Month: November 2017

Miami FL; All Star Boxing, Inc has added a new wave of talent to its roster this week by announcing the signing of prospect Antonio “Toño” Moran to a multi-year contract. Moran, a young fighter who is coming off an impressive win in the Telemundo Fall Series, is knocking on the door of a world title opportunity as early as the first quarter of 2018.

Standing at 6 Feet 1 Inch Moran, a lengthy lightweight who compiled a 90-10 record in the amateurs, has become a very polished fighter in his young pro career under the guidance of Cuban trainer now residing in Mexico City, Miguel Angel Baro.

Antonio “Toño” Moran (23-2 16KO’s) is currently ranked WBO #11 and Latino Lightweight Title Holder of the organization, he is coming off three impressive knockouts on Telemundo. Moran had an excellent 2017 in his hometown of Mexico City, Mexico were he seems nearly unbeatable, He knocked out Richard Zamora in 1 round. Later he reappeared in the Summer Series with a 6th round stoppage win of Guadalupe Rosales and finally closed out the year with a 2nd Round Knockout over Salvador Briseño in Telemundo’s Mexico City Finale. During the week of his last fight, WBO Lightweight World Champion Terry “Turbo” Flanagan decided to Vacate his belt and move up to super lightweight leaving Moran as a frontrunner to contest the title. Moran looks to invade the U.S. in Telemundo’s 2018 Premier.

“Toño Moran had a few words on his new signing with All Star Boxing, He stated “I am Very Happy with the way Tutico Zabala has taken my career to this point” he added “Fighting in my hometown of Mexico City has been great for me but now i am ready to conquer the U.S. and live my childhood dream of becoming World Champion”.

President and Owner of All Star Boxing, INC Felix “Tutico” Zabala is looking forward to a great 2018 with the new signing to his company and believes he will become World Champion in the near future.

ORANGE, Calif. – Unbeaten welterweight prospect Francisco Armenta (4-0, 1 KO), signed by Thompson Boxing Promotions last year, headlines the first show of his young career in his native Mexico this Saturday, Dec. 2.

The 6-round fight, the first for Armenta as a professional, comes against a seasoned boxer in Miguel Lopez from the Hernando de Villafañe in Lopez’s hometown of Guasave, Sinaloa.

Armenta, who is trained by Cuban Juan Quezada, hails from Guamuchil, a town about 45 minutes east of Guasave.

“Lopez is a dangerous opponent so I expect a tough fight,” said Armenta, who will be fighting for the fifth time this year. “He’s not someone that you can easily knock out. We’re prepared to give a great fight and if we follow our game plan, the knockout will present itself.”

Armenta, 23, is unfazed by the experience gap between himself and Lopez. As an amateur, he tallied about 250 fights and won numerous regional and national tournaments in Mexico.

“I saw a lot of different styles in the amateurs,” Armenta said. “I’ll be ready for whatever Lopez brings on Saturday night. I’ll have a lot of support behind me. My hometown isn’t very far from where I’ll be fighting. My fans are going to see a great fight.”

In the six-round co-feature, lightweight Miguel Madueño (5-0, 4 KOs) of Guasave, Sinaloa will test his unblemished mark against Carlos Bacasegua. Madueño signed with Thompson Boxing last year.

Madueño, like Armenta, is a graduate of one of Mexico’s most renowned boxing academies – Centro de Alto Rendimieto de Boxeo.  The academy, which prepares its students for careers in boxing, also consists of an academic and civic component that strives to develop solid citizens out of its alumni.

Madueño, 19, will be making his sixth start of the year.

“When we signed Armenta and Madueño the goal was to keep them active right from the start,” said Alex Camponovo, longtime matchmaker and general manager for Thompson Boxing. “We’ve been able to get them plenty of fights in Mexico with the understanding that they’ll soon be fighting in the United States as early as next year.”

For more information, please visit ThompsonBoxing.com.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check our Facebook Page, watch our YouTube channel on Thompson Boxing TV, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @ThompsonBoxing.

PHOTO CREDIT: CARLOS BAEZA / THOMPSON BOXING PROMOTIONS

The respect Orlando “Siri” Salido has earned, has not come easy. But on Saturday December 9th in Las Vegas he will once again demand such respect, inside the ring. He will finally be headlining the main event on a televised live show on HBO Boxing After Dark.

Salido (44-13-13-4, 31 KOs) of Ciudad Obregon, Mexico will take on a veteran, Miguel “Mikey” Roman (57-12-31 KOs) of Chihuahua, Mexico. This highly anticipated fight is nothing short of fireworks.

“I have always gone into the ring and gave the fans the best and most entertaining fights that I can give them. On December 9, against Miguel Roman, I will give them another fight to remember. Because of our styles, this fight has the making of a war and there will be fireworks from beginning to finish”, Salido said.

Coming out of two draws in Championship fights against Roman “Rocky” Martinez and Francisco “Bandido” Vargas in Vegas and California, Salido is returning to the States in hopes of gaining a win that will lead him to the WBC Championship fight against Miguel “Alacran” Berchelt of Yucatán, Mexico.

“I was hoping to be facing Berchelt in this fight, but unfortunately he got hurt and now I must defeat the tough fighter Roman for a WBC Belt,” said Salido.

Old rival Vasly Lomachenko will also be fighting on the same night in New York, on another television Network.

“I have no problem fighting Lomachenko again, but they need to remember that I already beat him and I don’t need to do that again. I have plenty of options and I will fight the best available fighters that I can. In a way, we will be competing against each other on December 9th, but if you look at his opponent and then look at mine, I think people will know which of the two will be the most attractive fight and that the whole card is much better in Las Vegas,” said Salido.

Salido is still working with his long-time trainer Santos Moreno, but for this camp he has added Guillermo “Memo” Heredia as his conditioning coach. “I feel reinvigorated. After 22 years it’s good to make some changes, and I feel I am going to be at my best, physically and I’m prepared to give everyone and the fans an un-forgettable fight. It is going to a good night of boxing in the boxing capital of the world on Saturday, December 9th.”

Photo credits: Zanfer/Orlando Salido.

Story by: Lester Silva

Photo credits: Stacey Verbeek

NEW YORK CITY – Four division world champion Miguel Cotto (41-5, 33 KOs) and current WBA International Welterweight Champion Sadam “World Kid” Ali (25-1, 14 KOs) today hosted the final press conference for their WBO World Junior Middleweight Championship fight, which takes place Saturday, Dec. 2 at the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden, and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Joining Cotto and Ali at the final press conference were undercard fighters including WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion Rey Vargas (30-0, 22 KOs) and NABF Bantamweight Champion Oscar “El Jaguar” Negrete (17-0, 7 KOs), who will fight for Vargas’s belt in the HBO-televised co-main event. They were also joined by featherweight contender Ronny Rios (28-2, 13 KOs), super lightweight contender Zachary “Zungry” Ochoa (17-1, 7 KOs), junior flyweight contender Angel “Tito” Acosta (16-1, 16 KOs), and Aaron “Silencer” McKenna, Ireland’s no. 1 ranked amateur fighter who will make his professional debut under the Golden Boy Promotions banner on Saturday.

Here are what the fighters, their teams, and promoters had to say at today’s final press conference at Madison Square Garden:

MIGUEL COTTO, FOUR DIVISION WORLD CHAMPION:

“It’s been a pleasure for me to try to entertain you guys for 17 years. I have done my best at every opportunity for the benefit of my family. They mean everything to me and I am so proud of them and they are so proud of me.

“On Saturday, I will be the same Miguel you have watched for the last 16 years. I am going to be a warrior and do my best for the benefit of my family, as always.”

SADAM “WORLD KID” ALI, Current WBA International Welterweight Champion:

“Thank you to Team Cotto for this opportunity. I’ve been training almost my whole life, since I was eight years old. Everyone wants an opportunity like this for a world title against a legend. If you’re not ready for a legend like Miguel Cotto then you’re going to be in trouble. On Saturday night you are going to see an amazing fight.”

FREDDIE ROACH, Trainer to Miguel Cotto:

“It’s a sad moment to say this is our last training camp because I’m going to miss Miguel a lot. Yesterday in the gym was the best I’ve ever seen Miguel. No one talked about retirement in camp. He’s in great shape and didn’t take anything lightly in camp. He’s going to go out on top and you’re going to see the best Miguel yet.”

ANDRE ROZIER, Trainer to Sadam “World Kid” Ali:

“Here we are – the work has been done. It’s been a strong, hard and diligent camp. He showed me that he wants to be that fighter that contends against a legend like Miguel Cotto, someone who is one of my favorite fighters. We are coming to entertain a crowd and come out victorious on Saturday.”

ERIC GOMEZ, President of Golden Boy Promotions:

“We are extremely excited for Saturday’s historic event at the ‘Mecca of Boxing,’ Madison Square Garden, and very happy with the response and ticket sales. The tickets are going fast, it’s going to be a big push these last final days for tickets.

“Miguel has fought at The Garden many times. This place is like a second home to him. He’s definitely going to be a hall of famer once it’s all said and done but he will have a tough test come Saturday night.

“Sadam deserves credit and recognition for doing something far too many boxers shy away from – taking on a legend in daring to be great. That is how you make a real name for yourself in boxing. You’ll never know what’s possible if you don’t try it. Greatness happens when you pursue tough challenges, win or lose.

“I’ve never seen Sadam in better shape so I know he worked hard. You cannot underestimate the power of a dream. Sadam has always dreamed at being at this stage in his career. I’ve done boxing for many years and these are the types that can be dangerous fights – anything can happen when you have a young, hungry fighter like Sadam Ali.

“This is the second fight for Golden Boy to work with Miguel Cotto. The conversation with Miguel and his team for this fight was ‘Is Golovkin available? If not, I’ll fight anybody. Just tell me the date and the weight and I’ll be there.’ That is so refreshing to hear as a promoter and that is how Miguel has been throughout his career. It goes to show that when you believe in yourself, you’ll fight anyone. Saturday will be a great celebration and it will be a special night.”

REY VARGAS, Current WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion:

“I’m happy and motivated to be part of this great fight. Miguel Cotto is a great fighter, and I’m happy to be part of this card. I’m enthusiastic for this fight because Oscar Negrete is a great fighter, and he is coming for my title.

“You will see on Saturday why I am number one and why I would like to be number one forever. I am a champion, and I will do what Cotto did in his career – I want to be number one for the people. I’m ready for Saturday, and I’m going to give it my everything.”

OSCAR “EL JAGUAR” NEGRETE, Current NABF Bantamweight Champion:

“I want to thank Golden Boy Promotions for the opportunity to fight for this title. In order to become a champion you have to take these types of fighters on. I know that Rey is a great champion, but I am at a great moment in my career, and I am here to win the title..”

CESAR GARCIA, Manager to Oscar Negrete:

“I realized early in his career that Oscar would be fighter that is able to fight for a title. I never thought it would happen as a co-main event on a great card like this one at The Garden. We are here to win and fully intend to do so.”

 

IGNACIO “NACHO” BERISTAIN, Trainer to Rey Vargas:

“Fighting Oscar Negrete will be a great fight. This is Rey Vargas’ second title defense and it is a great honor to be the co-main event for the card that is Miguel Cotto’s retirement fight.”

PETER NELSON, Executive Vice President of HBO Sports:

“Saturday will be Miguel’s 24th appearance on HBO. Its privilege to have Miguel on HBO for the final fight of his career. It’s been a great honor for HBO to be associated with Miguel’s career. He is a terrific ambassador for the sport.

“We wanted the best fight possible for the final fight of his career. Miguel has never walked away from a tough challenge, and Saturday night will be no different. Miguel wants to cement his legacy against a young and hungry fighter like Ali who also wants to cement his place in the sport.”

JOEL FISHER, Executive Vice President of Marquee Events:

“Saturday will be a bittersweet day for us at The Garden. We’ve have a great relationship with Miguel that dates back to 2005.

“When we first started with Miguel, his kids were little but now they are grown. He has sold more than 150,000 tickets at The Garden. Saturday will be the tenth time Miguel has fought at The Garden. Miguel is what makes The Garden what it is as the ‘Mecca of Boxing.’ It makes us happy that Miguel is going out on his own terms.”

HECTOR SOTO, Vice President of Miguel Cotto Promotions:

“This Saturday is going to be an emotional but great event. We want to thank Golden Boy Promotions their work with us to help promote Puerto Rican boxing. Thank you Miguel for giving me the opportunity to do this work. Thank you to Sadam Ali and his team for accepting this challenge. On Saturday, we will celebrate the end of a great career.”

FRANCISCO “PACO” VALCARCEL, President of the WBO:

“Thank you to HBO and Golden Boy Promotions for supporting this show. Thank you to Sadam Ali for agreeing to fight the legend Miguel Cotto. Boxing will miss Miguel Cotto but we will celebrate him on Saturday. Good luck to both fighters.”

ANGEL “TITO” ACOSTA, Junior Flyweight Contender:

“Thank you Paco Valcarcel for this opportunity to fight for a title. I know I have a tough opponent and that he is hungry and wants a world title as well. Thank you DirectTV for showing my title fight in Puerto Rico so that all my friends and family can watch it.”

RONNY RIOS, Featherweight Contender:

“This is the second chapter of my career. I’m looking to going out there on Saturday to show that I am not boring, that I am a great fighter and put on a performance for everyone.”

ZACHARY OCHOA, Super Lightweight Contender:

“Thank you to my trainer and manager for their support. It’s been a rocky year for me but that’s what life is about. On Saturday I am going to put on a great performance.”

AARON MCKENNA, Welterweight Prospect Making his Professional Debut:

“I’m really looking forward to my fight on Saturday. It’s an honor to fight and make my professional debut on such a big card.”

Cotto vs. Ali, a 12-round fight for the Cotto’s WBO World Junior Middleweight Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions. Vargas vs. Negrete is a 12-round fight for Vargas’ WBC World Super Bantamweight Title and is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions in association with Promociones del Pueblo. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING,” “Hennessy: Never Stop. Never Settle.”, and Casa Mexico Tequila. The event will take place Saturday, Dec. 2 at Madison Square Garden in New York City and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The RingTV.com livestream will begin at approximately 7:00 p.m. ET/ 4:00 p.m. PT.

Design by Hector De La Cruz for WBC

Los Angeles, CA. – Cesar Diaz also known as Power Ranger (7-0, 6 KOs) was a shining star in the Golden Boy Promotions stable of fighters. Managed by Joel Diaz, Trained by Samuel Contreras Sr., Cesar was aspiring to one day win the WBC Green Belt. Today on behalf of WBC President, Mauricio Sulaiman, the WBC appoints Cesar Diaz as our WBC Honorary Champion. Cesar had an impeccable amateur record, beating some Top prospect Professionals in their days as amateurs. He fell in love with the sport of Boxing and accepted the discipline and hard work that came with it. Cesar Diaz’ pro debut was televised for this reason, he was an exciting fighter with a great future in Boxing ahead of him. We have no doubt one day he would compete for the Green Belt. Outside of the ring, Cesar was a kind human being, with a big heart and a priceless smile. For this and so much more, its only right to say Farewell like a Champion. WBC will be present at his services December 14th from 4pm-8pm to make this formal announcement to his family and friends.

For those who would like to join the Diaz Sandoval Family, these are the dates and times:

Chapel Hill

Dignity Memorial

23287 N. Sierra Hwy.

Newhall, CA 91321

December 14th 

Visitation from 4:00pm-8:00pm

December 15th

Funeral Service at 10:00am

On behalf of Mauricio Sulaiman and our entire WBC Family, we send our deepest condolences to the Diaz Sandoval Family, as well as his Boxing Family Samuel Contreras Sr., Sammy Contreras, Eddie Aguilera, Joel Diaz and the Golden Boy Boxing Team.

@errolspencejr vs. @kingpete29

The stage is set at the Brooklyn @barclayscenter

#SpencePeterson

WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION ERROL SPENCE JR. TO DEFEND AGAINST FORMER CHAMPION LAMONT PETERSON SATURDAY, JANUARY 20 LIVE ON SHOWTIME® FROM

BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN & PRESENTED BY

PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS

Spence Returns for First Title Defense in

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Main Event.

Undefeated IBF Welterweight World Champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. will make the first defense of his title when he takes on former two-division world champion Lamont Peterson on Saturday, January 20 live on SHOWTIME. The event is presented by Premier Boxing Champions from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING®. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING coverage begins live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Photo credits: @staceyverbeek

@barclayscenter @brooklyn_boxing @showtimeboxing @dibellaent @loudibella

Photo credits: Stacey Verbeek

BROOKLYN, NY – Current WBA International Welterweight Champion Sadam “World Kid” Ali (25-1, 14 KOs) today hosted a media workout at his gym in Brooklyn ahead of his fight against Miguel Cotto (41-5, 33 KOs) for the WBO World Junior Middleweight Championship set for this Saturday, Dec. 2 at the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden, which will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Joining Ali at the workout was super lightweight contender Zachary “Zungry” Ochoa (17-1, 7 KOs) who will fight on the Cotto vs. Ali undercard in a six-round super lightweight bout against Erick Martinez (14-9-1, 8 KOs) that will be streamed on RingTV.com

ZACHARY “ZUNGRY” OCHOA, Super Lightweight Contender:

 

“I’m so excited to be fighting at MSG. This is a fight for us here in the boroughs, for the Puerto Rican, and Arab community.

“I’m an awkward fighter, and I have a pretty unconventional fight style but I can bang!

“I’m excited to be building myself up again. After my first loss, I’ve been working on all my mistakes. I’ve been able to come back stronger mentally, and I’ve been able to learn from greats like Sadam. We’re good friends, and I’ll be rooting for him.”

Cotto vs. Ali, a 12-round fight for the Cotto’s WBO World Junior Middleweight Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions. Vargas vs. Negrete is a 12-round fight for Vargas’ WBC World Super Bantamweight Title and is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions in association with Promociones del Pueblo. The event is sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING,” “Hennessy: Never Stop. Never Settle.”, and Casa Mexico Tequila. The event will take place Saturday, Dec. 2 at Madison Square Garden in New York City and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The RingTV.com livestream will begin at approximately 7:00 p.m. ET/ 4:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets for Cotto vs. Ali are priced at $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50 and are on sale. Tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com, www.goldenboytickets.com or www.MSG.com.

For more information visit  www.goldenboypromotions.com, and  www.promocionesmiguelcotto.com, and  www.hbo.com/boxing. Follow on Twitter at @cottopromotions, @GoldenBoyBoxing, and @hboboxing, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/realmiguelacotto. Visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing and @realmiguelacotto and follow the conversation using #CottoAli.

(L-R) — Fabio Turchi, Toka Kahn-Clary, Evander Holyrield and Nick DeLomba

PROVIDENCE, RI (November 28 30, 2017) — Evander Holyfield’s The Real Deal Boxing, the promotional entity under his Real Deal Sports and Entertainment, hosted a media workout this afternoon at Manfredo’s Boxing Gym in Cranston, RI for fighters on this Friday night‘s ‘Real Deal Championship Boxing V’ card, telecast on CBS Sports Network (9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT) from The Strand Ballroom and Theatre in Providence, RI,

Tickets starting at $45 are Now On Sale and can be purchased through www.TheRealDealBoxing.com and www.thestrandri.com.

The Strand Ballroom and Theatre is located at 79 Washington Street, Providence, RI, 02903. Doors will open on the evening of the event at 6:00 p.m. ET with the first bell at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Evander Holyfield, Hall of Famer, Real Deal Boxing:“There’s a lot of pressure fighting in a big fight for the first time at home. I remember my homecoming in Atlanta, back in 1985, and there were a lot of distractions. Everybody who knew my name showed up, most looking for free tickets. I was skeptical about ever fighting there again. Everybody’s different, though.”

“Toka may be our first world champion. He’s a very disciplined person who has been through a lot. I come from the ghetto but, when I heard his story, wow, I couldn’t believe his (life) was harder than mine.”

 

Toka-Kahn-Clary: (Toka became a father for the first time on Nov. 11, when his wife, Devanni, delivered a 7-pound girl, Adaline) “Now, I’m fighting for my family, not just Toka anymore.”

 

“I feel good. I had to have patience and faith in my craft to get here. If you keep working hard, doors will open, and when they do you have to jump right through. I want to win impressively, dominate the fight”

“I see a lot of top fighters in my weight class. I’m not going to name any until after this fight, but I have the talent to beat them.”

“I want to be recognized after I stop fighting, like Evander, who everybody knows, likes and respects.”

 

Peter Manfredo, Sr., Kahn-Clary’s head trainer: “Toka is a top prospect who is becoming a contender. A lot of fighters don’t even get to this point. This fight is a major opportunity to get him closer to where he wants to be, not just a world champion, but for his name to be remembered in boxing. He wants to be a legend. He has to remain focused because this is the first time he’ll have a big crowd behind him.”

 

Fabio Turchi (Italian Amateur Champion) “Everybody here has been great, very hospitable. It’s such a great honor for me to fight in America with its great boxing tradition. I want to have a great fight to be embraced by Americans, especially here in Rhode Island. It’s beautiful having so many Italians, that gives me and added push to win.”

Nick DeLomba: “This opportunity means the world to me because I’ll be showcasing my talents in front of my hometown fans. An impressive win will, hopefully, get me to the next level, in TV fights against bigger names.”

Holyfield will host the final press conference tomorrow (Wed.), starting at 1 p.m. ET, at Ladder 133 Sports Bar and Grill (133 Douglas Avenue) in Smith Hill, RI.

A public weigh in will be held Thursday, starting at 3:30 p.m. ET (on scale at 4), at The Strand Ballroom and Theatre.

Real Deal Sports & Entertainment is proud to partner with Medical Arts Radiology (www.medicalartsradiology.com) and Venum (www.venum.com).

@theworldkidali Sadam “World Kid” Ali (25-1, 14 KOs) held a media workout today at

468 Halsey St., Brooklyn, NY 11233

getting set for the fight of his life against division world champion Miguel Cotto (41-5, 33 KOs) at the “Mecca” Madison Square Garden this Saturday Live on HBO Boxing.

Photo credits: @staceyverbeek

#CottoAli, a 12-round fight for the Cotto’s WBO World Junior Middleweight Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions and sponsored by Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING,” and Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle,”and Casa Mexico Tequila. The event will take place Saturday, Dec. 2 at Madison Square Garden in New York City and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

@HBOBoxing @goldenboyboxing @oscardelahoya @makeawar @marylynaceves @monicasears @class56ramiro

@gaberivas03 @janeymurcia @janinegarcia @primorosa1040

@willyvideo @Micheladatime

@realmiguelacotto #WarCotto @CottoPromotions

@FreddieRoach @SportsScienceLab @MarvinSomodio @wildcardboxingclub

NEW YORK – MICHAEL “Mick” CONLAN, SHAKUR STEVENSON, and MIKAELA MAYER will complete their first season as professionals on the undercard of the historic collision between world champions VASILY “Hi-Tech” LOMACHENKO.and.GUILLERMO “El Chacal” RIGONDEAUX, Saturday, December 9, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.  Lomachenko (9-1, 7 KOs) a native of Ukraine, will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight world title against the reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) super bantamweight world champion Rigondeaux (17-0, 11 KOs), of Cuba, marking the first time that two-time Olympic gold medalists have fought each other professionally at the highest level.  The four-bout telecast, headlined by Lomachenko vs. Rigondeaux, will be televised live and exclusively at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN App.  

The televised undercard will feature two-time Irish Olympian Conlan (4-0, 4 KOs), from Belfast, a former World Amateur Champion and Olympic bronze medalist, returning to The Garden for the first time since his show-stopping pro debut, which took place on St. Patrick’s Day in front of a sellout crowd.  He will be taking on LUIS FERNANDO “El Titi” MOLINA (4-3-1, 1 KO), from Pablo Podestȧ, Buenos Aires, Argentina, in a six-round featherweight bout.  Undefeated Top-10 contender CHRISTOPHER “Pitufo” DIAZ  (21-0, 13 KOs), from Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, who won all his fights in 2017 by way of knockout, will battle CASEY “The Wizard” RAMOS (24-1, 6 KOs), from Austin, TX., in a 10-round bout for the vacant NABO junior lightweight title.  The telecast will open with Newark’s  2016 U.S. Olympic silver medalist Stevenson (3-0, 1 KO), who spent most of his training camp sparing with Lomachenko, facing OSCAR “El Coyote” MENDOZA (4-2, 2 KOs), of Santa Maria, Calif.  Mendoza has won all of his fights this year, with the last two coming by way of knockout.  Their featherweight bout is scheduled for six-rounds.  Stevenson made his Garden debut on May 20, where he stopped Carlos Suarez in the first round..

Streaming live on the ESPN App, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT, (along with the televised card) will be:  Mayer (2-0, 2 KOs), from Los Angeles, a three-time national champion who came within one victory of the medal round at the 2016 summer games in Rio de Janeiro, in four-round lightweight bout against former IWBF bantamweight world champion NYDIA “Dha Phenomenal” FELICIANO (9-8-3), from the Bronx, New York; two-time world heavyweight title challenger BRYANT “By-By” JENNINGS (20-2, 11 KOs), of North Philadelphia, PA., in an eight-round heavyweight bout, against  DON “Mr. JBT” HAYNESWORTH (13-1-1, 11 KOs), of Greensboro, N.C.;  and JOSE “Chocolatito” GONZALEZ (8-0-1, 2 KOs), from New York, in an eight-round featherweight bout against ADAN GONZALES (3-1-1, 2 KOs), of Denver, CO.

“New York is a market made for Mick, Shakur and Mikaela,” said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank.. “Mick has proven that with his Irish base, Shakur’s Newark fan nucleus has spread beyond state and regional borders, and Mikaela’s general appeal is limitless.  We have curated incredible supporting bouts to this historic night.  Every fight is relevant and meaningful.  They are all stepping up and on their way to eventually headlining major events at The Garden and other major venues.”

“I’m really excited to go back to The Garden. It’s my first time back since my pro debut and I’m looking forward to putting on another great show for all the fans that are coming too see me, it feels already like it’s my second home,” said Conlan.  “December  9th is a huge night for boxing and I’m honoured to be a part of it!  Make sure you tune in.   This is show is not to be missed!”

“I’m feeling great and ready to perform again at Madison Square Garden. My fight there in May was one of my best so I’m excited to return and outdo my last performance on one of the biggest boxing cards of the year, Lomachenko-Rigondeuax,” said Stevenson.  “I’m looking to really make a name for myself and put on an amazing performance for everyone at The Theater and all the viewers tuning in on ESPN.  Getting the chance to spar with Vasyl Lomachenko, in this camp, prepared me well for this fight and showed me where I am skill-wise, mentally and overall as a boxer.  I am ready for anything and I was blessed to have the chance to go out to California and spar with Lomachenko.”

“On December 9, you will see a more disciplined ‘Pitufo’ — one that fights intelligently, with more quickness, but above all else, one that fights with a lot of hunger inside the ring.  I have been eating gym for a couple of months and I also ate gym during Thanksgiving.  On December 9, I will eat Casey Ramos,” said Diaz.  “I have a great opportunity in front of me.  This will be the fight and the performance that will launch me to the next level.  If Lomachenko and Rigondeaux don’t give the fans the kind of fight they want, ‘Pitufo’ Diaz will steal the show.”

“I’m beyond excited to fight in New York City, not only because I’ll be fighting at the historic Garden but because of the energy I know New York boxing fans are going to bring to the venue.  They’re some of the most passionate fans in the United States and I want to give them a great show,” said Mayer.  “I’m grateful to be with a promoter who sees what female boxers can bring to the table and I thank them for giving me such a stage to perform on.  This is where the best of us women belong and I’m ready to show New York my skills.”

“I think of Madison Square Garden as the Mecca of Boxing.  Lots of history and big names have fought there.  I am looking forward to coming from Texas

and fighting there,” said Ramos.  “Fighting for the WBO’s NABO title positions me to fight for a world title.  That is what I will be seeking after beating Christopher Diaz.  Fighting on ESPN makes it even more special where a fighter like me can

gain expansive fan base exposure.  As far as Diaz in front of me I don’t think he’s fought the caliber of fighters I have — meaning he has less experience than me.  So those advantages will be shown in the ring on December 9 — my experience and ability — in a win over Diaz.”

“There is a reason why this sport is called the Sweet Science.  People may think it is easy to go into the ring on fight night but it is not. I’ve been working at our gym in Philadelphia  getting into the right comfort zone while in the ring fighting.  That means being at ease when you go to work and attack your opponent in special unique ways to make him unsettled and uncomfortable.  There is a lot of thought process going on when you are inside the ropes.  This is my fourth time at Madison Square Garden. Looking forward to it,” said Jennings.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Roc Nation Sports and Madison Square Garden, tickets to the Lomachenko vs. Rigondeaux world championship event sold out two months in advance!  It is Lomachenko’s second advance sellout in his past three fights.  His April 8 title defense against former world champion Jason Sosa sold out the MGM National Harbor one month in prior to the event.