Month: October 2021

Photo credits: Ed Mulholland-ESPN Images / Mikey Williams-Top Rank Getty Images 📸

Report: Damon “Latinbox” Gonzalez

New York, N.Y. – Jose “Chon” Zepeda (35-2, 27 KO) destroys Josue Vargas (19-2, 9 KO) at 1:45 seconds of round one by TKO victory defending his WBC Silver Super Lightweight title.

Jonas Sultan (18-5, 11 KO) becomes the

WBO Intercontinental Bantamweight champion by scoring a ten round unanimous decision over Carlos Caraballo (14-1, 14 KO).

Both fighters trade heavy blows as Sultan catches Caraballo cleanly dropping him in round two.

Caraballo gets caught in the corner gets dropped comes back with a hard attack as Sultan glove touches the canvas that’s ruled a knockdown.

Caraballo made hard adjustments catching Sultan with big shots right down the middle shifting the fight momentum.

Caraballo making a home for that straight left hand, Sultan not giving up any space stands there and exchanges against Caraballo in the fifth.

Caraballo threw a jab Sultan threw a hard straight right hand that drops Caraballo in round six.

Caraballo recognizing Sultan slowing down in round eight getting hit with huge bombs from Caraballo.

Sultan gets in the inside drops Caraballo in round nine. We go to the judges scorecards 94-93 (3x)

Junior featherweight Carlos Jackson (18-1, 11 KOs) won a controversial eight round split decision against former world champion Jonathan Guzman (24-2, 23 KOs). Despite an injured hand Guzman seemingly outboxed Jackson. Scores were 78-74, 77-75 Jackson, 77-75 Guzman.

Junior Welterweight Dakota Linger (13-5-3,8 KO’s) and Mathew Gonzalez (12-0-1, 8 KO’s) battle to a majority draw.

Gonzalez extremely aggressive in the opening round landing explosive hooks and sharp upper cuts on Linger.

A shift in round three as Linger trying to brawl against Gonzalez staying in really close but getting off shots on Gonzalez.

Gonzalez having a hard time with Linger’s Rocky Balboa style just swarming Gonzalez with pressure.

Gonzalez just couldn’t catch up with the hard pace displayed by Linger.

Judges scorecards were 58-56, 57-57(2x).

Welterweight Pablo “Pretty Boy” Valdez (5-0, 4 KO’s) from New York wins a six round majority decision win over Alejandro Martinez (2-2-1, 2 KO).

Opening round a measuring round for both fighters, Valdez warned in round two for two shots in back of the head. Martínez pressing on Valdez who counters back as fight gets heated in round two.

Valdez loaded with a explosive right hand shot that landed on Martinez who is respecting Valdez power a lot more.

Both fighters got into a exchange in the corner Martinez went down hurting his foot the doctors rushed to Martinez to check on him, Martinez indicated he can continue, Valdez landing good shots ending the round.

Valdez closes out the final round with big shots on Martinez as we go to the judges scorecards 57-57, 59-55, 59-55.

Welterweight Jahi Tucker (5-0, 3 KO’s) from Deer Park, New York stops Jorge Rodrigo Sosa (3-3, 3 KO’s) in two rounds.

Tucker really fun young man too watch showing blistering speed catching Sosa cleanly with hard hooks in the opening stanza setting the tone of the fight.

Tucker remains the aggressor not giving Sosa any room to set, Tucker explodes on Sosa with a hard right hand steps in to finish off Sosa as the referee jumps in to save Sosa at the official time 2:18 seconds of round two by TKO stoppage.

Junior Lightweight Ray Cuadrado (2-0, 1 KO) from Ridgwood, New York scores a four round unanimous decision over Michael Land (1-4-1, 1 KO)

Both fighters had there moments in the match, Cuadrado deserves credit for finding ways to out counter punch with both hands on Land as we go to the judges scorecards

39-37, 39, 37, 40-36.

In a four round affair in the opening bout at the Hulu Theater at MSG Junior Welterweight Kasir Goldston (4-0, 1 KO) from Albany, New York scores a four round unanimous decision over Marc Misiura (2-2, 1 KO).

Goldston showing why he is one of the hottest young fighters blasting Misiura with a straight right hand hurting him in round two, Misiura single minded way went about his task in staying in the fight, but it was all Goldston as Misiura absorbs hard right hooks to the body in round three.

Goldston kept good distance Misiura lost a point for an intentional headbutt, Goldston answers with a hard hook hurting Misiura closing the show, Judges scorecards 40-35 (3x).

Jose Zepeda vs. Josue Vargas & Carlos Caraballo vs. Jonas Sultan

The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York

Top Rank Boxing action LIVE on ESPN+

Kissimmee, Florida – Lightweight Miguel Angel “El Gallo” Marrero (10-1-1, 4 KOs) scores a ten round unanimous decision over Victor Betancourt Jr. (27-4, 14 KOs) on Friday night at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida. Scores were 97-93, 96-94, 95-94.

Earlier, former IBF #1 light heavyweight contender Fanlong “Cold Blood” Meng (17-0, 10 KOs) remained undefeated with a ten round unanimous decision over Israel “Bumaye” Duffus (20-7, 17 KOs). Scores were 97-93, 97-93, 96-94.

Super Flyweight Savion Morales (4-0, 3 KO’s) from Perth Amboy, New Jersey faced serious opposition against very tough Glanny Garcia (3-1, 3 KO’s) from Miami, Florida issuing him his first professional loss by way of majority decision.

Morales gave very good indication of his potential by flooring Garcia twice in very hard exchanges.

Garcia was extremely aggressive crowding Morales with nice shots in the inside, Morales was consistent in his attack giving him the edge.

Lightweight Luis Cabrera (2-0, 1 KO) from Caracas, Venezuela executed his shots quickly taking out Eduardo Melendez from Ponce, Puerto Rico with a series of blows as referee Frank Gentile ends the contest at the official time 2:58 seconds of the opening round by KO stoppage for Cabrera.

Junior Middleweight Christopher Puryear (1-0) from Killeen, Texas scores a four round unanimous decision victory over Carlos Jiménez from Saltillo, Mexico.

Puryear did everything as expected in his four round fight, showing blistering quickness of foot and hand speed. Jiménez attempted to make a fire fight but fell short in the judges scorecards 39-36, 38-37, 39-36 in favor for Puryear.

All Star Boxing, Inc. Celebrating our 20th Anniversary in Kissimmee

El Clásico…Mexico vs. Puerto Rico

Victor Betancourt, Jr. vs. Miguel “El Gallo” Marrero will collide in a ten round WBA FEDECENTRO Lightweight Title fight

On Friday, October 29, 2021 at the Silver Spurs Arena – Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida. Live broadcast on Boxeo Telemundo at 12:00 A.M. / EST.

(First Bell is at 8:00 p.m.)

Atlanta, GA – 24 year old Shakur Stevenson (17-0, 9 KOs) from Newark, New Jersey dominated, stopped, and dethroned WBO junior lightweight world champion Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring (23-3, 11 KOs) on Saturday night before a crowd of 5,123 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The same evening the Baseball Atlanta Braves win the National Leaugue Pennant.

Stevenson was too quick and too skilled for the Herring, both on the outside and the inside. Herring was cut in round ten and referee Mark Nelson waved off the contest believing Herring took too much shots at the official time 1:30 seconds of round ten by TKO victory.

Unbeaten 19-year-old junior middleweight Xander Zayas (11-0, 8 KOs) battered Dan Karpency (9-4-1, 4 KOs) for four rounds on Saturday night in the Herring-Stevenson co-feature at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Karpency couldn’t continue after round four.

XANDER ZAYAS POST FIGHT QUOTES:

“My debut on ESPN, I feel amazing. I stopped a guy that had not been stopped in eight years {as a pro}. I’m blessed to be here. I hope everybody enjoyed the show, and now it’s just back to the gym. Hopefully, I can get on that December 11 show in New York.”

“In my last fight in September, we noticed that my left hand was a low a little too much, so this camp we kept the elbows and shoulders up and tried to avoid that right hand. We knew he was going to come with those hooks, so we stayed low. Overall, I think I made an improvement. I showed I could adjust, and I hope everyone enjoyed it today.”

Middleweight Nico Ali Walsh (2-0, 2 KO’s) puts it on James Westley II (1-1) ending his night after flooring him twice at 2:33 seconds of round three by way of TKO victory. 

NICO ALI WALSH POST FIGHT QUOTES:

“I’m happy that my pro debut went the way it did. There’s stuff, of course, I have to work on.”

“I know the crowd got excited seeing him land a punch, but I did not feel the punch. Maybe it was my energy, my adrenaline, but my hat’s off to him and his team. Mutual respect both ways, and it was a very good fight.”

“I’m blessed that I’m following the legacy of my grandfather. I think everyone who loves my grandfather who’s watching me… I love this legacy that I’m continuing.”

The son of Evander “The Real Deal Holyfield” who was ringside supporting him on his birthday Junior Middleweight Evan Holyfield (8-0, 6 KO’s) exploded by destroyed Charles Stanford crushing him with hard hooks sending him hard to the canvas at .30 seconds round two by KO victory for the hard hitting Holyfield.

Middleweight Olympian Troy Isley (3-0, 2 KO) waisted no time finishing off Nicholi Navarro (2-2, 2 KO’s) at the official time 2:48 seconds of the opening round by TKO stoppage in a dramatic finish for Isley.

Junior Welterweight Eric Palmer (13-14-5, KO’s) pulls off the split decision win over Roddrics Livsey (8-1-1, 5 KO’s) the judges official scores were

58-56, 59-55, 58-55 in favor for Palmer.

Featherweight Haven Brady Jr. (4-0, 3 KO’s) scores a unanimous decision win over very tough Roberto Negrete (3-1, 1 KO) Judges official scores 40-36.

Junior Welterweight Antoine “No Question” Cobb (1-0, 1 KO’s) destroyed Jerrion Campbell (2-2) with a explosive right counter at the official time .58 seconds of round one by KO victory.

In the open bout of the night Lightweight Harley Mederos (2-0) scores a four round unanimous decision over Deljerro Revello (0-2) All three judges score the contest 40-35.

Jason Quigley (19-1, 14KOs) hosted a press conference in Ireland ahead of his 12-round middleweight fight against Demetrius Andrade (30-0, 18KOs) for the WBO World Middleweight title at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire on Friday November 19, live worldwide on DAZN.

Below is what the fighter had to say about his upcoming event:

“He needs fights and the big guns are avoiding him. I’ll happily step in and bring that title back to Ireland.

“I’m at the perfect stage in my life and my career to deal with this situation. I’m not the young kid now living for the whole excitement of fighting for a world title

“This is just another fight and I training my absolute ass off in the gym to get that W (win). To get that W will mean so much in this fight than in any other fight.

“I know that I can bring stuff to the table that is going to upset him, make him see things that he’s not always seen inside the ring.

“I honestly believe the Irish fans will outweigh his fans come fight night 100 percent.”

Andrade vs. Quigley, is a 12-round fight for the WBO World Middleweight Championship presented by Matchroom Boxing in association with Golden Boy, live on DAZN on November 19. Media interested in covering this event in New Hampshire can apply for credentials using this link: https://form.jotform.com/212764468829369

For more information, visit http://www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZNBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and https://www.facebook.com/DAZN. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZNBoxing.

“I’m going to show him that he’s a chump on December 5. I’m not here to talk, I’m here to fight,” – Davis

“Everyone’s going to see December 5, I’m going to knock Gervonta the f*** out!” – Romero

Five-Time World Champion Davis To Defend WBA Lightweight Title Against Unbeaten Contender Romero Sunday, December 5 on SHOWTIME PPV® From STAPLES Center in Los Angeles Headlining a Premier Boxing Champions Event.

Photos from Esther Lin/SHOWTIME 📸

Five-time world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis and hard-hitting, unbeaten lightweight contender Rolando “Rolly” Romero went face-to-face Thursday at a press conference to preview their showdown for Davis’ WBA Lightweight Championship headlining live on SHOWTIME PPV Sunday, December 5 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

Davis’ third-straight pay-per-view headlining attraction will see him battle his outspoken lightweight foe Romero, as the 26-year-old power-punchers put their unbeaten records on the line. The event will mark Davis’ return to Southern California after he knocked out Hugo Ruiz in the first round in front of a sold-out crowd in February 2019.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, GTD Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com.

Here is what the press conference participants had to say Thursday from City View Terrace at STAPLES Center:

GERVONTA DAVIS

“I’m thankful to be here to give the fans another great fight. This is what we do. ‘Rolly’ is just here to talk. He’s trying to talk his way into winning, but he’s scared. I’m coming to fight.

“They only talk about his power, but this is boxing. His skills are not up to par with mine. He can’t even talk about power, because everyone knows I’m bringing it. You can shoot bullets, but how are you going to defend yourself when the bullets are shot back?

“He’s been talking for a long time. He’s trying to sell a fight, but I’m going to show him that he’s a chump on December 5. I’m not here to talk, I’m here to fight. I don’t take this personally. To me, this isn’t beef, this is business.

“I was on a mission when I fought Jose Pedraza for the title. I didn’t do the trash talking. I went in there and proved that I’m a top guy. This guy is just here to talk. I’m going to do the talking in the ring on December 5.

“His trainer isn’t working on anything but power. They aren’t working on any skills. He hasn’t fought anybody like me and he’s going to see the difference.

“I’ve never once turned down any fight. I’m not scared of anybody. I’m going to fight everybody. I’ll fight a heavyweight. This is nothing to me. I’ve survived a lot of stuff.

“He’s supposed to come here and sell the fight. I’m supposed to win. I’d rather punish him for 12 rounds than knock him out quick. Part of me wants to humble him, but the most important thing to do is just go out there and get the job done.

“This fight is for the fans. The fans are winning December 5. Make sure you come out and support. I’m thankful to be in this position. It’s all about my team and those people who have put me in a great position.”

ROLANDO ROMERO

“Everyone’s going to see December 5, I’m going to knock Gervonta the f*** out. I hope you hear that.

“I’ve been calling ‘Tank’ out since 2017. We were supposed to spar in 2018 and he didn’t show up to the gym. He did that twice because he knew he was getting beat. December 5, you’re getting knocked out.

“This is just who I am. This is how I was born. I came into this sport at 17-years-old and I’ve made the most out of what I’ve done. Everybody come watch me knock him out on December 5.

“He’s got such a big head, it’s going to be hard to miss it. He gets touched up by every opponent he faces. Leo Santa Cruz was beating him up and Barrios was getting to him too.

“He wants to run out of the ring whenever he gets hit. It happens in sparring and in the amateurs. I was the one who had to force this fight, because I’ve seen for years that he’s a chump. He’s made a career out of beating up 126-pounders.

“He doesn’t know half the stuff that I’ve seen and been through. I’m here to knock him out in the ring. He’s arrogant and tries to act like he’s tough, but I’m knocking him out.

“Manny Pacquiao has an awkward style too, and look at everything he’s accomplished. Just because I fight differently, does that mean I don’t have skills? I have my own skills and they’ve gotten me this far.

“I’m not going into the ring angry, I’m just focused.”

FLOYD MAYWEATHER, President of Mayweather Promotions

“These are two great fighters. And when I say great, I mean that every time they go out there, they produce. ‘Tank’ is a young kid from Baltimore who had a dream. He’s been through a lot. He fought his way to the top. You have to commend him for that. No matter what anyone says, he earned his stripes.

“I believe ‘Tank’ is one of the best fighters in the world. ‘Rolly’ says he wants to fight the best. Come December 5, it’s going to be a hell of a fight.

“’Rolly’ is tough. He’ll fight anybody and that eagerness makes this an intriguing matchup. ‘Rolly’ just wants to prove he’s the best. He’s also a hell of a puncher. Every time we presented an opponent to him, he’s accepted every one of them.

“’Tank’ is doing record-breaking numbers. I always told him it would come in due time. I told him that the same way I sell out arenas, you’re going to do the same thing one day. He had patience and that’s what we’re doing.

“These guys are the future of boxing. I don’t see this fight going the distance. Two undefeated knockout artists. Two champions. December 5, I’ll see everyone there.”

CALVIN FORD, Davis’ Co-Trainer

“I hope you keep up this talking ‘Rolly.’ We’ll see who’s still going to be talking at the end of the night on December 5.

“Romero has an awkward style, but the beauty of having two coaches with ‘Tank,’ is that there’s nothing we aren’t ready for.

“Having Barry Hunter be a part of the camp has helped calm ‘Tank’ down in many ways. I think everyone will see the beauty of us working together in this fight.

“I don’t train ‘Tank’ for knockouts. I train him to go the distance. He can get you from round 1 to 12. So you better stay sharp.”

BARRY HUNTER, Davis’ Co-Trainer

“Everyone knows what we’re coming to do. I have mad respect for the other side. Bring your A-game, because we’re definitely going to bring ours.

“We’re born for stuff like this right here. Like everyone said, there’s no way this fight goes the distance.

“Everybody is working hard to be at their best, because we don’t want any excuses after it’s over with. I have faith in Gervonta. I know what he’s going to do.”

BULLET CROMWELL, Romero’s Trainer

“I know what everybody is saying about who the champ is coming into this, but the champ wasn’t born a champ, he had to rise too. Just like a young lion, ‘Rolly’ is ready to rise.

“I’m an L.A. guy. When we come back here, we’re fighting for a legacy. It’s not just a belt and money.

“I told ‘Rolly’ that Gervonta Davis is standing in the way of changing your family and your legacy. We got a job to do.

“I don’t care about pure boxing or any style. I took karate, street-fighting and boxing, and I put it all together. Combined with a puncher with ‘Rolly’s’ power, and with his grind and grit, it’s a perfect match.

“I have a lot of respect for ‘Tank’ and his team. He’s a great fighter, but Rolly is next up. He’s going to be the new WBA champion on December 5.”

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

“We’re excited to bring this huge event to Los Angeles at STAPLES Center on Sunday, December 5. This is a tremendous matchup and the fans should be excited. There’s a lot of buzz already and tickets are going fast.

“These fighters truly despise each other. It’s rare you see that in boxing. In 2019, me and Floyd were at the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Mikey Garcia and we were talking and all of a sudden Davis and Romero were ready to go at it at ringside. Floyd told them that they could do it in the ring, and now here we are.

“’Tank’ is without a doubt the most exciting fighter in the world. He’s also one of the biggest attractions and one of the best fighters in the world. ‘Rolly’ has let it be known that he’s been ‘trolling’ ‘Tank’ and I’m sure on December 5, ‘Tank’ will be doing whatever he can to shut ‘Rolly’ up.

“’Rolly’ is a very explosive fighter and anytime he steps into the ring, he’s looking to get his opponent out of there. He never lacks confidence and he’s confident that on December 5 he’s getting the job done.

“With two tremendous power punchers like this, there’s no way this fight doesn’t end in a knockout. Tune in December 5 and expect someone to get knocked out.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, President of SHOWTIME Sports

“For SHOWTIME Sports, 2021 has been one of the strongest years on record. We have delivered a total of 42 events, half of which ended in knockouts. On December 5, I expect this won’t go the distance, either, with these two hard hitters.

“Week after week, year after year, SHOWTIME continues to be the standard of this sport. No one in combat sports is putting on better, or more meaningful fights than us.

“As we enter Gervonta’s 11th fight with SHOWTIME, he has never been down, and he has continued to shine. When other fighters are talking, ‘Tank’ is fighting and selling out arenas.

“’Rolly’ has also never been downed as a pro. He is a hard hitter and is one of the best talents in boxing, and he will be the first to tell you.”

ABOUT DAVIS VS. ROMERO
Davis vs. Romero will see five-time world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis defend his WBA Lightweight Championship against hard-hitting, unbeaten lightweight contender Rolando “Rolly” Romero live on SHOWTIME PPV on Sunday, December 5 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in a Premier Boxing Champions event. Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, GTD Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com.

Mexican Superstar and Four-Division World Champion Canelo Álvarez Battles Undefeated Super Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant in Undisputed 168-Pound Title Showdown Saturday, November 6 Live on SHOWTIME PPV^®from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Photos from Esther Lin/SHOWTIME^®

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – Mexican superstar, four-division world champion and unified WBC/WBO/WBA Super Middleweight Champion Canelo Álvarez held a virtual workout on Wednesday, as he showed off his skills ahead of his highly anticipated undisputed 168-pound championship showdown against undefeated IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant taking place Saturday, November 6 live on SHOWTIME PPV from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo was joined by his renowned trainer and manager Eddy Reynoso at their gym in San Diego during Wednesday’s event that streamed live on the SHOWTIME Boxing YouTube Channel (Watch the full replay HERE). Canelo and Plant will be looking to make history on November 6, as the winner of their fight will become the first undisputed 168-pound champion of the four-belt era (Click HERE to watch promo). Tickets for the live event are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions and sponsored by Hennessy and Value. See below for quotes from Canelo and Reynoso on Wednesday: CANELO ÁLVAREZ “I feel strong and I’m very excited. I’m just continuing to move forward day by day toward fight night. I’m ready to make history on November 6. “It’s new for me to have this much bad blood with an opponent. It’s very different from normal and it’s definitely the most animosity I’ve had with an opponent heading into a big fight. “I’m sticking with my prediction of a knockout before round eight. The first couple of rounds will be difficult, but as the fight progresses, I am going to be able to get him out of there. “I delivered the message I had to at our press conference. I don’t have to say anything else to Plant. I’m just going to prepare to face him in the ring on November 6. “The secret to me and Eddy’s relationship is our discipline. My mind is so strong and I’m going to use that to my advantage in this fight. “I’ve never been involved in anything like what happened at the first press conference between me and Caleb. Whether it sells the fight or not, the most important thing for me is to become undisputed on November 6. “I’ve been in the ring for huge fights like this a lot of times. For him, it’s going to be a challenge being in there for a fight of this magnitude for the first time. He’s going to have to control his emotions. “I’m a complete fighter. I can do various things in the ring. I can be aggressive, I can counterpunch, I can move. At the end of the day, I know I have to be a complete fighter. That’s what I’ve learned to be under Eddy Reynoso. “Caleb is a good boxer, he has a good jab and he moves very well. But it’s nothing I haven’t seen before. I’m just going to use my skills and experience to win the fight. “This is very important for my country of Mexico. This is one of the most important fights of my life. I’m taking it very seriously and a win means a lot to me. “I don’t want to compare myself to great Mexican champions of the past. I just want to go out and make my own history. In the end, I want to be considered one of the best along with the legends who came before me.” EDDY REYNOSO, Canelo’s Trainer and Manager “We’re very focused right now. It’s an emotional experience preparing for a fight of this magnitude. We’re anxious, but in a good way, as we head toward November 6. “There’s no bad blood with Caleb in my mind. We’re just focused on making history. At the end of the day, we want to continue to build our name so that Mexicans around the world can galvanize around Canelo Álvarez. “The experience and heart that Canelo has are going to be the key to victory. We have to go out there and find Caleb Plant. He’s a good technical fighter, he has good legs and a good boxing IQ. We have to pressure him from the very start. “Our focus is to make sure we show everyone that Mexican boxing is number one. If we’re able to get this victory and unify the division, we will really be making a big mark in the sport. “This is the most important fight in Canelo’s career. As a prizefighter there is nothing bigger than unifying a division. That’s why we’re training so hard.” # # # ABOUT CANELO VS. PLANTCanelo vs. Plant will see boxing’s consensus No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, Mexican superstar and unified WBA/WBC/WBO Super Middleweight World Champion Canelo Álvarez face undefeated IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant in a historic showdown on Saturday, November 6, live on SHOWTIME PPV at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The King of Cleveland: 17-Year-Old Lightweight Prodigy Abdullah Mason Signs with Top Rank  

Mason will pro Friday, Nov. 5 on the Mikaela Mayer-Maiva Hamadouche undercard at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (LIVE on ESPN+)LAS VEGAS — Cleveland native Abdullah Mason is ready to conquer the boxing world. The lightweight prodigy, who many insiders tabbed as the brightest talent in the American amateur system, is not wasting time. At 17 years old, Mason, part of The Mason Brothers family of fighters, signed a professional contract with Top Rank and will turn pro in a four-rounder Friday, Nov. 5 on the Mikaela Mayer-Maiva Hamadouche undercard at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (LIVE on ESPN+).

Mason, who is managed by James Prince and co-promoted by Antonio Leonard Promotions, won the National Junior Olympics in 2017, the Eastern Regional Open in 2017 and 2018, and the Junior Open in 2018 and 2019. In April, he won a USA Boxing Youth National title, cementing his status as one of the country’s fighting crown jewels. He concluded his amateur career with roughly 65 wins in 80 fights.

“Abdullah Mason is one of the most electrifying young fighters I’ve ever seen, a 17-year-old who is ready to be a sensational professional,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “He’s held his own in sparring against the best pros in the world, and everybody I’ve spoken to raves about his talent and work ethic. It takes a special type of kid to turn pro this young, and I have no doubt he’ll live up to the billing.”

Mason said, “I want to thank Bob Arum, Top Rank, James Prince, Antonio Leonard, and my family for this incredible honor. My father and I believed it was the right time to take the next step.”

Mason, who recently relocated to Las Vegas with his family, has sparred the likes of Devin Haney, Shakur Stevenson, and Darwin Price. Trained by his father, Valiant Mason, he has four brothers, all of whom are boxers: Amir, 24, Adel, 22, Abdurrahman, 19, and Ibrahim, 15.

“My family is one big team. It keeps us on track,” Abdullah Mason said. “We’re always in the gym. We all have fun with it, but we push each other to the limit.

“Vegas is the boxing capital, so we wanted to come here and follow in the footsteps of all the world champions before us. We came here to train with the best fighters in the world. Being in an environment like this breeds champions. And with the team I have behind me, I know I will be a world champion one day.”

SAN DIEGO – Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete and Joet Gonzalez engaged in a border war for the ages.

Navarrete (35-1, 29 KOs) retained his WBO featherweight world title with a bloody unanimous decision (118-110 and 116-112 2x) over Joet Gonzalez (24-2, 14 KOs) on Friday evening at Pechanga Arena San Diego. It was the second successful title defense for Navarrete, who moved up to the featherweight ranks last year after defending his junior featherweight crown five times.

“Without a doubt, I hurt him, but every single time he came back, and he also hurt me. A couple shots he landed hurt me during the fight,” Navarrete said. “It has been an exciting ride so far, and from now on, I want the bigger fights.”

The bigger fights could include an eventual move up to 130 pounds, where a match with WBC champion Oscar Valdez would be one of the biggest all-Mexican showdowns in the sport.

But on this night, Navarrete had to contend with the stubborn Gonzalez, who hung in tough despite swollen right eye in the early rounds. Navarrete threw 979 punches, including 104 in the 12th round to close the show in style.

Gonzalez said, “I thought I had it seven rounds to five, eight rounds to four. I was really surprised by that score of 118-110, I believe. But it is what it is, and I did my best.”

Emanuel Navarrete vs. Joet Gonzalez & Giovani Santillan vs. Angel Ruiz live and exclusively on ESPN+
Friday October 15th
Pechanga Arena San Diego, CA.
Photo credits: Mikey Williams/Top Rank – Getty Images 📸

San Diego, CA – Welterweight contender Giovani Santillan had not fought in his hometown in more than seven years. In front of a partisan crowd that broke out into frequent “Gio” chants, the San Diego native improved to 28-0 with a 10-round unanimous decision over Angel Ruiz (17-2, 12 KOs). The scores — 100-90 2x and 99-91 — did not reflect the game effort of Ruiz, who gave nearly as good as he received for much of the fight.

Buoyed by the local faithful, Santillan prevailed in the phone both affair and edged closer to a title shot.

Santillan said, “This is what it’s all about, a great fight in front of my amazing hometown fans. They were cheering for me all night, and it was an honor to perform for my people in San Diego.

“My father and I always wanted to fight here. It was a dream come true, and credit to Angel Ruiz for going to battle for 10 rounds. He’s a true Mexican warrior. I have nothing but respect for him.”
Emanuel Navarrete vs. Joet Gonzalez & Giovani Santillan vs. Angel Ruiz live and exclusively on ESPN+
Friday October 15th
Pechanga Arena San Diego, CA.
Photo credits: Mikey Williams/Top Rank – Getty Images 📸

San Diego, CA – Bantamweight Floyd “Cash Flow” Diaz (3-0) from Las Vegas, NV. scores a unanimous decision victory over Jose Ramirez (1-1, 1 KO) from Tuscon, Ariz.
Diaz drops Ramirez with a over hard right in the opening round and continued to control Ramirez in all four rounds as we go to the judges scorecards 39-36, 40-35 (2x) for Diaz.

Emanuel Navarrete vs. Joet Gonzalez & Giovani Santillan vs. Angel Ruiz live and exclusively on ESPN+
Friday October 15th
Pechanga Arena San Diego, CA.
Photo credits: Mikey Williams/Top Rank – Getty Images 📸