On Thursday, Split-T Management Super Middleweight DeAndre Ware was awarded the key to the city in his native Toledo, Ohio.

Ware, who is a Toledo Fire Fighter, got the well-deserved honor because of his heroic effort when he saved the life of longtime Top Rank coordinator Pete Susens after Susens fell ill and collapsed just before weigh-in on September 4th in Las Vegas.

Ware was in Las Vegas to fight undefeated Steven Nelson the following evening at the MGM Grand. 

Ware jumped into action and used his talents of being an EMT to perform CPR until medical personnel arrived.

"It was unexpected, and a bit of a surprise," said Ware.  "I am so honored to receive this.  This is the biggest honor that a city can give to someone.  I actually did think that one day, I would get a key to the city, but I thought it would be for winning a world title.  In a way it did come from boxing though as this happened at one of my fights, so it is the best of both worlds."

Katharina Thanderz (13-0, 2 KOs) will challenge Britain’s Terri Harper (10-0-1, 5 KOs) for the WBC and IBO World Super Featherweight titles on November 14th.

Norwegian Thanderz, who boasts an unbeaten professional record, became mandatory in November 2019 after claiming the interim WBC World Super Featherweight title with a points decision over Danila Ramos of Brazil.

Current champion Terri Harper caught the eye last time out, a pulsating 10-round split draw with Natasha Jonas saw the Doncaster fighter retain the titles that will now be on the line in the clash with Thanderz.

While respecting the potential in Harper, Thanderz believes she has the tools to perform on the night.

"It’s an amazing feeling to know that I’m finally fighting for the world title

I've been waiting such a long time for this moment, and I just know I’ll give my everything to win the title.

"Harper is a young and talented fighter. I think she’s a very hard working girl. She’s fast, she has a good technique, she has stamina, and she’s a very good fighter. It will be a pleasure to share the ring with her.

"I am confident I can beat her. I have a very good feeling, and I’m working very hard in my camp to be the best version of myself. I know it will be very difficult , especially because of the circumstances of the fight, but I’m prepared to surprise and shock everyone when I get the win.”

Fighting for the first time on British soil, Thanderz is positive and upbeat on her chances.

"I feel very good about fighting in the UK. I’ve never fought in England, so I can’t wait to have the experience of fighting in a complete new country with so many boxing fans.”

At 13-0 and 10-0-1 respectively, an unbeaten showdown between Thanderz and Harper is a mouthwatering prospect with the winner walking away with unified world champion status.

"This is the most excited I’ve been for a fight, I feel like I’ve got a lot to prove,” said Harper. “We’ve had the opportunity in this camp to work on lots of new things, having a strength and conditioning coach join the team. I want to go out and put the wrongs right.”

Promoter Nisse Sauerland backed his fighter to come away with the win, and believes it is the perfect time to introduce Thanderz to the British scene.

"Katharina brings that Viking power and warrior spirit, and it’s a good time for her to come up against elite opposition. She’s undefeated, the interim belt holder and following the trail set by Cecilia Brækhus in bringing a world title back to Norway.

She’s said herself she’s going for greatness and you can see it in the way she operates, we can’t wait!”

The fight will feature as part of a major evening for women's boxing, with three World Title fights taking place, including Katie Taylor's return to the ring.

Eddie Hearn added: “This is an historic moment. A huge night of boxing that will be headlined by not one but three women’s World Title fights. Katie Taylor has spun the game on its head since she turned pro and has paved the way for so many great female fighters.”

Team USA had an impressive fourth day of boxing at the 2020 Boxam Tournament in Castellon, Spain, taking three out of the possible five women’s gold medals, as well as picking up their fourth bronze medal of the event.

Lightweight Charlie Sheehy (Brisbane, Calif.) returned to the international stage today for the first time since 2018 in impressive fashion. The 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Boxing bronze medalists took all five judges’ cards over Spain’s Enrique Jose Florentino to advance to tomorrow’s championship bout against Adrian Thiam Cre of Spain. This will mark Sheehy’s first international final and first international medal.

Oshae Jones (Toledo, Ohio) once again put on an impressive performance to grab her second international gold medal of 2020. Jones took a split decision victory over France’s Emili Sonvico to grab Team USA’s second gold medal of the day after Andrea Medina (San Diego, Calif.) won by walkover over Jenifer Fernandez Romero of Spain to win her first international title. 

Team Captain Naomi Graham (Fayetteville, N.C.) finally had her opportunity to step into the ring after waiting all week. The 2020 Strandja Tournament champion did not disappoint, giving her opponent a standing 8-count in the opening round before

Flyweight Abraham Perez (Albuquerque, N.M.) began the day for Team USA by winning the bronze medal after falling short of advancing to the finals against Gabriel Escobar Masunano of Spain.

Joining Sheehy in tomorrow’s men’s finals is super heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr. (Tulare, Calif.). Torrez will face Ghadfa Drissi El Aissaoui of Spain.

Day 4 Results

52 kg: Gabriel Escobar Masunano/ESP dec. over Abraham Perez, Albuquerque, N.M./USA, 5-0

57 kg: Andrea Medina, San Diego, Calif./USA, won by walkover over Jenifer Fernandez Romero/ESP, WO

63 kg: Charlie Sheehy, Brisbane, Calif./USA, dec. over Enrique Jose Florentino/ESP, 5-0

69 kg: Oshae Jones, Toledo, Ohio/USA, dec. over Emilie Sonvico/FRA, SD

75 kg: Naomi Graham, Fayetteville, N.C./USA, dec. over Patricia Martin Cabrera/ESP, 5-0

Day 5 Bouts

63 kg: Charlie Sheehy, Brisbane, Calif./USA vs. Adrian Thiam Cre/ESP

91+ kg: Richard Torrez Jr., Tulare, Calif./USA vs. Ghadfa Drissi El Aissaoui/ESP