The battle for the World Boxing Super Series Muhammad Ali Trophy in the cruiserweight division comes to Riga, Latvia on September 30 when WBC World Champion Mairis Briedis (22-0, 18 KOs) faces Mike Perez (22-2-1, 14 KOs) in a quarter-final bout at the Riga Arena, and tickets are now on sale at www.bilesuserviss.lv ranging from €20.60 to €175.60.      

"I'm really happy with being able to start the World Boxing Super Series at home in front of my own crowd,” said 32-year old Briedis. “We fight to win the Muhammad Ali trophy, but I am also putting my world title at stake. This is a big thing.”

The Latvian world champion believes that the pressure from the crowd can be a problem for Perez.

“For Latvia this will be the first major world championship bout in history so I hope to see a sold out arena,” said Briedis.

“From my previous experience with the Latvian crowd I can already tell Mike Perez that boxing in front of Riga crowd will not be easy for him. The boxing community around the world will learn how passionate and loud Latvian fans be!” said Briedis promising that his fans will see the best version of him.

“My preparation camp has been going very well so far and I can assure my fans that I'll be at my best when the 30th of September arrives.”

Cuban Mike Perez fighting out of Cork, Ireland is however calm when talking about fighting in Latvia.

“Fighting in Latvia isn’t an issue for me,” said 31-year old Perez. “I don’t care where I fight, I’ll fight anywhere. I’m feeling good, I’m confident, and I’m looking forward to Riga.”

The former heavyweight oozes self-esteem before the challenge in Latvia's capital.

“I really believe I can win the Muhammad Ali Trohy. That is just how I see it. I think I will win, I can not see anyone else winning it. I am the best cruiserweight in the competition.”

Victory Boxing Promotions has found a new home in Philadelphia.  The growing promotional outfit will make its return to the City of Brotherly love, and re-launch its Philly Strong series at the 23rd Street Armory in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia on October 21st.

The card will be headlined by Jaron "Boots" Ennis (14-0, 12KO), who has racked up an impressive six wins in 2017 alone.  It was recently announced that Ennis, who is trained by his father Bozy Ennis, and managed by mega-manager Cameron Dunkin, will be honored at Philadelphia's Briscoe Awards for the third time.  He will take home 2016 Rookie of the Year honors, just days before he steps into the ring in front of his home town for the first time since June.  After stopping veteran Wilfredo Acuna in the first round in that fight, Ennis has fought twice more - once in Durham, North Carolina, and once in Washington D.C.  

"Without question, Boots is one of the best young fighters in the country," said Victory Boxing Promotions Founder and Promoter, Chris Middendorf.  "We have kept him extremely busy, fighting him 14 times since his debut on April 30th last year. We have done this because of his skills, and his rapid development.  He has impressed each time we've put a challenge in front of him.  We are considering several opponents for him for October 21st, all of whom will be solid tests." Middendorf added that Boots would be fighting at least once more before October 21st.

Several other Victory Boxing prospects will showcase their talents that evening at 23rd Street Armory, including Adam Daranyi (12-0, 11KO), who was a standout amateur and national champion in his home country of Canada. Korean-Mexican sensation and former amateur standout Brandun Lee (5-0, 4KO), who is coming off a 2nd round knockout win in DC last weekend, will fight at Philly Strong, and local favorite Joshua Jones (4-0-1, 2KO) will don his gloves in front of his home crowd.  All three fighters are also managed by Cameron Dunkin, who has managed 34 champions in his 30+ years in the boxing business.

"We are very excited to re-launch Philly Strong at the 23rd Street Armory," said Middendorf.  "It is the oldest armory in the United States, and will be a great host for world class boxing.  The Armory hasn't seen boxing since 2003, and we plan on making October 21st a night to remember.

Ticket information and purchase outlets, along with the undercard will be announced soon. For more information on Victory Boxing Promotions, please visit www.victoryboxingpromotions.com.

Ryan Ford says he won't be intimidated by Anthony Yarde when the undefeated rivals square off for the Vacant WBO Inter-Continental Light-Heavyweight strap at the Copper Box Arena on September 16th, live on BoxNation and BT Sport.

Ford, 35, racked up 22 wins during his successful 10-year mixed martial arts career, and now the 12-0 Canadian is determined to prove he is the 'Real Deal' in the boxing ring by inflicting a first career defeat on Yarde.

“Everyone knows how hard I’ve worked for this," said Ford, speaking to the Edmonton Journal. "This has been 13 years of my life I’ve been grinding to make it to this point in the fight game. The work I’ve put in the gym and on the road has paid off. My opportunity to perform on the big stage has arrived."

Rising star Yarde (12-0, 11 KO's) will pose the biggest challenge in Ford's career to date. The Ilford powerhouse is quickly making a name for himself as one of the hottest talents in British boxing but Ford isn't buying into the hype.

“He’s a proven fighter in the UK, and a lot of people are saying ‘who is this guy he's fighting next?’. People don’t know me over there, but I can guarantee that on September 16, people will know me. I’m coming to win that belt.

“He’s got 11 knockouts. It will be by far my toughest challenge in the boxing ring, but I believe I will be his toughest challenge too. Yarde has never fought anyone like me.

“I’ve seen videos of him and he’s a tough puncher with knockout power, but I’ve never seen a guy press him. The guys he’s fought the last few fights have looked scared of him. I’m not that guy. I’m not scared of him.”

WBO Middleweight World Champion Billy Joe Saunders makes the second defence of his crown against Willie Monroe Jr in the evening's main event; teenage Heavyweight sensation Daniel Dubois takes on AJ Carter for the Vacant Southern Area strap in only his fifth contest; knockout artist Joe Pigford takes on Kieran Smith for the Vacant WBO European Super-Welterweight title.

Some of the very best up-and-coming prospects in the country including Welling Super-Featherweight Archie Sharp; Ilford Super-Bantamweight Lucien Reid; Fulham Super-Middleweight Zak Chelli and Erith Flyweight Jake Pettit feature. Ilford Welterweight Hamza Sheeraz; Tamworth Light-Heavyweight Ryan Hatton and Ilford Super-Middleweight Umar Sadiq all make their highly-anticipated pro debuts.

Tickets for September 16th priced at £40, £50, £70, £100, £150, £200 and £250 (VIP/Hospitality) are available from: www.eventim.co.uk www.seetickets.com www.ticketmaster.co.uk