guest for the April 25 edition of Golden Boy DAZN Thursday Night Fights, which headlined by the 10-round rematch between super lightweight contender Yves Ulysse Jr. (17-1, 9 KOs) of Montreal, Canada and Steve Claggett (27-5-2, 17 KOs) of Calgary, Canada. The event will take place at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. Details for how to watch the fights will be announced shortly

Toney is a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan who captured world titles in the middleweight, super middleweight and cruiserweight divisions. He also fought for a world title in the heavyweight division. Toney was known for his defensive style and his incredible hand speed. He also fought the likes of Iran “The Blade” Barkley, Roy Jones Jr., Montell “Ice” Griffin, Mike “Bodysnatcher” McCallum, Vassiliy “The Tiger” Jirov, Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield, John “The Quiet Man” Ruiz, and Hasim “The Roch” Rahman in a career that spanned nearly 30 years.Toney will be in attendance for this event to meet fans, sign autographs and take pictures inside the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center. The meet-and-greet is open to the public with the purchase of a ticket to the event.

In the co-main event, Oscar “El Jaguar” Negrete (18-1-1, 7 KOs) of Tierralta, Colombia, will defend his NABF Bantamweight Title against Joshua “The Professor” Franco (14-1-1, 7 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas in a 10-round rematch between two Golden Boy contenders.

Alexis “Lex” Rocha (12-0, 8 KOs) of Santa Ana, Calif. will defend his WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Title in a 10-round fight against Shoki Sakai (23-9-2, 13 KOs) of Amagasaki, Japan.

Marlen Esparza (5-0, 1 KOs) of Houston, Texas will return to the ring after almost a year of inactivity in an eight-round battle against Jhosep Vizcaino (8-8, 3 KOs) of Quito, Ecuador for the vacant NABO Flyweight Title.

Mike “Yes Indeed” Reed (23-2, 12 KOs), a southpaw contender of Washington, D.C. who has not been in the ring for a year, will make his comeback in an eight-round super lightweight bout.

Kevin Ventura (10-0, 8 KOs) of Omaha, Nebraska will face Josh Hernandez (8-2, 7 KOs) of Chicago, Illinois in a six-round lightweight fight.

Raul “Cougar” Curiel (5-0-3 KOs) of Tamaulipas, Mexico will fight in a six-round welterweight clash against Andrew Rodgers (4-6-1, 2 KOs) of Elkhart, Indiana.

Anthony Reyes (4-0, 3 KOs), the hard-hitting native of Coachella, Calif. will return in a four-round super bantamweight battle.

Anthony Garnica (1-0,1 KO) of Oakland, Calif. will participate in the second fight of his career in a four-round featherweight bout.

Opponents for Reed, Ventura, Garnica, and Reyes will be announce shortly.

Ulysse Jr. vs. Claggett II is a 10-round fight for the WBA Gold Super Lightweight Title presented by Golden Boy and Eye of the Tiger Management. The event is sponsored by Tecate,”THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING.” The fights will take place Thursday, April 25, 2019 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. Details for how to watch the fights will be announced shortly

Tickets for the event are on sale and start at $25. Tickets will be available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office, by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

Media interested covering Ulysse Jr. vs. Claggett II must be pre-approved for credentials. Credential applications are due Monday, April 22, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. PT. Click here to apply for a media credential. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval for a credential. You cannot transfer your credentials to someone else. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #UlysseClaggett2, #ThursdayNightFights and #TNF.

Photos and videos are available to download by clicking here or by copying and pasting link: http://bit.ly/UlysseClaggett2 into a browser. Credit must be given to Golden Boy for photos and videos used.

LOS ANGELES (April 2, 2019): Super lightweight contender Yves Ulysse Jr. (17-1, 9 KOs) of Montreal, Canada will face Steve Claggett (27-5-2, 17 KOs) of Calgary, Canada in a 10-round rematch for the vacant WBA Gold Super Lightweight Title in the main event of the April 25 edition of Golden Boy DAZN Thursday Night Fights at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. Details for how to watch the fights will be announced shortly
Ulysse Jr. is a 30-year-old contender who has scored three spectacular victories since the controversial split decision loss against Claggett in October 2017. Ulysse Jr. is best known for stopping previously undefeated prospect Zachary “Zungry” Ochoa and then-unbeaten contender Cletus “Hebrew Hammer” Seldin. Ulysse Jr. will look to even the score against Claggett on April 25.

“I can’t believe that I will finally get my revenge against [Steve] Claggett,” said Yves Ulysse Jr. “I’ve been waiting for this fight for two years now! It’s going to be a hell of a fight. You won’t want to miss it!”

Claggett is a 29-year-old pugilist who is known for fighting Christopher “The Heat” van Heerden and Danny O’Connor. Claggett will look to prove that his win against Ulysse Jr. in their first fight was no fluke.

“Thank you to our promoter KO Night Boxing for the diligent work in making this fight happen,” said Steve Claggett. “It’s the bout we wanted. I’ve gone head-to-head against Ulysse Jr. and bested him in his hometown, and I’m going to do it again in spectacular fashion on April 25th.”

“We are delighted to have the first fight of our new co-promotional agreement with Eye of the Tiger Management,” said Eric Gomez, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “Yves Ulysse Jr. is inches away from a world title shot at 140 pounds, and we’re happy to see him grow into world title contention in his first main event fight in the United States. It’ll be a night of great rematches on April 25, so I invite everyone to head out to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino for a stacked night of Golden Boy action.”

“Ulysse vs. Claggett 2 will certainly be a candidate for Fight of the Year,” said Camille Estephan, President of Eye of the Tiger Management.”Yves is very motivated to leave a mark and show that he is the man to beat at 140 pounds. The opportunity to erase the only blemish on his record is an opportunity to jump all over. The first fight was a highly controversial decision, so he wants to make sure there is no room for questions in this outing.”

In the co-main event, Oscar “El Jaguar” Negrete (18-1-1, 7 KOs) of Tierralta, Colombia, will defend his NABF Bantamweight Title against Joshua “The Professor” Franco (14-1-1, 7 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas in a 10-round rematch between two Golden Boy contenders. The first fight was easily a contender for Fight of the Year as both men stood toe-to-toe during each round of the fight. Both men will took to pick up where they left off when they begin the 11th round.

Alexis “Lex” Rocha (12-0, 8 KOs) of Santa Ana, Calif. will defend his WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Title in a 10-round fight against Shoki Sakai (23-9-2, 13 KOs) of Amagasaki, Japan.

Marlen Esparza (5-0, 1 KOs) of Houston, Texas will return to the ring after almost a year of inactivity in an eight-round battle for the vacant NABO Flyweight Title.

Mike “Yes Indeed” Reed (23-2, 12 KOs), a southpaw contender of Washington, D.C. who has not been in the ring for a year, will make his comeback in an eight-round super lightweight bout.

Kevin Ventura (10-0, 8 KOs) of Omaha, Nebraska will face Josh Hernandez (8-2, 7 KOs) of Chicago, Illinois in a six-round lightweight fight.

Raul “Cougar” Curiel (5-0-3 KOs) of Tamaulipas, Mexico will fight in a six-round welterweight clash.

Anthony Reyes (4-0, 3 KOs), the hard-hitting native of Coachella, Calif. will return in a four-round super bantamweight battle.

Anthony Garnica (1-0,1 KO) of Oakland, Calif. will participate in the second fight of his career in a four-round featherweight bout.

Opponents for Reed, Ventura, Garnica, Reyes and Curiel will be announce shortly.

Ulysse Jr. vs. Claggett II is a 10-round fight for the WBA Gold Super Lightweight Title presented by Golden Boy and Eye of the Tiger Management. The event is sponsored by Tecate,”THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING.” The fights will take place Thursday, April 25, 2019 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. Details for how to watch the fights will be announced shortly

Tickets for the event are on sale and start at $25. Tickets will be available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office, by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

Media interested covering Ulysse Jr. vs. Claggett II must be pre-approved for credentials. Credential applications are due Monday, April 22, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. PT. Click here to apply for a media credential. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval for a credential. You cannot transfer your credentials to someone else. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #UlysseClaggett2, #ThursdayNightFights and #TNF.

Photos and videos are available to download by clicking hereor by copying and pasting link: http://bit.ly/UlysseClaggett2 into a browser. Credit must be given to Golden Boy for photos and videos used.