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This Week in the CFL – Opening Week

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This Week in the CFL – Opening Week

Stats and storylines heading into this week’s action

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BREAKING IT DOWN

  • Of the 502 players on CFL rosters, 69 are entering their first year in the league (13.7 per cent).
  • Edmonton has the most first-year players (14) and Ottawa, Saskatchewan, Toronto and Winnipeg have the fewest (six).
  • Players entering this season have an average of 38 games or approximately three years of CFL experience.
  • One third of CFL roster players have come via U SPORTS (171).
  • Winnipeg has the oldest roster with an average age of 28.9. Edmonton and Calgary have the youngest at 27.6.
  • Of the 54 CFL Divisional All-Stars from 2022, 49 are on CFL rosters.

PAST FIVE SEASON OPENERS

  • Winnipeg | 4-1
  • Ottawa | 3-1-1
  • Toronto | 3-2
  • Saskatchewan | 3-2
  • Montreal | 2-3
  • Calgary | 2-2-1
  • Edmonton | 2-3
  • BC | 2-3
  • Hamilton | 1-4

PIVOTAL PERFORMANCE

  • Bo Levi Mitchell | 117 starts | 90-25-2
  • Zach Collaros | 97 starts | 61-36
  • Trevor Harris | 96 starts | 48-46-2
  • Cody Fajardo | 44 starts | 27-17
  • Vernon Adams Jr. | 35 starts | 21-14
  • Nick Arbuckle | 22 starts | 9-13
  • Taylor Cornelius | 20 starts | 4-16
  • Jake Maier| 12 starts | 7-5
  • Chad Kelly | 1 start | 0-1

CENTURY MARK

  • Ticats QB Bo Levi Mitchell needs 10 wins to reach 100 in his career. If he accomplishes the feat this season, he would be aged 33 years (and 239 days or fewer), making him the second youngest to reach the milestone.
  • Ages of quarterbacks when they reached 100 wins:
    • Ron Lancaster | 33 years and 10 days
    • Tracy Ham | 33 years and 271 days
    • Anthony Calvillo | 34
    • Matt Dunigan | 35
    • Damon Allen | 36
    • Ricky Ray | 36
    • Kevin Glenn | 37
    • Henry Burris | 38
    • Danny McManus | 38

MOVE ON UP

  • Adam Bighill (817) needs 17 tackles to pass Solomon Elimimian (833) for 6th all-time.
  • Simoni Lawrence (658) needs five tackles to pass Calvin Tiggle (662) for 12th all-time.
  • Henoc Muamba (610) needs 29 tackles to pass Shannon Garrett (638) for 17th all-time.

QUICK SLANTS

  • Thursday’s season kickoff between the Lions and the Stampeders will be the earliest the CFL season has ever begun. 2022 previously held this distinction with a start on June 9.
  • Lewis Ward (88.7 per cent), René Paredes (87.6 per cent), and Sean Whyte (87.1 per cent) enter the season as the CFL’s all-time leaders in field goal success rate (min. 150 attempts).
  • Calgary’s Paredes (1,944) is 56 points shy of becoming the 10th player to reach 2,000 career points.
  • Hamilton’s Bo Levi Mitchell (188) is 12 passing touchdowns away from becoming the 13th QB to reach 200 in his career.
  • Winnipeg’s next victory will be Mike O’Shea’s 83rd win, moving him into a tie for 13th alongside Jack Gotta (83).
  • With one more touchdown pass, Zach Collaros will become the 25th quarterback to reach 150 in his career.
  • Nic Demski (284) needs 16 catches for 300 in his career.
  • Ottawa has won 10 of its last 11 games in Montreal. Prior to that streak, Montreal had won six straight at home against Ottawa.
  • Ottawa’s Nigel Romick (99) sits second among active players in Special Teams Tackles.
  • Entering his fifth season, Montreal’s William Stanback needs 84 rushing yards for 3,000 in his career.
  • Edmonton’s Chris Jones has had two previous stints as a head coach. In his second season on both occasions, he led his team to the playoffs, including a Grey Cup victory with Edmonton in 2015.
  • Manny Arceneaux (8,931) needs 69 yards to reach 9,000 in his career. He enters the season with 617 receptions.

Boxing: Split-T Management’s Ardreal Holmes and Joseph Hicks Jr. Remain Undefeated With Wins in Detroit

Fight Editor
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Boxing: Split-T Management’s Ardreal Holmes and Joseph Hicks Jr. Remain Undefeated With Wins in Detroit

NEW YORK – Split-T Management fighters Ardreal Holmes Jr. and Joseph Hicks Jr. remained undefeated with victories on Saturday night at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

Holmes won a technical split decision over Wendy Toussaint in a bout that was stopped in round eight of a scheduled 10-round super welterweight bout.

In round four, Toussaint was deducted a point for hitting behind the head.

Holmes boxed well by using his height, while Toussaint was coming on late by pressuring the taller Holmes.

In round eight, the two clashed heads and the forehead of Toussaint immediately began to gush blood. The fight was allowed to continue, but only briefly as the blood continued to shoot out of the forehead and the fight went to the scorecards at 1:54.

Holmes, 153.4 lbs of Flint, MI won by scores of 77-74 and 76-75 while a third card went to Toussaint by a 77-74 tally.

Holmes is now 14-0. Toussaint, 149.8 lbs of Huntington, NY is 14-2.

“I was expecting a tough fight. Just wasn’t in the shape we wanted to be in, but no excuses. I got the job done,” said Holmes post-fight. “I felt like I didn’t catch my second wind until the seventh or eighth round. That’s when I felt like the fight was really changing. I felt like I took the earlier rounds and he started coming on late.”

Holmes said the fast pace Toussaint kept throughout the fight was unexpected. “He actually surprised me,” admitted Holmes. “Watching film, he usually slows in the fourth or fifth round. That’s what I thought he was going to do, but he shocked me. My plan was to come on halfway through the fight and I thought I was going to close it out at the end. I thought the decision was fair. It was four-four (in rounds), but the point (deduction) did it. He was out of gas the last quarter of the fight.”

Holmes is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Holden Productions.

Joseph Hicks Jr. remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Antonio Todd in a middleweight bout.

Hicks had Todd in trouble several times during the fight, and although he could not get the stoppage, he was dominant in winning the decision.

Hicks, 159.4 lbs of Grand Rapids, MI won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 7-0. Todd, 158.2 lbs of Atlanta is 14-8.

“I didn’t expect Todd to be that awkward,” said Hicks afterwards. “I knew he was tough, but he was awkward. He did a lot of unorthodox things. He dropped his head after he jabbed. He switched back after his jab, and he got the counterpunch. I was trying to time him, but he was flinching back.”

“It means everything to be a part of this fight card and this event,” Hicks continued. “I’m very grateful to Claressa and Salita Promotions. The GWOAT, Claressa, she’s going to win tonight. I’m very grateful to her, because without her, this opportunity is not here for me. I’m ready for whoever they give me next. I’m going back to the drawing board. We’re going to fix a lot of things, get sharper and be better in my next fight.”

Hicks is promoted by Salita Promotions.

Both fights were streamed Live on DAZN.

Aari McDonald Injury Update

WNBA Editor
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Aari McDonald Injury Update

ATLANTA, Ga. – Atlanta Dream guard Aari McDonald has been diagnosed with a torn labrum, which she sustained during the Dream’s game against the Las Vegas Aces on Friday, June 2. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan this week confirmed the diagnosis.

McDonald’s estimated timeline to return to the court is 3-4 weeks, updates will be provided as necessary.

WNBA Preview: Las Vegas Aces (7-0) at Connecticut Sun (6-2)

WNBA Editor
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WNBA Preview: Las Vegas Aces (7-0) at Connecticut Sun (6-2)

Part of the test for the Las Vegas Aces is to see if they can produce an encore.

The visiting Aces meet the Connecticut Sun on Thursday night at Uncasville, Conn., in a rematch from earlier in the week.

The Aces beat the Sun 90-84 on Tuesday night, building a 19-point lead and seeing the margin shrink to three points with four minutes to play. Las Vegas held on to stretch its season-opening winning streak to seven games.

The rematch will mark the end of a four-game trip, which has produced Las Vegas victories by five, four and six points.

Because of an encouraging fourth quarter, the Sun (6-2) could be in a good frame of mind.

The Aces generally locked down defensively, though Rebecca Allen’s six 3-point baskets off the bench helped her to 22 points.

For the Sun, with Allen and DiJonai Carrington combining for 33 points in reserve roles Tuesday, there are various sources of offense.

Tuesday’s matchup marked the first meeting of the season between the WNBA finalists from a season ago.

Yankees Roster Moves

MLB Editor
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Yankees Roster Moves

Earlier today, the Yankees made the following roster moves:

  • Placed OF Aaron Judge on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to 6/4) with a right great toe sprain.
  • Transferred RHP Ryan Weber to the 60-day injured list.
  • Signed OF Billy McKinney (#57) to a Major League contract and selected him to the active roster.

Cubs place INF Edwin Rios on 10-day IL, recall RHP Michael Rucker from Triple-A

MLB Editor
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Cubs place INF Edwin Rios on 10-day IL, recall RHP Michael Rucker from Triple-A

ANAHEIM – The Chicago Cubs today placed infielder Edwin Rios on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to June 4) with a left groin strain and recalled right-handed pitcher Michael Rucker from Triple-A Iowa.

Rucker, 29, begins his second stint with the club as he opened the year with Chicago and went 1-1 with 5.48 ERA (14 ER/23.0 IP) in 20 relief appearances with nine walks and 25 strikeouts. He opened the season with a 2.45 ERA (4 ER/14.2 IP) in his first 16 outings through May 13 before pitching to a 10.80 ERA (10 ER/8.1 IP) in his final four relief appearances prior to being optioned to Iowa May 30.

Rucker most recently tossed 2.1 scoreless innings of relief for Iowa on June 2 vs. Columbus, his first outing with the I-Cubs this season.

The six-foot one-inch Rucker made his major league debut with the Cubs in 2021 and is 4-2 with one save, five holds and a 5.09 ERA (60 ER/106.0 IP) in 81 career relief appearances. He has walked 40, struck out 105 batters and stranded 41 of 55 inherited runners. Rucker was selected by Chicago in the 11th round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Brigham Young University.

Rios, 29, has batted .071 (2-for-28) with one double, one home run and two RBI in 18 games for Chicago this season. He signed a one-year major league contract with Chicago in February of this year.

Boxing Preview: Josh Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs) vs Teofimo Lopez (18-1, 13 KOs)

Fight Editor
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Boxing Preview: Josh Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs) vs Teofimo Lopez (18-1, 13 KOs)

Tartan or Takeover?
Undefeated junior welterweight king Josh Taylor will defend his WBO and Ring Magazine titles against former lightweight kingpin Teofimo Lopez Saturday, June 10 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Taylor-Lopez will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

TAYLOR VS. LOPEZ START TIME
Date: Saturday, June 10
Time: 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST
Main event ringwalks (approx): 11:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 a.m. BST
The fight will take place at the Hulu Theater at MSG, New York.
The fight will be available live on ESPN+ in the U.S. In the UK, viewers can watch the fight on Sky Sports.
The main card is set to get underway at 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 11:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 a.m. BST. These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 12 at 12 p.m. ET and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.

“This is a super fight on both sides of the pond, the junior welterweight king in Josh Taylor stepping up against the young, dynamic Teofimo Lopez,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “I cannot wait for these two supreme talents to step into the Madison Square Garden ring. It’s going to be a special night.”

Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs), “The Tartan Tornado,” is the former undisputed junior welterweight champion, having collected all four major titles in a remarkable four-fight run that included wins over Ivan Baranchyk, Regis Prograis and Jose Ramirez. He debuted in the paid ranks in 2015 and captured a Commonwealth title in his second year before defeating fellow unbeaten prospect Ohara Davies via seventh-round TKO. The 32-year-old then beat former world champions Miguel Vazquez and Viktor Postol before entering the World Boxing Super Series in 2018. Taylor stopped then-undefeated contender Ryan Martin via TKO before capturing his first world title with a decision victory over Baranchyk. His wins over Prograis and Ramirez left no doubt as to the world’s supreme 140-pound practitioner. Taylor returns more than one year after his last performance, a competitive split decision nod over Jack Catterall.

Lopez (18-1, 13 KOs) is the former unified and lineal lightweight champion of the world. In December 2019, he captured the IBF title with an explosive second-round knockout of Richard Commey. The following October, he bested pound-for-pound king Vasiliy Lomachenko to win the WBA, WBO, and WBC Franchise titles. Thirteen months later, he lost the belts via shocking split decision to George Kambosos Jr. The 25-year-old then made his junior welterweight debut in August 2022 by stopping Pedro Campa in the seventh round. Last December, Lopez edged Spanish southpaw Sandor Martin by split decision. Before becoming world champion, he was the buzz of the boxing world with highlight-reel knockouts over Diego Magdaleno and Mason Menard. Lopez now has his sights set on another southpaw and hopes to become the sport’s latest two-division ruler.

TAYLOR VS. LOPEZ FIGHT CARD
Josh Taylor vs. Teofimo Lopez; For Taylor’s WBO world super lightweight title
Xander Zayas vs. Ronald Cruz; Light middleweight
Jamaine Ortiz vs. TBA; Lightweight
Robson Conceicao vs. Nicolas Polanco; Super featherweight
Henry Lebron vs. Carlos Ramos; Super featherweight
Omar Rosario vs. Jan Carlos Rivera; Light middleweight
Bruce Carrington vs. Luis Porozo; Featherweight
Damian Knyba vs. Helaman Olguin; Heavyweight

Boxing Preview: Jaime Munguia (41-0, 32 KOs) vs Sergiy Derevyanchenko (14-4, 10 KOs)

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Boxing Preview: Jaime Munguia (41-0, 32 KOs) vs Sergiy Derevyanchenko (14-4, 10 KOs)

In his biggest test in the ring yet, Mexican superstar Jaime Munguia (41-0, 32 KOs) will make a highly anticipated return against the dangerous, Ukrainian world champion contender Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (14-4, 10 KOs) in a 12-round middleweight fight on Saturday, June 10. The 12-round main event is scheduled to take place at Toyota Arena and is presented in association with Zanfer Boxing. The middleweight clash will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN beginning at 5:00 p.m. PT/ 8:00 p.m. ET.

“I am very excited to return to the ring and even more excited to face a fighter like Derevyanchenko,” said Jaime Munguia. “I think it will be a very intense fight from start to finish, but like always we are training very hard and are very ready to give the fans a very exciting fight. We will see you this June 10 in Southern California!”

“I’ve been in some of the biggest middleweight title fights over the last few years and as my fans know I always come to fight,” said Sergiy Derevyanchenko. “I feel like the GGG fight a few years ago was a fight that should have gone my way, so getting back to a title fight and becoming a world champion is my main goal. Mungia is a great fighter and a win over him gets me back on track to winning a world title. June 10 will be a war, a bloodbath, and I’m willing to give it everything I’ve got to come away victorious. I will be looking to get this win for myself but also for my country, Ukraine.”

MUNGUIA VS. DEREVYANCHENKO START TIME
Date: Saturday, June 10
Time: 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST
Main event ringwalks (approx): 11 p.m. ET / 4 a.m. BST
The card will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe
The fight will take place at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
The main card begins at 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 11 p.m. ET / 4 a.m. BST.

“Munguia has always wanted the toughest fights — and this is going to be one of them,” said Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and Chairman of Golden Boy Promotions. “For years, Derevyanchenko has gone life and death with the division’s top middleweights and has always reached the final bell. Should Jaime get past him — and I believe he will — he is immediately in position for a world title shot.”

“We are very excited to face a great rival like Sergiy Derevyanchenko,” said Zanfer Boxing President Fernando Beltran. “Jaime is a fighter that never stops training who is looking to be the best – this fight is no exception. We will see the fans this June 10 for a great night of boxing where we are confident that we will leave the ring with our arms high in the air.”

Munguia was last seen in November 2022 easily cruising to a third round knockout victory against Gonzalo Coria in front of a hometown crowd in Guadalajara, Mexico. Last July 2022, Derevyanchenko secured a unanimous decision victory against Joshua Conley. Derevyanchenko has faced the likes of Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin, Jermall Charlo, and other top names of the sport – giving fighters trouble and fans a spectacle.

MUNGUIA VS. DEREVYANCHENKO FIGHT CARD
Jaime Munguia vs. Sergiy Derevyanchenko; Super middleweight
Shane Mosley Jr. vs. D’Mitrius Ballard; Middleweight Mariana
Juarez vs. Mayeli Flores; Women’s super bantamweight
Ricardo Saddoval vs. Rocco Santomauro; Flyweight
Jorge Chavez vs. Christian Lorenzo; Super featherweight
Anthony Saldivar vs. Jerome Clayton; Light middleweight

Boxing Preview: Sunny Edwards (19-0, 4 KOs) vs Andres Campos (15-0, 4 KOs)

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Boxing Preview: Sunny Edwards (19-0, 4 KOs) vs Andres Campos (15-0, 4 KOs)

Sunny Edwards will defend his IBF World Flyweight title against Andres Campos at the OVO Arena Wembley, London on Saturday June 10 live on DAZN – and topping a blockbuster triple-header of World title action with Nina Hughes defending her WBA Bantamweight crown against Shannon Courtenay and Cherneka Johnson defending her IBF Super-Bantamweight strap against Ellie Scotney.

Edwards (19-0 4 KOs) makes his Matchroom debut in the capital having penned a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn in March, and the unbeaten Sheffield-based slickster makes his fourth defence of the IBF strap he landed in April 2021 against Moruti Mthalane in London.

‘Showtime’ is gunning for unification clashes in the second half of the year and having seen off challenges from Felix Alvarado, Muhammad Waseem and Jayson Mama, he welcomes unbeaten Chilean Campos to his homeland. Campos (15-0 4 KOs), ranked at seven in the IBF rankings, has held the WBO Latino Flyweight strap since March 2020 and the 26 year old, who has called Edwards out before, landed the 15th win of his career in January and fourth inside the distance – and now lands the World title shot he’s been craving.

EDWARDS VS. CAMPOS START TIME
Date: Saturday, June 10
Time: 7 p.m. BST / 2 p.m. ET
Main event ringwalks (approx): 10.13 p.m. BST / 5.13 p.m. ET
The card will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe
The fight will take place at the OVO Arena Wembley in London.
The televised section of event is set to get underway at 7 p.m. BST / 2 p.m. ET with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 10.13 p.m. BST / 5.13 p.m. ET. These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.

“Campos has been calling for a fight with me for a couple years now since I’ve been champion which is strange to me,” said Edwards. “So, now I’m gonna cook him like sweet chilli and send him back packing with his tail between his legs, the little muppet!”

An all-British World title clash sees WBA Bantamweight ruler Hughes (5-0 2 KOs) makes the first defense of her title against former title holder Courtenay (8-2 3 KOs). Hughes landed the title in Dubai in November against Jamie Mitchell, and the late-bloomer from Essex will face a hungry Courtenay in London as the Watford star aims to regain the title she lost on the scales before dropping a majority decision to Mitchell in Liverpool in October 2021 having beaten Ebanie Bridges to win the belt in London six months earlier.

The third World title bout on the bill pits Australian IBF Super-Bantamweight champion Johnson against unbeaten Briton Scotney. Johnson (15-1 6 KOs) got her hands on the vacant title on her home patch in Melbourne 12 months ago against Melissa Esquivel and then bravely coped with a brutal cut in the second round of her first defense against fellow Aussie Susie Ramadan as they served up a classic at the Rod Laver Arena in October. Scotney (6-0) lands her first World title shot against Johnson, and the Catford star, will fight at the Wembley venue for the third time in her burgeoning career after landing the European title in her last outing in October.

There’s an action-packed undercard supporting the three World title bouts, with some of Matchroom’s brightest talents in crunch clashes.

Cruiserweight Cheavon Clarke looks to close in on a British title tilt as he faces David Jamieson in a final eliminator for the British title. Clarke (5-0 4 KOs) got vital rounds under his belt in February in Nottingham in his first ten rounder when Israel Duffus became the first fighter to take him to the final bell, and now the 32 year old meets Jamieson (10-2 7 KOs) to get into pole position for the British strap, and it would lead to a second crack at the title for Jamieson, who met current champion Mikael Lawal for the belt in November.

Youssef Khoumari and Reece Bellotti will meet in an eliminator for British Super-Featherweight title. Khoumari (15-1-1 6 KOs) performs on his doorstep in a key battle for the 26 year old to get into range for the Lord Lonsdale belt, and the Wembley talent has bagged a pair of wins since being edged out by Jorge Castaneda in October 2021.

Watford’s Bellotti got himself back into winning ways after picking up the Southern Area title last April by stopping Dean Dodge at York Hall having dropped losses to World rated Raymond Ford and Jordan Gill on Matchroom bills previously.

The ‘Romford Bull’ Johnny Fisher (8-0 7 KOs) will bring his Bull Army to Wembley for the third time as the 24 year old Heavyweight fights for the ninth time in the pros, Anthony Joshua-managed Shannon Ryan (4-0) returns to the venue of her March 2022 debut to continue her pro journey, and rising starlets George Liddard (2-0 2 KOs) and Muhammad Ali (1-0) feature on Before the Bell.

“What a night we have in store on June 10 in London,” said Hearn. “Sunny headlines in his first fight with us and with those massive unification fights on the horizon, he’ll be looking to shine against Andres, who can upset the odds in his first World title fight.

“All-British World title fights always have that extra bit of spice, and I expect Nina and Shannon to deliver fireworks, and the same applies to the battle between Cherneka and Ellie, a fight that will be high in drama and skill.

“Chev and Youssef will have their title credentials tested in crunch battles with David and Reece, Johnny’s incredible support will be out in force again and it’s a great platform for Shannon, George and Muhammad to strut their stuff – June 10 is another night of must-see action live on DAZN.”

EDWARDS VS. CAMPOS FIGHT CARD
Sunny Edwards vs. Andres Campos; For Edwards’ IBF world flyweight title
Johnny Fisher vs. Emiio Salas; Heavyweight
Cherneka Johnson vs. Ellie Scotney; For Johnson’s IBF women’s super bantamweight title
Cheavon Clarke vs. Davis Jamieson; British cruiserweight title eliminator
Nina Hughes vs. Katie Healy; For Hughes’ WBA women’s bantamweight title
Youssef Khoumari vs. Reece Bellotti; Super featherweight
George Liddard vs. Nikolas Dzurnak; 163lb catchweight
Shannon Ryan vs. Martina Bernile; Super flyweight
Muhammad Ali vs. Bryan Castro; Super bantamweight

Boxing Preview: Ali Izmailov (10-0, 7 KOs) vs Charles Foster (22-0, 12 KOs)

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Boxing Preview: Ali Izmailov (10-0, 7 KOs) vs Charles Foster (22-0, 12 KOs)

Blue-chip prospect and top-10 ranked light heavyweight Ali Izmailov (10-0, 7 KOs) faces his toughest test to date when he takes on fellow unbeaten and highly decorated amateur Charles Foster (22-0, 12 KOs) in the 10-round main event as SHOBOX: The New Generation returns to Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y., during Hall of Fame Weekend on Friday, June 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT live on SHOWTIME. This marks the second straight year SHOBOX® will be a part of the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend festivities.

The exciting tripleheader features two undefeated matchups and includes fighters with a combined record of 99-2-2 and 56 knockouts. In the co-feature, college graduate Richard Vansiclen (13-0-1, 6 KOs) from Seattle, Wash., takes on fellow unbeaten and hard-hitting Colombian Juan Carrillo (10-0, 8 KOs) in a 10-round light heavyweight matchup. In the telecast opener, former SHOBOX main-event winner and rising super lightweight prospect Mykquan Williams (19-0-1, 8 KOs) will face battletested Ryan Martin (25-2, 15 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

This marks the fourth time since 2013 that a SHOBOX card has taken place in conjunction with Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, which will occur June 8-11. SHOBOX has visited Turning Stone Resort Casino a total of seven times previously during its 21-year history. The three-fight telecast on June 9 is promoted by Dmitriy Salita’s Salita Promotions.

“It’s great to be back at Turning Stone Resort Casino for Hall of Fame Weekend,” said Gordon Hall, executive producer for SHOBOX: The New Generation. “Our three fight card features 50-50 matchups with the winner of the main event clearly establishing themselves as a top contender in the light heavyweight division. Each of these fighters aspires to be inducted into the Hall of Fame one day, much as former SHOBOX fighters and Class of 2023 Hall of Famers Tim Bradley and Carl Froch once did. On behalf of all of us at SHOWTIME, congratulations to all the inductees!”

Added Salita, “Six fighters, five undefeated, will put it all on the line in by far the most significant fights of their careers. There is no better proving ground than SHOBOX and no better celebration of boxing than Hall of Fame Weekend. The boxing world will be watching. I’m honored to promote such an event.”

Here is more on each of the three bouts:

Izmailov vs. Foster – 10-Round Light Heavyweight Main Event
Ranked No. 7 by the IBF and No. 8 by the WBO after just 10 fights, the John David Jackson-trained Izmailov is a fast-rising force in the light heavyweight division. A former amateur standout having won multiple elite international tournaments, Izmailov, economical and efficient in the ring, has been matched tough throughout his professional career. In his second fight, he cruised to a six-round unanimous decision over 30-fight veteran Dmitry Sukhotskiy and followed that with a dominant performance against once-beaten Sergei Ekimov. Since making his U.S. debut in October 2021, Izmailov is 5-0 with four KOs. Before his first-round knockout over Marcelo Ruben Molina in his last bout in March, Izmailov had back-to-back wins over undefeated opponents, including a unanimous decision over Eric Murguia in August. Originally from Malgobek, Russia, the 30-year-old Izmailov currently resides in Detroit when he’s not training in Florida with top trainer Jackson.

“I want to fight the very best to show the boxing world who I am,” Izmailov said. “I look forward to a great training camp with my trainer John David Jackson in Florida and a statement-making performance on June 9.”

Fighting out of New Haven, Conn., the southpaw SHOBOX alum Foster is coming off three straight knockouts, including his last in December against Rafael Fernandez Sosa in the Dominican Republic via a sixth-round stoppage. Prior to that, Foster was part of Hall of Fame Weekend last year as he took out Bo Gibbs, Jr., in Verona with a fourth-round TKO. In May of 2018 on SHOBOX at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Foster outworked then-undefeated Alvin Varmall to win a unanimous decision. He is a former four-time Connecticut Golden Glove winner and National PAL silver medalist. Foster, known for his heavy hands and slick movement, is promoted by Lou DiBella and Murphys Boxing, the promotional company founded by Ken Casey of the popular rock band Dropkick Murphys.

“Thanks to SHOBOX for bringing me back after five long years,” Foster said. “I have been here before. I’ve fought an undefeated fighter already on SHOBOX. I know what it takes. Last time, I won in good fashion. I know Ali is a good fighter. He’s a tough competitor with a good corner in John David Jackson. I have been with my team since I was 14 years old. This fight will put me right back where I was before the pandemic.”

Vansiclen vs. Carrillo – 10-Round Light Heavyweight Bout
Sporting a 45-5 amateur record, the 2015 University of Washington graduate was the National Collegiate Boxing Association 174-pound Champion in 2015, the same year he competed at the Olympic Trials. Known as a thinker and strategist in the ring, Vansiclen, a high school football standout, also possesses an exciting, come-forward style and likes to mix it up. He will be taking on his third undefeated opponent on June 9 after he most recently decisioned 13-0 Hakim Lopez in September 2022.

“This is a great opportunity to display my talent to the boxing world,” said Vansiclen, who goes by the nickname “Good Vibes.” “My previous bouts have prepared me for this fight, as we have faced some tough competition. This fight is in line with that. My keys to victory will be to fight hard and smart and let the vibes come out.”

Colombian Olympian Carrillo of Barranquilla, Colombia, is a slick boxer with heavy hands. His last six wins have been by knockout. He is coming off a fourth-round stoppage win against Robert Burwell last February. In 2021, Carrillo captured the WBA Fedecentro light heavyweight title with a third-round stoppage of Reinaldo Gonzalez in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Accumulating a record of 388-23, he was among Colombia’s most decorated amateurs. He advanced to the second round at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. He also won gold medals at the 2012 Colombian National Games, 2012 Pacific Cup Tournament, 2011 Colombian National Championships, 2010 Colombian Youth National Championships, and silver at the 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games. Carrillo comes from a boxing family and, at age nine, followed his father and older brother into the sport.

“This is my chance to prove to everyone watching, as well as my promoter DiBella Entertainment and my management team, Felipe Gomez and Juan Gonzalez, that I am ready to take my career to the next level and beyond,” Carrillo said. “I have been working hard to go all the way to the top. A win against Richard Vansiclen legitimizes my skills as a serious prospect. I want to climb up in the rankings and fight tougher opponents to earn a shot at a title.”

Williams vs. Martin – 10-Round Super Lightweight Bout
The rising undefeated super lightweight prospect Williams, 25, earned a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Yeis Solano in the main event on SHOBOX in January of 2021. In 2019, Williams was featured in Ring Magazine’s “New Faces” column, which highlights the sport’s rising prospects. The former amateur standout earned three Ringside Championships and a Silver Gloves Championship in his home state of Connecticut.

“I am excited to be back fighting on SHOBOX,” Williams said. “I think this is a very good fight for me. It’s definitely a step-up in competition. Ryan Martin has fought tough opposition, so I know he has experience. I want to thank DiBella Entertainment and Salita Promotions for the opportunity. Everything is running smooth in training camp, and I am looking forward to putting on a great performance.”

Martin was 22-0 with 12 knockouts before he lost his first fight in 2018 to former undisputed 140-pound king Josh Taylor in the World Boxing Super Series’ 140-pound tournament. Martin won his next two bouts before bowing to Robert Easter, Jr., a former titleholder, by unanimous decision in February of 2021. A former amateur standout with over 200 fights, the Tennessee, Chattanooga native won the U.S. Under 19 National Championships at 132 pounds in 2010 and the U.S. Junior National Championships in 2009 at 132 and is a 12-time Tennessee State champion.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity to update the boxing world on who I am,” Martin said. “This is do-or-die, and I’ve faced death in the eye already and that isn’t for me. The Blue-Chip Express is on a mission to the top, and we haven’t seen our best yet. There is no such thing as tough, or tougher. It’s just who wants it more.”

International Boxing Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins calls the blow-by-blow action for SHOBOX with fellow Hall of Famer Steve Farhood joining the team remotely as the unofficial scorer. Former world champion Raul Marquez and veteran combat sports reporter and MORNING KOMBAT co-host Brian Campbell will serve as ringside expert analysts. They will be accompanied by Hall of Famer and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING analyst Al Bernstein, as well as by Hall of Famer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. handling ring announcing duties. The executive producer of SHOBOX: The New Generation is Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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