U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring completed his Hollywood story, upsetting WBO Junior Lightweight world champion Masayuki “The Judge” Ito via unanimous decision Saturday evening in front of a sold-out crowd of 2,912 at Osceola Heritage Park.

Herring (20-2, 10 KOs), who prevailed by scores of 116-112 and 118-110 2x, accomplished the dream on Memorial Day weekend in front of a host of active and reserve U.S. Marines.

“I want to dedicate this fight to my daughter, Ariyanah, who passed away from SIDs. Tonight would have been her 10th birthday, and I dedicate this title to her,” said Herring. “Ito was a tough competitor, but I always believed I could win a world title. This is a dream come true, and to do this on Memorial Day weekend makes it even sweeter.”

Ito (25-2-1, 13 KOs), who was making the second defense of his world title, never could quite figure out the southpaw puzzle of Herring.

Ito had some success in the early rounds, but in the end, it was Herring who closed the show stronger.

Said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum: “When we signed Jamel, a lot of people had their doubts, but he showed the heart of a world champion. He’s a true Marine and an American hero. We are so proud of what this young man has accomplished.”

Photo: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

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Weigh-In Results WBO Bouts in Kissimmee: Ito-Herring, Pedraza-Lozada, Cintrón-Eto

Three WBO Bouts to take place tomorrow night (Saturday May 25th) at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida.

ESPN & ESPN Deportes (10 p.m. ET)
WBO Jr. Lightweight World Champion Masayuki Ito weighed 129.4 lbs and challenger Jamel Herring 129.6 lbs. Judges/Referee: Lisa Giampa, Alex Levin and Thomas Nardone/Frank Gentile

In the co-feature, for the vacant WBO Latino Lightweight Championship, two-division world champion José Pedraza weighed 134.8 lbs and Antonio Lozada 134.4 lbs. Judges/Referee: Michael Ross, Rodolfo Aguilar and Fred Fluty/Telis Assimenios.

ESPN+ (6:30 p.m. ET)
For the vacant WBO International Jr. Bantamweight Title, WBO #5 ranked and two-time Puerto Rican Olympian Jeyvier Cintron weighed 114-6 lbs and former interim Flyweight World Champion and WBO #4 ranked Koki Eto of Japan, weighed 114.6 lbs.

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WBO Bouts in Kissimmee: Ito-Herring, Pedraza-Lozada, Cintrón-Eto

Three WBO Bouts to take place this upcoming Saturday May 25th at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida.

Masayuki Ito won the WBO Junior Lightweight title last July in Kissimmee, Florida. For title defense number two, he’s returning to the city of his greatest triumph.

Ito, who recently signed a long-term co-promotional contract with Top Rank, will defend his title against 2012 U.S. Olympic boxing team captain and U.S Marine Corps veteran Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring. Ito-Herring will headline a special Memorial Day weekend edition of Top Rank on ESPN beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

In the co-feature, for the vacant WBO Latino Lightweight Championship, two-division world champion José Pedraza (25-2, 12 KOs) faces Mexican warrior Antonio Lozada (40-2-1, 34 KOs).

The entire undercard will stream live in the United States exclusively on ESPN+ starting at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT and will showcase a host of prospects in competitive matchups including a match for the vacant WBO International Jr. Bantamweight Title, when WBO #5 ranked and two-time Puerto Rican Olympian Jeyvier Cintron (10-0, 5 KOs) battles former interim Flyweight World Champion and WBO #4 ranked Koki Eto (24-4-1, 19 KOs) of Japan, in a 10-rounder.

Ito-Herring:
Ito (25-1-1, 13 KOs) claimed the vacant WBO junior lightweight title with an upset decision win over Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz at the Kissimmee Civic Center. The Diaz fight marked Ito’s United States debut and the first time he’d fought away from his native Japan. He returned home for his first title defense on Dec. 30, scoring a seventh-round TKO over Evgeny Chuprakov.

Herring (19-2, 10 KOs), who served two tours of duty in Iraq as a field electrician, turned pro in December 2012 and won the first 15 bouts of his career. He lost a pair of fights as a lightweight, including a razor-thin decision to Ladarius Miler in August 2017. Following the Miller defeat, Herring signed on with Top Rank, hired trainer/manager Brian McIntyre and moved down to 130 pounds. Since then, he is 3-0, including an ESPN-televised decision victory over John Vincent Moralde last September on the Jose Ramirez-Antonio Orozco card in Fresno, California. In his last bout, Dec. 14 in Corpus Christi, Texas, he notched a clear points decision over Adeilson Dos Santos.

Vacant WBO Latino Bout Pedraza-Lozada:
Pedraza (25-2, 12 KOs) won the IBF junior lightweight title in 2015 and made a pair of title defenses. Following a 2017 TKO loss to Gervonta Davis, he moved up to the lightweight division. In his third bout at lightweight, he won a unanimous decision over Ray Beltran to claim the WBO title. Less than four months later, he faced off against WBA champion Vasiliy Lomachenko to unify world titles. He was competitive, but Lomachenko scored a pair of 11th-round knockdowns to secure the unanimous decision.

Lozada (40-2-1, 34 KOs) burst onto the world stage last March, knocking out highly touted prospect Felix Verdejo in the 10th and final round. Since then, he is 1-0-1, including a disputed draw versus Hector Ambriz.

Eto-Cintrón:
Eto (24-4-1, 19 KO) edged Kompayak Porpramook for the interim WBA belt in 2013 thanks to a pivotal knockdown in the 12th round, but lost the title to Sirichai Thaiyen soon after. After picking up a trio of knockouts, he challenged Carlos Cuadras for the WBC super flyweight title, losing a unanimous decision in his native Japan.

He’s since won seven straight over marginal competition, six by knockout, and sits in all four sanctioning bodies’ top 10s at 115.

Cintron (10-0, 5 KO) signed with Top Rank back in 2017 ahead of his professional debut and has had some fairly standard prospect matchmaking. With only 10 fights, of which he has won five by KO, the #5 ranked by the WBO and Latino champion of that entity at 115 pounds, look to impress.

Though he debuted at bantamweight, this will be the 24-year-old’s fourth fight at 115 pounds.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with All Star Boxing and Teiken Promotions, tickets to this world championship event go on sale Friday, April 26 at 10 a.m. ET. Priced at $100 (ringside) and $50 (general admission), including all taxes and facility fees, tickets may be purchased online via ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800.745.3000 or in person Osceola Heritage Park box office (open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. and on event days). For more information: www.ohpark.com.

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The Japanese Boxing Awards took place earlier today and one of the big prizes was the Special Prize, which is somewhat of a special achievement award. 

Today the award was won by Masayuki Ito (25-1-1, 13) [伊藤 雅雪], the current WBO Jr. Lightweight champion, who won the title in the US. Ito’s win on US soil was the first time a Japanese fighter had won a world title on American soil for close to 40 years. He then added to that with a defenses at the end of the year against his mandatory challenger, Evgeny Chuprakov.

At the event Ito stated “I am delighted to have a wonderful award.It was a year of a change in my life last year.I would like to challenge how far I can go this year because I have made a convincing start line and I will do my best to win MVP next year.” (Translated) It seems that winning the Special Prize has seen him now begin to eye up the more prestigious MVP Award, which was won by Naoya Inoue (17-0, 15) [井上 尚弥].

His next bout is being planned for May.


Photo credit: Naoki Fukuda / Ringtv.com

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Today the press in Japan had the chance to attend a large press conference to speak about the December 30th show in Tokyo.

Among the fighters there were WBO World Jr. Lightweight champion Masayuki Ito (24-1-1, 12) [伊藤 雅雪] and his upcoming Russian challenger Evgeny Chuprakov (20-0, 10).

At the press conference Ito stated “I wanted to make a good game that would make you think that Ito was the best” (translated from Japanese), and showed enthusiasm about expanding his standing in the sport.

Ito also explained that he’s confident having been able to win the title in America and is now proud of being able to defend the title in Japan. Despite the champion he wants to feel like a challenger, and fight like a fighter with the chance of breaking out and would be fighting aggressively, as he did in his title win against Christopher Diaz.

In a great gesture Ito also revealed that he will be selling items, including wrist bands and t-shirts, with the money made from the sales going to charity.

Chuprakov told the press “I am doing very well, becoming an important match among the long boxing careers I am ready for the mind and body, I’m looking forward to Sunday, It is very worthwhile to win.I came to become a world champion until now, I want to fight all my thoughts and battle quietly to win the belt.” (Again translated). He seemed calm and confident, but this is a but step up for the unbeaten Russian, who hasn’t fought anywhere close to this level before.

http://www.asianboxing.info/asian-news/masayuki-ito-and-evgeny-chuprakov-take-part-in-press-conference

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December 30: WBO World Champion Masayuki Ito-Evgeny Chuprakov Headlines Championship Bout on ESPN+

American fight fans will be treated to a world championship doubleheader edition of Breakfast and Boxing on Sunday, Dec. 30 from the historic Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo. In the main event, WBO junior lightweight world champion Masayuki Ito will make his first title defense against the unbeaten Evgeny Chuprakov.

The action begins at 5:00 a.m. ET on ESPN+ — the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. The Ito-Chuprakov main event is expected to begin at roughly 6:20 a.m. ET.

Ito (24-1-1, 12 KOs) captured the vacant WBO junior lightweight world title on July 28 in Kissimmee, Fla., going on the road as a sizable underdog and defeating Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz by unanimous decision. Ito, a Tokyo native, is no stranger to fighting in his home city. Prior to the Diaz fight, all of his pro bouts had taken place in Tokyo. Chuprakov (20-0, 10 KOs), a native of Ekaterinburg, Russia, has gone 10 or more rounds in four of his past six bouts. In his last outing, July 14 in Ekaterinburg, he scored a 10-round unanimous decision against Ernie Sanchez.

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On December 30th Masayuki Ito (24-1-1, 12KOs) will make his first defense of the WBO Jr. Lightweight title as he goes up against unbeaten Russian Evgeny Chuprakov (20-0, 10KOs) in a mandatory title defense.

Today, ahead of that bout, he left Japan to take part in a training camp in Los Angeles, where he will be for the next 5 weeks or so. Before boarding his plan he spoke to the Japanese media.

The plan for Ito is to spar with a number of US based fighters, including Fabian Maidana and Manny Robles, and he also suggest potentially sparring with Mikey Garcia, who is expected to be in the region training himself.

Interestingly Ito revealed that he was aware of the conditions in Los Angeles right now, including the fires going on, and knows that he needs to do everything he can to prevent getting ill or injured whilst over there.

It should be noted that Ito also spoke to fans on Saturday, when he took to the ring at the Dangan card. There he spoke about his bout on December 30th and told fans that his plan for next year is to fight a big name opponent in the US.

http://www.asianboxing.info/asian-news/masayuki-ito-heads-off-for-us-training-camp

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This past weekend we saw Masayuki Ito (24-1-1, 12) [伊藤 雅雪] score a major win and over-come Puerto Rican Christopher Diaz (23-2, 15) to claim the WBO Jr. Lightweight title. The Japanese fighter hasn’t rushed home but has enjoyed a few days in the US, only getting back to Japan earlier today, after doing some sight seeing and enjoying himself after a career defining performance.

Speaking to the press at Narita Airport today Ito stated that he was happy to win the belt, but that wasn’t going to be enough and he wanted to challenge himself as a champion, fighting both at home and overseas.

Before returning to the UK Ito revealed that he hired a 15 seating bus to do some sight seeing with friends and family in the US and certainly seemed happy to have had some time Stateside to enjoy him, though stated he was happy to be back in Japan.

It was revealed that the ring for the Diaz fight was smaller than Ito had expected, likely to try and favour Diaz who went into the bout as the fighter with the reputation of being a puncher. The small ring however never seemed to be an issue with Ito controlling the range through out the bout.

Ito’s next bout is yet to be decided though sources have reported that he’s been approached by Fuji TV, so could be featured on their cards in the future, and he also revealed that he wants to fight on an end of year show, which seems to be one of the big dreams he shared today.

http://www.asianboxing.info/asian-news/masayuki-ito-returns-to-japan
​(Image courtesy of boxmob.jp)

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KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Masayuki Ito traveled halfway around the world, and he will return home a world champion. Ito, from Tokyo, defeated Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz via unanimous decision (116-111, 117-110, 118-109) at the Kissimmee Civic Center in a pitched affair to win the vacant WBO junior lightweight world championship.

Ito (24-1-1, 12 KOs) knocked down Diaz (23-1, 15 KOs) in the fourth round and controlled the tempo of the fight, becoming the sixth current male world champion from Japan. Ito, who was fighting for the first time outside of Japan, was not fazed by the pro-Diaz crowd.

“I believe in myself. I knew I was going to become a world champion, and that is exactly what happened,” Ito said. “Since the beginning of the fight ,I knew I had more power and I dropped him. In my mind, I kept saying that it was a close fight and that is why I kept going for the knockout.

“I knew that this was going to be a good fight, and I respect Diaz for coming ready to fight. He is a warrior. This is a dream come true for me. Now, I want bigger fights”

Said Diaz: “This does not end here. I am going to return with more strength and with more hunger. I have a promise to fulfill. I am going to be a world champion. I promise you that.”

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KISSIMMEE, Fla. (July 26, 2018) – Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (23-0, 15 KOs) will have the crowd on his side Saturday evening at the Kissimmee Civic Center when he takes on Japan’s Masayuki Ito (23-1-1) for the vacant WBO junior lightweight title.

Kissimmee is home to a large Puerto Rican population, and Diaz is seeking to become the fifth current male world champion from the “Island of Enchantment.”

Ito, who has fought solely in Japan as a professional, will look to become the ninth 130-pound world champion in the rich fighting history of his homeland.

Diaz-Ito and the 10-round welterweight showdown between Artemio Reyes and Gabriel Bracero will stream live and exclusively in the United States at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with undercard action set for 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Also in action will be middleweight contender Esquiva Falcao (20-0, 14 KOs), who will face Jonathan Tavira (16-5, 12 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

Diaz and Ito crossed paths for the first time Thursday at the final press conference. This is what they, and many of the other fighters on Saturday’s card, had to say.

Christopher Diaz

“I never expected to be at this point in my career. I had my pro debut in 2013, and I didn’t even know that I was going to get to 10-0, 20-0. And I never expected to be fighting for a world title. But my hard work every day, my anger, my passion for this sport, made me be here for this opportunity. I think nobody is going to take that out of me, and I feel so good. It’s a moment. It’s one more fight. I know Ito is a great fighter. I’ve been working for 15 years to now for this opportunity.”

“{My fans} know that I always make a war. I know Masayuki Ito is going to come to give me a war. That’s the kind of fight that I want for the fans.”

Masayuki Ito

“Thanks for giving me the opportunity to fight here. Also, I appreciate Top Rank, All Star Boxing, and Teiken Promotions. I did not have enough English training, but I did have hard training in boxing every day. I promise I’ll show a very good fight on Saturday night.”

# # #

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with All Star Boxing and Teiken Promotions, remaining tickets to this world championship event, priced at $100 (red carpet ringside), $50 (lower bowl), and $30 (general admission), may be purchased at the Kissimmee Civic Center box office, online at ticketerapr.com, or charge by phone at (787) 305-3600.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook:facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter:twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo,@ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtag #DiazIto to join the conversation on social media.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. ESPN+ offers fans two exclusive, original boxing programs: The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays, weekly) and In This Corner (twice monthly). In addition to boxing content, fans can watch thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. This includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, Top Rank boxing, PGA TOUR golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

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Media Workout Notes & Quotes: Christopher Diaz and Masayuki Ito to Battle for Vacant WBO 130-Pound Title

LIVE on Saturday at Kissimmee Civic Center, 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+

Kissimmee, Fla. (July 25, 2018) – Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (23-0, 15 KOs) is proud of his Puerto Rican heritage and is acutely aware of his homeland’s rich fighting history. Diaz, who fights Masayuki Ito (23-1-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday at the Kissimmee Civic Center for the vacant WBO junior lightweight world title, is hoping to become the fifth current male world champion from the “Island of Enchantment.”

At the Kissimmee Boxing Gym, this is what they had to say.

Christopher Diaz

On Fighting For His First World Title – “I worked hard for this. This is my moment, and nobody is going to take away from me what I know is mine. That vacant title has a first name and last name on it. That name is Christopher Diaz.”

About Fighting in Kissimmee, Fla. – “I’m super happy and excited about returning to fight in Kissimmee. Here, I feel like I’m at home. I come ready to give my fans a great fight.”

Masayuki Ito

On Fighting Outside of Japan – “I do not care about where I’ll be fighting. Inside the ring, it will only be him, me, and the referee. Nobody else.”

On What He Expects from Diaz – “I’m ready for a war. I’m here to win round by round. I’m ready for a toe to toe fight. I’m going for the knockout. I’m taking the title with me to Japan.”

# # #

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with All Star Boxing and Teiken Promotions, remaining tickets to this world championship event, priced at $100 (red carpet ringside), $50 (lower bowl), and $30 (general admission), may be purchased at the Kissimmee Civic Center box office, online at ticketerapr.com, or charge by phone at (787) 305-3600.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook:facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter:twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo,@ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtag #DiazIto to join the conversation on social media.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. ESPN+ offers fans two exclusive, original boxing programs: The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays, weekly) and In This Corner (twice monthly). In addition to boxing content, fans can watch thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. This includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, Top Rank boxing, PGA TOUR golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

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The World Boxing Organization (WBO) announced the officials assigned for this Saturday, July 28th Jr. Lightweight world title clash between WBO ranked number one Christopher ‘Pitufo’ Díaz (23-0, 15 KOs), from Puerto Rico, and WBO ranked number two Masayuki Ito (23-1-1, 12 KOs), from Japan, in a scheduled 12-round match.

The duel will be held at the Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida, as the main event of a fight card presented by Top Rank Promotions, and All Star Boxing.

Frank Gentile, from Palm Bay, Florida will be the third man in the ring.

Roark Young, from Florida, Robin Taylor, from New York and Paul Wallace, from Maryland, were appointed judges of the fight.

The supervisor of the fight will be Erno Labega, WBO Second Vice President.

Diaz-Ito will stream live and exclusively in the United States at 9:30 ET on ESPN+ — the recently-launched multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. Undercard bouts will stream live on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET. ESPN+ is available to all fans on the ESPN App and ESPN.com.

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Kissimmee, Fla. (July 20, 2018) — Undefeated Puerto Rican contender Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz exudes confidence just days away from his first world title opportunity. He is a student of Puerto Rico’s rich boxing lineage, and he will do whatever it takes to fulfill his dream of adding his name to the long list of world champions from the ‘Island of Enchantment.’

Diaz will fight Japanese veteran Masayuki Ito for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight title on July 28 at the Kissimmee Civic Center.

“It’s time to show the world what I’m made of. Being able to fight for a world title is the dream of every boxer,” Diaz said. “I am prepared for my first chance to win a world title because I’ve been through many years of sacrifices, and I have waited all my life for this moment. Now the moment is here. I’m hungry and focused. On July 28, Puerto Rico will have a new world champion.”

Diaz (23-0, 15 KOs), from Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, is entering his first world title match riding a four-bout knockout streak. The WBO’s No. 1 junior lightweight contender, Diaz won the vacant NABO junior lightweight title last December with a third-round knockout of Bryant Cruz, knocking Cruz down five times en route to the stoppage. In his last bout, March 17 on the Jose Ramirez-Amir Imam undercard at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Diaz defeated Braulio Rodriguez via fourth-round TKO to earn the shot at the world title. For Diaz, this world title opportunity is a beacon of hope, as his home and most of his possessions were destroyed when Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico last year.

“I have a tough fight against Masayuki Ito, but I am very focused. I know I have all of Puerto Rico in my corner,” Diaz said. “Without the support of my people, none of this would be possible. Thank you for always supporting me and sending me positive vibes. On July 28, my mission will be to bring the world title to the island.”

Ito (23-1-1, 12 KOs), from Tokyo, is the WBO’s No. 2 junior lightweight contender. He has won seven consecutive bouts since the lone defeat of his career, a 10-round majority decision to then-undefeated Rikki Naito in February 2015. Ito, who has fought all of his professional bouts in Japan, has won four of his past five bouts via knockout, including a ninth-round stoppage of Lorenzo Villanueva in April of last year. In his last bout, on March 3 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Ito stopped Vergil Puton in the ninth round.

Diaz-Ito will stream live and exclusively in the United States at 9:30 ET on ESPN+ — the recently-launched multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. Undercard bouts will stream live on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET. ESPN+ is available to all fans on the ESPN App and ESPN.com.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with All Star Boxing and Teiken Promotions, remaining tickets to this world championship event priced at $100 (red carpet ringside), $50 (lower bowl), and $30 (general admission), may be purchased at the Kissimmee Civic Center box office, online at ticketerapr.com, or charge by phone at (787) 305-3600.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo,@ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtag #DiazIto to join the conversation on social media.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. ESPN+ offers fans two exclusive, original boxing programs The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays, weekly) and In This Corner (twice monthly). In addition to boxing content, fans can watch thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. This includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, Top Rank boxing, PGA TOUR golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

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Por Univision Puerto Rico El Combate de Título Mundial Christopher “Pitufo” Díaz vs. Masayuki Ito del 28 de Julio

El “Pitufo” Díaz e Ito batallarán por el vacante título mundial peso junior ligero de la OMB el sábado, 28 de Julio, en el Kissimmee Civic Center de Kissimmee, Florida.

La transmisión exclusiva para ‘La Isla del Encanto’ comenzará a las 9 p.m. por Univision Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, P.R. (18 de Julio del 2018) – Los fanáticos de la “Isla del Encanto” tendrán la oportunidad de ver en vivo y en exclusiva por Univision Puerto Rico cuando uno de sus hijos más queridos, el invicto contendiente barranquiteño Christopher “Pitufo” Díaz, rete por su primer título mundial. Díaz batallará contra el japonés Masayuki Ito el sábado 28 de julio por el título vacante peso ligero de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) en el Kissimmee Civic Center de Kissimmee, Florida.

Los derechos de transmisión con exclusividad para Puerto Rico de esta promoción de Top Rank, en asociación con All Star Boxing y Teiken Promotions, fueron adquiridos por Route 2012. Este evento de campeonato mundial se transmitirá en vivo y en exclusiva para Puerto Rico el sábado, 28 de julio, a las 9 p.m. por Univsion Puerto Rico.

“Me siento super contento de saber que mi gente de Puerto Rico podrá disfrutar de mi pelea en vivo. Me llena de emoción saber que la Isla entera podrá ver mi primera oportunidad de título mundial,” dijo Díaz. “Siento un orgullo tremendo al saber que cuento con el apoyo de mi gente y sé que todos estarán gozando cuando me corone campeón mundial. Ese título viene para Puerto Rico. Se los prometo.”

“Esta es una excelente oportunidad para que los fanaticos en la Isla puedan disfrutar de boxeo de campeonato mundial y aún más cuando se trata de uno de los peleadores más queridos por la fanaticada boricua, como lo es ‘Pitufo’, quien estará retando por su primer título mundial,” añadió Gardy López de la promotora Top Rank.

“Para Route 2012, compañía productora puertorriqueña es importante poder presentar junto a Top Rank y Univision Puerto Rico el combate por título mundial de uno de los nuestros Christopher “Pitufo”Diaz. Somos parte de la historia y queremos que localmente nuestro público también lo sea. Con esta transmisión ‘Pitufo’ tendrá la garantía de que todo un pueblo estará pendiente a su gran cita,” expresó José “El Negro” Figueroa, presidente socio de Route 2012.

Díaz (23-0, 15 KOs), de Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, entrará a su primera pelea de título mundial corriendo una racha de cuatro victorias por nocaut. Díaz, quien es el primer clasificado en el peso junior ligero por la OMB, ganó el vacante título de peso junior ligero NABO en diciembre pasado con un nocaut en el tercer asalto sobre Bryant Cruz, derribando a Cruz cinco veces en camino un triunfo por detención. En su última pelea, el 17 de marzo en la cartelera de José Ramírez vs. Amir Imam en el Hulu Theater del Madison Square Garden, Díaz derrotó a Braulio Rodríguez por nocaut técnico en el cuarto asalto para ganar la oportunidad por el título mundial. Para Díaz, esta oportunidad de título mundial es un faro de esperanza, ya que el hogar de su familia y la mayoría de sus posesiones fueron destruidas cuando el huracán María devastó a Puerto Rico el año pasado.

Ito (23-1-1, 12 KOs), de Tokio, Japón, es el segundo clasificado en el peso junior ligero junior por la OMB. Ito ha ganado siete combates consecutivos desde la única derrota de su carrera, una decisión mayoritaria en 10 asaltos ante el invicto Rikki Naito en febrero del 2015. Ito, que ha peleado todos sus combates profesionales en Japón, ha ganado cuatro de sus últimos cinco combates por nocaut, incluyendo una detención en la novena ronda ante Lorenzo Villanueva en abril del año pasado. En su última pelea, el 3 de marzo en Korakuen Hall en Tokio, Ito detuvo a Vergil Puton en el noveno asalto.

Utilize el hashtags #DiazIto para unirse a la conversación en las redes sociales.

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SAN JUAN, P.R. (June 21, 2018) — Total focus. Undefeated Puerto Rican contender Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz has only one goal on his mind: become a world champion. During a press conference held on Thursday afternoon at ‘The Island of Enchantment’, Díaz guaranteed that on July 28 he will leave the Kissimmee Civic Center as world champion.

On that night, in front of the fans of the city called “Little Puerto Rico” in the state of Florida, Díaz will compete for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Junior Lightweight title against Japan’s Masayuki Ito. In the co-feature, undefeated Dominican welterweight Carlos “Caballo Bronco” Adames will face Artemio Reyes of San Bernardino, California.

Diaz-Ito and Adames-Reyes will stream live and exclusively in the United States at 9:30 ET on ESPN+ — the recently-launched multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. Undercard bouts will stream live on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET. ESPN+ is available to all fans on the ESPN App and ESPN.com.

This is what Diaz and his trainer Raul ‘Chino’ Rivas had to say during the press conference.

CHRISTOPHER ‘PITUFO’ DÍAZ

On his World Title Opportunity

“We are only one step away, there are only five weeks left. I have worked for 15 years of my life for this moment. I have a lot of focus, a lot of discipline and I have an immense desire to be someone in life.”

“In this fight, there are no excuses, this is win or win fight for me. I have prepared myself throughout my career for this moment, the time has come and now it is a matter of performing and knowing how to do things inside the ring. If I make a mistake in the ring, my family will pay for it and I will not let that happen.”

“Puerto Rico will have a new world champion on July 28. And I will not only be the best 130 pounds fighter of Puerto Rico, I will be the best 130 pounds fighter in the world.”

On the Motivation to Become a World Champion

“I have the motivation of my daughter, my twins who are on their way, my wife, my mother, my brothers, I have a family that follows me wherever I go, I leave it all in the ring for them. Everything I do is for them.”

RAÚL ‘CHINO’ RIVAS

On Training Camp

“The training camp has been excellent, the sparring sessions are very important for this fight and we have the sparring partners that are perfect for Christopher. On July 28 we will be ready and in excellent condition.”

Diaz (23-0, 15 KOs), from Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, is entering his first world title match riding a four-bout knockout streak. The WBO’s No. 1 junior lightweight contender, Diazwon the vacant NABO junior lightweight title last December with a third-round knockout of Bryant Cruz, knocking Cruz down five times en route to the stoppage. In his last bout,March 17 on the Jose Ramirez-Amir Imam undercard at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Diaz defeated Braulio Rodriguez via fourth-round TKO to earn the shot at the world title. For Diaz, this world title opportunity is beacon of hope, as his home and most of his possessions were destroyed when Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico last year.

Ito (23-1-1, 12 KOs), from Tokyo, is the WBO’s No. 2 junior lightweight contender. He has won seven consecutive bouts since the lone defeat of his career, a 10-round majority decision to then-undefeated Rikki Naito in February 2015. Ito, who has fought all of his professional bouts in Japan, has won four of his past five bouts via knockout, including a ninth-round stoppage of Lorenzo Villanueva in April of last year. In his last bout, on March 3 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Ito stopped Vergil Puton in the ninth round.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with All Star Boxing and Teiken Promotions, tickets to this world championship are now on sale. Priced at $100 (red carpet ringside), $50 (lower bowl), and $30 (general admission), tickets may be purchased at the Kissimmee Civic Center box office, online at ticketerapr.com, or charge by phone at (787) 305-3600.

For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook:facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter:twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo,@ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtag #DiazIto to join the conversation on social media.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN. ESPN+ offers fans two exclusive, original boxing programs The Boxing Beat with Dan Rafael (Tuesdays, weekly) and In This Corner (twice monthly). In addition to boxing content, fans can watch thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. This includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, Top Rank boxing, PGA Tour golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

PHOTO BY PETER AMADOR / TOP RANK

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ito2bb

By Joe Koizumi –

It was the very first unification bout of regional champions here in Japan, and OPBF super-feather champ WBC#14 Masayuki Ito (20-1-1, 9 KOs), 129.75, kept his belt and also wrested the WBO Asia Pacific title by defeating WBO#4 Takuya Watanabe (30-7-1, 16 KOs), 130, by a unanimous decision (117-111 twice, 118-110) over twelve heats on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Ito overpowered the defensive Yamamoto from the outset, piling up points with his aggressiveness although there were no knockdowns.

www.fightnews.com/Boxing/ito-wins-watanabe-opbfwbo-aspac-130lb-unification-bout-387429

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