Day: February 2, 2022

VARGAS AND SMITH CLASH ON TAYLOR-SERRANO UNDERCARD  

by adminNews
Super-Welterweight crossroads battle leads New York undercard on April 30
Jessie Vargas and Liam Smith collide in a must-win Super-Welterweight clash at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday April 30, live worldwide on DAZN, leading the undercard for the historic clash between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, brought to you by Matchroom Boxing and Most Valuable Promotions. 

 TO SIGN UP TO THE EXCLUSIVE PRESALE, VISIT MSG.COM/TAYLORSERRANO

Presale begins at 12noon ET on Thursday February 3, with tickets on general sale at 12noon ET on Friday February 4 – tickets start at $56 (plus fees) 

Vargas (29-3-2 11 KOs) returns to the ring for the first time since his narrow reversal at the hands of Mikey Garcia in Texas in February 2020. The former two-weight World champion is hungry to become a three-time ruler, and the 32 year old is training for the Smith clash while running his political campaign to represent Nevada’s 4th Congressional District.
 
Smith (30-3-1 17 KOs) will defend the WBA International strap he won in his last outing, where he stopped local rival Anthony Fowler in eight rounds in October at the M&S Arena in Liverpool, bouncing back in style from a slender loss in Russia to Magomed Kurbanov in May. The 33 year old held the WBO World title in 2015-16, and now sits at #4 in the WBA rankings and eyeing two-time World champion status.
 
Vargas and Smith were due to meet this weekend in Phoenix, but COVID ruled the former out of the clash and Saturday’s bill will now be topped by Carlos Cuadras and Jesse Rodriguez battling for the vacant WBC World Super-Flyweight title live worldwide on DAZN. Vargas and Smith will come to the Big Apple all guns blazing, and both men believe they will end the career of the other on April 30.
 
“Thankfully I’m now through COVID,” said Vargas. “I want to show everyone I’m better than before, I’ve been working on things in the gym, so it’s not like I’ve had a two year lay-off.
 
“Liam is talking a lot, the fire is burning inside me. You don’t trash talk me, I’m coming in a different person. This will be an action-packed fight. I’ll exploit all of his weaknesses and take him out – My goal is to knock him out and retire him!
 
“It’s going to be an amazing night. Amanda and Katie are trailblazers for the sport, and I’m honored to be a part of an historic event in New York.”
 
“I’m buzzing and proud to be fighting at Madison Square Garden,” said Smith. “It’s one I can tick off my bucket list now along with Las Vegas; MSG is the pinnacle of boxing and everything happens for a reason so I am happy to be heading to New York on April 30. The main event is fantastic, Katie is always in exciting fights, and I am sure there will be lots of British and Irish fans there that will be backing me too.
 
“This fight is an itch that has needed scratching for a long time now and I want to beat Jessie and beat him well and move on. I hope that he turns up fit and healthy this time as I am aiming to retire him and send him into politics. He wants to move into politics, and I will give him a reason to concentrate on that 100 per cent.
 
“Jessie stopping me? I find that highly unlikely when only one person has done that and Jessie is no Canelo Alvarez. I fully intend on stopping him, being the first man to do it and adding my name to the names that have beaten him.”
 
Years in the making, the biggest fight ever in women’s boxing between the pound-for-pound #1 and #2 fighters of the world is one that will not only make boxing history, but women’s sports history. MSG has hosted thousands of fights through its illustrious years, beginning more than a century ago on July 17, 1882; now, 140 years later, this matchup finally marks the very first time two female fighters are headlining a combat sports event at ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena’. #ForHistory
 
More additions to the card will be announced later today.
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BRYAN ACCEPTS DUBOIS CALL

by adminChampionship News
TREVOR BRYAN SUCCESSFULLY defended his WBA world heavyweight title belt on Saturday night before swiftly responding to a message from across the Atlantic sent by one Daniel Dubois.

Dubois is in mandatory position and next in line for a shot at the WBA title after the governing body granted Bryan permission for a voluntary defence against the largely unknown Jonathan Guidry.

The unbeaten Bryan, 22-0, made harder work of the fight than many probably imagined and the 32-year-old had to rely on the scorecards, which recorded a split decision victory for the New Yorker.

Dubois, 17-1, quickly acknowledged his future opponent’s victory before adding ominously: “But you are in my way. See you soon.”

Bryan readily accepted his next challenge and indicated that he is prepared for an away fixture for what will be a second defence of the belt he won by defeating Bermane Stiverne at the beginning of last year.

“Indeed we will little homie,” responded the executor of 15 KOs. “Cause as I said my campaign overseas will be starting very soon!”

Bryan signed off by borrowing the catchphrase of the voluble former heavyweight contender Shannon Briggs.

#LetsGoChamp
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EVERLAST PARTNERS WITH INSPIRATIONAL BILAL FAWAZ

by adminPress Releases
Everlast, the brand of choice for generations of world champion athletes, today proudly welcomes Bilal Fawaz as its latest brand partner. 

Fawaz will make his long-awaited professional debut next month, when he competes at York Hall on Friday 11 February. Even before he steps into the paid ranks for the first time, he has already had to overcome a number of massive obstacles in his life, beginning in 1988 when he was born in Nigeria to a Lebanese father and a Beninese mother.

Despite being born in Nigeria, it does not automatically result in citizenship. He never knew his father, and was subject to a difficult upbringing with his abusive mother. It then resulted in Fawaz being illegally trafficked as a 14-year-old into the UK from Nigeria, and placed into modern slavery.

Fawaz was able to escape from the building where he was being kept, and was then placed into care. At the age of 18 he was no longer the responsibility of the care system, and therefore had to apply for an extension to remain in the country to give him the ability to work, but it was refused.

Even though his application was refused, Fawaz was unable to be deported due to having no passport, along with the Nigerian and Lebanese embassies both declaring that Fawaz is not Nigerian nor Lebanese. His father did not name him as one of his sons before he died, making him stateless.

The legal battle continued for a number of years, and in order to try and deal with the setbacks he was being handed, Fawaz began boxing in 2012.

It soon became clear just how talented he was, and aged 24 he achieved the unthinkable by winning the National Amateur Championships, whilst also becoming an England international.

He is the latest to join Everlast’s existing stable of elite athletes, which includes Josh Taylor, Conor Benn, Sunny Edwards, Jack Catterall, Lee McGregor, Chantelle Cameron, Liam Smith, Jazza Dickens, Archie Sharp, Craig Richards, Natasha Jonas, Ramla Ali, Jordan Gill and Hopey Price. Together, the #TeamEverlast fighters seek to inspire the fight in us all.
 
In signing a long-term partnership with the premier fight sports and fitness brand, the athletes will use Everlast equipment and wear the new Greatness sportswear range. Battle-tested in one of the toughest athletic environments, Everlast products have been imagined by a hundred years in the gym, designed and engineered to empower your best self.

They exemplify Everlast’s values of authenticity and dedication, as we champion brave individuality, seeking out people and partners who express themselves boldly and creatively.

Commenting on the partnership, Fawaz said: “I’m extremely grateful to be partnering with Everlast. It is well-documented just how much of a struggle with adversity I have endured in my life, but having a brand such as Everlast supporting me has shown there is light at the end of the tunnel. I can see it now, I just have to go and grab it.

“Everlast is the biggest sports brand in boxing. They sponsored Muhammad Ali, who I watched as a kid, and now we wear the same logo. This is a dream come true for a someone who is a refugee. Now I can fully focus on matters inside the ring, as I look to make my mark as a professional. I shall make you all proud, so thank you for giving me a chance.”

Chris Zoller, Everlast’s VP of Marketing and Product Development, added: “It is a true privilege to welcome Bilal Fawaz as our latest brand partner. He has overcome incredible adversity in his life and we’re delighted to give him the backing he finally deserves.

“He has already proven himself to be a true champion outside of the ring, and we can’t wait to throw our support behind him and help him achieve his dream of becoming a champion inside the ring during his professional career.”

Fawaz was given a 30-month right to stay in the UK back in June 2020, bringing to an end a traumatic period which followed after his success as an amateur.

Despite receiving support from some of the sport’s top figures, the Home Office continued to refuse his work permit, which prevented him from earning money or claiming benefits.

With no income to survive on, Fawaz lost his home and was forced to sleep on the streets. Two wrongful arrests then took place in December 2017 and May 2019, where he was taken to Immigration Removal Centres before later being released.

With those difficulties appearing to now be firmly behind him, Fawaz is hopeful of achieving success in the paid ranks, and giving his story a happy ending.

Everlast and its users share an inner and outer strength. It is for those with a strong sense of self and commitment in whatever they do, in both athletic and non-athletic endeavours. Everlast supports the individual spirit that drives uniqueness and greatness within each of us.
 
Shop the Everlast collection as worn by #TeamEverlast fighters, at www.sportsdirect.com/everlast.
 
Explore the boxing journeys of our fighters at www.everlast.com/pro-team.
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