West Africa title headlines VIP Fight Night in Accra

Fireworks are expected in the ring on the night of June 11, 2016 when the curtains are finally drawn on the Azumah Nelson inspired VIP Fight Night Black Tie edition at the 5-Star Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel Ballroom in the Ghana capital, Accra.

A total of six professional fights headlined by the clash for the West Africa Boxing Union (WABU) Super Featherweight title between belt holder, Wahab Oluwaseum and challenger, Michael Pappoe will whet the appetite of distinguished guests expected at the event.

As well, warm-up amateur fights and a women’s exhibition bout will precede the main events.

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Provodnikov-Molina Jr., Andrade-Nelson conference call quotes

NEW YORK (June 2, 2016) – Ruslan “The Siberian Rocky” Provodnikov and John “The Gladiator” Molina Jr., along with Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade and Willie “The Great” Nelson, hosted an International Media Conference Call on Tuesday in advance of their highly anticipated battles as part of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

Also taking part was Arthur Pelullo, President of Banner Promotions, and SHOWTIME Sports Executive Vice President and General Manager Stephen Espinoza.

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Franklin Mamani vs. Dejan Zlaticanin on June 11

NEW YORK (June 2, 2016) – WBC No. 5-ranked lightweight contender Franklin Mamani will face No. 1-ranked lightweight Dejan Zlaticanin for the vacant WBC 135-pound title on Saturday, June 11, live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) from The Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

Mamani (21-2-1, 12 KOs), who is the leading available contender in the WBC rankings, replaces the injured Emiliano Marsili, who pulled out of the fight on Tuesday with an illness.

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Vasyl Lomachenko Discusses June 11 Title Fight of Martinez at The Garden

Vasyl, do you feel any pressure going into this fight?

VASYL LOMACHENKO: I don’t have fresh pressures but of course I think about it. I wanted this fight and I am taking it very seriously. I want to do everything right from the beginning. I don’t want to put something like in a blueprint what happened with Salido.

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Terry Flanagan-Mzonke Fana set for Fury-Klitschko II – a mismatch or can the veteran roll back the years?

Terry Flanagan of Manchester is thrilled he will be appearing on the July 9 under-card of heavyweight champ Tyson Fury and his defence against ex-champ Wladimir Klitschko in their rematch in his hometown, but fans may not like the man chosen to be the unbeaten WBO lightweight’s challenger. 26-year-old Flanagan, 30-0(12) will face 42-year-old Mzonke Fana of South Africa next month. Now, to be fair, his age aside, Fana, 38-9(16) is not a bad, or shot fighter, even if he has seen better days.

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Jarrell Miller, the best young heavyweight up-and-comer on the scene?

He’s big at approx 280-pounds, he has genuine punching power and Jarrell Miller is young at age 27. Further good news for those fans who feel the Brooklyn talent is the next big thing in a heavyweight division that has been referred to by many as “wide open,” comes with Miller’s plans to stay active. “Big Baby,” as Miller, 17-0-1(15) is curiously nicknamed, fought just a week ago – crushing an overmatched Nick Guivas inside a couple of rounds – yet he is scheduled to be back in action on August 19th, his manager Greg Cohen told ESPN.com.

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Jessie Vargas-Kell Brook – does Vargas need a KO to win?

It’s a very solid, if not overly intoxicating fight, and a WBO/IBF welterweight unification showdown between Britain’s Kell Brook and California’s Jessie Vargas is all set to go in either August or September. Vargas signed on for the fight on Tuesday of this week, no doubt enticed greatly by the promise of a career high payday of $1.7 million. Brook, who has craved a meaningful fight for months now, is expected to sign imminently and promoter Eddie Hearn told RingTV.com how he expects to officially announce the fight – for either Aug. 27 or Sept. 3rd in a big stadium in Sheffield – next week.

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Weigh-In: Cristian Mijares 125.65 vs. Andres Gutierrez 130

Cristian “El Diamante” Mijares (53-8-2, 26 KOs, Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico 125.8 lbs.
Andres “Jaguarito” Gutierrez (34-0-1, 24 KOs), Guadalajara, Queretaro, Mexico 130 lbs.*
(Andreas was 4 lbs. overweight)

CO-FEATURE – BANTAMWEIGHTS (8)
Edgar “Power” Jimenez (21-11-2, 15 KOs), Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico 118.4 lbs.
Jovylito “J-Flash” Aligarbes (12-3, 6 KOs), Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Philippines lbs. 118.4 lbs.

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Video: Francisco Vargas: 129.6 lbs. Orlando Salido: 130 lbs.

Saturday’s HBO Boxing After Dark doubleheader telecast begins at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. Opening up the telecast from the StubHub Center in Carson, CA., is a 10 round featherweight matchup between Julian Ramirez and Abraham Lopez. The main event of the evening, a 12-round super featherweight title bout, features Francisco Vargas defending his crown against Orlando Salido in what is expected to be all out slugfest.

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Photos: Rances Barthelemy 134.6 – Mickey Bey 134.2

Lightweight world champion Rances Barthelemy threw out the ceremonial first pitch Thursday before the Miami Marlins game faced the Pittsburgh Pirates at Marlins Park in Miami. The Cuban-born world champion will defend his title tonight against former world champion Mickey Bey in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions on Spike from Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida with televised coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.

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