Salita Promotions’ ever-growing stable of top contenders and rising stars grew again recently with the signing of his latest “Beast from the East,” last Friday night, as Ukrainian-born ethnic Korean super bantamweight slugger Arnold Khegai announced his presence on the world stage with an impressive unanimous decision over capable Texan Adam Lopez.

Fighting in the opening bout of a four-fight telecast of ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME from 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Khegai (12-0-1, 8 KOs) dominated the capable and experienced Lopez over eight mostly one-sided rounds (scores of 77-74, 77-74 and 78-73).

It was the US fighting debut for the 26-year-old Khegai… one that his promoter, Dmitriy Salita, could not be happier about.

“I congratulate Arnold on a sensational performance. He did a great job in his US Showtime debut,” said Salita. “Dominating a skilled and experienced Adam Lopez, who beat and fought some of the best in the division. Arnold’s skills and power make him one of the best fighters in the division.”

Khegai showed world-class strength, speed and power against Lopez, who was previously considered a top-5 contender in the world.

“I am happy that I got the victory and finally made my US debut,” said Khegai. “I thank Salita Promotions and Showtime for the opportunity. US fans saw a glimpse of my potential and I got a lot more to show. I look forward to fighting the best in the world and becoming a world champion in the near future.”

Salita says he’ll have his newest “one to watch” back in action quickly.

“Arnold is a ‘made for TV’ fighter and I’m looking forward to moving him quickly. He was able to dominate a world-class opponent with relative ease and that’s just the beginning for him. He’s going to be a real force in the super bantamweight division and we will have him back for the fans’ enjoyment very soon.”

Undefeated Toronto heavyweight prospect Oleksandr Teslenko is bringing his vaunted power and Ukrainian magic to Kansas this week for his fourth pro fight in the United States, this Saturday night on the "SUPERBOX LIVE: High Stakes" pay-per-view card, airing live from Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas.

The 12-round main event pits 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and hometown hero, Nico Hernandez (4-0, 3 KOs), against former WBF super flyweight world champion Szilveszter "The Silent Assassin" Kanalas (14-7, 9 KOs), of Hungary, for the vacant International Boxing Association (IBF) World flyweight title. Hernandez vs. Kanalas will be fighting in the first world championship boxing match ever held in Kansas history.

SUPERBOX LIVE: High Stakes will launch Super Channel's new live boxing series, SUPERBOX LIVE, in association with KO Night Boxing LLC, airing live exclusively in Canada on Super Channel.

Integrated Sports Media will distribute "SUPERBOX LIVE: High Stakes" in the United States on cable, satellite and digital pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and live-streamed worldwide on FITE.TV app and website (excluding Canada) for a suggested retail price of only $19.95.

The 25-year-old Teslenko (12-0, 10 KOs), who is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, is the latest in a growing list of boxing talent out of Ukraine. Teslenko faces dangerous Terrance "Big Jim" Marbra (9-5, 7 KOs), fighting out of Saint Petersburg, Florida, in an eighr-round bout.

In the co-featured event, 2011 Russia Junior Championships gold medalist NDREY Afonin (5-0, 2 KOs) meets former World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedalatin cruiserweight champion Pedro "El Reguilete" Rodriguez (23-4, 19 KOs), of Cuba, in a eight-round heavyweight battle.

Undefeated Washington featherweight Victor Morales, Jr. (8-0, 4 KOs) tangles with David Berna (15-3, 14 KOs), of Hungary, in an eight-round throw-down to open the televised segment of the program.

Also fighting on the undercard, all in four-round bouts, is popular Wichita junior welterweight Jeff Sturm (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Nigeria-native Archie Weah (2-10), and Kansas City, KS cruiserweight Chris Harris (2-2-2, 2 KOs) vs. Leroy Jones (2-3, 2 KOs), of Saint Louis (MO. 

El Matador Management, Inc. has announced the signing of hard hitting super bantamweight contender, Jonathan "Salomon King" Guzman (23-1, 22 KO's). Felipe Gomez will now be managing the career of hard hitting and former IBF World Super Bantamweight Champion Guzman, who hails from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Gomez will be working closely with Sampson Lewkowicz (Guzman' Promoter) as they jointly look to keep Guzman busy, while guiding him back toward a world title.

 

Guzman won the IBF World Super Bantamweight Title with an 11-round stoppage over Shingo Wake (20-4-2, 12 KO's) in Japan. Guzman then defended his title against Yukinori Oguni (18-1-1, 8 KO's) in Kyoto, Japan losing a 12-round unanimous decision.

"I been out of the ring for over a year now and I know Felipe Gomez can help jump-start my career again." said Guzman. "I see the job he is doing with all his fighters and how he has been keeping them busy. That is exactly what I need, someone that can help keep me busy fighting and that also believes in me becoming a World Champion again."

"I am extremely happy to be part of Jonathan Guzman's team" said Felipe Gomez. "He is an exciting fighter to watch, he reminds me of a mini Mike Tyson. I have big plans for him and I will work relentlessly with Sampson Lewkowicz to help Guzman get back on track. Guzman is a skillful fighter that has tremendous punching power in both hands and I am excited to have him be part of my team!"

New England's hottest, most popular and hardest hitter, Richard "Popeye The Sailor Man" Rivera,will defend his Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) All America light heavyweight title at home on Hartford Boxing Promotions' inaugural event, "Fight Night at the Capital", June 16th at Xfinity Centre in Hartford, Connecticut.

Rivera (7-0, 6 KOs) has partnered with his trainer, Tony Blanco, and Hartford Boxing Center gym co-owner, Michael Tran, to form Hartford Boxing Promotions and bring world-class boxing back to Hartford.

Boxing's rich roots in the Hartford market dates back nearly a full century, headlined by International Hall of Famers Willie "Will o' the Wisp" Pep and Christopher "Battling" Battalino.

Other top-area boxers include world champion Marlon "Magic Man" Starling, world title challengers Gaspar "El Indio" Ortega, and Israel "Pito" Cardona, and 1996 USA Olympic Boxing Team captain Lawrence Clay-Bey.

Rivera will take on Jaime "Zarco" Solorio (12-3-2, 9 KOs) in the eight-round main event versus an opponent to be determined.

"There's a lot of pressure fighting at home because, of course, I want a victory, but I also need to be impressive for me to be recognized," Rivera said. "I'm all about boxing. My partners, Tony and Michael, take care of the business end of Hartford Boxing Promotions. I'm excited about fighting June 16th and I expect a great turnout. A lot of people know who I am from fighting all over New England. Now, I want to expand my horizons. I have a huge following from our gym and church, but I want to bring non-boxing fans to our show to make them boxing fans.

"There's no such thing as an easy fight. It all starts with training, which makes fighting easier. I may get an early knockout, but I always train to go the distance. My opponent has fought on television a few times against some fighters with good records.  I know that I am going to be in a fight. I'll be ready for war!"

This past April in New Hampshire, Rivera hit his opponent, Randy Campbell, so hard with a powerful right, that the force broke Campbell's ankle only seconds into the contest.

"Fighting is a way of life," Rivera explained. "All the training and fighting, it's for the love of boxing, not money. Fighting never leaves a boxer."

Rivera originally got his nickname because, when he was younger, his forearms were considerably larger than his biceps. Fighters in the gym jokingly teased Rivera about his enlarged forearms, calling him "Popeye," and the nickname has stuck. Now, Rivera showcases his Popeye persona in full, which has added many females and children to his growing fanbase of hardcore boxing fans. June 16th will open a new chapter in the life of for the man who's always good to the finish because he eats his spinach.

In the co-featured event, undefeated Danbury, CT lightweight Omar "The Beast" Bordoy, Jr. (5-0, 1 KO) will be in his first scheduled six-rounder against. Alexander "El Bravo" Picot (2-5-1), fighting out of Hartford by way of Puerto Rico.

"The Special One," Sharad Collier, fighting out of Hartford, is competing this week Omaha (NE) at the National Golden Gloves Championships, before returning home to turn pro in a four-round Special Junior Welterweight Attraction versus an opponent to be determined.

Also fighting on the undercard, all in four-round bouts, are Hartford featherweight Luis "Lobito" Rivera (4-3) vs. Phillip Davis (1-1-1), of Worcester, MA; pro-debuting New Haven, CT lightweight Anuel Rosa vs. Cleveland's Roger Blankenship (1-3), New Britain, CT featherweight Nathan Martinez in his professional debut vs. New Bedford's (MA) Henry Garcia (0-1), Hartford lightweight Jose Maysonet vs. Justin Morales, of New Bedford, MA, in a battle of pro-debut fighters, and another pair of pro debut fighters, Bridgeport, CT featherweight Jacob Marrero vs. Jimmy Santiago, of New York City, and New Haven junior welterweight prospect Jeffrey Torres (4-0, 2 KOs) vs. TBA..

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $80.00, $60.00 and $40.00, are on sale and available to purchase, as well as $125.00 VIP tickets that include food and soft drinks), at Ticket Master outlets or at the Hartford Boxing Center gym.