World Boxing Council Heavyweight Champion Deontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder is pleased to announce that his rematch with Tyson "The Gypsy King" Fury headlining the historic, mega PPV event this Saturday, Feb. 22 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena will be his first "Fight for Peace'' under Pontifex Foundation Scholas Ocurrentes.
Wilder has authorized his company BombZquad Promotions and co-promoter TGB Promotions to donate $1 of each Wilder vs. Fury II ticket sold to be donated to Scholas Ocurentes.
"It's an honor to be appointed by Pope Francis as boxing's Peace Ambassador," said Wilder. "I'm excited that Wilder vs. Fury II will be the first boxing match under the program and I'm happy to be able to touch the lives of so many people around the world as the WBC heavyweight champion. I want to use my position to have a positive influence on the lives of people and especially children because they represent the best the future has to offer.''
Scholas Ocurrentes is a non-religious foundation, which was created by Pope Francis (Jorge Bergolio) while he was serving as archbishop of Argentina 30 years ago. The primary goal of Scholas Ocurrentes is to promote educational programs for children through art, sports and technology, while building bridges for peace through inclusion and integration.
Pope Francis named Wilder the Ambassador For World Peace Through Sports during a private audience at the Vatican in Rome on Dec. 13, 2019.
The WBC has the honor of being in charge of the boxing program under Scholas through its BoxVal (Boxing with Values) Program, which uses boxing to highlight the importance of fair play and brotherhood.
The "Fight For Peace'' program is a call to action for all members of the worldwide boxing community to join Scholas and Pope Francis in their humanitarian efforts. All are welcomed to join.
Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions proudly announces the signing of undefeated Armenian featherweight Aram Avagyan to a promotional contract.
Avagyan (9-0-1, 4 KOs) hails from the Armenian capital of Yerevan and currently fights out of Moscow, Russia. The former amateur star started boxing at age 10 and went on to win two bronze medals at the European Championships and participate in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Known as a smart tactician in the ring, 29-year-old Avagyan holds a master’s degree in International Relations from the Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports at the Russian-Armenian University.
A three-year professional, Avagyan won the WBC International Silver Feather Title with a unanimous decision over proven Mexican veteran Emanuel Lopez in 2018. He made his US debut and successfully defended his title for the second time in Las Vegas last May with a unanimous decision over fellow undefeated prospect Francisco Esparza on the undercard of the Canelo vs. Danny Jacobs fight.
“I have high expectations with Salita Promotions, and I believe that we will soon reach great heights,” said Avagyan. “I am glad that the head of the company is a former professional boxer since he understands very well what to be an athlete. My goal with every fight is to win and move closer to my goal of becoming a world champion. I have chosen this path and I want to fight with anyone in the top 10 and all the champions. I’m always ready anywhere and with anyone!”
Promoter Salita says Avagyan will soon start working with Sugarhill Steward at the Kronk Gym in Detroit to prepare for his upcoming debut under the Salita Promotions banner. That fight will be announced shortly.
“Aram has the resume and skills to be a force in the featherweight division,” said Salita. “His exciting style and desire to face the best will create a lot of exciting fights in the talent-packed division.”
Undisputed Women’s Welterweight World Champion, ‘The First Lady’ Cecilia Braekhus, (36-0, 9 KOs), is currently training with the renowned Abel Sanchez in Big Bear Lake, CA as she prepares for a big 2020 ahead.
Braekhus and Sanchez first teamed up last year resulting in a ten-round unanimous decision over Mandatory Challenger Victoria Noelle Bustos on November 30, 2019 in Monte Carlo, a bout telecast on DAZN in the United States and Sky Sports in the UK. The victory, her first under the Matchroom Boxing banner, was hailed by media and fans as amongst the finest and most definitive performances of her career. With the win over Bustos, Braekhus tied the legendary Joe Louis for recording the most consecutive world title defenses (25).
Details on Braekhus’ first bout of 2020 will be announced shortly.
“It feels great to be back in camp with Abel,” said Braekhus who has held the undisputed welterweight titles since September 2014. “Abel is a true teacher and I continue to learn on a daily basis how to become an even better fighter. I can’t wait to return to the ring.”
Said 2015 Trainer of the Year, Sanchez, “Cecilia is terrific to work with, even with all that she has accomplished in her extraordinary career she comes to the gym every day to work hard and learn.”
Braekhus is holder of the WBC, WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO Welterweight World Titles as well as the RING Magazine Pound-for-Pound Title Belt.
Golden Boy is delighted to announce that it has signed Hawaiian amateur standouts Dalis Kaleiopu and Asa Stevens to promotional agreements. This exciting duo will look to make their professional debut in the near future.
Kaleiopu is a 21-year-old native of Waianae, Hawaii who will compete in the lightweight division. After starting to box at the age of 13, Kaleiopu participated in several amateur tournaments and the Olympic Trials. This young prospect can box and punch, so he’ll look to make waves in the stacked 140-pound division.
“I thank God for allowing me to be in this position and to have Golden Boy promote me,” said Dalis Kaleiopu. “This is a big compliment to my family and team for all the hard work we do together in and outside of the ring. Oscar was a great fighter, and he has developed champions all over the world. So, to be a Hawaiian from a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean makes me feel truly blessed to be in your stable amongst your great champions. Mahalo Nui Loa, Mr. De La Hoya and Team Golden Boy.”
Stevens, a 19-year-old prodigy who is also from Waianae, Hawaii, will compete in the bantamweight division. Stevens is a multi-national amateur champion with a smooth, tactical southpaw style. The cousin of UFC fighter Max Halloway, Stevens will look to gain similar popularity in the sport of boxing.
“This is beginning to feel real now,” said Asa Stevens. “The thought of turning pro and becoming a world champion was secondary to becoming an Olympian. But now I understand the amateurs were just a part of my journey and that those dreams are over with. Now, I am ready to turn the page to this new chapter of my life and showcase my talent as a professional. Waianae, Hawaii, we are on the map now. The world is watching, and I won't let us down!”
“Our stable is getting better and better every single day,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Dalis Kaleiopu is a huge kid for 135 pounds, so we look forward to seeing him grow in what is a very stacked division for us at Golden Boy. On the other hand, Asa Stevens is a slick, intelligent southpaw who without a doubt will enter the upper echelon of the division in just a few years. With these two new talents, anything is possible. We can even host an event in Hawaii so they can showcase their skills in front of a hometown crowd. Stay tuned.”
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