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.

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. 

 

Former Title Contenders Headline FNF This Week

Courtesy: ESPN

This week’s edition of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights will be headlined by a pair of former title contenders facing off against each other.  Former Junior Middleweight and Welterweight title challenger Delvin Rodriguez (27 – 6 – 3, 15 KOs) will face off against former Welterweight title challenger Freddy “El Riel” Hernandez (30 – 4, 1 ND, 20 KOs) in the 10-round Junior Middleweight main event.  The main event fight will air live from the Mohegan Sun arena in Uncasville, CT at 10pm ET.  It will air on ESPN2 HD, ESPN Deportes, and WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app. 

Rodriguez, a CT native, will be the hometown favorite.  If his name rings a bell, it should.  Rodriguez also serves as a boxing analyst for ESPN Deportes.  Friday’s fight will be his sixteenth appearance in the ring on Friday Night Fights.  His record speaks for itself.  His 2011 fight against Pawel Wolak was named the year’s “Fight of the Year” by the Boxing Writers Association of America.”  A later ten-round unanimous decision win over Wolak gave Rodriguez a shot at defending titlist Austin Trout.  The ten-round fight was broadcast live on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.  It ended in a draw.  He claimed a win in his most recent fight this past February.  He defeated George Tahdooahnippah with a sixth-round TKO.  He also has wins against Mike Arnaoutis, Shamone Alvarez, and Oscar Diaz.

Rodriguez’s opponent, Freddy “El Riel” Hernandez, comes into tomorrow’s fight with quite the record, too.  Hernandez challenged former titlist Andre Berto for his WBC Welterweight title in 2010.  He holds wins over former world titlists Luis Callazo (W10) Mike Anchondo (WTKO4), and DeMarcus Corley (KO5).  He comes into tomorrow’s fight looking to rebound after losing his most recent match this past January to 2008 Olympian Demetrius Andrade.  Hernandez lost the fight in a ten-round unanimous decision.

Hernandez’s advisor Nigel Burns commented on what Hernandez needs in order to add another notch to his “W” column.  “He (Hernandez) needs to get a ‘W’ now to get some more opportunities, and he’s fighting a guy who’s going to give him that opportunity,”, he said.  “That’s not a knock on Rodriguez, but Rodriguez is more of a fighter than a boxer. I think it should be a good fight. Rodriguez is a good fighter and has fought some good people, and I expect him to actually stand in the pocket and trade with us.”

Friday’s main event will be preceded by a ten-round co-feature pitting the undefeated Junior Welterweight Issouf “Volcano” Kinda (16 – 0, 6 KOs)  against Chris “Hurricane” Howard ( 15 – 2 – 1, 7 KOs)  Kinda comes into tomorrow’s bout fresh on the heels of a second-round KO win over Javier Loya in his most recent fight.  Howard comes into tomorrow’s fight after taking an upset third-round TKO win over Bayan Jargal. 

Before all of this, ESPN2 and WatchESPN will air a pair of specials leading up to the night’s fights.  They will air The Best KOs of Friday Night Fights at 9pm ET and Mike Tyson’s Greatest Hits at 9:30pm ET. 

Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will both be on hand to call all the action from ringside, while Todd Grisham will have all the latest boxing news and more from the ESPN studios.  Pablo Viruega and Leopoldo Gonzalez will call all the action for ESPN Deportes with Claudia Trejos live in studio.  Bernardo Osuna will have live interviews and reports for ESPN2 HD and ESPN Deportes.

To keep up with the latest FNF news and more, “Like” the FNF Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/espn.fnf.  Fans can also follow all the latest from the show on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ESPNFNF and http://twitter.com/ESPNBoxeo.  Fans can score the match live at home thanks to the “Live Friday Night Fights Facebook voting app. 

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.

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 https://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 https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

ESPN Releases Card For Feb. 22nd Edition Of FNF

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN’s Friday Night Fights is back again tomorrow night, February 22^nd with another new edition.  Tomorrow night’s new edition is anchored by a 12-round IBF title fight between Junior Welterweight titlist Lamont Peterson (30 -1 – 1, 15 KOs) and former Junior Welterweight titlist Kendall “Rated R” Holt (28 – 5, 16 KOs).  It will air live from the nation’s capitol at 9pm EST on ESPN2 HD and will also be available online through WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app on smart phones and tablets.  For Hispanic fans, it will also air live on ESPN Deportes+, the new digital extension of ESPN Deportes.  It will run tape delayed on ESPN Deportes at 10:30pm EST.  The fight is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions.

Peterson is the hometown favorite for tomorrow night’s fight.  He won the IBF Junior Welterweight title from Amir Khan in the pair’s previous 12-round matchup in a split-decision.  Along with Khan, Peterson also comes into Friday’s fight with wins under his belt against Victor Ortiz, and Timothy Bradley, Jr.  Peterson explained his strategy when asked about the upcoming match.  “The game plan against Holt is to stay busy,” he said.  “He really doesn’t try to fight the whole three minutes of each round.  He kind of picks and chooses when he fights, so we just plan to keep him working and wear him down.”

On the other side of the matchup is Holt.  Holt comes into Friday’s matchup fresh off the heels of a second-round TKO over Tim Coleman.  Holt had a different view of how to handle Friday’s matchup, opting to let the pressure on Peterson to play to his aid.  “Lamont’s a good fighter,” he said.  “One big difference in this fight is that none of the pressure is on me – I’m not fighting at home, it’s not my championship title.  All the pressure’s on him and that pressure builds up in a person’s mind.  He may come out there and try to impress the crowd and if he gets a little overanxious or overzealous, it could be an early night for him.”

Before the main event, the show kicks off with an eight-round co-feature that pits Junior Featherweights Roman Morales (14 – 0, 7 KOs) and Jesus Hernandez (10 – 0 – 3, 2 KOs) against one another.  Morales comes into tomorrow night’s fight on the heels of a fifth-round KO win over Jose Iniguez while Hernandez is looking to redeem himself after his most recent match in which he faced Edwin Solis ended in a drawn 

Friday’s show will be anchored on site by Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas.  The pair will be on hand ringside to call all of the action for ESPN2 HD.  Studio host Todd Grisham will also be on site with all of the latest boxing news and highlights.  ESPN .com boxing writer Dan Rafael will also be on hand to provide analysis for the fights.  Alex Pombo and Delvin Rodriguez will call the match for ESPN Deportes with Leopoldo Gonzalez and Pablo Viruega in studio.  Bernardo Osuna (@osunaespn) will have live interviews and reports for both ESPN2 HD and ESPN Deportes.  The whole show is presented by Corona Extra.

To get all the latest news on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, fans can go follow the show on Twitter at @ESPNFNF and @ESPNBoxeo or like its official Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/espn.fnf.  Fans can score the fights themselves at home round-by-round with the Facebook Voting App on the Friday Night Fights Facebook page. 

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