Jake Paul’s non-profit foundation ‘Boxing Bullies’ partners with the WBO to help renovate gyms in US and Puerto Rico launching first amateur boxing event in the island.

The inaugural partnership with Boxing Bullies organization was a complete success in our first boxing amateur event held at the renowned Félix Pagán Pintor Boxing Gym located in the city of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. The gym is supervised by WBO Two-Division (105, 108 lbs) World Champion Iván Calderon!

14 exciting fights, special diamond belt for Undisputed WBO Featherweight Champion Amanda Serrano, boxing equipment to the competidors and more were the order of the day in the crowded event.


Today, #WBO & volunteers from the Municipality of Salinas (Puerto Rico) donated beds, sheets, pillows, and other essentials to various households who lost everything as result of Hurricane Fiona. #Socialwork

#Photos #HelpingHand #HuracanFiona Donaciones de colchones, ropa de cama y suministros a los afectados por el huracán Fiona en el pueblo de Salinas, específicamente barrio El Coquí.

championship resolution

WBO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE RESOLUTION WB0 FEMALE FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION AMANDA SERRANO

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Puerto Rican star and Unified WBO Featherweight World Champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano plans to take full advantage of her opportunity on the SHOWTIME PPV event headlined by Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley when she faces super bantamweight world champion Yamileth Mercado on Sunday, August 29 from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.

“It means a lot to women’s boxing for me to be in this position to perform on this stage,” said Serrano. “We deserve to be in the spotlight. I’ll perform like I always do and represent for women’s boxing the best way I know how. I’m very excited that they chose me for this event.”

In an event headlined by the renowned content creator and pro boxer Paul, who will be taking on his toughest test to date in the ring against the former UFC champion Woodley, Serrano knows that her style will help her gain fans on this big platform.

“Expect this to be a war, because I always bring the fireworks,” said Serrano. “I have a fan-friendly style and I’m going out there to finish my opponent. That’s what the fans want to see.

“Don’t blink during this one, because even though she’s a tough fighter with a lot of heart, this could be a short fight. I give her a lot of credit for accepting this fight right away. I know that I’m facing a tough Mexican fighter, but I’ll beat her at her own game!”

Already the most-decorated fighter in women’s boxing, having won world titles at every weight class from 115 to 140 pounds, the Brooklyn-based fighter currently has her sights set on becoming undisputed at featherweight, which means eventually luring the other 126-pound titlists into the ring with her.

“If Erica Cruz and Sarah Mahfood want to be considered the best, they have to face me,” said Serrano. “Each of them was offered the biggest purse of their career to face me on August 29, and they turned it down. I want to be undisputed in this division, but they refuse to take any chances. All I can do right now is train to be at my best and make another statement against Mercado.”

Throughout her training for this fight, Serrano has had the opportunity to train side-by-side with the event’s headliner in Paul. While she sees Paul doing what is necessary to reach his ultimate dreams, she too is intrigued by his matchup against the very tough Woodley on August 29.

“Jake is an up-and-coming fighter who’s taking all the right steps,” said Serrano. “He’s learning on the job and he’s shown that he’s a very hard worker. He’s got a positive team around him and I’m excited to see how he fights Tyron Woodley. Woodley is a great fighter and I’m looking forward to seeing how that matchup plays out.”

Tickets starting at $45 are still available via RocketMortgageFieldHouse.com. The event is co-produced by SHOWTIME PPV and Most Valuable Promotions and promoted by Tony and Bryce Holden of Holden Productions. The pay-per-view telecast is produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV. Barstool Sportsbook is the official sports betting partner for the event and will be incorporated in a unique, fully integrated brand activation that is to be announced in more detail.

Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano will defend her 126-pound world titles on Sunday, August 29, at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, located in the city of Cleveland.

Her fight will be part of a Showtime pay-per-view card, which features a cruiserweight main event with social media star Jake Paul colliding with former UFC champion Tyron Woodley.

In the month of March, Serrano put away Daniela Bermudez by knockout. She then came back in the month of June, in mixed martial arts, to defeat Valentina Garcia by submission in just 60 seconds.

Serrano (40-1-1, 30 KOs) will defend the titles of the WBO, WBC and IBO against Mexico’s Yamileth Mercado (18-2, 5 KOs) – the current WBC super bantamweight world champion (122 pounds).

“I’m happy with these blessings that God has given me,” said Serrano. “I want to thank Yamileth Mercado for accepting the fight since her compatriot Erika Cruz (WBA 126-pound champion) didn’t dare. Anyway, I’m sure Yamileth and I can steal the show on August 29 with this great war between Mexico and Puerto Rico.

“Yamileth and I have a common opponent and that is Fatuma Zarika. We have both faced her twice and all of the fights were strong. I was able to beat equipoise apilado con otros esteroides her both times and then she was crowned world champion – until Yamileth won the title from her in a rematch.”

Arecibo, Puerto Rico – Amanda Serrano, considerada por muchos como la boxeadora más destacada hoy día, fue sorprendida por la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) y su presidente, el licenciado Francisco Valcárcel con una majestuosa sortija de brillantes en emotiva actividad frente a varios campeones y ex campeones mundiales puertorriqueños y otros destacados púgiles de la actualidad.

La presentación se llevó a cabo durante una reunión amistosa en la casa de playa del excampeón mundial Samuel Serrano, ubicada en el barrio Islote de este municipio.

También, Jordan Maldonado, manejador y entrenador de Serrano, fue recibió una réplica en miniatura de del cinturón mundial de la OMB.

Serrano es la actual campeona unificada de las 126 libras, esto al ganar las correas mundiales de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo, Consejo Mundial de Boxeo y Organización Internacional de Boxeo en esa división.
La peleadora nacida en Carolina es la única persona que ha sido campeona mundial en 7 divisiones en el boxeo profesional bajo los 4 organismos reconocidos mundialmente.

En la emotiva actividad estuvieron presentes: Wilfredo ‘Bimbito’ Méndez (Campeón Mundial OMB 105 libras), Cindy Serrano (ex campeona mundia OMB 126 libras), Jean ‘Lobo’ Torres, José Pedraza ( Campeón mundial de dos divisiones), René Santiago (Campeón Latino OMB 108 libras), Edgar Berlanga (clasificado séptimo en las 168 libras por la OMB), los prospectos en ascenso Xander Zayas, Omar Rosario, Frevian González y la destacada peleadora amateur Kiria Tapia.

Los ex Campeones Mundiales Miguel Cotto, Alfredo ‘El Salsero’ Escalera, Orlando Fernández, Ángel ‘La Avispa’ Chacón, Josué ‘Dickie’ Camacho, John John Molina, Ossie Ocasio, Rafael del Valle, Iván Calderón, Daniel ‘La Cobra; Jimenez, Nelson Dieppa, Víctor ‘Luvi’ Calleja y el tres veces contendor al título mundial Wilfredo Rivera.
Fotos y vídeo por Víctor Planas / OMB

WEIGH-IN RESULTS:
7-Division World Champion and current Unified WBO Featherweight Champion Amanda Serrano weighed 124.8 lbs and 3-Division World Champion Daniela Bermúdez weighed 125 lbs for tomorrow night in San Juan, Puerto Rico. TV: NBC Sports 9pm EST.

📷 Hogan Photos

One of the women’s boxing premier fighters makes her 2021 debut on Thursday night.

One of women’s boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighters makes their 2021 debut as Amanda Serrano defends her WBC and WBO featherweight titles on Thursday night against Daniela Bermúdez from Plaza del Quinto Centenario in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Serrano, a seven-division world champion, captured the vacant interim WBC and WBO belts in a lopsided unanimous decision victory over Heather Hardy in September 2019. Since losing to Frida Wallberg in April 2012, Serrano has gone on an unbelievable run, having won 25 consecutive fights with 20 of those coming inside the distance. The native of Puerto Rico last fought in December, beating Dahiana Santana via first-round TKO.

Like Serrano, Bermudez, a former three-division world champion, is on a tear of her own. She’s gone unbeaten in 14 straight contests (13-0-1) with five of those wins coming via stoppage. Bermudez earned the crack at Serrano by defeating Cintia Gisela Castillo 12 days before Serrano fought via 10th-round TKO.

Can Serrano prove why she’s one of the premier female boxers in the world? Can Bermudez pull off the upset? Someone’s winning streak is going to go.

Whose streak is going to disappear?

Here is everything you need to know about Amanda Serrano vs. Daniela Bermudez.

WHAT TIME IS AMANDA SERRANO VS. DANIELA BERMUDEZ
Date: Thursday, March 25
Time: 9 p.m. ET (main card)
Main event: 11:30 p.m. ET (approximate)
The main card begins at 9 p.m. ET. Serrano and Bermudez are expected to make their ring walks about 11:30 p.m. ET, although the exact time depends on the length of the earlier bouts.

HOW TO WATCH SERRANO VS. BERMUDEZ
NBC Sports Network, NBC Sports App
Serrano vs. Bermudez is available on NBC Sports Network and can be streamed on the NBC Sports Network app.

WHERE IS THE SERRANO VS. BERMUDEZ FIGHT?
Serrano will fight Bermudez at Plaza del Quinto Centenario in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It will mark the first time Serrano and Bermudez compete at the venue.

via STEVEN MUEHLHAUSEN / dazn.com

Undisputed WBO Champion Jessica McCaskill:
“I’m so ready to punch Cecilia in the face. I mean like we said, I don’t know Cecilia and there’s no bad blood, but we want this for boxing so bad, it is going to be the best fight of the night.

“I always have to work for everything that we have, and we don’t mind doing that. We’ve come from places harder than what you see us in now and I want to seal the deal and solidify my win in august and let everyone know that wasn’t an accident and that was me, unified undisputed World champion.

March 11, 2021; Dallas, TX; Jessica McCaskill and Cecilia Braekhus pose after the final press conference for the Matchroom boxing fight card at the Thompson Hotel in Dallas, TX. The fights will take place Saturday March 13, 2021 at the American Airlines arena in Dallas, TX. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.

“We have always had a large amount of confidence and we have just had to get those opportunities to show everyone else what we can do and like I said before we have come from places where this isn’t the hardest thing that we’ve had to go through so I think this will be a piece of cake.

“It doesn’t really matter what kind of game plan they bring. We are really prepared. Rick Ramos, my manager and trainer, he keeps me diversified in boxing whether it’s the brawling, the movement, the standstill, we’re ready for anything.

“Cecilia brought retirement up after the last fight, those aren’t my words, those are hers, so I’m going to make her eat them.”

Cecilia Braekhus

“She was so friendly, then she got the belt, and she was like whoa, she goes crazy. It is definitely a new situation. You know, it’s fun for me, I just want to get the belt back and McCaskill has kept me very motivated, she’s kept me motivated through my whole camp. Last time she knows she was lucky, so I think that’s where all the trash talk is coming from.

March 11, 2021; Dallas, TX; Jessica McCaskill and Cecilia Braekhus pose after the final press conference for the Matchroom boxing fight card at the Thompson Hotel in Dallas, TX. The fights will take place Saturday March 13, 2021 at the American Airlines arena in Dallas, TX. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.

“Oh definitely. I had a rough training camp the last time, I was stuck six months in Big Bear. Now I had a normal training camp and now I have to do what I always do. I have to box. And I can do whatever and I think I can stop her too because I am definitely bigger and stronger and I am a much better fighter, boxer. I’m much better technically and stronger so I’m very confident going into this fight. And like I said, she provided me with a lot of motivation in camp.

“As a fighter I have given her a lot of credit. I should definitely not be losing to her. She was home, she was in her home country, all the judges were home, she got her catch weight and still I beat her in one of my invites when I didn’t perform at the top. Saturday I will be at my best and she is nowhere near my level.

“I will win so it is not even an option. I have a bigger name than her anyways with or without the belt”

Photos by Ed Mulholland/Matchroom

Seven-division world champion Amanda Serrano will return to the ring to defend her Unified WBO Featherweight world titles against current three-division titlist Daniela Bermudez in the main attraction of a Ring City USA event from Puerto Rico on Thursday, March 25 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, live on NBC Sports Network and NBC Sports app in the United States and Puerto Rico. The full card, which will be announced at a later date, will be available on Twitch outside of the United States.

Serrano vs. Bermudez will headline the third event of Ring City’s residency in Puerto Rico and will be presented live from Plaza del Quinto Centenario in Old San Juan, where a ring will be erected in one of the most scenic locations on the island.

“A title fight between Puerto Rico’s own Amanda Serrano and Argentina’s Daniela Bermudez is the perfect way to close out Ring City’s three-event stretch on the island,” said Evan Rutkowski, Head of Boxing, Ring City USA. “A surefire Hall of Famer at just 32, Amanda continues to welcome the toughest challenges and on March 25, she will face a fellow multi-division world champion in Daniela Bermudez. We are committed to women’s boxing at Ring City and highlighting two great champions in a career-defining fight aligns with our vision.”

“Amanda Serrano versus Daniela Bermudez is one of the best fights that can be made in women’s boxing right now. I give huge credit to both champions and their teams for taking such a big risk,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “This clash will provide tremendous action and I am thrilled that Amanda will get to defend her WBC and WBO featherweight world titles on her native island of Puerto Rico. On March 25, the Ring City audience will not want to miss this.”

“This is the best female fight of the year,” said Natalia Rivero of Argentina’s OR Promotions. “Two champions and two of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world. The words are meaningless, but the action will talk. It is going to be a very ‘Bonita’ fight.”

Born in Puerto Rico and now residing in Brooklyn, New York, Serrano (39-1-1, 29 KOs) will return to the featherweight division to defend the WBO world title which she captured via wide unanimous decision in her most recent championship triumph over Heather Hardy in September 2019 at Madison Square Garden, as well as her newly acquired WBC belt. The 32-year-old southpaw remained active in 2020 with two dominating technical knockout victories, including a first-round knockout over Dahiana Santana in her most recent outing in December. Serrano has captured nine major world titles across the seven weight divisions from 115 to 140 lbs., while holding the honor of being the only Puerto Rican fighter in history to win world titles in more than four weight classes. This will mark Serrano’s fourth professional fight in Puerto Rico and her first bout on the island in over three years.

“First, I want to thank God for giving me life and the strength to do what I do, fight, my promoter, Lou DiBella, who works harder for me than anyone else I know, my team and Ring City for this great opportunity,” said Amanda Serrano. “Lastly, to my opponent, Daniela Bermudez, who I know is an incredible fighter, it takes two real warriors to risk it all for the enjoyment and entertainment of our fans. Just as I take pride in all that I do for my Puerto Rico, Bermudez does it for Argentina. I promise this fight will be a WAR! Bermudez is like me – an exciting, no-nonsense fighter and we will each dedicate this fight to our countries and fans. Don’t blink.”

Bermudez (29-3-3, 10 KOs) of Rosario, Argentina, will move up the featherweight division for an opportunity to capture a world title at a third weight class. In 2017, the 31-year-old captured her first world title, the WBO bantamweight world title vacated by Serrano, with a win over fellow Argentine Soledad del Valle Frias. Bermudez has successfully defended her WBO 118-pound strap five times, including most recently in February 2020 with a ninth-round knockout against Alys Sanchez. In her most recent fight in December 2020, Bermudez bested Cintia Castillo to recapture the IBF super bantamweight world championship that she previously held in 2018. With only 10 knockout wins on her ledger, Bermudez has displayed fight-ending power over the past two years with four stoppage victories in her last six ring appearances.

“Amanda Serrano is a great boxer, I know that she has experience, but I am in my best moment and I am working to give my best as usual,” said Bermudez. “My father and trainer is the one studying her style, to draw up the bout strategy. I am confident in my preparation and my work.

“It is great to fight against one of the best pound-for-pound fighters,” continued Bermudez. “It is going to be a great fight and an honor to represent Argentina abroad.”

Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano will collide in a blockbuster super fight at Manchester Arena on May 2 as the Irish legend puts her Undisputed WBO Lightweight World Title on the line against Puerto Rico’s seven-weight World Champion, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Two-weight World Champion Taylor can strengthen her status as one of the sport’s finest fighters against Serrano on the same night as Dillian Whyte risks his World Title ambitions in a huge Heavyweight encounter with the fearsome Alexander Povetkin.

Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) sealed a dominant points win over Christina Linardatou to claim the WBO Super-Lightweight title at the same venue in November as she stepped up a division after becoming the Undisputed Lightweight ruler against Delfine Persoon in New York.

Serrano (38-1-1, 28 KOs) enhanced her reputation for thrilling fights with an action-packed points win over Heather Hardy at Madison Square Garden in September, while she sharpened her skills for Taylor in a stoppage win over Simone Aparacida Da Silva in Miami in January.

“It’s a fight that seems to have been talked about for years so I’m just glad it’s finally on,” said Taylor. “It’s a massive fight and one that I have been looking forward to for a long, long time.

“I’ve been working hard in training camp in the US since the start of the year so it’s great have a date to focus on now and I can’t wait for May 2nd.”

“I’m happy we finally got this big fight made because both myself & Katie deserve to be in this position,” said Serrano. “While our fight could have been a main event, I’m still grateful it’s happening. I’m not going to talk down to Katie, as I know she won’t to me, so I’ll leave it at this: one thing that’s for sure is that we’ll both leave it all in the ring. Thanks to my Promoter Lou DiBella, Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing, DAZN & Katie Taylor for this great opportunity. See you in Manchester!”

“Katie Taylor versus Amanda Serrano for the Undisputed Lightweight Championship of the World – this is the biggest women’s fight of all time,” said Eddie Hearn. “The whole of Ireland and Puerto Rico are going to be watching this absolute war between the Undisputed champion and the seven weight division champion – it doesn’t get any bigger!”

“I’m proud to co-promote this historic fight with Matchroom, and to have it featured on a massive card in Manchester,” said Lou DiBella. “Two of the best female fighters in the world, two of the best of all time, will square up for boxing supremacy. Amanda didn’t shy away from moving back up in weight or from the fight being in the UK; she embraced the idea of winning on the road and cementing international stardom. Taylor vs. Serrano isn’t only the best of women’s boxing, it’s the best of what boxing is supposed to be.”

Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing Development, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to add Katie Taylor’s sensational showdown with Amanda Serrano to the Whyte-Povetkin bill. With Sky Sports increasing its commitment to women’s sport, we’ll be showcasing the biggest fight of Taylor’s professional career after following every step of her epic journey.

“We’ve witnessed Serrano’s all-action style, having covered her breathless battle with Heather Hardy. A magnificent multi-weight champion, Serrano now takes on Taylor, Ireland’s dazzling star, as two elite competitors collide in Manchester. Whyte also rolls the dice in a high-risk Heavyweight battle with Povetkin. Two explosive encounters that can only supply fireworks for fight fans.”

Tickets for Taylor vs. Serrano are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200 and £400 (VIP).

Tickets are on sale to Fight Pass members NOW via StubHb (www.stubhub.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com).

General Sale tickets are available to purchase from 10.00am on Friday March 6 via Manchester Arena (www.manchester-arena.com), StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com).

WBO Convention Awards at Gala Dinner in Tokyo, Japan

In a festive atmosphere, the WBO 32nd Annual Convention celebrated their Awards in a very crowded Gala Dinner at the Tokyo Dome Hotel.

WBO Boxer of The Year:
Unified WBO Lightweight Champion Vasiliy Lomachenko

WBO Female Boxer of the Year:
7 Division World Champion and WBO Super Champion Amanda Serrano

WBO Most Consistent and Durable Champion:
WBO Welterweight World Champion Terence Crawford

Special Recognition to Japan Pro Boxing Association Lifetime President
2-Division Champion of the World Fighting Harada

Special WBO Diamond Ring for more than five title defenses:

WBO Flyweight World Champion Kosei Tanaka

WBO Manager of the Year:
Egis Klimas

WBO Trainer of the Year
Anatoly Lomachenko

WBO Promoter of the Year
Bob Arum (Top Rank)

WBO 2019 Fight of Year
Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz I


WBO Outstanding Achievement as a Boxer
Former WBO Jr. Bantamweight Champion and current IBF/WBA Bantamweight World Champion Naoya Inoue

Personal Overcoming Achievement
WBO Mini-Flyweight World Champion Wilfredo ‘Bimbito’ Méndez

Special Recognitions to:
Promoter Akihiko Honda, Kazuto Ioka, Jorge Linares, Iván Calderón, Istvan ‘koko’ Kovacs, Acelino ‘Popo’ Freitas, Donnie Nietes, and Matchroom Boxing.

Among the prominent participants were the Italian Premier promoter, Salvatore Cherchi, the Miami, Florida promoter, Felix “Tutico” Zabala, the legendary Japanese matchmaker and “hall of famer”, Joe Koizumi, the Kazakh promoters, Kalikhan Akdrashev and Nurshin Tanat ( Suleimen Promotions), the Japanese promoter, Shingo Suzuki, the German matchmaker, Christof Haverkamp (SES Boxing), the international promoter and Matchmaker, Sean Gibbons (and Sherriff Woody), the Russian leader, Kirill Shchekutyev, the German promoter, Erol Ceylan the American promoter, Dino Duva, the Ukrainian promoter, Alexander Krassyuk (K2 Promotions Ukraine), the American promoter, Tom Loeffler, the English promoter, Francis Warren (Queensberry Promotions), the English matchmaker, Jason McClory (Queensberry Promotions), the German promoter Ulf Steinforth (SES Boxing) and the American promoter Carl Moretti (Top Rank).

Next year’s WBO Convention will take place in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Photo Inoue/Lomachenko by Naoki Fukuda

WBO ‘CHAMPIONS TOURNAMENT’ SERIES; Amanda Serrano will be honored; Golf tournament with boxing stars & Legends

CAGUAS, PUERTO RICO- For three boxing events during the month of October, the World Boxing Organization will serve as a link to give Puerto Rican talent a chance when conducting its “Champions Tournament” which will have several important scepters at play and help build the shoe for what will come in 2020.

It will have its headquarters on October 4 at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, immediately followed on October 5 at the Pedrín Zorrilla Coliseum in San Juan,PR and culminating on the 26th at the Rubén Zayas Montañez Coliseum in Trujillo Alto,PR.

“Near the WBO Convention we always do a‘ Champions Tournament ”. We did it in Panama in 2018 and we have done it in Puerto Rico, in Orlando, in Miami. But being the convention this year in Japan (December 2-5), we wanted to do something as usual in the Caribbean, ”said WBO President Francisco ‘Paco’Valcárcel.

“We will have four championship fights as part of that tournament, starting on October 4 in Kissimmee with Yomar Álamo (17-0 with 12 KO’s) against Mexican Antonio Morán (24-4 with 17 KO’s) for WBO NABO Jr. Welterweight title. Subsequently, we have Danielito Zorrilla (12-0 with 10 KO’s) against the Aztec Jesus Perez (23-2 with 18 KO’s) for the WBO NABO interim Jr. Welterweight title with the idea that the winner there will face the winner between Álamo and Morán in a unifying fight for the NABO title by the beginning of 2020 ”.

As if that were not enough, the Miguel Cotto Promotions cartel on October 5 will have a second championship fight when the Nicaraguan Carlos Buitrago faces the Puerto Rican Israel Vázquez for the vacant WBO Latino Jr. Flyweight title. The tournament will then end on October 26 with the Spartan Boxing cartel, in which Wilfredo ‘Bimbito’ Méndez will defend his WBO World Mini-Flyweight crown for the first time.

The ambitious tournament presented by the World Boxing Organization of the event on Saturday, October 5, where Danielito Zorrilla faces Jesús Antonio Pérez will be seen exclusively in Puerto Rico for DIRECTV clients on channel 161

“We are very happy with the opportunity that Paco Valcarcel and the entire World Boxing Organization gives us to be part of this great championship tournament and more which will be live television throughout Puerto Rico on DIRECTV where we will have our most important boxer Danielito Zorrilla in his most important fight. Without a doubt, the champions tournament is a very important platform for all the promoters and boxers that will participate, it is the beginning of great opportunities for big fights, ”said promoter and vice president of Miguel Cotto Promotions, Héctor Soto.

Amanda Serrano will be honored:

As part of the festivities, the female world champion in seven divisions, Amanda Serrano, will be present in Kissimmee and San Juan, where she will be honored after being crowned recently as the new WBO Jr. Featherweight monarch.

“Amanda Serrano will be with us. She wants to dedicate her triumph to the Puerto Rican community. She will be first in Kissimmee on October 4. From there, Amanda flies to Puerto Rico to be on October 5 at Coliseum Pedrín Zorrilla, where she will be given her new champion belt at 126 pounds, ”said Valcárcel.

“She is going to stay in Puerto Rico for a couple more days because she turns 9 on October 9 and from there she will return to the United States because she has to continue training for the MMA fight that she has on the agenda soon.”

Golf tournament with boxing stars

To conclude the festivities, the WBO will host a golf tournament in “El Legado” in Guayama with the participation of several pugilisms, legends, as well as several of the best local fighters today.

“Before the October 26 card, we will have a golf tournament on October 24 with local boxers, trainers to share with professional boxing stars, such as Miguel Cotto, Oscar de la Hoya and Ronald ‘Winky’ Wright, as well as Eric Gomez, president of Golden Boy Promotions. They could be joined by others, such as Jaime Mungía (WBO World Jr. Middleweight Champion) and Emanuel Navarrete (WBO World Jr. Featherweight Champion). Some are still to be confirmed, ”added Valcárcel.

Seven-division titleholder Amanda Serrano dominated over 10 rounds tonight, taking the WBO featherweight title from fellow Brooklyn fighter Heather Hardy on scores of 98-91, 98-91, and 98-92.

Serrano (37-1-1, 27 KO) had Hardy (22-1, 4 KO) hurt pretty badly in the opening round, and if women fought three minute rounds instead of two, it’s doubtful that Hardy would have made it out of the opening frame, as she was reeling badly by the end of those two minutes.

Serrano put a further beating on Hardy in the second, battering her to the body, but Hardy is as tough as advertised, and she stayed in the fight, going the distance even without a whole lot of success. Serrano did slow down some from her blistering early pace, but Hardy was never any real threat to beat her, as she just didn’t have the skill or power. Style-wise, it wound up a terrible matchup for Hardy, who has been successful largely on grit and toughness over her career. A superior boxer with better power was a nightmare for her, which was no real surprise, but expecting it and seeing it are two different things.

“I think it was a great performance,” Serrano said after. “Heather is as tough as they come, she became a champion for a reason. She came to fight, but I just was the better girl tonight. There’s level to boxing and she’s just not on my level.”

There has been a lot of talk of Serrano, who has bounced around weight divisions through her career — her last three fights have been at 140, 115, and 126, for instance — going to 135 for a fight with undisputed titleholder Katie Taylor, the Irish star.

Serrano isn’t sure she’ll get the fight, but she wants it.

“I say let’s go, but Katie Taylor’s going up to 140 so let’s she what she wants to do,” Serrano said. “No matter where it’s at or what weight, I’m gonna win.”

via https://www.badlefthook.com/2019/9/13/20865351/hardy-vs-serrano-results-amanda-dominates-heather-win-wbo-title-scores-decision-dazn-boxing-news

WBO WORLD FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION HEATHER HARDY AND AMANDA SERRANO WILL BATTLE ON FRIDAY AT THE HULU THEATER @ MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

Just days ahead of their eagerly awaited showdown this Friday night, September 13, the stakes have risen for Brooklyn rivals, Heather “The Heat” Hardy (22-0, 4 KOs), the WBO Women’s Featherweight World Champion, and Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (36-1-1, 27 KOs). The two biggest New York City female boxing stars will fight in the 10-round co-main event

“Brooklynites Heather Hardy and Amanda Serrano are the two biggest female boxing stars in New York City and their world championship clash on Friday night will feature tremendous action,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment.
“With each of their very large and passionate fan bases in the building, the atmosphere inside Hulu Theater at the Garden will be electric. The ladies have stolen this promotion; I won’t be surprised when they steal the show.”

Hardy captured the WBO Women’s Featherweight World Title with a 10-round unanimous decision victory in a rematch against Shelly Vincent on October 27, 2018, at the Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden.

A record-setting seven weight division world champion, Serrano returns to the same venue following her first-round knockout of Eva Voraberger on January 19, for the WBO Women’s Super Flyweight World Title. The bout was also telecast on DAZN.

Heather Hardy’s greatest attribute is her honesty. Whether in the ring or outside it, there is no question about where she stands; that’s led her to a world championship and a 22-0, 1 NC record when she has the gloves on. When she’s outside the ropes, it means that a question is responded to with a straight answer.

So about the power of her opponent on September 13, Amanda Serrano…

“Of all the people in my life that I’ve gotten into fights with – sparring, MMA, kickboxing, fights on the street – I never got punched as hard as Amanda hit me,” said Hardy who sparred with the seven-division world champion early in her career.

Despite this, Hardy is more than ready to take the fight to her fellow Brooklynite in Madison Square Garden’s Theater next week. And she’s not concerned with the power that has ended 27 of Serrano’s 36 wins.

“Hell no,” said Hardy. “I ain’t scared of nobody with two hands. You know I’m always here to talk about my mama, and my mama always told me, ‘Nobody will beat you like me,’ and she was not lying. (Laughs) She never told me one lie. Nobody will hit you like your mama.”

“The Heat” may be joking, but then again, she’s is dead serious when it comes to Serrano’s power and her willingness to take it. That willingness to walk through the fire hasn’t always been there for Serrano’s foes once they take a shot or two.

“If anyone’s gonna stand in there with Amanda, it’s gonna be somebody that’s not afraid,” said Hardy. “It’s a boxing match, a 10-round match, you’re gonna get touched. I think a lot of these girls that she’s stopped so early feel that power and they’re like what the hell was that. It’s shocking to get hit that solid. I’ve been hit by it and I remember, ‘Man, this girl hits like a dude.’ So I’m ready for that.”

Hardy remembers those days in the gym when she was brought in by Serrano’s manager / trainer Jordan Maldonado for some work. They weren’t easy sessions for the Gerritsen Beach native, but nothing has ever come easy for Hardy.

“I think Jordan was more impressed that I could take an ass whupping like I did way back when and still come back for more,” she said. “It’s hard for her to find durable bodies who were willing to come and get punched by her. And I was willing to come back and come back, so I think Jordan respected me for that, and then we kind of went our separate ways as far as building our names and our careers.”

The two remained friendly, Serrano even going as far as to tell me a few years ago that she would rather fight her sister Cindy than Hardy, so it surprised many in the New York City area when this bout was announced, including the champion.

“I honestly couldn’t tell you what happened,” said Hardy. “You’d have to ask her. Jordan always said from the beginning that we’re not gonna use each other to bring ourselves to the top and if we each ever get to a spot where we can make some money off fighting each other, then we’ll talk. I don’t listen to what people say; I just work, and then one day I got a call that said Amanda Serrano was challenging me for my belt and the WBO was ordering that I either vacate or take the fight. So here we are. But it actually did take me off guard. She has titles in seven different weight divisions, so it was kind of like, ‘Hmm, I wonder why you want to come for this one?’ But it’s not my place to wonder, I’m just here to fight.”

And fight Hardy does. Whether it’s under boxing rules, in mixed martial arts or in life, the 37-year-old never leaves anything for the swim home. That approach has had its ups and downs, but there’s no doubting that when it’s time to put the mouthpiece in, she’s going to be in the fray for as long as she’s able. That makes next week’s bout an intriguing one, because while Serrano has cemented her place on the pound-for-pound list as one of the elite in the game over the years, what happens in the late rounds if she hits Hardy with her best shots and “The Heat” is still marching forward? Hardy doesn’t think her challenger will fold.

“A lot of people seem to think that Amanda isn’t battle tested, and she really is,” said Hardy. “She knows how to walk through the fire, just like I do. And if anyone stands a chance in there with a vicious puncher like Amanda, it’s somebody like me. I’ve got the hardest head in the business.”

Many fans and pundits aren’t giving Hardy a chance, making her a sizeable underdog for the first time in her career. That’s no news to the woman making the walk that night, and again, she’s paying no mind to it, though it’s easy to tell that it stings a little.

“After you get to a certain point, it’s like if I don’t win, I kinda lose who I am,” said Hardy, whose last trip to the ring was her title-winning effort in a rematch with Shelly Vincent last October. “This fight is important to me because I am a big underdog and everyone’s already written me off. People are already talking about her fighting Katie (Taylor). One writer wrote, ‘This is gonna be the hardest win of her career.’ (Laughs) Okay. People like me, they love me, they want me to win, but nobody thinks I could really do it, except for the people who see me every day, like my team, my coaches, my sparring partners.”

That’s really all she needs, though in truth, all she needs is her own will and her own two fists. No one will be in the ring with her on September 13 except Serrano and a referee, and in a fistfight, Hardy will always feel good about her chances, even if she’s being looked at by some as the B-side as Serrano moves towards a SuperFight with undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor. But a fight with the Irish star is on the table for Hardy as well if she wins, and with so much at stake, how could anyone count her out?

“Everyone’s hyping up Amanda, the promoters are hyping up Amanda,” said Hardy. “I was almost called her tune-up, her warm-up, her step getting ready for Katie. It’s like I’m fighting everybody to win this one, but I don’t mind. In boxing, I’ve never been the underdog. In my real life, I’ve been fighting my way up from the bottom since I was a little one. That speaks real highly of your character because your character comes from how you fight when you’re at the bottom. I know what it’s like to fight from the bottom to the top. When people say that I couldn’t do it or I wouldn’t do it, or nobody could do it, I did things nobody would have ever dreamed I would. Imagine in 2012, when I turned pro and I won my first fight. Imagine me getting on the microphone and saying, ‘Guys, in five years, I’m gonna win my first world title on HBO.’ How many people would have laughed at me?”

Maybe a few, but they’re not laughing now. Heather Hardy delivers on her promises, and there are still some left to take care of.

By Thomas Gerbasi / BoxingScene.com

On Friday, September 13th, record-breaking seven-weight World champion Amanda Serrano challenges WBO World Featherweight champion Heather Hardy in an all-Brooklyn affair, brought to you by DiBella Entertainment in association with Matchroom Boxing USA at the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden, New York, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

Serrano (36-1-1 27 KOs) conquered her seventh weight class at the Hulu Theater in title in January when the Puerto Rican destroyed Eva Voraberger inside the opening round to claim the vacant WBO Jr. Bantamweight title.

Serrano held the WBO Featherweight strap in 2016 before vacating it then her sister Cindy picked it up later that year. Hardy (22-0 4 KOs) was next in line to win the vacant title in October in a rematch against Shelley Vincent in the Hulu Theater. Hardy put boxing on hold to return to MMA in June with an outing at Bellator 222 at Madison Square Garden but returns to boxing to go head-to-head with her fellow Brooklynite.

“We found out in February that as a super-champion Amanda could call out any champion in any weight division and she would be the next defense — and she chose me. I didn’t get this far in the boxing game to not know how it works, they’re hyping up a big fight between her and Katie Taylor and this is the second of Amanda’s three-fight deal.

“It will be my first time competing as an underdog even as the current world champion but I’m excited as hell. Everyone knows I have the balls for it. I grew up with a tough mamma, trust me – nobody scares me.”

“I’m very excited to be back in the ring and excited to be fighting Heather Hardy,” said Serrano. “Heather is 22-0 for a reason, she always finds a way to win. We’ve sparred in the past and I’ve never had an easy day with her.

“So many of the other champions vacated their belts to avoid fighting me but Heather is a true world champion who will not give up her belt.

“We know each other well and I’m honored to fight her for her World title. It’s nothing personal, just business for two girls from Brooklyn in the ring.”

“On Friday, September 13, seven-division world champion Amanda ‘The Real Deal’ Serrano will attempt to wrest the WBO Featherweight title from undefeated champion Heather ‘The Heat’ Hardy in what promises to be an explosive matchup,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment.

“Neither Hardy nor Serrano have ever been in a bad fight, both Brooklynites have passionate fan bases and are tremendous ambassadors for women’s boxing. This is a must-win fight for both boxers and will steal the show.”

Amanda Serrano surely would have loved a fight this weekend in New York City, but didn’t need one to feel like a winner on Sunday.

The seven-division titlist from Brooklyn by way of Puerto Rico was bestowed several honors during the annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade, which was held Sunday in New York City. In addition to being named Athlete of the Year by parade organizers, she was given a commemorative award by the Guinness Book of World Records for having claimed major titles in more weight divisions than any other female boxer in history.

“I have no words to describe the support I received at the (Guinness Book of World Records booth),” Serrano (36-1-1, 27KOs) said in receiving her official framed certificate. “They surprised me with the Guinness record for being champion in seven divisions and it was something incredible.”

Serrano broke her own record earlier this year, dropping all the way down to super flyweight where she captured a vacant title with a 35-second knockout of Eva Voraberger this past January in New York City. The 30-year old multi-sport southpaw weighed a career low 114.25 pounds for the fight, more than 24 pounds lighter than her previous fight when she became a six-division champ in a super lightweight title win last September.

The fight with Voraberger was the first of a three-bout deal she inked with sports streaming platform DAZN late last year. The final bout under the agreement is supposed to be a superfight with Ireland’s recently crowned undisputed World lightweight champion Katie Taylor later this year, although Serrano is still waiting on her second fight to materialize.

It hasn’t at all dampened her spirits, particularly on a weekend dedicated to celebrating her proud heritage.

“Hard work is rewarded when you least imagine it,” noted Serrano. “I am always motivated to represent my island in all my fights and this is more motivation to keep reaching my goals in all the sports I compete.”

Serrano—also currently active in mixed martial arts franchise Combate Americas as well as Jiu-Jitsu—made history for female boxers and for Puerto Rico, becoming the first from either faction to capture major titles in five weight divisions following an 8th round knockout of Dahiana Santana in their April 2017 bantamweight title fight.

The win pushed her past Miguel Cotto, who is Puerto Rico’s only male boxer to have won titles in four weight divisions. She added to her own mark with a 140-pound title win over Yamila Reynoso last September and her aforementioned knockout of Voraberger earlier this year.

The latter feat taking place in her fifth weight division in as many fights. Over that stretch, Serrano has gone from bantamweight to super bantamweight to featherweight to super lightweight all the way down to super flyweight all in less than two years. Next up could be a featherweight title fight while she waits on official plans to shake out for a blockbuster showdown with Taylor either later this year or in early 2020.

“For Puerto Rico and for women… I want to continue to be an example for women and show that discipline and sacrifice make you great in what you propose in life,” Serrano notes. “Many can do this, but none like me. I am one of one!”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox

WBO SUPER CHAMPION AMANDA SERRANO TO BE HONORED AT NEW YORK CITY PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE ON JUNE 9

Looks for Biggest Fights in Second Half of 2019

New York, NY (May 30, 2019) Women’s boxing superstar Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (36-1-1, 27 KOs) has been named the “Athlete of the Year” by the 62nd Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade Committee ahead of their famed annual parade on Sunday, June 9, in New York City.

Winner of world titles in a record seven weight divisions, Serrano is overwhelmed with excitement by the honor.

“The Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City is the biggest day of the year for me to celebrate my homeland. For many years, my family and I have attended and to be recognized in this manner for my accomplishments means a great deal to me,” said Serrano.

An estimated three million spectators are expected to watch the demonstration of ethnic and cultural pride as the parade makes its way up Fifth Avenue.

Among the other honorees at the parade will be nine-time Grammy award-winning musician Jose Feliciano and seven-time baseball All-Star Edgar Martinez.

The Brooklyn-based Serrano is coming off of a sensational performance on January 18 with a devastating first-round knockout of Eva Voraberger earning the vacant WBO Jr. Bantamweight World Title. The record-setting world title victory came in Serrano’s seventh different weight class, a feat never previously accomplished by a female fighter.

Stated promoter Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment, “This is a great honor for Amanda and we’re very proud to have promoted her throughout her historic run of world titles in seven weight divisions. She is very proud of her Puerto Rican heritage and well deserving of this recognition. We’re currently working on some big plans for her return to the ring this summer and later in the year.”

“Amanda has worked very hard to attain the status that she has as one of the very best female fighters in boxing in addition to her accomplishments in mixed martial arts,” said her longtime trainer and manager Jordan Maldonado. “We are very interested in watching Katie Taylor this Saturday in her attempt to become the undisputed champion in the lightweight division. If she is successful, there is no bigger fight in women’s world boxing than a fight with Amanda.

“We’re looking to get back in the ring in the summer and build toward the fight with Katie Taylor later this year. Amanda and I will also be cageside in support of featherweight boxing champion Heather Hardy on June 14 at Bellator 222. We’ve known Heather for many years and if she is successful on June 14, a boxing match with Amanda has been talked about recently, which would be a very big fight in New York City.”

Serrano made it a quick night of work, stopping Voraberger to grab the WBO title in just 35 seconds.
By Wil Esco

Amanda Serrano said the hardest part of tonight’s fight would be making the weight, and proved as much as she plowed through Eva Voraberger in only 35 seconds of the first round to win the WBO super flyweight title. In winning the title, Serrano won a major world title in her seventh weight class.

Serrano (36-1-1, 27 KOs) started really quickly tonight, opening up on Voraberger with combinations that were landing from the opening bell. Then a sharp left hook to the body from Serrano hit Voraberger on the live, and Voraberger went down. At that point Voraberger just couldn’t get off the canvas to beat the count, ending the fight promptly.

In the post-fight interview Serrano was asked if she wanted to go for a title in an eighth division, but Serrano pumped the brakes on that for a moment, saying she instead wants to defend her newly-won WBO title for the time being. Serrano was also asked about a prospective fight against Katie Taylor, and Serrano simply said when that fight presents herself she just hopes Taylor is ready for her.

https://www.badlefthook.com/2019/1/18/18188965/amanda-serrano-destroys-eva-voraberger-wins-title-in-7th-divisionhttps://www.badlefthook.com/2019/1/18/18188965/amanda-serrano-destroys-eva-voraberger-wins-title-in-7th-division

 

(Credit: Photos by Ed Mulholland)

A day ahead of three title fights on the Matchroom USA main card, including WBO World Middleweight titlist Demetrius Andrade defending his belt against Artur Akavov, fans gathered at Chase Square at Madison Square Garden for the official weigh-in. All fighters participating in the event on Friday, Jan. 18, were in attendance and tipped the scales at the weights listed below. (photos by Ed Mulholland).

Saturday’s event will be the first live U.S. boxing event on DAZN, with coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. ET and main card starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. ET.

10-round Female Super Flyweight Title Bout @ 115 lbs.

Amanda Serrano – 114.2 lbs.

Eva Voraberger – 114.8 lbs.

 

       

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-serrano-vs-voraberger-doheny-vs-takahashi-weights–135474?print_friendly=1

Amanda Serrano wants her legacy to inspire the next generation of girls to take up boxing as she prepares to challenge for World title honors in a seventh weight class when she faces Eva Voraberger for the Vacant WBO Female Jr. Bantamweight title at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on Friday night, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.

Serrano (35-1-1 26KOs) has already had an immeasurable impact in women’s boxing through winning titles in six divisions on the back of an impressive amateur career, and the Puerto Rican born Brooklyn ace now believes there’s been no better time to be a female boxer.

Serrano’s clash with Voraberger (24-5 11KOs) means that every American-based event on DAZN has featured a women’s World title fight, starting in Chicago where Jessica McCaskill landed the WBC Super-Lightweight title in October, Claressa Shields putting her Super-Middleweight straps on the line in Kansas in November and Lightweight title defenses for Irish sensation Katie Taylor in Boston in October and New York in December.

With the sport in such a great place, Serrano knows that her first pro fight at Madison Square Garden has come at the perfect time and place to both make history and encourage kids to follow her fine example.

“It’ll be amazing to fight at Madison Square Garden,” said Serrano. “I won the 2008 Golden Gloves there so to go back and win a World title in my seventh division in the second home of Miguel Cotto is great, I want it to be my second home like it was for him. I think the fans will come out to support me, I can guarantee that I will do them proud and make history.

“I do want to be an inspiration to young girls in Puerto Rico and America that want to box be inspired by me pushes me to do bigger and better things in my career. I can show them that you can be a powerful Latino female in the sport and achieve any goals and dreams that you have. So I am going to continue to live my life and fight in the right way to show them that dreams can come true.

“Being a female boxer now is much better than it was ten years ago when I started and further back to when my sister started in 2013, the difference in the money is black and white, day and night. The promoters are coming in and giving us exposure and money, paid what we deserved, that’s getting us sponsors coming in and taking chances on us, so this is the time to be a female boxer

“Every now and then I think I’m done with boxing but I’m really happy and committed to boxing. I have a great promoter in Lou DiBella and we’re signed with Matchroom and Eddie Hearn behind me too, it’s a great team behind me, it’s where the money is and the exposure. There’s a new fire been lit under me and we deserve the money that we’re getting.”

Lou DiBella’s DiBella Entertainment and Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn proudly present Serrano’s clash with Voraberger on a three World title fight bill, topped by Demetrius Andrade’s first defense of his WBO World Middleweight title against Russian Artur Akavov and Irishman TJ Doheny’s maiden defense of his IBF World Super-Bantamweight title against Japan’s Ryohei Takahashi.

www.boxingscene.com/amanda-serrano-things-much-better-now-female-boxers–135423?print_friendly=1

 

By Jake Donovan –

Demetrius Andrade and Artur Akavov are locked and loaded for DAZN USA’s first offering of the new year.

Both boxers easily made weight ahead of their scheduled 12-round middleweight title clash, which takes place Friday evening at Hulu Theatre in New York City.

Andrade tipped the scales at a fighting fit 159.8 pounds for his first title defense; Akavov came in right at the 160-pound middleweight limit his second title fight opportunity.

The bout will headline a nine-fight card—including three title fights—which will air live on sports streaming service DAZN USA.

For Andrade (26-0, 16KOs), it’s a welcomed interruption to an old schedule where the unbeaten Providence native would experience massive gaps of inactivity in his career. The 2008 U.S. Olympian and two-division titlist now fights for the second time in three months, claiming his 160-pind title in a shutout win over Walter Kautondokwa last October in Boston.

Akavov (19-2, 8KOs) enters the fight having won five straight since a narrow points loss to then-middleweight titlist Billy Joe Saunders in Dec. ’16.

The evening’s chief support was among the show’s latest additions, with TJ Doheny set to make the first defense of his super bantamweight title versus Japan’s Ryohei Takahashi.

Ireland’s Doheny—who traveled to Japan for a 12-round title winning effort over Ryosuke Iwasa—clocked in at 121.75 pounds. Takahashi (22-3-1, 16KOs) weighed 121.8 pounds for his first title fight, which also comes in his U.S. debut.

In the third title fight of the night, history-making Amanda Serrano (35-1-1, 26KOs) moves down an unheard-of SIX weight divisions for her 115-pound vacant title tilt versus Austria’s Eva Voraberger.

Serrano checked in at a chiseled 114.2 pounds, just four months after winning a title at the 140-pound super lightweight division. The win netted her a title in a record-breaking sixth weight division, with a victory on Friday putting her in exclusive company with Manny Pacquiao as the only boxers ever to claim major titles in seven or more weight divisions (Pacquiao has done so in eight).

Voraberger (24-5, 11KOs) hopes to disrupt those plans. The 28-year old also had to move down in weight, dropping one division from bantamweight—where she holds an interim title—to weigh 114.8 pounds for Friday’s tall order.

Two more bouts on the show could very well provide the respective winners with title fights of their own in the very near future.

Former three-division titlist Jorge Linares weighed 139.4 pounds for his second fight at super lightweight, following his title-losing effort to pound-for-pound entrant Vasiliy Lomachenko last May. His opponent, veteran contender Pablo Cesar Cano clocked in at 139.6 pounds for their 12-round bout.

The winner is being teased as a potential future option for unbeaten 140-pound titlist Maurice Hooker. Interestingly the same promise has been made to whomever prevails in a 10-round battle between New Yorkers Chris Algieri and Daniel Gonzalez

Algeiri, a former 140-pound titlist who returned last November filing more than two years away from the ring—weighed 140 pounds. His opponent and longtime sparring partner, Queens’ Gonzalez weighed 139.4 pounds.

FULL WEIGHTS

Demetrius Andrade , lbs. vs. Artur Akavov , lbs.—12 rds, middleweight

Jorge Linares, 139.4 lbs. vs. Pablo Cesar Cano, 139.6 lbs.—12 rds, super lightweight

TJ Doheny, 121.75 lbs. vs. Ryohei Takahashi, 121.8 lbs.—12 rds, super bantamweight

Amanda Serrano, 114.2 lbs. vs. Eva Voraberger, 114.8 lbs.–10 rds, super flyweight

Chris Algieri, 140 lbs. vs. Daniel Gonzalez, 139.4 lbs.—10 rds, super lightweight

Julian Sosa, 147.8 lbs. vs. Dieumerci Nzau, 146 lbs.—6 rds, welterweight

Nkosi Solomon, 227.2 , lbs. vs. Rodriguez Cade, 293.2 lbs.—4 rds, heavyweight

Reshat Mati, 145.4 lbs. vs. Benjamin Borteye, 143.6 lbs.—4 rds, welterweight

http://www.boxingscene.com/weights-from-new-york-city-andrade-1598-akavov-160–135467?print_friendly=1

 

Middleweight king believes activity will be the key ahead of first defense

Demetrius Andrade believes being active will bring the best out of him as he prepares to defend his WBO World Middleweight title against Artur Akavov at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York on Friday night, live on DAZN in the US and Sky Sports in the UK.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FROM WWW.MSG.COM – TICKETS START AT $46!

Andrade (26-0 16KOs) puts the crown on the line for the first time since claiming the vacant belt in Boston in October, flooring number two ranked Walter Kautondokwa four times en-route to a comprehensive points win.

The Rhode Island ace is back in action against the dangerous Russian Akavov (19-2 8KOs) 90 days after that win – the quickest turn around in fights for the 30 year old since the spring of 2012 and his 16th and 17th fights.

‘Boo Boo’ is thrilled with promoter Eddie Hearn for getting him back into action so soon and feels activity will make him an even better champion in the talent-rich 160lbs division.

“It feels great to be out so soon – it’s the first time that has happened to me for so long,” said Andrade. “It used to be eight months or once a year, so it just goes to show the difference between the levels of promoters that you go with.

“Eddie is keeping me active and he knows that the more active I am the better the fighter I am. Eddie wants to make a statement, show people that the way it’s done in the UK is how it should be done in the US, he’s young and I am too – we have the same hunger, he wants to be the top promoter and I want to be the top fighter. Knowing I can be one of the leading fighters on DAZN and they are doing a great job all around.

“I had the shitty end of the stick for a long time but I can always see the bigger picture. If I look to quit through that, I can’t inspire or motivate others. I’m undefeated, 2008 Olympian, and everyone has their time and obstacles to get over.

“I’m still clearing my path now, everything good in my way stays and everything bad has got to be moved. I’m happy to be back in so fast, I could have had a tune-up fight or even two and not signed up to fight Billy Joe Saunders for the title, but I have been in the game too long and it’s my time to shine now so I am not going to stop.

“I’m not satisfied. I’ve always been at the top but now I’m growing in the top of the mainstream. The boxing world knows I’m the baddest man out there but not having the right promotion behind me putting me out there has hurt me and that’s why I’ve made the changes and Matchroom and DAZN know what I can bring and they can move me to the next level – my job is to win.”

Andrade’s clash with Akavov is part of a huge triple-header of World title action at Madison Square Garden, as TJ Doheny defends his IBF World Super-Bantamweight title against Japan’s Ryohei Takahashi.

A third World title bout on the card sees Amanda Serrano (35-1-1 26KOs) gunning for history as she looks to land World honors in an extraordinary seventh weight class as she meets WBC and IBF World Super-Flyweight champion Eva Voraberger (24-5 11KOs) – the Austrian tasked with stopping Serrano’s bid for glory.

Former World Lightweight ruler Jorge Linares continues his comeback trail on the card when he meets Pablo Cesar Cano. Linares’ (45-4 28KOs) reign as WBA and Ring Magazine champion was ended in an epic clash with pound-for-pound star Vasily Lomachenko at Madison Square Garden in May, with Linares felling the Ukrainian star in the sixth before being stopped four rounds later.

Linares returned to winning ways in September with a third round stoppage win over Abner Cotto in September in California and starts 2019 with his 50th pro fight against Cano (31-7-1 21KOs), the Mexican former World title challenger who landed the WBC International Silver strap in his last outing in September – and Linares is joined by fellow Golden Boy Boxing star Alexis Rocha (12-0 8KOs), the 21 year old Welterweight talent ready to begin his charge for titles in 2019.

Long Island favorite and former World ruler Chris Algieri (22-3 8KOs) steps up his pursuit of regaining his World champion status at Super-Lightweight as he faces fellow New Yorker Danny Gonzalez (17-1-1 7KOs), One of Matchroom Boxing USA’s rising stars tastes his first action in 2019 on the card as Reshat Mati (2-0 1KO) returns to the scene of his last outing in October where the ‘Albanian Bear’ went the four round distance in his second fight.

Tickets for January 18 are on sale now priced from $46 (including booking fee) – tickets are available from www.MSG.com