Lightweights Lead March 7th Edition Of FNF

Courtesy: ESPN

Lightweights lead the way on the March 7^th edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra and ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates presentado por Corona Extra.

Up-and-coming Lightweight contender Rustam Nugaev (26 – 6, 16 KOs) will take on former Lightweight world title challenger Marvin Quintero (25 – 4, 21 KOs) in the night’s ten-round main event.  Tonight’s broadcast will come live from Pala Casino in Pala, California at 9pm ET on ESPN2.  It can also be viewed online via WatchESPN and ESPN Deportes+.  ESPN Deportes will re-broadcast tonight’s main event via tape delay Saturday, March 8^th at 7pm.

Nugaev, comes into tonight’s main event on a hot streak.  He won his last four fights via KO.  And he claimed a first-round KO over Mario Hermasillo in his most recent fight.  Nugaev’s last FNF appearance ended with a victory, too.  He defeated Jose Hernandez with a KO in the fifth round of that fight.  ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael wrote of Nugaev after the fight, “Nugaev is a fun fighter to watch. He’s an aggressive brawler who lets it all hang out when the bell rings, and it was no different in his methodical destruction of Hernandez, who gave it his all but was simply outgunned. It was a good action fight.”  Quintero will be hungry for a win as he enters the ring tonight.  His most recent fight, a twelve-round fight against IBF titlist Miguel Vasquez, resulted in a split decision loss to Vasquez.  Quintero was grounded in his thoughts on tonight’s main event.  He said of facing Nugaev, “I think the Russian (Nugaev) is strong, a brawler. He has a pretty good reach and huge experience.”

Along with tonight’s main event, audiences will also be treated to a an eight-round co-feature that will see undefeated Bantamweight Roman Morales (17 – 0, 9 KOs) taking on Khabir Suleymanov (16 – 3, 6 KOs).  Morales, from California, looks to add another notch to his win column tonight.  That match, in which he faced Roberto Castaneda, resulted in a ten-round unanimous decision for Morales.  Suleymanov also is hoping to extend his win streak tonight.  He defeated Juanito Rubillar courtesy of an eighth-round unanimous decision in his most recent  fight.

Opening the night’s card will be a six-round fight between undefeated Welterweight Dusty Hernandez-Harrison (19 – 0, 10 KOs) taking on Michael Balasi (10 – 3, 7 KOs).

Bernardo Osuna will fill in for Joe Tessitore tonight.  He will be ringside with Tessitore’s regular ringside co-host Teddy Atlas for ESPN2.  Todd Grisham will be live in studio with all of the latest boxing news and highlights.  Leopoldo Gonzales fills in for Delvin Rodriguez on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes+.  He will be ringside with Pablo Viruega for all of the action.  Claudia Trejos will be live in studio and will be joined by special guest, Cuban comedian Bonco Quinongo.  Quinongo has appeared previously as a special guest on ESPN Deportes radio to discuss boxing with Trejos.

The latest ESPN FNF schedule is available below.

Upcoming Schedule:

Date	Time (ET)	Main Event	Location	Networks
Fri, Mar. 21	9 p.m.	Vanes Martirosyan (33-1-1, 21 KOs) vs. Mario Alberto Lozano (27-4, 20 KOs) — 10 rounds, Junior Middleweights	Morongo Casino, Cabazon, Calif.	ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Mar. 28	9 p.m.	Boxcino Lightweight Semifinals: eight rounds each Chris Rudd (13-1, 8 KOs) vs. Petr Petrov (33-4-2, 14 KOs) Miguel González (23-3, 16 KOs) vs. Fernando Carcamo (16-5, 13 KOs)	4 Bears Casino, New Town, N.D.	ESPN, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Apr. 18	9 p.m.	Boxcino Middleweight Semifinals: eight rounds each Brandon Adams (13-0, 9 KOs) vs. Raymond Gatica (14-2, 9 KOs) Willie Monroe Jr. (16-1, 6 KOs) vs. Vitalii Kopylenko (22-0, 12 KOs)	Turning Stone Casino, Verona, N.Y.	ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN

 

More information on FNF and Noche de Combates is available online at http://www.facebook.com/espn.fnf, http://twitter.com/ESPNFNF, http://twitter.com/espnboxeo and 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, go online to https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

FNF Features The Battle Of The Junior Welterweights In Valentine’s Day Broadcast

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra and ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates presented by Corona Extra features a battle of the Junior Welterweights this week.

Undefeated Junior Welterweight Chris Algieri (18 – 0, 8 KOs) will face off against Emanuel “Tranzforma” Taylor (17 – 1, 12 KOs) in the night’s ten-round main event.  The fight will be broadcast live from the Paramount Theater in Huntington, N.Y. at 9pm ET on ESPN2 and online at ESPN Deportes+ and WatchESPN.  ESPN Deportes will air the fight in tape delay at 10:30pm ET.  This week’s card is promoted by Star Boxing.

Algieri, a Huntington, N.Y. native is the hometown favorite.  He comes into this week’s fight looking to add another notch to his “Win” column.  He won his last fight with a seventh-round TKO over Wilfredo Acuna.  He had nothing but good things to say of Taylor in a recent interview, and that he was looking forward to tomorrow’s fight because of how evenly matched the pair is.  “I think Emanuel Taylor is a good fighter. He’s a tough kid, he’s hungry, just like myself,” he said.  “I think it’s going to be a great night, especially for me. He’s (Taylor) a sharp guy, he’s a high-percentage puncher, but I’m a much busier fighter. It’s a good matchup, especially for the fans.”

Taylor comes into this week’s fight also looking to keep his winning ways going.  He has won his last three fights.  That streak includes an eighth-round TKO victory over Victor Cayo in his most recent fight.  Where Algieri was complimentary of Taylor in his comments, Taylor was far more self-assured in his comments about this week’s bout.  “I’ve seen a couple of videos of Algieri. He’s in shape, throws a lot of punches and stays busy,” he said.  “This is a step-up fight for him and it’s not going to be good for him. Stay tuned to the fight. It’s going to be a real good show.”

Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside with all the action live on ESPN2.  Todd Grisham will join them live from the ESPN Studios with all of the latest boxing news and reports.  Delvin Rodriguez and Pablo Viruega will have the call for ESPN ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes+.  Leopoldo Gonzales and Claudia Trejos will be live in studio.  Bernardo Osuna will have live interviews and reports for both networks.

Before the night’s big fight, fans will be treated to an eight-round co-feature that will pit another pair of Junior Welterweights against one another.  Issouf “Volcano” Kinda (16 – 1, 6 KOs) will face Jeremy “Hollywood” Bryan in the fight in question.  Both fighters come into this week’s fight very hungry for a win.  Kinda suffered a sixth-round technical decision loss to Chris Howard in his most recent match.  Bryan fell to Amir Imam in his most recent match courtesy of a second-round TKO.

Next week on Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra and Noche de Combates presented by Corona Extra, the Boxcino 2014 tournament kicks off.  The tournament is sponsored by 1800 Tequila and presented by Banner Promotions.  The Boxcino Tournament schedule is available below.

Upcoming Schedule:

 

Date	Time (ET)	Main Event	Location	Networks
Fri, Feb. 21	9 p.m.	Boxcino 2014 Lightweight Quarterfinals: six-rounds each Chris Rudd (12-1, 8 KOs) vs. Yakubu Amidu (22-4-1, 18 KOs) Petr Petrov (32-4-2, 15 KOs) vs. Fedor Papazov (14-0, 9 KOs) Miguel Gonzalez (22-3, 16 KOs) vs. Miguel Angel Mendoza (21-2-2, 21 KOs) Fernando Carcamo (15-5, 12 KOs) vs. Samuel Neequaye (21-0, 15 KOs)	Edgewater Casino, Laughlin, NV	ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Feb 28	9 p.m.	Boxcino 2014 Middleweight Quarterfinals: six-rounds each Donatas Bondorovas (18-4-1, 6 KOs) vs. Willie Monroe, Jr. (15-1, 6 KOs) Cerresso Fort (17-2-1, 11 KOs) vs. Vitalii Kopylenko (22-0, 12 KOs) Brandon Adams (12-0, 7 KOs) vs. Daniel Edouard (23-4-2, 12 KOs) Raymond Gatica (13-1, 7 KOs) vs. Sena Agbeko (15-0, 15 KOs)	Harrah’s Horseshoe, Hammond, Ind.	ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Mar. 7	9 p.m.	Rustam Nugaev (26-6-1, 16 KOs) vs. Marvin Quintero (25-4, 21 KOs) — 10-rounds, Lightweights	Pala Casino, Pala, Calif.	ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Mar. 21	9 p.m.	Vanes Martirosyan (33-1-1, 21 KOs) vs. TBD — 10-rounds, Junior Middleweights	Morongo Casino, Cabazon, Calif.	ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN

 

More information on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra and ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates presented by Corona Extra is available online at http://www.facebook.com/espn.fnf, http://twitter.com/ESPNFNF, http://twitter.com/espnboxeo, and 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 https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

ESPN Announces Information For Friday Night Fights Season Premiere

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona is returning for its seventeenth season.  The Worldwide Leader in Sports has announced that FNF will begin its new season on Friday, January 3^rd live at 9pm ET on WatchESPN and ESPN Deportes+.  The show’s seventeenth season will kick off with a bang, too.  Season Seventeen will open with a twelve-round IBF title bout between Junior Lightweight titlist Argenis Mendez ( 21 – 2 – 1,  11 KOs) and undefeated Rances Barthelemy (19 – 0, 12 KOs).  Also slated for the season premiere of Friday Night Fights presented by Corona will be a ten-round co-feature featuring up-and-coming Middleweight contender Caleb Truax (23 – 1, 4 KOs).  As an additional note, ESPN Deportes will re-brand its broadcasts with the new name, Noche de Combates.  The newly re-branded broadcast was previously branded as Viernes de Combates.

The season opening bout, the first of the 2014 season’s twenty-six total fights, will be broadcast live from the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN.  It is co-promoted by former Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson and his promotional company, Iron Mike Productions.  Tyson also promoted the final bout of FNF’s 2013 season, which featured Argenis Mendez in the world title main event.

Brian Kweder, ESPN Senior Director of Programming and Acquisitions, expressed expectations for the 2014 season in a recent statement.  He also  noted changes being made for the upcoming season of FNF.  “We are eagerly anticipating the upcoming season of Friday Night Fights and Noche de Combates,” he said.  “We start the season just as we finished last season with a world title fight co-promoted by Mike Tyson’s Iron Mike Productions. The biggest change for 2014 is that we are assigning dates to promoters with as much advance notice as possible to allow for even better fights and bigger crowds.  We’ve partnered with a group of promoters who have always delivered in the past and are committed to upping the ante even further for 2014. Having a world title fight and names like Kendall Holt, Zsolt Erdei and Arash Usmanee early this season show that the strategy is already paying dividends.”

Long time FNF broadcast team Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be back again for all of the ringside action each week.  Tessitore will call the matches and Atlas will have in-match analysis for every match broadcast on ESPN2.  Both men have been awarded the Sam Taub Award for Excellence in  Broadcast Journalism.  Teddy Atlas won the award in 2001 and Tessitore in 2010.  Studio host Todd Grisham will be back for his second full season on FNF.  He will fill in for Tessitore in ESPN2’s season opener and will have all of the latest boxing news and highlights.  Also back again will be Bernardo Osuna.  Osuna will contribute to broadcasts both on FNF and Noche de Combates. 

Pablo Viruega and Delvin Rodriguez will have the call for ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes+.  The will be joined live by studios hosts Leopoldo Gonzalez and Claudia Trejos.  As a new addition to the studio show for ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes+, Hall of Fame referee Joe Cortez will join Gonzalez and Trejos in studio throughout the season.  Osuna will contribute reports and interviews each week.  The latest slate of fights is available below.

 

Date	Time (ET)	Main Event	Location	Networks
Fri, Jan 3	9 p.m.	Argenis Méndez (21-2-1, 11 KOs)  vs. Rances Barthelemy (19-0, 12 KOs) —12-rounds, IBF Junior Lightweight Title	Target Center, Minneapolis, Minn.	ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Jan 10	9 p.m.	Arash Usmanee (20-1-1, 10 KOs) vs. Juan Antonio Rodríguez (25-4, 23 KOs) — Junior Lightweights	Emerald Queen Hotel & Casino, Tacoma Wash.	ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Jan 24	9 p.m.	Javier Molina (14-1, 6 KOs) vs. Kendall Holt (28-6, 16 KOs) —10-rounds, Junior Welterweights	Little Creek Casino, Shelton Wash.	ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri, Jan 31	9 p.m.	Zsolt Erdei (33-1, 18 KOs) vs. Elvir Muriqi (40-5, 24 KOs) —10-rounds, Light Heavyweights	Codey Arena, West Orange, N.J.	ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN

 

More information on the latest from FNF and Noche de Combates is available online at http://www.facebook.com/espn.fnf, http://twitter.com/ESPNBoxeo, and http://twitter.com/ESPNFNF.  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 https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

“No Mas” Another Knockout Film From ESPN Films

Courtesy: ESPN/ESPN Films

No mas. No more. They are two small and simple words. But these two words had a massive impact on the future of two men. Those two men were boxers Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard. And they are the focus of the latest film in ESPN’s hugely successful film series, 30 for 30. In No Mas, Leonard and Duran each provide their side of the story in the now infamous matchup in November 1980 that ended with Duran quitting in the middle of the 8^th round in a matchup from their previous fight mere months before. That matchup resulted in Duran taking Leonard’s WBC Welterweight belt. It is a story that whether one is an avid boxing fan or just a casual viewer, any sports fan will enjoy. First and most obviously, audiences will appreciate this latest film from ESPN Films’series because of the story itself. It’s not just another underdog story. It’s a story of he said, he said. It’s a story of a one man’s ego versus another’s athleticism and pride and their eventual coming to terms with their past. The story of No Mas is just one reason that audiences will appreciate this film. The interviews culled for the interview add even more interest to the boxers’ story. In the same vein, audiences will appreciate just as much as the interviews, the original footage taken from the fighters’ personal interviews before and after their matches and from their fights themselves. Together with the interviews of those closest to the rivalry and the story itself, No Mas is more proof of why ESPN is “The Worldwide Leader in Sports.”

The primary story of No Mas centers on the rivalry between veteran boxers Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran over the course of two fights in 1980.  The first of those fights was the now famed “Brawl in Montreal.”  The second was the pair’s rematch only months later in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Those two matches have become two of the most talked about matches not just in boxing history but in sports history.  That is because of the deeply rooted emotions involved in each match.  This is something that is certain to keep viewers fully engaged throughout the course of the documentary’s nearly ninety-minute run time.  Viewers will be amazed to discover that Duran came into the first of the pair’s fight with what was in his own mind, a sense of vengeance.  He explains throughout the film that at the time of the fights, he felt like he was essentially representing his people.  He explains that he felt a real hatred toward Leonard because he saw Leonard as a rich, spoiled fighter.  On the other side, Leonard was the exact opposite.  He didn’t harbor any deep emotions toward Duran.  However, the emotions caused by his loss to Duran made his story even more interesting.  Of course, those emotions don’t last forever, as audiences will see in the film’s final segment.  It gives viewers full closure.

The story presented in No Mas is another powerful piece from ESPN Films.  However, there is more to consider about this latest film in the 30 for 30 series that viewers will appreciate than just the film.  They will also appreciate the interviews included in the film.  Those closest to the rivalry share their thoughts on the matches.  Duran’s personal trainer is interviewed, along with Leonard’s ex-wife, one of Panama’s top political figureheads and many more.  Former boxing legend Mike Tyson and certain sports media figures share their thoughts on the film, too.  The commentary by these figures helps to better illustrate just how intense the rivalry was between the two men.  And it serves to make the entire presentation that much more engaging.

The story and interviews assembled in No Mas make this film another “knockout” (bad joke fully intended) for ESPN and ESPN Films.  As impressive as they are both alone and together, there is one more aspect of the film that must be addressed here.  That aspect is the inclusion of footage from both the “Brawl in Montreal” and its follow-up in New Orleans.  Audiences get to see just how intense the fights were between Duran and Leonard.  They also get to see firsthand how Duran just gave up in the middle of the pair’s rematch in New Orleans.  It’s one thing to hear about his actions.  But to actually see what he did and to hear his excuses as to why he quit makes this moment even more powerful.  It’s sure to create quite a bit of discussion among both boxing fans and sports fans in general.  And those discussions are the crowning jewel of this film.  They are sure to go on long after the story has ended, proving once again the value of the 30 for 30 series and why ESPN is truly the worldwide leader in sports.  No Mas airs tonight at 8pm on ESPN.  More information on this and the films to follow in the 30 for 30 series is available online at http://www.facebook.com/espn30for30 and http://www.espn.com/30for30.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to https://philspicks.wordpress.com.   

FNF Makes History This Week

Courtesy: ESPN

U.S. Cellular Field, home to the Chicago White Sox, will host its first professional boxing match in over fifty years this weekend.  The last time that the venue played host to a match was on September 25^th, 1962 when Charles “Sonny” Liston knocked out Olympic Gold Medal boxer Floyd Patterson in the first round to take Patterson’s title.  The victory earned Liston the world heavyweight championship.  This weekend, boxing fans will see another huge card as there will be not one, not two, but three matches in a special three-hour edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. 

This week’s edition of Friday Night Fights will be broadcast live at 9pm ET on ESPN2, WatchESPN and broadband Spanish-language ESPN Deportes+.  ESPN Deportes will join programming in progress Friday night at 10:30pm ET.  Friday’s card is anchored by two main event fights.  The first of the night’s main events is a twelve-round matchup between former Light Heavyweight titlist Gabriel “Chico Guapo” Campillo (22 – 5 – 1, 8 KOs) and Andrzej “The Polish Prince” Fanfara (23 – 2, 13 KOs).  Campillo comes into Friday’s fight having won his most recent fight with a fourth-round TKO over Ionut Illie.  Fonfara, a Chicago native, came out on top in his last match having scored a seventh-round TKO over Tommy Karpency.  And before that match, Fanfara added another notch to his “W” column in taking a ten-round unanimous decision over former Light Heavyweight titlist Glen Johnson.

Fanfara was unflinching in his mental preparation for his match against Campillo.  “I’m prepared for this fight,” he said.  “I want to win this fight and show people I’ll be the next world champion.”

Fanfara and Campillo’s matchup is just one half of Friday’s double main event.  The second of the night’s main event fights features a rematch between undefeated Heavyweight Arthur “The Pin” Szpilka (15 – 0, 11 KOs) and Mike Mollo (20 – 4 – 1, 12 KOs).  Szpilka is said to be a fan favorite among Chicago’s Polish community.  He comes into Friday’s fight looking to keep his winning ways going after taking a ten-round unanimous decision over Brian Minto in his most recent fight.  Mollo’s first match against Szpilka didn’t go so well for him [Mollo].  It ended in a sixth-round KO loss to Szpilka.  Fans can get caught up on that match as Friday’s show will open with a recap of that first meeting between the two men. 

In between Friday’s dual main event, fans will be treated to an eight-round fight between Jr. Welterweight Marc “The Rising Shark” Salser (15 – 0,  9 KOs) and Adrian “El Tigre” Granados (9 – 1 – 2, 5 KOs).

The commentary team of Teddy Atlas and Joe Tessitore will be ringside calling all the action for ESPN2 and WatchESPN.  They will be joined by Todd Grisham at the ESPN Studios.  Grisham will have all of the latest boxing news and updates, as he does each week.  Alejandro Palumbo will fill in once again for Delvin Rodriguez.  Palumbo will join Pablo Viruega ringside to call all of the action for ESPN Deportes+ and ESPN Deportes.  The pair will be joined in studio by Leopoldo Gonzalez and Claudia Trejos.  Bernardo Osuna will have live interviews and reports for both English and Spanish speaking audiences.

Friday night’s fight is presented by Corona Extra.  Next up for ESPN’s Friday Night Fights is a twelve-round Jr. Lightweight bout next Friday between Argenis Mendez (21 – 2, 11 KOs) and Arash Usmanee (20 – 1, 10 KOs)  Next week’s fight will be broadcast live from Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY.  It will be broadcast live on ESPN2, WatchESPN, and ESPNDeportes+. 

Fans can keep up with all of the latest Friday Night Fights news on the official FNF Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/espn.fnf.  When fans “Like” the FNF Facebook page, they can also download the Live Friday Night Fights Facebook voting app.  The app allows viewers to score the fights themselves round-by-round from the comfort of their own homes.  Audiences can also keep up with all of the latest Friday Night Fights news on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ESPNFNF and http://twitter.com/ESPNBoxeo.

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 https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Lightweights Lead Second FNF Broadcast Of August

Courtesy: ESPN

Tonight’s edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights leads off with a Lightweight division fight.  Lightweights Rustam “The Mongoose” Nugaev (24 – 6, 14 KOs) will take on Jose “EL Loco” Hernandez (14 – 6 – 1, 6 KOs) in the night’s main event.  The pair will face off in a ten-round bout live from the Morongo Casino Resort in Cabazon, California at 10pm ET.  Tonight’s fight will be broadcast live on cable on ESPN2 and online via WatchESPN and broadband Spanish-language ESPN Deportes+.  ESPN Deportes will carry the fight on TV via tape delay Saturday night at 6pm.

Nugaev, a California native, comes into tonight’s fight on the heels of a fourth-round KO win over Daniel Attah.  The fight preceding his match against Attah ended in an eighth-round KO over previously undefeated Jonathan Maicelo.  ESPN.com boxing writer Dan Rafael wrote of the fight, “Nugaev wound up scoring a highlight-reel upset knockout over Maicelo. Nugaev and Maicelo fought a good, competitive, toe-to-toe slugfest that came to an abrupt end when Nugaev caught Maicelo with a clean and powerful right hand that dropped him face-first before he rolled over on his back.”

Hernandez is also looking to improve his “W” column.  He comes into tonight’s fight after having taking down previously undefeated Tony Luis in an eighth-round TKO.  Despite this win under his belt, Hernandez’s trainer, Richard Best, was not about to take tonight’s fight lightly.  “The first thing that comes to mind with this guy we’re fighting (Nugaev) is that he’s tough,” Best said.  “You can see in his fights that he tries to wear his opponents down with pressure. He’s a tall guy, and comes in forward. He’s not too technical, but we are not underestimating him.”

Before the bell rings for the main event, audiences will also get to see undefeated Junior Lightweight Jose “The Sniper” Pedraza (13 – 0, 9 KOs) face off against Gabriel “The Ghost” Tolmajyan (13 -2 – 1, 3 KOs).   Pedraza won his most recent fight with a seventh-round TKO over Sergio Villenueva.  Tolmajyan also comes into tonight’s fight with a win in his most recent fight.  He defeated previously undefeated Jorge Maysonet, Jr. in an eight-round unanimous decision.

The team of Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside to call all of the action tonight, while Todd Grisham will be in studio with all of the latest boxing news and highlights for ESPN2.  Alejandro Pombo fills in tonight for Delvin Rodriguez.  He will have the call tonight for ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes+ alongside Pablo Viruega.  Leopoldo Gonzalez and Claudia Trejos will be in studio. Bernardo Osuna will have live interviews and reports.  Fans can keep up with all of the latest Friday Night Fights news online via Twitter and Facebook at http://twitter.com/ESPNFNF and http://www.facebook.com/espn.fnf.  While at the Friday Night Fights Facebook page, audiences can get the Live Friday Night Fights Facebook Voting app.  The app lets viewers score the fights themselves round-by-round, from the comfort of their own homes.  Spanish speaking audiences can keep up with FNF on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ESPNBoxeo.

Tonight’s card is sponsored by Corona Extra and promoted by Gary Shaw Productions.  The most current Friday Night Fights schedule is available below.

Upcoming Schedule:

 

Date	Time (ET)	Main Event	Location		Networks
Fri., Aug 16	9 p.m.	Andrzej Fonfara (23-2, 13 KOs)  vs. Gabriel Campillo (22-5-1, 9 KOs)—12 rounds, Light Heavyweights	U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago		ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN
Fri., Aug 23	9 p.m.	Argenis Méndez (21-2, 11 KOs) vs. Arash Usmanee (20-1, 10 KOs)—12 rounds, Jr. Lightweights	Turning Stone Casino, Verona, N.Y.		ESPN2,  ESPN Deportes+, WatchESPN

 

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 https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Burgos, Amidu Lead FNF July 26th

 

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights is back again this week with another big card.  This week’s show is headlined by a bout between former Junior Lightweight and Featherweight title challenger Juan Carlos “Mini” Burgos (30 – 1 – 1, 20 KOs, ESPN.com ranked #4 Junior Lightweight) and Yakubu “The Black Mamba” Amidu (18 – 4 – 1, 16 KOs).  The twelve-round fight comes to viewers live from the Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln, California.  It will be broadcast live at 9pm EST on ESPN2, WatchESPN, and broadband Spanish-Language ESPNDeportes+.  ESPN Deportes will carry Friday’s show Saturday, July 27^th at 9pm EST.

 

Burgos, a native of Mexico, comes into this week’s main event on the heels of a twelve-round fight against Roman Martinez that ended in a draw.  The fight was a Junior Lightweight title fight.  ESPN.com boxing writer Dan Rafael wrote of the bout, “Making his first defense, Martinez escaped with his belt on another highly debatable decision. Almost all of press row, as well as the Twitterverse and HBO’s Harold Lederman, had Burgos winning the fight. He hammered Martinez with hard body punches throughout the bout. According to CompuBox, Burgos landed more punches in 10 out of the 12 rounds. Burgos just seemed more in control, stronger and better able to do what he wanted to do. Martinez seemed to have a hard time dealing with his height and reach.”

 

Amidu also comes into this week’s main event looking to get back in the “Win” column after suffering a split-decision loss in his last fight, a ten-round bout against Haskell Rhodes.  Amidu’s co-manager and trainer, Baba Sumaila, discussed expectations for this week’s fight in a recent interview, expressing his confidence in his fighter in his comments.  “I’ve been working with Yakubu since he came to the United States,” he said.  “I managed his brother, Abdullai. So when Yakubu came here, I started working with him. Yakubu is always training. When we have a fight, he increases the tempo to make him more ready for the fight. We know our opponent is very good, but we’re ready for that. We are ready.”

 

Friday’s main event will be accompanied by a ten-round co-feature between Lightweights Miguel “Silky Smooth” Gonzalez (21 – 3, 15 KOs) and Josenilson “Jo” Dos Santos (24 – 1, 14 KOs).  Both fighters look to keep their “Win” column growing, coming into this week’s bout.  Gonzalez’s most recent fight ended in a unanimous decision win for him in ten rounds over former Lightweight titlist Miguel Acosta.  Dos Santos’ most recent match ended in a unanimous decision for him in a twelve-round fight against Carlos Rodriguez.

 

Teddy Atlas and Joe Tessitore will be on hand this week ringside to call all the action for ESPN2, while Todd Grisham will be in studio with all of the latest boxing news and highlights.  Delvin Rodriguez, and Pablo Viruega will have the call for ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes+.  Leopoldo Gonzalez and Claudia Trejos will be in studio and Bernardo Osuna will have live interviews and reports for ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes+. 

 

Fans of Friday Night Fights don’t have to be in attendance to be part of each week’s fight.  Fans can get the LiveFriday Night Fights app on the FNF Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/espn.fnf.  The app allows viewers to score the fights round-by-round from the comfort of their own home.  And while they score the fights, fans can stay up with all of the latest FNF news and more on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ESPNFNF and http://twitter.com/ESPNBoxeo. 

 

The latest Friday Night Fights schedule is listed below.

 

Upcoming Schedule:

 

Date	Time (ET)	Main Event	Location		Networks
Fri., Aug 2	9 p.m.	Javier Fortuna (22-0, 16 KOs) vs. Luis Franco (11-1, 7 KOs)—10 rounds, Featherweights	Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, Okla.		ESPN2, ESPN Deportes,  WatchESPN
Fri., Aug 9	10 p.m.	Rustam Nugaev (24-6-1, 14 KOs) vs. José Hernández (14-6-1, 6 KOs)—10 rounds, Lightweights	Morongo Casino, Cabazon, Calif.		ESPN2, ESPN ESPN Deportes+ , WatchESPN
Fri., Aug 16	9 p.m.	Andrzej Fonfara (23-2, 13 KOs)  vs. Gabriel Campillo (22-5-1, 9 KOs)—12 rounds, Light Heavyweights	U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago		ESPN2, ESPN ESPN Deportes+ , WatchESPN
Fri., Aug 23	TBD	Argenis Méndez (21-2, 11 KOs) vs. Arash Usmanee (20-1, 10 KOs)—12 rounds, Jr. Lightweights	Turning Stone Casino, Verona N.Y.		ESPN2, ESPN ESPN Deportes+ , WatchESPN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 https://philspicks.wordpress.com. 

 

Junior Welterweights Top FNF’s July 19th Card

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights returns this weekend with a show headlined by a bout between a pair of Junior Welterweights.  Olusegun “The Gun” Ajose (31 – 1, 14 KOs) will face off against “Hammerin” Hank Lundy (22 – 3 – 1, 11 KOs) in a ten-round main event.  The fight will be broadcast live from Rockingham Park in Salem, New Hampshire.  There is a scheduling change for this week’s fight.  This week’s main event will be broadcast live at 9pm EST on ESPN3 and at 10:30pm on ESPN Deportes+.  ESPN Deportes will carry Friday’s fights on Saturday, July 20^th at 7pm EST. 

Ajose represented his home nation of Nigeria at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.  He currently lives in New York.  He won his most recent fight—an eight-round bout against Rynell Griffin—in a unanimous win.  Lundey is looking to get his winning ways back after dropping his last two fights against Viktor Postol and Ray Beltran.  Friday Night Fights co-host Teddy Atlas shared his thoughts on Lundy in this week’s fight and what viewers and fans can expect from both men.  “Coming off two consecutive losses, Lundy is in danger of becoming irrelevant,” Atlas said.  “He will need his good speed and great urgency to beat a bigger, more physical Ajose.  That’s the tough news for Lundy.  The good news for the fans of Friday Night Fights is that both these experienced fights are not hard to find—they will be right in front of each other all night and that should make it a good night of fights.” 

Along with the main event, viewers and fans will also be treated to an eight-round co-feature, pitting a pair of undefeated Junior Lightweights against one another.  Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczewski (16 – 0, 3 KOs) will take on Miguel “Mikito” Soto (10 – 0, 10 KOs). Kielczewski comes into this week’s fight on the heels of an eight-round unanimous decision win over Gil Garcia.  Soto also looks to keep his winning ways after winning his last fight, a fourth-round TKO over John Wampash.  The current slate of matches on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights is available below.

Upcoming Schedule:

 

Date	Time (ET)	Main Event	Location		Networks
Fri., July 26	9 p.m.	Juan Carlos Burgos (30-1-1, 20 KOs) vs. Yakubu Amidu (18-4-1, 16 KOs)—12 rounds, Junior Lightweight	Thunder Valley Casino, Lincoln, Calif.		ESPN2, ESPN Deportes,  WatchESPN
Fri., Aug 2	9 p.m.	Javier Fortuna (22-0, 16 KOs) vs. Luis Franco (11-1, 7 KOs)—10 rounds, Featherweights	Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, Okla.		ESPN2, ESPN Deportes,  WatchESPN
Fri., Aug 9	10 p.m.	Rustam Nugaev (24-6-1, 14 KOs) vs. José Hernández (14-6-1, 6 KOs)—10 rounds, Lightweights	Morongo Casino, Cabazon, Calif.		ESPN2, ESPN Deportes,  WatchESPN
Fri., Aug 16	9 p.m.	Andrzej Fonfara (23-2, 13 KOs)  vs. Gabriel Campillo (22-5-1, 9 KOs)—12 rounds, Light Heavyweights	U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago		ESPN2, ESPN Deportes,  WatchESPN

*Schedule subject to change

 

To keep up with the latest news and more from ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, go online to the official FNF Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/espn.fnf, “Like” it, and then download the ESPN LiveFriday Night Fights voting app.  The app allows viewers to score each fight round-by-round from the comfort of their own home.  Fans can also follow all the latest FNF news on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ESPNFNF and http://twitter.com/ESPNBoxeo. 

This week’s card is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and presented by Corona Extra.

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 https://philspicks.wordpress.com.