Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions is happy to announce the signing of Russian middleweight Timur Kerefov to a promotional contract.

Kerefov (6-0, 4 KOs) was a heavily decorated amateur champion who won several important tournaments and 298 of his 310 unpaid fights. Designated a Master of Sports in Russia, he fought at the elite level internationally on the Russian National team for nearly a decade.

Kerefov, from Shalushka, Russia, has excellent hand and foot speed and the fast-twitch reflexes that only come from a lifetime in the sport. He punches with authority, especially with the left hand, to the head and body.

“I am excited about signing with Salita Promotions and taking my career to the next level,” said Kerefov. “I look forward to showing that I am the best 160 lb. fighter in the world.”

Promoter Salita, who has amassed a strong stable of Russian standouts in the last few years including, says Kerefov is going to fit right in. The plan, according to Salita, is to move the Russian southpaw quickly up the ranks.

“Timur is an extremely talented and skilled fighter,” said Salita. “In the near future, he will make a name for himself on the world stage and in the middleweight division.”

Isaac "Canelito" Avelar is currently in the middle of his training camp for the biggest fight of his young career.  The 21-year-old will collide against IBO super bantamweight champion Stephen Fulton on August 24th at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, Texas as part of a Premier Boxing Champions broadcast.  The fight will be part of the FS1 televised undercard that is headlined by Brandon Figueroa against Javier Chacon.

Both fighters are 16-0 so someone's "0" has got to go.  Avelar, who has had Hall of Famer Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson in camp, is very confident that he will upset Fulton and capture his IBO title.

"He is a strong fighter. He is very intelligent but we are working hard and we will be prepared to get the win for Aguascalientes," said Canelito. "I feel like this is the biggest test so far in my career. I am very confident that I will beat Fulton. He looks like a really good fighter but I am sure that I will get the victory."

The Aguascalientes, Mexico native is fully focused on Fulton but knows that a spectacular victory could catapult his career to the next level.

Avelar, who is promoted by Sugar Promotion and managed by Greg Hannley, has bounced around between super bantamweight and lightweight during his four year career so a victory would produce a lot of options. 

"Whatever comes up next is fine with me. I am always training and ready. Fulton is the IBO champion and winning will get me bigger fights.  I think I am ready for big fights," Avelar explained.

The super bantamweight and featherweight divisions are both brimming with talent.  Avelar is confident that a victory will put his name in the mix for the biggest and best names in either division.

"There are a lot of great fighters in my division and I think I will be at this level very soon. I am going to keep working and getting better.  You haven't seen the best of me yet. I am still young and will prove my worth on August 24th," said Avelar.

One of boxing’s brightest prospects Dennis McCann will showcase his wares on the #MTKFightNight at Féile an Phobail on August 3.

 

In his first two professional bouts – a vicious early knockout win and a schooling of a fighter with a winning record, ‘The Menace’ has shown different elements to his well-documented talent.

Now the 18-year-old, who is promoted by Frank Warren, gets a chance to shine on another huge stage; the undercard of Michael Conlan’s homecoming against dangerous Argentinian Diego Alberto Ruiz in Belfast’s Falls Park.

Ahead of a scheduled six-rounder, McCann said: “I’m hugely excited to be added to this bill. I’ve got some family over the water there and I’m looking forward to performing for them and all the fans in Belfast.

“I love the bright lights, the big nights and believe I’ve already shown I can entertain the crowds. My first fight was a quick-fire stoppage and in my second, I had him going to the point he was holding on for dear life.

“I hope on August 3, I can serve up another thrilling victory for everyone in the park and those tuning in around the world. I’m still a teenager but I’m building myself a name pretty quickly.”

Professional Development Coordinator Jamie Conlan said: “We welcome Dennis onto this historic bill and believe he’ll provide another treat for every single spectator.

“You only have to look at his first two professional victories to know that ‘The Menace’ has every gift a fighter can have. We believe he’s going places and it’s great he has this huge stage on which to showcase himself.”