Robert Easter jr to face Rances Barthelemy in Las Vegas.

Popular former lightweight champion Robert Easter Jr. (21-1, 14 KOs) and former two-division champion Rances Barthelemy (27-1, 14 KOs) are scheduled to box for the vacant WBA lightweight title on Saturday, April 27 on Showtime from The Chelsea Events centre at Las Vegas’ Cosmopolitan resort. Also in action will be rugged former super lightweight champion Viktor Postol 30-2 (12 Ko’s) takes on Mohamed Mimoune (21-2, 2 KOs) of France in a WBC super lightweight title eliminator.. Also a 10 round heavyweight special attraction featuring the explosive Undefeated Nigerian puncher, Efe Ajagba 9-0 (8 Ko’s) who aims to move to the next level following his impressive stoppage of Amir Mansour as he takes on once beaten German champion, Michael Wallisch 19-1 (12 Ko’s)

The Event will be promoted by TGB Promotions (Tom Brown)
About Billions Promotions (Ravone Littlejohn) and Mayweather Promotions (Leonard Ellerbe)

The card will be broadcast by Showtime in the United States.

Oleksandr Gvozdyk makes first defence in bizarre circumstances over Doudou Ngumbu.

WBC light heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk, 17-0, 14 KOs, made a successful first defence of his championship last night with a curious Tko Victory over unheralded French challenger Doudou Ngumbu 38-9 (14 Ko’s) in the fifth round at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.. Gvozdyk, leading comfortably on the scorecards was dictating the fifth round, when Ngumbu backed up and along the ropes, before bizarrely crouching down in pain, holding his right calf.. The referee halted the action momentarily while the ringside physician inspected the injured challenger. Amidst the confusion between corner, referee and doctor, several moments passed before referee Eric Dali waved the event off, with Ngumbu unable to continue.. The time 58 seconds of the 5th.

The nature of the stoppage along with the tame approach of the challenger wasn’t exactly the way Gvozdyk would have wanted to complete his first successful defence, but in his own words, “Sometimes boxing is like that.” Gvozdyk wishes to unify the titles and leaves his next move down to his teams discretion..

Scott Fitzgerald drops Anthony Fowler en route to upset victory in Liverpool.

In a wonderful battle of undefeated former amateur teammates, Anthony Fowler 9-0 (8 Ko’s) and Scott Fitzgerald 12-0 (9 Ko’s) met in a highly publicised grudge match for the vacant WBA International super welterweight title in a chief support on the M&S Bank Arena, Matchroom card tonight in Liverpool..
Heavily favoured local fighter Fowler got off to a great start, establishing the faster jab, with more accuracy throughout the first couple of rounds.. In the third Fowler started putting quick combinations together, forcing the Preston fighter to be patient and bide his time.. By round 5 Fitzgerald appeared to be the more comfortable boxer, out-landing Fowler (Who was now cut above the left eye) with the jab continually and using his range exceptionally.. Scott maintained the pressure in round 6, forcing Fowler onto the reverse for the first time in the fight.. The Liverpool man found himself in unchartered territory by the 7th, and wasn’t responding well, continually loading up with his shots and allowing the more mobile Fitzgerald to pick his shots comfortably.. Both fighters had their moments in the 8th, Fitzgerald looking the more composed and relaxed having appeared to steal a string of rounds, again outscoring the more disorganised Fowler with the more meaningful shots, Fowler being warned for low blows at the end of the session. Round 9 saw the determined Liverpool fighter come out purposefully, landing sharp counters.. moments into the round Fowler landed a huge uppercut, followed by a barrage of relentless punches, for the first time Fitzgerald looked in desperate trouble, but stubbornly rode it out and towards the end of the round, fired back at the exhausted scouser, leaving Fowler looking demoralised.. All appeared even going into the final round, with both guys carefully fencing for openings, Fitzgerald made the breakthrough with a sneaky uppercut midway through the round, quickly followed by a right hand backing Fowler up unbalanced, before unleashing two quick left hooks that floored Fowler for the first time in his career.. Demoralised and not yet recovered, he walked into more Fitzgerald fire, before the Preston man, rather immaturely stepped back, and allowed the desperate Fowler precious moments to recover as he enjoyed a short moment of showboating, in the belief that he was now ahead in the fight.. At the final bell both guys acknowledge each other before returning to their corners in anticipation of the scorecards..

Scott Fitzgerald, the 6-1 betting underdog took the decision and WBA international title by scores of 96-94 (For Fowler) and 95-94 (Twice for Fitzgerald)

Both guys briefly embraced before some candid yet gracious interviews.. Fowler gave high praise to Scott whom he admitted had boxed a tough crafty fight.. Fitzgerald paid testament to Fowler’s strength and toughness but attested that his newly found vigour for dedication pushed him through when many had written him off.. Scott generously offered Fowler the chance of a rematch in the distant future but expressed interest in a fight with British Champion Ted Cheeseman next..

David Price announced Victorious, Kash Ali disqualified for Biting.

Former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion David Price 24-6 (19 Ko’s) got off to a solid start over previously unbeaten Kash Ali 15-0 (7 Ko’s) on the M&S Bank arena in Liverpool tonight, dominating the first three rounds with stiff jabs and sneaky right hands.. Ali, bleeding from the nose tried valiantly to break through the huge mans defence in the fourth but was tied up cautiously by the experienced Liverpool fighter.. Both guys appeared to look spent coming into the fifth, Ali desperately looking for the heavy right hand to make a breakthrough, midway into the session Ali put together a flurry that seemed to daze Price, as he rushed in, David returned fire, visibly staggering the shorter Sheffield man, who reached out to clinch.. as both guys came together, Ali then tackled Price backwards onto the canvas, falling on top of his adversary.. as Price quickly attempted to rise, Ali made no attempt to release, with his face embedded in the Liverpool mans midsection.. Moments later it was evident that Kash had bitten Price in the abdomen, leaving noticeable teeth marks.. Referee Mark Lyson made no hesitation to disqualify Ali, after earlier removing a point and what appeared to be an earlier bite attempt to the shoulder in round 2.. It looked evident that Ali found himself in above his head and needed a valid way out.. in desperate times, inexperienced fighters do strange things.. Price moves on with the 5th round DQ win, probably not how he envisaged, but the W is in the column and he moves onto more colourful fights.. The time was 2:26 of the round..

The BBBC inspector at ringside later revealed that Kash Ali’s purse (His biggest to date) will be withheld and only the fighters expenses be paid..

Weights for Saturdays Matchroom Card, Liverpool.

Weights for Saturdays Matchroom card from the M&S Arena, in Liverpool.

David Price 254 v Kash Ali 243  (10 rounds Heavyweights)

Liam Smith 153 v Sam Eggington 153  (12 Rounds)
(WBC Silver Super Welterweight title)

Joe Hughes 138 v Robbie Davies Jr 138  (12 Rounds)
(European Super lightweight title)

Philip Bowes 139 v Tom Farrell 139  (12 Rounds)
(Commonwealth Super Lightweight title)

Anthony Fowler 153 v Scott Fitzgerald 154  (10 Rounds)
(WBA international Super welterweight title)

Paul Butler 123 v Fadhili Majiha 119  (6 Rounds)
Craig Glover 200 v Vaclav Pejsar 198  (8 Rounds)
Gerard Carroll 136 v Des Newton 137  (6 Rounds)
Tasha Jonas 137 v Feriche Mashauri 134  (6 X 2 minute rounds)
Thomas Hart 178 v Przemyslaw Binienda 175  (4 Rounds)

Venue: M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, England
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN & Sky UK.

38 year old Samuel Peter, inks with Saleta promotions, returns to action.

It’s 2 years and 3 months since former WBC heavyweight champion Sam Peter was last in the ring with an opponent of any credibility, and on that night, The Nigerian nightmare was retired at the end of three very tame rounds with a questionable elbow injury against the very capable Kubrat Pulev, weighing a whopping 271 pounds.. This appeared at the time to signify the conclusion of Peter’s quite decorated 15 year career.. It appears not..
At 36-6 (29 Ko’s) Samuel embarked on a low key return to the ring 4 weeks ago, disposing of a grossly overmatched Gerardo Escobar 2-21, in a single round, south of the border in a curiously named venue called the Cheers Bar, in Tijuana Mexico, a country in which Peter has appeared on 4 different occasions.. For the Escobar fight, Samuel came in at 262, a small shred of evidence that he may be taking a return to the ring a little more seriously than his trip to Sofia in 2016..
Paired with Sams recent signing to Saleta promotions, the 38 Year old once managed by Ivaylo Gotziev (Pulev’s current agent) is set to return again, as soon as April 13th on the Claressa Shields-Christina Hammer undercard in Atlantic City, against one Mario Heredia a 26 year old, 5 foot 11, 15-6-1 (13 Ko’s) resident of Chihuahua Mexico, with no noted killers on his resume.. The allowance of such opponents is justified in Samuels case, as long as he is kept busy and fights himself into shape, you may see some of the flashes that once made him one of the most feared men in the division..

I was around Sammy throughout his prime years, and even drove him to his first sparring session with Wladimir Klitschko, years before they actually fought for real.. Peter was a laid back character with some lackadaisical tendencies, but once under the lights turned into a beast.. By 2005, Peter had compiled a record of 24-0 (21 Ko’s) and had captured the NABA, NABF and USBA titles, before being thrust into the biggest fight of his life with former Champion, Wladimir Klitschko.. On that night Peter was unfazed and aggressively took the fight to Wladimir.. Sam broke through in round 5 scoring 2 scrappy knockdowns, but struggled to control the fight, due to Klitschko’s solid ring generalship, Sammy persisted with the task and scored a 3rd knockdown in the tenth, but once again failed to capitalise on the momentum. Heading to the scorecards, Wladimir hurt Sam in the final round and secured a unanimous points victory that would eventually lead to him regaining the title a year later..
Following the loss, Samuel compiled a 5 fight winning streak, including two decisions over James Toney and a life and death last minute affair with Jameel McCline at the Garden, before making his first proper challenge for the world championship, fighting WBC Champion Oleg Maskaev in Mexico in 2008.. Peter dominated Oleg before stopping him in round 6, picking up the championship that had eluded a string of Nigerian contenders for over a decade.. Unfortunately this was possibly the final live winning performance of Samuels better years, losses to both Vitali and Wladimir would follow, along with a tediously dull points defeat to Eddie Chambers and finally a disturbingly brutal knockout loss at the hands of Robert Helenius in 2011..
So here we are in 2019, with the unlikely yet very real prospect of Samuel returning to the ring a distinct reality.. Over the next couple of years I’m not expecting to see Peter rapidly slide up the rankings to a point of serious contention, but I am hoping that it’s Sams way of getting the sport out of his system after such a fragmented career, but to be honest, if he never fights again, from humble beginnings, he’s got an awful lot to be proud of..

David Price and Kash Ali, light up Saturdays Liverpool presser.

Today’s presser for Saturdays Matchroom card at the M & S Bank Arena in Liverpool, (formerly the Echo Arena) headlined by Sam Eggington v Liam Smith was largely overshadowed by an entertaining verbal exchange between heavyweights Kash Ali and David Price who meet in an interesting chief support bout.. Both guys usually sedate by nature sprung to life when the unbeaten Sheffield fighter stated “Price, I’m coming for you!” Which ignited a fire under the Liverpool man who dragged the exchange into the gutter.. Price 23-6 (19 Ko’s) feels that the animated Ali, is trying to convince himself that he belongs in the same class as himself, he retorted, “When I’m finished with you, I’ll send you back to the fucking leisure centres where you belong..” referring to the small shows on which Ali has currently been appearing.. Price continued, “I’m glad he’s gone like this, because I thought he was half alright, but it just shows he’s a Blert and he’s getting sparked out.”
The back and forth took a darker turn when a member of Ali’s entourage got involved, Price jumped to his feet and responded with “I’ll pull that fucking beard off your face you cunt, When I’ve knocked him out, I’ll come and fucking knock you out.. “ Ali stuck by his guns, continually referring to sparring sessions where he found his adversary, no real trouble, Price interjected “Yes, you was ok with that big helmet on with a steel bar on the front and your 20 ounce gloves..” The comedy value was priceless, as Kash referred to Prices stamina, saying that he will ‘ Quit and Gas’ at some point, around the 4th round.. Price laughed “Oh I can’t wait, Gas after 4 rounds, I’ll just be getting warmed up for you, I can’t wait for Saturday.” Many more insults were exchanged and Price told Ali’s team, whom he referred to as his little bunch of cronies, “That the biggest issue they are gonna have on their hands, is keeping this guy calm by fight-night, because he’s all charged up and his arse is gonna go.. “ Ali did respond but misunderstood the statement, as a drug accusation, to which he replied  “ I don’t drink and I’ve never done drugs.. “

Fight night is close and regardless of what is said, the 15-0 (7 Ko’s) underdog Ali, looks spiritually up for this his biggest test.. The problem lies in how seasoned he is as a pro, his last bout was a stoppage over a novice with a 2-2 record called Colin Goldhawk, and prior to that he struggled to a points win over a 1-4, Phil Williams.. In fact his biggest win, was probably a final round stoppage over 20 stone, 16-23-1 veteran Paul Butlin.. Ali has only boxed in 11 scheduled 4 rounders and 3 scheduled 6 rounders, and a single 10 which never got out of the second round with Dave Howe.. Price has actually featured in 9 twelve round scheduled fights and 5 scheduled 10 rounders, in a career that has seen him pick up British and Commonwealth titles, on top of an Olympic bronze.. Mixing in company like Alexander Povetkin, Audley Harrison, Erkan Teper and Sergey Kuzmin.. On paper the mountain for Ali to climb on Saturday is a steep one, but it’s boxing and unbeaten heavyweights bring momentum and confidence.. those two ingredients along with power, can make for an interesting evening..

Lamont Peterson retires following crushing loss to Sergey Lipinets in MD.

The Wonderful career of DC’s former 3 time world champion Lamont Peterson, came to a sad close last night following a 10th round knockout loss at the hands of California based welterweight, Sergey Lipinets, in the main event at the MGM National Harbour Casino in Oxon hill Maryland..
The emotional Peterson announced his retirement to his home crowd and Tv audience following the bout, stating “Its been a long career, but today’s the day.”
The majority of the fight was fought at close quarters, with Peterson enjoying success to the body in the early going. Neither fighter took complete control in the early rounds, until Lipinets began to land more frequently around the sixth.. By round 9 Peterson’s work-rate had dropped and the momentum of the action appeared to favour Lipinets, who seemed to be controlling the bout.. Lipinets started to land the more damaging shots going into the 10th round, a solid right hand staggered Peterson and a series of follow up shots dropped Peterson heavily.. Compassionately, Peterson’s trainer Barry Hunter, jumped onto the apron and offered in the towel to save his fighter.. Hunter embraced his beaten charge in the ring, as referee Harvey Dock stopped the fight at 2:58 of the 10th..
Peterson leaves a record of 34-5-1, 17 KO’s and he is one of six DC fighters to hold three or more world titles in the four major governing bodies (WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO) joining Sugar Ray Leonard, Simon Brown, William Joppy, Mark Johnson and Hasim Rahman. Lipinets, himself a former world champion, is now 15-1, 11 KO’s.

This was a rough evening for both Peterson Brothers. Super lightweight, Anthony battled Argenis Mendez of Yonkers, NY to a 10-round draw.
Peterson spent most of the bout on the outside, with both men having their moments in a too and fro bout, but neither man seized the chance to take control of the action.
Judges Larry Hazzard and John Gradowski had the bout scored 96-94 for each fighter respective.. as Paul Wallace had it a draw at 95-95..

Kubrat Pulev overcomes crisis to stop Bogdan Dinu in California.

Bulgaria’s, IBF Number one ranked heavyweight Kubrat Pulev (27-1, 14 KOs) scored a seventh round KO over Romanian, Bogdan Dinu (18-2, 14 KOs) on Saturday night in the ESPN main event at The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California. The feature bout took a little time to catch fire, Pulev getting the better of a late exchange in the opening session.. Pulev forced the action in the second, but still failed to find any kind of breakthrough.. Finally in the third the former world title challenger began to establish some authority, backing Dinu up with successive right hands. The Romanian gladly responded in round four, finally letting his hands go, landing a crisp right hand, causing a nasty cut over Pulev’s left eye.
With all still to play for in round five, the cut bled freely, causing some urgency in the Bulgarian corner, Dinu boxed cautiously, as Pulev upped his workrate in an attempt to subdue the encouraged Romanian..
The gash was brought under control between rounds 5 and 6, as Pulev maintained his composure and went to work on Dinu, landing huge right hands.. By the conclusion of the session, the cut had managed to reopen and bleed down the side of Pulev’s face..
The Bulgarian came out purposeful in the seventh, forcing Dinu into a defensive shell on the ropes, dipping low to avoid the relentless onslaught. A right hand finally managed to force Bogdan to the Canvas where Pulev erratically landed two illegal shots. Pulev was deducted a point for the infringement and forced to allow Dinu time to recover, but the damage was done, Pulev landed another solid overhand right to drop Dinu for a second time.. Moments later a final right hand closed the show, dropping the tough Romanian for a third time, for referee Raul Caiz to call a halt at 2:40 of round seven..
With the Victory, especially on American soil, Pulev remains relevant in the division, maintaining a high ranking in the IBF’s rankings, heading for a possible shot at Anthony Joshua, sometime in the near future. Dinu however hardly the type of preparation required for such a task.

Okolie, Buatsi and Ritson victorious at The Copper Box.

2016 Olympic light bronze medalist and WBA #5 rated light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi (10-0, 8 KOs) snatched the vacant British title with a third round Stoppage of tough Liam Conroy (16-4-1, 8 KOs) on Saturday night at the Copper Box Arena in London. Buatsi dropped Conroy twice in the third at a time when the gallant underdog looked willing to engage.. Conroy didn’t argue the stoppage.. The performance was possibly Joshua’s most spiteful performance, showing a cold merciless conclusion at exactly the moment he chose..

Undefeated 2016 Heavyweight Olympian, Lawrence Okolie (12-0, 9 KOs) now highly ranked and touted at cruiserweight, scored a fourth round KO over the experienced yet overmatched Wadi Camacho (21-8, 12 KOs) in a clash for Camacho’s Commonwealth title. Okolie dropped Camacho with a right hand, following a quick flurry, then finished him with clinical shots seconds later.. The long limbed Okolie did walk onto a huge right hand in the second, but had far too many natural advantages over Camacho.. Okolie showed an interest in fighting for a vacant version of the world title within his next couple of fights, possibly against rugged warhorse Dennis Lebedev..

Returning from his sole loss, this time up at super lightweight, Lewis Ritson (18-1, 11 KOs) Went to the wire with Argentinian, German Benitez (21-4, 9 KOs) winning a ten round unanimous decision on three extremely distorted scorecards of 99-91, 98-92, 98-92.
Benitez brought more than Ritson had bargained for and looked to have ran it within a point on many ringsiders scorecards..

Promoter Eddie Hearn, Matchroom..  

Charles Martin hands undefeated Gregory Corbin his first loss in Texas.

In what should have been the come out fight for undefeated Gregory Corbin 15/0 (9 Ko’s) on Saturday night, turned into a catastrophe on the Spence v Garcia undercard in Texas, when he found himself in over his head against former IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin 25/2/1 (23 Ko’s) and resorted to desperate measures on his way to a disappointing DQ loss.. Corbin struggled to get a foothold in the fight as the more experienced Californian took the initiative, landing the cleaner shots and controlled the tempo, hurting Corbin at the end of the session.. Round two followed a similar pattern with Corbin struggling to get off before the lively Martin, who was maintaining the superior work rate, Corbin lacking the urgency of a man in the biggest fight of his career..
Corbin did land in the third but it didn’t subdue Martin, who immediately forced the undefeated Texan back into the ropes.. Charles who has shown decent character since his return from the Joshua loss, looked to have a far more enthusiastic energy than Corbin, who’s punches now appeared raggedy in comparison.. Martin picked up a cut eye midway through the fourth and Corbin was deducted a point for a misplaced low punch...
Round five saw Corbin again walking into needless punches, shrugging in retort as a show of optimistic bravado.. Frustrated at the pattern of the fight, Corbin once again threw a pointless low shot and was deducted a point for the second time, leaving him with a monumental task on the scorecards in what was turning into an embarrassingly one sided affair.. Martin stuck to task and didn’t let the cut or the fouling interrupt his game, methodically out-landing his now sorry looking opponent.. Despite lively instruction in the corner Greg started the 6th with as much enthusiasm as he did in the previous 5 sessions.. Struggling to survive Martins heavy handed counterpunching, Corbin unthinkably slammed a dreadful right hand into Martins groin, leaving the referee Mark Calo-oy with no option but to deduct a third successive point from the now demoralised Corbin, along with a stern final warning.. The undefeated 38 year old still didn’t appear to respond with any urgency tomhis terribly one sided predicament, and just continued to plod back in aimlessly..
Martin completely dictated the seventh, with Corbin now looking lost and subdued.. Corbins frustration and desperation manifested itself in round eight, as he intentionally sabotaged his biggest opportunity with yet another dreadfully low blow, leaving Mark Calo-oy no option but to disqualify the prospect leaving him with his first loss and a priceless lesson.. Corbin looked completely out of his depth having never faced anyone remotely close to Martins class, and will have to go back and look closely as his own development.. Its evident that he has ability, but without real structured learning fights he may never see this type of opportunity again for some time.. Martin isn’t the greatest heavyweight in the world, but he’s still young, strong and heavy handed.. This victory, paired with his gallant showing against Adam Kownacki last September May see the colourful St Louis native in a few more entertaining high profile fights..

Undefeated Gregory Corbin steps up to face Charles Martin in Texas..

Tomorrow night on the Spence v Garcia undercard in Arlington Texas, Undefeated Dallas heavyweight Gregory Corbin 15/0 (9 Ko’s) takes his first real step up in class when he faces former IBF champion Charles Martin 25/2/1 (23 Ko’s) in an intriguing 10 rounder.. Corbin has been touted highly by those who have witnessed his career from close quarters, including accomplished champions Riddick Bowe and Evander Holyfield who have helped to advise the 38 year old at the Heavyweight Factory in Florida, unfortunately so far Greg has not faced a single ranked opponent in his 15 outings.. 6 foot 5 inch Corbin, who turned pro in 2012 has fluctuated between 270 and 285 pounds throughout his 7 year career, but has weighed in today at a career lightest at 263, which signifies evidence that he is taking this opportunity deadly serious.. Martin on the other hand looked every inch a potential future champion back in 2015, and even though he did pick up the Vacant IBF title, Charles appeared to burn out, surrendering his belt 12 weeks after winning it, to current champion Anthony Joshua in April of 2016.. Following the loss, the 6 foot 5 inch St Louis native, appeared to run off the rails, posting a string of bizarre social media videos, before being shot in the stomach in a near deadly drive by in California. A year after Martins trip through the twilight zone, he decided to put his life back in order and return to the ring, stopping both Byron Polley and Mike Marrone in quick fashion, before once again stepping to the big time last September to take on undefeated polish born New Yorker, Adam Kownacki. Martin gave a fabulous account of himself that night, losing a unanimous decision but displaying the type of desire many thought had died in the Joshua fight.. Martin is by far the toughest name on Corbins resume, the outcome of this bout really lies within what Greg Corbin brings to the table.. If rumours and gym stories are anything to go by, Corbin is the next big thing, but like in anything, the proof is in the performance.. it’s a very good matchup.