Orlando, FL – Boxlab Promotions is hosting the World Boxing Association (WBA) KO Drugs fight night Sunday, December 11 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, FL. The card will be televised live on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m. ET.

This special evening of boxing opens the annual WBA Convention, which takes place December 11-14 at the Caribe Royale.

“We are proud to bring our 100^th annual convention and signature KO Drugs show to Central Florida,” said WBA President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza. This is the first time the show is being held in the United States and we are excited to be partnering with our host the Caribe Royale Resort and Boxlab Promotions to bring you this event. We will have multiple WBA title fights on the card and feature boxers from all over the world.”

Tickets from $40 are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 3 pm and the first fight begins at 4.

Headlining is a ten round junior welterweight contest between Cuban phenom Orestes Velasquez and Guillermo “El Leoncito” Crocco for the WBA International championship. The fast-rising Velasquez is 5-0 with all his wins coming by KO. Currently residing in Las Vegas, NV where he’s trained by legendary Ismael Salas, Velasquez most recently scored a third round knockout over Emiliano Garcia in August. Fighting out of Argentina, Crocco’s 20-2-1 with 6 KO’s, and his last two wins came via stoppage.

In the ten round co-feature, undefeated middleweights Francisco “Bebu” Veron and Leonardo Ruiz will square off for the WBA Continental Americas title. Veron, a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, is 10-0 with 8 knockouts. On October 28, Veron scored a second round stoppage over countryman Franco Ledesma. Representing San Bernadino, CA, Ruiz is 10-0 with 7 KO’s. On November 18, Ruiz stopped previously unbeaten Josue Silva in the fifth round.

NABA super middleweight champion Yamaguchi “The Problem” Falcao, defends his belt against heavy-handed Ernest Amuzu. Hailing from Brazil and now residing in Florida, Falcao’s professional ledger is an outstanding 23-1-1 with 9 knockouts. On October 29, Falcao retained his title by dominating Alex Tehran over ten rounds.

Originally from Ghana and currently based in Florida, Amuzu’s 26-7 with 22 KO’s. He’s faced many world class fighters including Vijender Singh, Ievgen Khytrov and Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic.

NABA middleweight Champion Connor “The Kid” Coyle defends his belt when he faces Sladan Janjanian in a ten round showdown. Representing Derry, Northern Ireland and training out of Pinellas Park, FL, Coyle’s 17-0 with 7 knockouts. On May 21, Coyle captured the NABA title with a decision victory over Antonio Todd at the Caribe Royale. Rated #10 by the WBA, Coyle most recently defeated veteran Silverio Ortiz in September. 

Fighting out of Bosnia, Janjanian’s 34-13 with 24 KO’s and faced the likes of Bektemir Melikuziev, Martin Murray, Steven Butler, and Pierre Hubert Dibombe among others.

Kalliopi “Pink Tyson” Kourouni of Las Vegas, NV via Greece squares off against Colombia’s Calista Silgado in a ten round matchup for the WBA Continental Americas junior lightweight championship. 

Kourouni, 12-3 (2 KO’s), shutout Simone de Silva over eight rounds this past February. A longtime contender, Silgado is coming off a fourth round knockout of Dalia Vasquez in October.

Bantamweight Melvin “Melo” Lopez, 28-1 (19 KO’s), of Miami, FL via Nicaragua challenges Washington-based Filipino Jobert “Lion” Alvarez, 20-3-2 (7 KO’s) in an eight rounder for the WBA Continental Americas title.

“Boxlab Promotions is extremely excited to be the promoter of the WBA’s KO Drugs card,” said Amaury Piedra. “This talent laden card featuring multiple title fights brings some of the best international boxers to Orlando. We appreciate the WBA and its President Gilberto Mendoza for giving the Boxlab team this opportunity. December 11 is going to be a special event and truly a night of champions!”

Additional ten round title fights are as follows:

WBA Fedecaribe light heavyweight championship: Joseph George (12-0 (7 KO’s), Houston, TX) vs Raiko Santana (8-3 (5 KO’s), Chihuahua, Mexico via Cuba) 

WBA Fedecaribe junior middleweight championship: Yoanis Tellez (2-0 (2 KO’s), Stafford, TX via Cuba) vs Jean Rivera (8-1, (1 KO), San Juan, Puerto Rico) 

WBA Fedecaribe lightweight championship: Idalberto Umara (7-1 (4 KO’s), Miami, FL via Cuba) vs Emiliano Garcia (18-8-1 (13 KO’s), Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Former unified middleweight champion and future Hall of Famer Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez of Buenos Aires, Argentina faces Jefferson City, MO’s Noah Kidd in an eight round bout. Martinez, who won Fighter of the Year in 2010 after defeating Kelly Pavlik and Paul Williams, is 4-0 since returning to the ring in 2020.

In six round contests, heavyweight Herich Ruiz Cordoba meets Phillip Jean Siede, junior middleweight Jeovanny Estela faces Luis Eduardo Florez, and welterweight Damian Lescaille battles Rondale Hubbert.

Lightweight Alex Rios Vega will face an opponent to be named.

Located just minutes from the Walt Disney World^® Resort in the nation’s number one convention and tourist destination, Caribe Royale Orlando is the only AAA Four Diamond all-suite meetings resort in Orlando. A TripAdvisor 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award winner – among just 10 percent of hotels worldwide to receive the distinction – the upscale Caribe Royale Orlando is emerging from a $127 million renovation that includes fully remodeling all of its one-bedroom suites, an all-new 50,000-square-foot grand ballroom (bringing the total meeting space to 220,000 square feet), and an inviting new lobby. To learn more or to book a visit, event or meeting, visit www.cariberoyale.com. Follow the all-suite convention hotel on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (@cariberoyale), LinkedIn and Pinterest. #cariberoyaleorlando

Tampa, Florida – Desmond Green fighting with a heavy heart showed why he’s the BYB Champion by finishing off Scott McHugh with a hard uppercut that sends him down to the canvas at 1:35 seconds of round three by TKO victory for Green.

DJ Linderman did everything he could to show the World he could defeat the champion Tony Lopez inside the Trigon as Lopez didn’t come out his corner after the six round declaring Linderman your winner by TKO victory and now the new BYB Heavyweight champion.

Bovar Khanakov clearly showed in his performance last night why he belongs inside the Trigon after going five hard rounds against very tough Isaac Freeman beating him by unanimous decision win, Judges scores were 49-46, 48-47 2x.

Julio Tanori battles Toby Misech overwhelmed him with hard shots finishing him off at 2:27 seconds of round two by KO victory.

Monica Medina battled Jessica Link in a very hard fought unanimous decision win, All three Judges had it 50-44 for Medina.

Christopher Gonzalez put his power shots together right away finishing off John Birdsong at the official time 1:33 seconds of the opening round by KO victory.

Arthur “The DeadMan” Parker in his BYB debut takes out Walter Strickland at 1:21 seconds of the opening round by TKO victory.

Other results: Jarome Hatch wins by TKO at 1:55 of the opening round over Scott O’Shaughnessy.

Nicholas “Cub” Hawkins crushes John Call at 1:37 seconds of round one by KO victory.

Live at the Florida State Fairgrounds Entertainment Hall, Tampa, Florida.

BYB 13 was Presented by BYB Extreme.

Martin replaces Jose Pedraza, who contracted a non-COVID-related illness

Lopez-Martin headlines a loaded quadruple-header LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

NEW YORK – Junior welterweight contender TeofimoLopez will have a new “Heisman Night” foe. Jose “Sniper” Pedraza contracted a non-COVID-related illness, and Lopez will now face former European champion Sandor Martin on Saturday, Dec. 10, at Madison Square Garden.

Lopez-Martin, scheduled for 10 rounds, is a final eliminator for the WBC world title.

Brooklyn native Lopez (17-1, 13 KOs), the former lightweight king, made his junior welterweight debut in August with a seventh-round stoppage over Pedro Campa. He hopes to become a two-weight world champion in 2023, but the WBO No. 1 junior welterweight contender must first defeat the slippery Spanish southpaw. Martin (40-2, 13 KOs), who hails from Barcelona, authored the 2021 Upset of the Year when he stunned Mikey Garcia by majority decision and sent the four-weight world champion into retirement. Martin, ranked in the top 15 by all four major sanctioning organizations, followed up the Garcia triumph with a 10-round unanimous decision over Jose Felix in April.

“We wish Jose Pedraza a speedy recovery, but we look forward to facing Sandor Martin. He was the opponent we originally wanted for Heisman Night at Madison Square Garden,” Lopez said. “I will continue to silence the doubters as I take over the 140-pound division. I look forward to giving my hometown fans a special night of boxing.”

Martin said, “I’ve dreamed of fighting in a main event at Madison Square Garden. This is my time. I’ve taken the risk, and I will take control against Teofimo Lopez on December 10th. I will give the fans what they want to see.”

Lopez-Martin tops a televised quadruple-header airing immediately after the Heisman Trophy Ceremony at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.Heavyweight sensation Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson aims for his 13th straight knockout against the battle-tested Jerry “Slugger” Forrest, Puerto Rican junior middleweight star Xander Zayas steps up in class against 28-fight veteran Alexis Salazar, and 2020 Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis looks to jumpstart his world title ambitions in a lightweight duel versus Juan Carlos Burgos.

Cleveland, OH – Super lightweight Steve Spark (16-2, 14 KOs) won by sixth round disqualification against previously unbeaten IBF #6, WBO #7 rated Montana Love (18-1-1, 9 KOs) on Saturday night at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. Sparks dropped Love in round two, but Love was able to recover. Spark was able to rough up Love in round five. A head clash in round six left Love with a cut over his left eye. The ring doctor examined the cut and allowed the fight to continue. Both fighters came at each other aggressively. They wrestled and Spark went over the top rope. Love was then disqualified. Time was :25. Spark won the WBA Intercontinental title.

Unbeaten super lightweight Richardson Hitchins (15-0, 7 KOs) schooled Yomar Alamo (20-2-1, 12 KOs) for eight one-sided rounds. Alamo’s corner finally pulled the plug after round eight. Hitchins claimed the IBF North American title and probably a top 15 ranking.

WBA #8, WBC #13, WBO #13, IBF #14 featherweight Raymond “Savage” Ford (13-0-1, 7 KOs) successfully defended his WBA Continental Americas title with a spectacular eighth round knockout against Sakaria Lukas (25-2-1 17 KOs). Ford laid out Lukas with a huge right hand at 2:20.

Super featherweight Thomas “Gunna Man” Mattice (20-3-1, 15 KOs) upset previously unbeaten Christian Tapia (15-1, 12 KOs) by ten round unanimous decision. Mattice dropped Tapia in round two, then rocked him him in round three. Tapia rallied, but was rocked by Mattice again in round seven. Scores were 97-92, 96-93, 96-93.

2020 Olympic female silver medalist Beatriz “The Beast” Ferreira won her much anticipated professional debut against previously unbeaten Tanya Cardoso (5-1, 1 KO) over four THREE-MINUTE rounds in a super featherweight clash. Ferreira looked powerful, dropping Cardoso in rounds one and three. Scores were 40-34 3x. She is being fast-tracked to a world title and a possible showdown with Amanda Serrano.

Super welterweight Nikoloz Sekhniashvili (8-1, 6 KOs) bludgeoned previously unbeaten David Rodriguez (6-1, 2 KOs) for three rounds, after which the bout was stopped by the ring doctor.

2008 Olympian Raynell Williams (14-1, 7 KOs) dropped Ryizeemmion Ford (8-3, 6 KOs) in round one, then cruised to a 60-53 3x win over six rounds. Williams is Montana Love’s older brother.

In a clash between unbeaten cruiserweights, Khalil Coe (4-0-1, 2 KOs) took a six round unanimous decision over Bradley Olmeda (5-1, 3 KOs). Olmeda down in round five. Scores were 60-53 3x.

Love-Spark Live at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH. on Saturday, November 12th

Presented by Matchroom Boxing and All Star Boxing, Inc.

📸: Photo Credits by @damongonzalez_ for Latinbox Sports

#LoveSpark #Boxing #Boxing #Sports #MatchroomBoxing #allstarboxing

📱fightnews.com report

Atlanta, GA, – Lightweight Chann Thonson, ranked No. 13 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), lays his undefeated record on the line in a ten-round bout in the December 2 main event of a nine-bout fight card. The event will take place at the Georgia International Convention Center and be broadcast on ESPN KO.

“Night of Champions” will be presented by Boswell Promotions in association with Tuto Zabala/All Star Boxing Inc. Individual tickets are priced at $50, $75, and $100 and VIP ringside tables are also available. Tickets can be purchased by clicking Freshtix or Boswell Promotions.

“December 2nd is truly an international event with boxers from all over the globe,” said Cedric Boswell, former heavyweight champion turned promoter. “We are excited to be bringing these talented men to Atlanta, many for the first time. Included in this roster are two who are now ranked in the top fifteen of professional boxing. Please join ESPN and Boswell promotions in this exciting night.”

This multinational card will include boxers from México, Venezuela, Brazil, Nicaragua, Quebec and Ontario Canada, and three fighters from Atlanta.

Four Atlantans on the card are Roddricus Livsey, Darin Austin Jahmeer Edwards and Saundre Simmons

In the main event, Chann Thonson (12-0, 9 KOs) from Brossard, Quebec, Canada is on a three-fight KO streak which has vaulted him to the #13 ranking of lightweights by the WBA. He made his professional debut in 2016 and his las knockout win was October 15. Chann is a boxer/puncher that moves around and really make the opponend think. Chann’s opponent, Aclio “Biro” Mequita (21-9, 19 KOs) is from Guaruja, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Aelio, a former Brazilian Featherweight Champion, made his pro debut in 2014 and won his first 16 fights. Aelio also won the American Boxing Federation Continental Americas title on June 29, 2019.

In a ten-round super lightweight bout, Jair “Kaizer” Valtierra (16-2, 8KOs) from Leon, Guanajuato, México, will battle Esneiker Correa (15-2-1, 13 KOs) from Los Teques, Venezuela. Jair won the WBC Latino title on February 26, 2021 and had one successful defense. Jair is a tough, rugged fighter and will try and use his will to overpower his opponent. Esneiker made his professional debut in 2017 and all but three of his fights have been inside his home country.

Gerardo “El Cascabel” Zapata (14-0, 5 KOs) from Masaya, Nicaragua is ranked #9 by the World Boxing Organization. He will put his undefeated record on the line in a junior flyweight bout.

Oswaldo “Gitano” Garcia (15-0-1, 11 KOs) from Cancun, México, is your typical Mexican fighter that comes to fight. But he can also box if he needs to. Oswaldo is the current American Boxing Federation American West Bantam which he won on December 18, 2021 and has made one successful defense since. Oswaldo will be in an eight-round bantamweight bout.

Trevor Thonson (6-0, 6 KOs) from Toronto, Ontario, Canada is the twin brother of main event fighter Chann. Trevor made his pro debut on January 7 of this year and his six fights have lasted, in order, 2, 2, 1, 2, 1, and 3 rounds. Trevor is known as a come forward guy that can really punch. Trevor will fight in an eight-round lightweight bout.

Roddricus Livsey (11-1-1, 8 KOs) from Atlanta, GA, is a very flashy guy that tries to be elusive. He doesn’t have one-punch power but will put his punches together to break his opponent down with accuracy. Rodd will fight in an eight-round welterweight bout.

Darin Austin (8-0, 7 KOs) from Atlanta, will fight in a six-round lightweight bout. Darin is an aggressor. He comes forward looking for the big punch and at the same time patient as he goes in for the knockout. Not the characteristics seen very often from a southpaw boxer. Darin will be in a six-round light heavyweight bout.

Jahmeer Edwards (1-0, 1 KO) from Atlanta, won his professional debut on February 26 with a first round knockout. Jahmeer will fight in a 4 round welterweight bout.

Saundre Simmons is making his professional debut after a stellar amateur career. He is tall with good boxing skills and has good foot movement. He is a boxer puncher. He was a top ranked amateur in the United States at light heavyweight.

Montana Love 140 vs. Steve Spark 140

Richardson Hitchins 140 vs. Yomar Alamo 138.5

Raymond Ford 126 vs. Sakaria Lukas 128

Christian Tapia 129.5 vs. Thomas Mattice 129.5

Raynell Williams 130.5 vs. Ryizeemmion Ford 131

Nikoloz Sekhniashvili 153.5 vs. David Rodriguez 155

Khalil Coe 174 vs. Bradley Olmeda 175.5

Beatriz Ferreira 130.5 vs. Taynna Cardoso 131
📸: Ed Mulholland/ @matchroomboxing
•
⚖️ #LoveSpark

Boxing #Boxeo #Sports #Matchroomboxing

NABA middleweight champion Connor “The Kid” Coyle (17-0, 7 KOs) will defend his title against knockout artist Anibal Cleto Francisco (10-0, 9 KOs) in a battle of unbeatens on Sunday, December 11 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando. The card takes place during the WBA’s annual Centennial Convention, which is held at the Caribe Royale from December 11-14. Coyle was slated to face Felix Cash October 8 in England but the entire card was cancelled after main event participant Conor Benn failed a drug test. 

“After the disappointment surrounding the cancellation of Connor’s fight in England, we wanted to find a good opportunity,” said Coyle’s promoter Jody Caliguire of Fire Fist Boxing Promotions. “The WBA Centennial Convention is a great event and Connor loves fighting at the Carribe Royale because he’s got a big fan base in Central Florida. He’s already back in the US preparing with Jim McLaughlin for this fight and is planning to put on a great show December 11.”

The card is promoted by Boxlab Promotions.

Report from Fightnews.com

Germany’s Nina “The Brave” Meinke (15-3, 3 KO’s) from Spandau, Berlin, Germany scores a ten round unanimous decision victory over Argentina’s Soledad Matthysse (17-13-1, 1 KO) from Trelew, Chubut, Argentina. for the (WIBF) Women’s International Boxing Federation
Women’s World Featherweight Title at Porsche Zentrum, Hamburg.
Photo credits: 📸 @TorstenHelmke
@p2m_boxpromotion

Deutschlands Nina „The Brave“ Meinke (15-3, 3 KO) aus Spandau, Berlin, Deutschland erzielt einen einstimmigen Entscheidungssieg in zehn Runden über die Argentinierin Soledad Matthysse (17-13-1, 1 KO) aus Trelew, Chubut, Argentinien . für die (WIBF) Women’s International Boxing Federation
Weltmeistertitel im Federgewicht der Frauen im Porsche Zentrum, Hamburg.
Bildnachweis: 📸 @TorstenHelmke
@p2m_boxpromotion

ABU DHABI, UAE – As the countdown continues for the WBA Light Heavyweight World Championship on Saturday, Nov. 5, the current title holder Dmitry Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs) and undefeated, former world champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez(44-0, 30 KOs) hosted a final press conference discussing their 12-round clash.

The fight will take place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.

Here is what the participants of today’s conference said:

GILBERTO “ZURDO” RAMIREZ, UNDEFEATED, FORMER WBO SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION: 



“I really believe that I can become a two-time World Champion on Saturday. I want to say thank you to Oscar and to everyone for being here. To my team and all of the press and media – thank you. I’d like to thank Dmitry and his team for making the fight happen.

“It’s exciting for me to come from Mexico and be here in Abu Dhabi. It’s the same weather, I feel like I’m at home. I’ve been training hard for this fight and I will take the belt this Saturday that’s for sure. 44 tried, 44 fell. I hope that the people enjoy the fight because this is the type of fight that fans like to see in boxing.

“Right now I just see it as becoming a two-time World Champion, I don’t see it like me becoming a boxing star. My goal is to become a two-time World Champion, continue to build my legacy and eventually to become a legend. That’s my goal. I want to do that for all of my fans out there.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS: 

“First of all, thank you very much to Saleh Mohammed. I greatly appreciate the opportunity and for having us here in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi, Matchroom Boxing, DAZN – we appreciate your support and your platform which is bringing the global sport, the sport that we all love to a huge audience. 

“Two gladiators, the best at 175 pounds, live from Abu Dhabi – it doesn’t get any better than this. Zurdo Ramirez took the hard road, the long road. He had to fight two eliminators to get to this position. Zurdo Ramirez is a fighter who is undefeated, a fighter who is hungry, a fighter who is going to show you exactly what Mexican boxing is all about here in Abu Dhabi. That’s why everyone should be excited.

“Against a fighter in Bivol who is excellent. I love Bivol, his style is bar none one of the best in the business. I believe that Bivol coming off a tremendous win against Canelo, another Mexican superstar, in his last fight was a tremendous showing. He did a great job. But I do have to say that Zurdo Ramirez is no Canelo. Zurdo Ramirez is a fighter who punches in bunches, a fighter who is big and strong and heavy and southpaw. He is going to be very active.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime for Zurdo Ramirez. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for boxing to be on the big stage and show the world what Abu Dhabi is, show the world what big-time boxing is, and to show the world that, yes, promoters can come together and stage the big fights.

“I was pretty active last night on social media, but for a reason, because we need these big fights to happen. I’m very proud of Bivol, I’m very proud of Zurdo Ramirez for fighting each other, for showing the world and the fans across the world that fighters are not afraid of each other. Fighters are willing to fight the very best. It’s the people behind the scene that must stand up and show up and make sure that we get fans the best fights possible. Thank you DAZN again. Thank you Abu Dhabi, and thank you Eddie Hearn.”

DMITRY BIVOL, CURRENT WBA LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION:

“Hello everybody. I want to say first of all, thank you to the Abu Dhabi government, the Department of Culture and Tourism for this opportunity for me to introduce boxing to Abu Dhabi. Thank you to Eddie, Gilberto Ramirez and his team – everyone who is involved in this fight. Thank you to my team.

“I really had a big dream to win this belt and I don’t want to leave it. I will fight for this and I want to keep it. I want more. I feel I have something inside of me which I need to realize so I can be happy at the end of my career.

“What about this camp? I had it in three locations, I had a great camp everywhere. The last location was Abu Dhabi. I have been here since September 27th. I feel like I had everything that I needed for training. When I thought about resting, I had everything for resting here. When I met people in the gym or the mall everyone was really happy. People have been very welcoming to me and my team. People are welcoming to every tourist here. It’s good.

“I’m looking forward to Saturday night. I believe it will be an exciting fight. Abu Dhabi will make more boxing fights and maybe boxing will be the main sport in Abu Dhabi. I hope it will be because this is my favorite sport in the world. I want to be everywhere, and people know the sport. It’s great. Thank you everyone.

“When people tell me that I have achieved everything it’s like they pour water on my fire. I try to only think about my dream, to realize my full potential. I try to be hungry and angry every time and be focused on training and my opponents. I try to think about how this Saturday night will be the hardest fight of my career. It makes me more focused on the night.”

VADIM KORNILOV, MANAGER OF DMITRY BIVOL:

“Any fighter has to go through a very long road to get to the top. As a team, it has been part of our strategy to make sure that we look at the end goal, and we don’t look at every point along the way. It’s kind of having a vision of what is at the end.

“I appreciate that you guys have always been there for us. Basically, most of Dmitry’s career, Matchroom, Eddie Hearn, Frank Smith have been a big part of this and the entire team. World of Boxing, RCC Boxing, Main Event, there has been many promoters and entities involved and it has always been our view that we all work as a team and we all try to get to the end point.

“Dmitry and I just spoke about this a couple of days ago, this is probably going to be the first fight where Dmitry has most of the arena backing him and rooting for him. This is the new level that he has got to from the last fight, and I think it adds a lot of responsibility. We’ve been thinking about that and making sure that doesn’t affect him in any way.

“We also wanted to mention that we’ve been here for a month now and Abu Dhabi feels like home. Everything that has been done for us, we don’t want to leave. It’s been very welcoming. It’s a pleasure being here and having camp here. Everything ran very smoothly, and I appreciate that very much.

“I want to thank Gilberto Ramirez, Oscar De La Hoya and his team. This fight has been cooking up some time. Back and forth conversations and talk and press. This Saturday night hopefully the fireworks will come for Abu Dhabi and everybody involved. I really hope it will be an exciting fight.”

EDDIE HEARN, CHAIRMAN OF MATCHROOM SPORT: 

“First of all, thank you very much to Saleh Mohammed. I greatly appreciate the opportunity and for having us here in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi, Matchroom Boxing, DAZN – we appreciate your support and your platform which is bringing the global sport, the sport that we all love to a huge audience. 

“It’s quite incredible to think that when the WBA ordered this fight, it was just eight weeks ago that we concluded this deal. The work that has gone in to fight week, the work that has gone into preparation of this fight, this is just the start of a long-term relationship between Matchroom and DCT to change the face of boxing here.

“From grass roots, inspiring the younger generation to participate in the great sport of boxing, to developing the amateur scene, World Champions, Olympic Champions from this region. Opportunities for professional fighters to flourish on the global scene. Bringing some of the best fight nights, the best fighters here to Abu Dhabi.

“In my opinion this will become one of premier destinations for boxing and I can’t thank the DCT, everybody in Abu Dhabi enough for their help and support. We’re going to have an incredible crowd on Saturday night at the Emirates Arena, an incredible atmosphere and we cannot wait to get underway.”