The card is part of a tripleheader that will be shown on Showtime beginning at 9 PM ET.
Friday, July 31, 2020
Bates, Aleem Weigh 121 1/4 For WBA Title Eliminator Bout!
Marcus Bates and Ra'eese Aleem both weighed 121 1/4 pounds for their 12-round WBA Super Bantamweight Elimination contest that will be held Saturday, August 1st at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT.
M. Fox Scheduled For 10-Round Bout Against Santamaria In California!
Upper Marlboro, MD super lightweight Mykal "The Professor" Fox will compete in a 10-round bout against Lucas Santamaria on Saturday, August 8th at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, CA. The bout will be televised on FS1.
Fox (22-1, five KO's) last fought on December 6th and won an eight-round unanimous decision over John Arellano in Philadelphia, PA. Santamaria (10-1-1, seven KO's) comes off an eight-round split decision win over Willie Jones on October 4th in Houston, TX.
This bout will be part of the telecast that will get underway at 10 PM ET.
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Bates Competes In WBA Super Featherweight Eliminator Bout Saturday In Connecticut !
Washington, DC super featherweight Marcus "Dreamcrusher" Bates will compete in a 12-round WBA title elimination bout on Saturday, August 1 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT. The bout will be televised live on Showtime.
Bates, who is ranked number seven in the world by the WBA (11-1, eight KO's), will try to avenge his only loss when he faces the undefeated Ra'eese "The Beast" Aleem of Las Vegas, NV by way of Muskegon, MI (16-0, 10 KO's).
The two met on April 6th, 2018 in Philadelphia, PA and Aleem won an eight-round unanimous decision. Since that contest, Bates has won three bouts in a row while Aleem has won five straight.
Aleem was originally scheduled to face Tramaine Williams in the co-feature but Williams was inserted into the main event against Angelo Leo when Leo's scheduled opponent, Stephen Fulton, tested positive for COVID-19. Williams and Leo will battle for the vacant WBO Junior Featherweight title.
The card will get underway at 9 PM ET.
Thursday, July 23, 2020
'Flattop', Fightnews.com Managing Editor, Passes!
Sometimes, the people you never meet are the ones who help you the most.
I never actually met "Flattop" Scott Pope. However, without him, my Beltway Boxing journey would have never had the success it has enjoyed for the past 20 years.
Twenty years is how long I have contributed stories as a feature writer for Fightnews.com. Flattop was the site's managing editor until his passing from a heart attack this week at the age of 60. Many of the writers on Fightnews.com have never really met one another, although I have been privileged to meet a few of them. But, because they lived on the west coast, I never met Flattop, or the site's founder and publisher, Karl Freitag.
Because I had already established myself as someone covering the Beltway Boxing scene, Flattop, to his credit, gave me the autonomy in getting press credentials for the club shows in the area. Flattop would only get involved when the major promoters would host shows in the area. Fightnews was my way of expanding my coverage of the Beltway scene to the entire world. Flattop was my point of contact and with him handling the press credentials for the big shows and truly fighting for the reporters and the photographers to get the best seats at ringside, he was truly invaluable. Because of my work with Fightnews, my personal reputation expanded tenfold, at least.
Over the 20 years, I learned that, for some people, liking Flattop was a taste that many people did not acquire. Honestly, he was not that well-loved in some boxing circles. Even our personal conversations could get a little heated at times. But, I would always think about the passion he had to make Fightnews the number one boxing website in the world and I understood where he was coming from because I wanted that same goal.
Outside of boxing, Flattop's life seemed to be an open book and he didn't mind sharing chapters of the book with you. We would have long conversations about his life, my life, and life in general. He always asked how my family was doing. He would celebrate my other interests and would comfort me in times of trouble. I will truly miss those conversations.
Fightnews.com, and Flattop, in particular, are a huge reason why I am where I am in the world of boxing. I don't know who will take over his role but no one, and I mean NO ONE will do his job with the passion, enthusiasm, and talent that Flattop did. Rest in peace, buddy.
I never actually met "Flattop" Scott Pope. However, without him, my Beltway Boxing journey would have never had the success it has enjoyed for the past 20 years.
Twenty years is how long I have contributed stories as a feature writer for Fightnews.com. Flattop was the site's managing editor until his passing from a heart attack this week at the age of 60. Many of the writers on Fightnews.com have never really met one another, although I have been privileged to meet a few of them. But, because they lived on the west coast, I never met Flattop, or the site's founder and publisher, Karl Freitag.
Because I had already established myself as someone covering the Beltway Boxing scene, Flattop, to his credit, gave me the autonomy in getting press credentials for the club shows in the area. Flattop would only get involved when the major promoters would host shows in the area. Fightnews was my way of expanding my coverage of the Beltway scene to the entire world. Flattop was my point of contact and with him handling the press credentials for the big shows and truly fighting for the reporters and the photographers to get the best seats at ringside, he was truly invaluable. Because of my work with Fightnews, my personal reputation expanded tenfold, at least.
Over the 20 years, I learned that, for some people, liking Flattop was a taste that many people did not acquire. Honestly, he was not that well-loved in some boxing circles. Even our personal conversations could get a little heated at times. But, I would always think about the passion he had to make Fightnews the number one boxing website in the world and I understood where he was coming from because I wanted that same goal.
Outside of boxing, Flattop's life seemed to be an open book and he didn't mind sharing chapters of the book with you. We would have long conversations about his life, my life, and life in general. He always asked how my family was doing. He would celebrate my other interests and would comfort me in times of trouble. I will truly miss those conversations.
Fightnews.com, and Flattop, in particular, are a huge reason why I am where I am in the world of boxing. I don't know who will take over his role but no one, and I mean NO ONE will do his job with the passion, enthusiasm, and talent that Flattop did. Rest in peace, buddy.
Baltimore Boxers Involved In Future Major Showtime Contests!
On Wednesday, Showtime unveiled its boxing schedule for the third and fourth quarters of the year. Two Baltimore, MD boxers are slated for big bouts that will come from the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT.
On Saturday, October 10th, undefeated welterweight Malik "Iceman" Hawkins will be in a 10-round bout against Subriel "Browny" Matias of Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Hawkins (18-0, 11 KO's) last fought on December 28th and scored a fifth-round TKO over Darwin Price in Atlanta, GA. Matias (15-1, 15 KO's) will try to bounce back from his first pro loss, a 10-round unanimous decision to Petros Ananyan on February 22nd in Las Vegas, NV. You may remember that Matias was the opponent against Maxim Dadashev at the MGM National Harbor Casino in Oxon Hill, MD in July of 2019. Dadashev passed away from injuries suffered in that bout.
One of the biggest bouts on the schedule will take place from the same Mohegan Sun location two weeks later on October 24th. WBA Lightweight champion Gervonta "Tank" Davis will defend his title in a unification battle against WBA Super Featherweight champion Leo "El Terremoto" Santa Cruz of Rosemead, CA. This bout will headline a Showtime Pay-Per-View card.
Davis (23-0, 22 KO's) was in the main event of the December 28th card in Atlanta and won the vacant WBA Lightweight title with a 12th round TKO over former world champion Yuriokis Gamboa. Davis vacated the WBA Super Featherweight championship prior to that bout. Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 KO's) would pick up the title by winning a 12-round unanimous decision over Miguel Flores on November 23rd in Las Vegas.
On Saturday, October 10th, undefeated welterweight Malik "Iceman" Hawkins will be in a 10-round bout against Subriel "Browny" Matias of Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Hawkins (18-0, 11 KO's) last fought on December 28th and scored a fifth-round TKO over Darwin Price in Atlanta, GA. Matias (15-1, 15 KO's) will try to bounce back from his first pro loss, a 10-round unanimous decision to Petros Ananyan on February 22nd in Las Vegas, NV. You may remember that Matias was the opponent against Maxim Dadashev at the MGM National Harbor Casino in Oxon Hill, MD in July of 2019. Dadashev passed away from injuries suffered in that bout.
One of the biggest bouts on the schedule will take place from the same Mohegan Sun location two weeks later on October 24th. WBA Lightweight champion Gervonta "Tank" Davis will defend his title in a unification battle against WBA Super Featherweight champion Leo "El Terremoto" Santa Cruz of Rosemead, CA. This bout will headline a Showtime Pay-Per-View card.
Davis (23-0, 22 KO's) was in the main event of the December 28th card in Atlanta and won the vacant WBA Lightweight title with a 12th round TKO over former world champion Yuriokis Gamboa. Davis vacated the WBA Super Featherweight championship prior to that bout. Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 KO's) would pick up the title by winning a 12-round unanimous decision over Miguel Flores on November 23rd in Las Vegas.
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Pllana Bout Canceled As Opponent Tests Positive For COVID-19!
The eight-round rematch contest between super middleweights "The Sexy Albanian" Genc Pllana of Hagerstown, MD, and Raphael "Trouble" Igbokwe of Houston, TX that was scheduled for tonight in Las Vegas, NV has been canceled because Igbokwe has tested positive for COVID-19. The bout was slated to be televised by ESPN.
This is the second time in a five-day period that this bout has been called off. The contest was originally scheduled for July 16th and then moved to today. It was to be a rematch of a bout that Igbokwe won in Houston in August of 2019.
This is the second time in a five-day period that this bout has been called off. The contest was originally scheduled for July 16th and then moved to today. It was to be a rematch of a bout that Igbokwe won in Houston in August of 2019.
Monday, July 20, 2020
Pllana Weighs 167.3 For Eight-Round Rematch Tuesday In Las Vegas!
Genc Pllana tipped the scales at 167.3 pounds for his eight-round rematch bout against Raphael Igbokwe Tuesday at the MGM Grand Bubble in Las Vegas, NV. Igbokwe weighed in at 165 pounds.
The bout is scheduled to kick off the ESPN telecast at 8 PM ET.
The bout is scheduled to kick off the ESPN telecast at 8 PM ET.
Sunday, July 19, 2020
Pllana Faces Igbokwe In Eight-Round Rematch Tuesday In Las Vegas!
Hagerstown, MD super middleweight "The Sexy Albanian" Genc Pllana has an opportunity to avenge his only loss on national television when he faces Raphael "Trouble" Igbokwe of Fresno, TX in an eight-round rematch on Tuesday, July 21st at the MGM Grand Bubble in Las Vegas, NV. The bout will be televised on ESPN.
The two men faced each other on August 23rd, 2019 and Igbokwe would win an eight-round majority decision in Houston, TX. Since that bout, Pllana (8-1-1, four KO's) has had a win and a draw. Pllana won a 10-round unanimous decision over Kevin Newman II on February 28th in Las Vegas. Igbokwe (14-2, six KO's) won his last contest by six-round unanimous decision over Javier Frazier on March 7th in Sugar Land, TX. This will be Igbokwe's first bout outside the state of Texas.
The ESPN telecast will begin at 8 PM ET.
The two men faced each other on August 23rd, 2019 and Igbokwe would win an eight-round majority decision in Houston, TX. Since that bout, Pllana (8-1-1, four KO's) has had a win and a draw. Pllana won a 10-round unanimous decision over Kevin Newman II on February 28th in Las Vegas. Igbokwe (14-2, six KO's) won his last contest by six-round unanimous decision over Javier Frazier on March 7th in Sugar Land, TX. This will be Igbokwe's first bout outside the state of Texas.
The ESPN telecast will begin at 8 PM ET.
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Burrs Loses Unanimous Decision In Vegas!
Frederick, MD middleweight Ryan "The Lion" Burrs lost a four-round unanimous decision to debuting Javier Martinez of Milwaukee, WI Tuesday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV.
Burns lost by shutout to the 2020 middleweight United States Olympic Trials champion, 40-36, on all three cards to even his record at 2-2.
Burns lost by shutout to the 2020 middleweight United States Olympic Trials champion, 40-36, on all three cards to even his record at 2-2.
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
'Lion King' Burrs Looks To Spoil Debut Of Olympic Trials Champion Tuesday In Las Vegas!
Frederick, MD middleweight "The Lion King" Jonathan Burrs returns to action in a four-round contest against a highly-touted former amateur champion making his pro debut Tuesday at the MGM Grand Bubble in Las Vegas, NV.
Burrs (2-1) competes for the first time since winning a four-round unanimous decision over Justin Sykes in January of 2019 in Waldorf, MD.
The opponent for Burrs will be Javier Martinez of Milwaukee, WI who was the 2020 Olympic Trials Middleweight champion. One of the boxers Martinez beat on the way to the championship was the Beltway's own Troy Isley.
Both men weighed in for the bout on Monday. Burrs came in at 161.2 while Martinez weighed in at 162 pounds. The bout is scheduled to be shown live on ESPN at 9 PM ET.
Burrs (2-1) competes for the first time since winning a four-round unanimous decision over Justin Sykes in January of 2019 in Waldorf, MD.
The opponent for Burrs will be Javier Martinez of Milwaukee, WI who was the 2020 Olympic Trials Middleweight champion. One of the boxers Martinez beat on the way to the championship was the Beltway's own Troy Isley.
Both men weighed in for the bout on Monday. Burrs came in at 161.2 while Martinez weighed in at 162 pounds. The bout is scheduled to be shown live on ESPN at 9 PM ET.
Sunday, July 12, 2020
Simpson Scores First-Round KO In Mississippi!
Baltimore, MD super middleweight Lorenzo "Truck" Simpson registered a first-round knockout win over Alex Sandro "Careca" Duarte of New York by way of Brazil Saturday night at the Mississippi Coast Convention Center in Biloxi, MS.
According to reports, Simpson used a vicious left to the body to stop his opponent at 1:20. Simpson remains undefeated at 8-0, five KO's while Duarte falls to 16-10-1, 13 KO's.
The featured bouts on this card were televised by CBS Sports Network. The announcing team had a Beltway flavor. The color commentator was International Boxing Hall Of Famer and three-time world champion Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson and the blow-by-blow announcer was Ronnie Duncan, who is a graduate of Morgan State University in Baltimore and worked in Baltimore for a number of years.
According to reports, Simpson used a vicious left to the body to stop his opponent at 1:20. Simpson remains undefeated at 8-0, five KO's while Duarte falls to 16-10-1, 13 KO's.
The featured bouts on this card were televised by CBS Sports Network. The announcing team had a Beltway flavor. The color commentator was International Boxing Hall Of Famer and three-time world champion Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson and the blow-by-blow announcer was Ronnie Duncan, who is a graduate of Morgan State University in Baltimore and worked in Baltimore for a number of years.
Friday, July 10, 2020
Simpson Returns For Six-Round Contest In Mississippi!
Undefeated Baltimore, MD super middleweight Lorenzo "Truck" Simpson returns to action on Saturday, July 11th when he battles veteran Alex Sandro "Cueva" Duarte of New York by way of Brazil in a six-round contest at the Mississippi Coast Convention Center in Biloxi, MS.
Simpson (7-0, four KO's) comes off a six-round unanimous decision victory over Antonio Louis Hernandez on January 25th in Brooklyn, NY. Duarte (16-9-1, 13 KO's) is coming off two consecutive knockout wins in Colombia.
The bout is part of a card in which portions will be televised on the CBS Sports Network.
Simpson (7-0, four KO's) comes off a six-round unanimous decision victory over Antonio Louis Hernandez on January 25th in Brooklyn, NY. Duarte (16-9-1, 13 KO's) is coming off two consecutive knockout wins in Colombia.
The bout is part of a card in which portions will be televised on the CBS Sports Network.
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