Title Fight Headlines April 19th Edition Of FNF

Courtesy: ESPN

This week’s edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights is headlined by a title fight between Interim Featherweight Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (21 – 0, 1 NC 15 KOs, The Ring No. 10) and challenger Miguel “Michael” Zamudio (24 – 1 – 1, 13 KOs) in a twelve round main event live from the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.  The match will air live at 10:30pm on ESPN2 HD and ESPN Deportes.  It will also be available online and through mobile media via WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app.  This is a slight change from the usual broadcast time of 9pm.  The re-broadcast will air this Saturday, April 20^th at 2:30am on ESPNNEWS. 

Fortuna won the WBA Interim Featherweight title in December 2012 in a twelve round unanimous decision win over the previously undefeated Patrick Hyland.  ESPN.com boxing writer Dan Rafael wrote of Fortuna after the bout with Hyland, “Fortuna has looked sensational in some of his fights and has scored some tremendous knockouts, including in his previous two fights – a first-round blowout of fellow prospect Yuandale Evans and a second-round stoppage of former Featherweight titlist Cristobal Cruz. Fortuna burst to a big lead over the first half of this fight, but Hyland hung in there and tried to make it a brawl. Hyland, who had never faced a quality opponent, showed toughness and a good chin but little else as Fortuna boxed circles around him.”

Zamudio makes his U.S. debut in Friday’s fight.  His most recent fight resulted in an eight-round split decision win over Gilberto Bolanos.  He discussed this week’s fight in an interview, noting his respect for Fortuna but his desire to make a big impact in his U.S. debut.  “I like the way Fortuna fights,” Zamudio said.  “I respect him, but in the ring it will be totally different. This will be the first time that I’ve been to the United States. My dream is to be champion of the world, and I want to make my dream come true. I’m going to win this fight.”

Friday’s main event will be accompanied by a pair of pre-fight warm-up matches.  The first of the night’s events will pit a pair of undefeated Welterweights against each other.  Emmanuel Lartey (15 – 0, 8 KOs) will face Jhonathan Batista (13 – 0, 6 KOs) in a six-round fight.

The evening’s second fight on the card features Jr. Middleweight “Sir” Cerresso Fort (16 – 0 – 1, 11 KOs) facing off against 2008 Olympian John “The Rock” Jackson (15 – 1, 14 KOs) in an eight-round co-feature.  Both fighters come into Friday’s match looking to extend their respective winning streaks.  Cerresso comes into this week’s fight on the heels of an eight-round unanimous decision win over Dennis Sharpe.  Jackson’s most recent fight resulted in a first-round TKO win over Ramon Pena.

Joe Tessitore is off this week.  Bernardo Osuna will fill in for him, calling the action alongside Teddy Atlas.  The pair will be live, calling all the action for ESPN2 HD.  Todd Grisham, will be in studio with all of the latest boxing news and highlights.  Alex Pombo and Delvin Rodriguez will be back once again to call all the action live for ESPN Deportes along with all the latest boxing news and highlights from studio hosts Leopoldo Gonzalez and Pablo Viruega. 

Friday’s card is presented by Corona Extra and promoted by Sampson Boxing.

To keep up with the latest news from ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, fans can follow the show on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/espn.fnf and through the official ESPN website at http://www.espn.com/boxing.  All the latest boxing news is also available on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ESPNboxing.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

George, Lopez Headline FNF This Week

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights returns with another new card this week.  This Friday, March 22^nd features Junior Middleweight title challenger David “The Destroyer” Lopez taking on Don “Da Bomb” George in a 10-round main event.  The men will face off live from the UIC Center at 10pm EST on ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes, and online at WatchESPN.com.  It will also be available on smart phones and tablets through the WatchESPN app.

George (24 – 3 – 1, 21 KOs)  comes into Friday night’s fight on the heels of a first round knockout victory over James Cook in his most recent fight.  Peter George, Don George’s father told reporters that his son is working hard, preparing for this week’s fight and is taking his opponent very seriously.  “Don’s a warrior,” he said.  “He’s really preparing hard for this fight and not cutting any corners.  He’s training harder than I’ve ever seen him.  We know we’ve got a tough guy in front of us and I think he’ll perform impressively on the 22^nd.  I think he’s going to do very well.”

Lopez (41 – 13, 25 KOs) comes into Friday’s fight fresh off of a unanimous 10-round decision win over Julio Garcia.  He also brings some important experience into the match having also fought Junior Middleweight titlist Austin Trout.  In speaking to reporters, Lopez noted that he knew this Friday’s fight would be a tough one, but that he was also quite confident in his own abilities.  “Donovan George is a good fighter,” he said.  “I cannot take praise away from him.  I know I’m going to be fighting the crowd that night, as well as George, but George is also going to have a problem—he’s never faced anybody like me.  The experience that I’m going to bring is going to make it a very difficult night for him.  This fight is going to put me back on track toward my ultimate goal, which is to become world champion.”

Friday’s main event will be accompanied by a pre-main event fight between former Welterweight titlist Kermit Cintron (33 – 5 – 1, 28 KOs) and Adrian “El Tigre” Granados (9 – 1 – 1 5 KOs).  The pair will face off in a 10-round fight that will mean a lot for both men.  Cintron is looking to get back in the “W” column after a fifth round TKO loss to Junior Middleweight titlist Saul Alvarez.  Granados on the other hand, is looking to add to his current win streak with a fourth straight win.  Granados comes into Friday’s fight fresh off of a fifth round TKO win over Antonio Canas.

This week’s broadcast will see a slit change as Bernardo Osuna will be filling in ringside for Joe Tessitore.  Osuna will be joined by Teddy Atlas for the night’s call on ESPN2 HD.  Todd Grisham will be in studio with all of the latest boxing news and highlights.  Alex Pombo and Delvin Rodriguez will call all the action ringside for ESPN Deportes.  They will be joined by Leopoldo Gonzalez and Pablo Viruega in studio for ESPN Deportes.

To follow all the latest news on this week’s matchup and more, follow Friday Night Fights online via Twitter at @ESPNFNF and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/espn.fnf.  Fans can also follow all the latest from Friday Night Fights online at http://www.espn.com/boxing.  Spanish speaking audiences can also follow Friday Night Fights online via Twitter at @ESPNBoxeo.  Fans can even score the fights themselves round-by-round with the “Live Friday Night Fights” Facebook voting app. 

This Friday’s edition of Friday Night Fights is presented by Corona Extra and is promoted by Warriors Boxing.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always get the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Cayo, Taylor Face Off In Tonight’s FNF Main Event

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights returns tonight with another new episode.  Tonight’s edition of Friday Night Fights features for its main event, former Junior Welterweight title contender Victor “Mermelada” Cayo (31 – 3, 21 KOs) taking on Emanuel “Tranzforma” Taylor (16 -1, 11 KOs) in a 10-round match live from the Resorts Casino in Atlantic City, N.J.  The match will air live on ESPN2 HD at 9pm EST.  It will simulcast for Spanish speaking audiences on ESPN Deportes+, the new digital extension of ESPN Deportes.  The fight will air tape delayed Sunday, March 10^th at 3am.

This fight is set to be a big one as both combatants are relatively well matched.  Cayo, who hails from the Dominican Republic, won his last four fights.  Three of those four were won by knockout.  The last of his four recent victories was a unanimous 10-round decision over Vladimir Baez.  Along with that experience, Cayo also comes into tonight’s match with fights against former and current titlists, Nate Campbell, Marcos Maidana, Julio Diaz, and Lamont Peterson.

Taylor, from Maryland, comes into tonight’s match with one of his best wins so far, a TKO win over Raymond Serrano. 

Before tonight’s main event, audiences will get to see a matchup between undefeated Magomed “Mago” Abdusalamov (16 – 0, 16 KOs) and fellow Heavyweight Victor Bisbal (21 – 1, 15 KOs).  Adbusalamov comes into tonight’s match fresh off the heels of a second round TKO win over Jameel McCline.  Bisbal, on the other hand, is looking for his seventeenth straight win after a sixth-round TKO win over Alex Gonzalez in his most recent match.

ESPN’s Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be on hand once again to call all the action for ESPN2 HD.  Studio host Todd Grisham will have all of the latest boxing news and highlights.  Alex Pombo and Delvin Rodriguez will have the call for ESPN Deportes.  They will be joined by studio hosts Leopoldo Gonzalez and Pablo Viruega.  Bernardo Osuna will have live reports and interviews for both ESPN2 HD and ESPN Deportes.  Fans can catch all the action live online on their smart phones and tablets through WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app. 

Tonight’s edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights is presented by Corona Extra and promoted by Sampson Boxing. 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

IBF Title Fight Headlines March 1st Edition of ESPN’s FNF

Courtesy: ESPN

This Friday night’s edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights has a big as its main feature.  Friday’s main event features a title fight between Featherweight titlist Billy “The Kid” Dib (35 – 1, 1 NC, 21 KOs) and undefeated challenger Evgeny “The Mexican Russian” Gradovich (15 – 0, 8 KOs) in a 12-round bout.  Dib is named by The Ring magazine as its number 4 Featherweight and by ESPN.com as its number 8 Featherweight).  The match will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT.  It will be broadcast live at 9pm EST on ESPN 2 HD and online via WatchESPN.com.  Audiences with tablets and smart phones can watch it on their mobile devices with the WatchESPN app.  Spanish speaking fans can also watch the fight on ESPN Deportes+.  ESPN Deportes+ is the new digital extension of ESPN Deportes.  It will air tape delayed on ESPN Deportes Saturday morning at 3am EST. 

Friday’s fight is co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and SMS Promotions, which are owned by multiplatinum recording artist and entrepreneur 50 Cent.  50 will be in studio at ESPN’s headquarters today for an ESPN “Car Wash” to discuss tomorrow night’s main event on ESPN TV and radio shows.  He will also perform one of his songs tomorrow night at the Foxwoods before the main event and will serve as “sparring partner” to ESPN Friday Night Fights co-host Teddy Atlas for Friday’s edition of Fight Plan.

Dib comes into tomorrow night’s fight fresh off of a 10-round unanimous decision in a non-title fight against Juan Rodriguez.  That match was preceded by a successful title defense against Eduardo Escobedo.  Dib’s win over Escobedo—a sixth round TKO–was his second successful title defense.  When asked about the upcoming match, Dib was upbeat.  “I am really excited to be headlining against the “Mexican Russian,” he said.  “It’s going to be an all-out punch up.  The fans can definitely expect to see a great fight on March 1^st.”

Gradovich, a Russian native, also comes into tomorrow night’s fight fresh off the heels of his own decisive victory.  He defeated William Villanueva with a TKO in the seventh round of the pair’s fight.  Gradovich is trained by 2012 Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) “Trainer of the Year” Robert Garcia.  When asked about Friday’s fight, Gradovich sounded especially focused.  “Becoming a world champion has been a life-long dream of mine, and on March 1^st, I will finally have that chance,” he said.  “This is going to be a very special night for me, as not only am I fighting for my first world title, but the entire country will have the opportunity to watch it.  I am already in great shape and I am going to show the world what I am capable of come March 1^st.”

All eyes will be on the matchup between these two athletes Friday night.  Before the bout though, audiences will be treated to a fight between Junior Middleweight titlist Willie “The Great” Nelson (19 – 1 – 1, 11KOs) and former Junior Middleweight titlist Michael Medina (26 -3 – 2, 19 KOs).  The pair will face off in a 10-round fight prior to the night’s main event.  Nelson comes into tomorrow’s fight on the heels of a 10-round unanimous decision win over previously undefeated 2008 Olympian Josh Jackson.  Medina also comes into tomorrow’s fight with some momentum.  He was also victorious in his previous match with an 8-round unanimous decision win over James Winchester.

Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be at ringside to call all of the action for ESPN 2 HD.  Studio host Todd Grisham will also be on site with all of the latest boxing news and highlights.  Alex Pombo and Delvin Rodriguez will call the fights for ESPN Deportes along with Leopoldo Gonzalez and Pablo Viruega in studio.  Bernardo Osuna will have interviews and reports for ESPN 2 HD and ESPN Deportes. 

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights is presented each week by Corona Extra.  Fans of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights can keep up with all of the latest news and more from the show online at http://www.facebook.com/espn.fnf and on Twitter at @ESPNFNF and @ESPNBoxeo.  Fans can also score the fights themselves from home thanks to the “Live Friday Night Fights” voting app on Facebook.  The app allows users to score the fight live round-by-round.   

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always get the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Friday Night Fights Features Junior Middleweights In Tomorrow’s Main Matchup

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights returns tomorrow night.  Tomorrow’s edition is anchored by a battle of Junior Middleweights.  To be more exact, it features undefeated Junior Middleweight George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooanippah (31-0-1, 23 KOs) facing off against former Junior Middleweight and Welterweight title challenger Delvin Rodriguez (26-6-3, 14 KOs) in the evening’s 10-round main event.  The show will broadcast live from Uncasville, Connecticut tomorrow night at 9pm EST on ESPN2 HD.  It will also be available on WatchESPN and on tablets and smart phones via ESPN’s WatchESPN app.  It will run tape delayed on ESPN Deportes at 10:30pm.

Friday’s main event will be preceded by a 10-round co-feature pitting Lightweights Chris “Hurricane” Howard (14-2-1) and “The Mongolian Mongoose” Bayan Jargal (17-3-3, 10 KOs) against one another.  Jargal comes into Friday’s match off of a first-round TKO win against former featherweight titlist Erik Aiken.  On the other side, Howard is looking for redemption after losing in a 10-round split decision to Marc Salser. 

Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will call the matches live from ringside at the Mohegan Sun Arena.  Studio host Todd Grisham will be on hand with all of the latest boxing news.  He will also have an interview with Kendall Holt (28-5, 16 KOs).  Grisham will be discussing the upcoming match against Junior Welterweight titlist Lamont Peterson (30-1-1, 15 KOs) with Holt.  That match takes place next Friday, February22nd on the next edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.  Alex Pombo and Bernardo Osuna will also be on hand for ESPN Deportes.  They will be joined by Leopoldo Gonzalez and Pablo Viruega in studio.  Osuna will also provide live interviews and reports for both ESPN and ESPN Deportes. 

ESPN offers many ways to keep up with all of the latest from Friday Night Fights.  Fans can follow it on Twitter at @ESPNFNF and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/espn.fnf.  Hispanic fans can follow Friday Night Fights on Twitter at @ESPNBoxeo.  Fans can even score the fight themselves round-by-round online via the Friday Night Fights Facebook voting app on the Friday Night Fights Facebook page. 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

ESPN Announces Card For Next Friday Night Fights

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN has announced the card for tomorrow night’s brand new edition of Friday Night Fights.  Tomorrow’s show will feature former Lightweight title challenger “The Gladiator” John Molina, Jr. (24 – 2, 19 KOs) taking on the near equally matched Dannie Williams (22 – 2, 18 KOs) in the ten-round main event.   It all kicks off tomorrow night at 9pm EST on ESPN2 HD.  Audiences with mobile tech can watch the match online with the WatchESPN app and online at http://www.WatchESPN.com.  Host Todd Grisham will anchor the broadcast from ESPN’s studios with all the latest boxing news and highlights.  He will be joined by Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas on the broadcast.  The pair will be at ringside calling all the action for ESPN, while Alex Pombo and Delvin Rodriguez will call all the action for ESPN’s Hispanic audiences on ESPN Deportes.  Their counterparts Leopoldo Gonzales and Pablo Viruega will be in studio and Bernardo Osuna will have live reports and interviews for both ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

Audiences that tune in tomorrow night will get to see not just the match between Molina and Williams, but also a faceoff between Brandon “Flawless” Gonzales (16 – 0 – 1, 10 KOs) and “Dangerous” Don Mouton (11 – 4 – 1, 9 KOs) in the night’s second fight.  This serves to be an interesting match not just because of the pair’s records but also because of their time between fights.  Gonzales, who is trained by 2011 BWAA Trainer of the year Virgil Hunter, comes into the match after a unanimous decision against Eli Augustama in an eight-round fight this past June.  Only three months have passed since Mouton’s last fight.  He is coming into tomorrow night’s show on the heels of a sixth-round KO win against Samuel Clarkson this past October. Mouton and Gonzales will go toe-to-toe tomorrow night in an eight round bout.

Starting the whole night off will be a four round Light Heavyweight showdown between newcomer Mark Lujan and Siju Shabazz (4 – 4,  2 KOs).  To get all the latest and to keep up with everything going on with ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, fans can follow it on Twitter at @ESPNFNF, or “Like” it on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/espn.fnf.  Hispanic fans can follow the fights online too, at @ESPNBoxeo on Twitter.

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights Returning

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights is coming back.  The network’s highly acclaimed boxing showcase, presented by Corona Extra, will return this Friday, January 4^th.  It will air at 10pm on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and online at http://www.WatchESPN.com.  And it will have a new host.  Todd Grisham will host the show from ESPN’s studios.  He will be joined by on-site reporter Bernardo Osuna.  Osuna served as host of Friday Night Fights’ studio host during 2012.  He will now be the show’s first ever on-site reporter, offering reports and commentary in both English and Spanish.  Fans with smart phones and tablets will be able to catch Friday Night Fights too, with the WatchESPN app. 

The season premiere of Friday Night Fights pits two undefeated Junior Lightweights against one another.  Viewers will get to see Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (17 – 0, 11 KOs) against Arash Usmanee (12 – 0, 10 Kos) in the show’s 12-round main event.  It isn’t the only fight on Friday’s card though.  Also on Friday’s card will be a matchup of Junior Middleweight Jonathan “Mantequilla” Gonzalez (15 – 0 – 1, 13 Kos) and Derek Ennis (23 – 3 – 1 13 KOs) in a ten-round fight.  Gonzales—a member of Puerto Rico’s 2008 Olympic Team—is looking to make a strong comeback after a twelve-round draw against former Junior Middleweight titlist Sergiy Dzinziruk.

Also on Friday’s card, there will be a third fight featuring a four-round faceoff between a pair of undefeated featherweights in Hairon Socarras ( (5 – 0 – 1 4 KOs) and Josh Bowles (6 – 0 1 KO). 

More information on the return of Friday Night Fights, viewers can go online to http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2012/12/espns-friday-night-fights-returns-january-4-with-new-host-todd-grisham/.

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.