World-class light heavyweight slugger Umar Salamov (23-1, 17 KOs) will return to action in his hometown of Grozny City, Russia, on Thursday, April 18, to defend his WBO International Light Heavyweight Championship against Poland’s Norbert Dabrowski (22-7-2, 9 KOs).

Salamov, rated WBA #7, IBF #6 and WBO #4, has been in Detroit since mid-January, training with Javan “Sugarhill” Steward and Rick Phillips at the world famous Kronk Gym in Detroit.

“My boxing ability, physical strength and confidence have gone to the next level,” said Salamov. “I had a great training camp and look forward to putting forth a boxing clinic for my fans back home. This is going to be the year when I win the light heavyweight world title and the next step is April 18.”

Salamov’s promoter, Dmitriy Salita, agrees the time is now for his power-punching Russian fighter.

“Umar is one of the best fighters in the world. April 18 will be a great test and another challenge for Umar. This is going to be a big year for Umar and an impressive victory will bring him a step closer to the world title.”

TORONTO, ON—It’s been a fairytale first five months for Lee Reeves in his professional boxing career. On April 20, it’s only going to get better.

 

On the heels of a spectacular performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City on St. Patrick’s Day, the welterweight prospect Reeves has earned a headlining slot on the annual Lee Baxter Promotions 4/20 event at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto.

“It’s amazing. This is how I imagined my career would go. Big nights and putting on shows for the world to see, and representing my city in a positive light,” said Reeves (3-0, 2 KOs).

Reeves helped ignite the raucous crowd in NYC on March 17 when he dominated Edward Torres en route to a four-round unanimous decision. He helped set the table for his countrymen Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan, as well as his stablemate Samuel Vargas, who perhaps stole the show against Luis Collazo.

“It was an unbelievable experience, and to be there on St. Patrick’s Day and having the Irish there behind me screaming was a beautiful thing,” said Reeves. “It was like being at home fighting, hearing the chants and the screaming of my name. And as it got closer to the main event, the place was erupting with atmosphere and Irish spirit.”

The 24-year old proved that he’s not second in line to any Irish star—he’s at the front of the pack, a main eventer himself. Just ask lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who after seeing Reeves’ debut last year declared "he’s fast, talented and super sexy. Actually He reminds me of someone—me. Looks like Ireland has a new boxing star."

Reeves is one of the best Irish amateurs of his era, winning eight Limerick championships and eight Munster championships, along with a pair of Irish national titles. During his years as a competitive boxer, campaigning mostly as a light welterweight, he never failed to appear in the national final at year’s end.

Reeves has already fought twice in Toronto, the home base of Lee Baxter Promotions, where a strong Irish community exists and continues to grow. It’s estimated that over 2.1 million Irish Canadians live in the province of Ontario.

“He’s a natural showman,” said Lee Baxter. “The first two times he fought here, the first two fights of his career, his knockouts were what everyone was talking about at the end of the night. He has future champion written all over him, so we figured, why wait? He’s ready to be a headliner.”

The annual 4/20 event, titled “Light ‘Em Up,” is in its third year, and has sold out well before the event date each time. This year is no different, with tickets nearly sold out, thanks in large part to Reeves and the Irish community.

“It’s gonna feel like Madison Square Garden on St. Patrick’s Day in the Danforth Music Hall, I promise you,” said Baxter. “It’s an intimate venue, and it gets loud in there, and we know Lee’s fans bring the noise.”

This past Saturday night in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, popular New York fighter, "The Bosnian Prince" Armin Mrkanovic scored the biggest win of his career as he stopped Dominican native Wilmer Mejia in the 4th round of their cruiserweight bout to capture the WBA Fedecaribe title.

Mrkanovic dominated the action by landing power punches throughout the contest. Armin was able to control the action in Mejia's back yard.  Mejia claimed that he broke his hand, and never answered the bell to start round four.

With the win Mrkanovic raises his mark to 10-3 with five knockouts, and will now look to defend his title in a bigger fight in the United States.

"This is a great win for me.  I am so pleased to be able to go into Mejia's backyard and come out with the victory.  I am ready for a big fight now, and there are several guys that I would love to face.  I am going to go back to New York and make the best decision with my team.  I look forward to what is ahead for me," said Mrkanovic.

Uzbek hero Shakhobidin Zoirov is set to end the long wait for his professional debut and delight Dubai on Friday night.

 

The 2016 Olympic champion kicks off his career in the paid ranks with high expectations as he faces Anthony Holt on the stacked #DXBUncovered show at Emirates Golf Club – live on ESPN+ and iFL TV.

Rather than feel under pressure, Zoirov welcomes the extra scrutiny that comes with being tagged as a blue chip prospect.

‘Shakho’ said: “As Olympic champion, I feel my role in events like this is extra important. Expectations are high but I plan to meet all of them and achieve my own goals too.

“I enjoyed my time as an amateur and will always look back on my achievements with pride but the time as come for me to start making noise in the professional game.

“It really doesn’t matter who is across from me in that ring on Friday or any other time. I have the confidence of being an Olympic champion and a great belief in my ability.

“I saw my great friend Hurshid Tojibaev make a his debut with a stoppage victory the other night and I hope to put on a show like that for the fans in Dubai.”

Zoirov is joined on a stellar bill by several MTK Global team-mates – including Davey Oliver Joyce and Stephen Tiffney, who clash for the WBO European featherweight title, plus fast-rising Kazakh Sultan Zaurbek, hard-hitting Australian Mateo Tapia and more.

Local fans will cheer on several of their heroes with Nigerian-born Aliu Bamidele Lasisi bidding for the WBC International super-flyweight title against Ricardo Blandon and Larry Abarra, Anahit Aroyan, Majid Al-Naqbi and Hasibullah Ahmadi also in action.