D4G Promotions in association with Round 10 Boxing Club and MTK Global are delighted to announce three incredible events heading to Dubai in February, March and April.

The star-studded cards will be broadcast live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, and worldwide on IFL TV, and begin on Saturday 6 February with Lee McGregor challenging Karim Guerfi for his European bantamweight title, and Sean McComb facing Gavin Gwynne for the vacant Commonwealth lightweight title.

The action continues on Friday 12 March, as Tyrone McKenna meets undefeated Zhankosh Turarov in a brilliant super-lightweight bout, Lewis Crocker defends his WBO European welterweight title against Deniz Ilbay, and Gary Cully and Viktor Kotochigov collide for the vacant WBO European lightweight title.

The trio of fantastic bills then gets rounded up on Saturday 3 April, and features two Filipino superstars, as four-weight world champion Donnie Nietes and highly-rated Albert Pagara both return to the ring against opponents to be announced.

Some of Dubai’s best local stars will also be featured on the cards, as the likes of Hasibullah Ahmadi and Faizan Anwar are due to compete, while even more fights will be revealed for the events in the coming days.

Ahmed Seddiqi of D4G Promotions said: “We’re delighted to be working with Round 10 Boxing Club and MTK Global to bring these three sensational events to Dubai.

“The events are taking place thanks to the superb work from the Dubai Government and the Dubai Sports Council, with their proactive approach to safety measures and protocols making them a shining example of how things should be done on the international stage.

“Their tremendous dedication has seen Dubai become one of the global leaders in this department, and these events will follow all of the essential safety measures to ensure it is as safe as possible.

“Each card will feature some of the very best fighters in the world, along with a number of Dubai’s highly-rated up and coming stars, so we can’t wait to get started.

“I’ve worked in this region for many years to bring boxing here, and now I feel like it is really coming together. I’m looking forward to the future because it is going to be very bright. We want the Middle East to be one of the major powers in boxing. That’s our goal and our plan to help build up grassroots boxing in the region.”

MTK Global CEO Bob Yalen said: “With the cancellation of boxing in the UK in January, the team were forced to re-think the upcoming schedule for 2021, and after speaking with Ahmed Seddiqi of D4G Promotions, we came to a fantastic solution by deciding to move three of our next four shows to Dubai.

“These three shows in Dubai will feature some of the most exciting prospects and future stars on the MTK roster, and we’re excited to kick off 2021 in style.”

Everlast Group Head of Operations David Al-Mudallal added: “We’re delighted to be supporting the return of boxing to Dubai. As a brand synonymous with professional boxing and worn by all of the greats, it’s important to Everlast that we support events like these and the opportunities they afford to professional fighters across the world and the boxing fans that will tune in.”

Stay up to date at mtkglobal.com and on social media @mtkglobal

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Rick Mirigian and MTK Global are delighted to announce the signing of unbeaten junior welterweight sensation Arnold Barboza Jr.

Barboza Jr (25-0, 10 KOs) will be advised by MTK Global and managed by Boxing Manager of the Year nominee Mirigian, and is widely regarded as one of the best 140lb fighters in the world.

The 29-year-old Californian native is currently ranked #5 with The Ring, #3 with the WBO, and #4 with the WBC, and was last in action in October where he defeated Alex Saucedo by unanimous decision to win the WBO International super-lightweight title.

Barboza Jr looks destined to become a world champion in the near future, and he is extremely delighted to be teaming up with MTK Global and Mirigian.

Speaking on the signing, Barboza Jr said: “It means a lot to me to sign with Rick Mirigian as my manager as he has proven what he can do for guys, along with MTK Global as my advisor.

“I now feel like the power team is complete and I’m in the best position I could be in to challenge for a world title soon. I am looking forward to a big 2021.”

MTK Global CEO Bob Yalen said: “We’re thrilled to be kicking off 2021 in a huge way by announcing the signing of Arnold Barboza Jr.

“He’s already shown in his career so far that he has all the tools to make it to the very top, and we’re confident that by working alongside Rick Mirigian and Top Rank on another big time fighter that we can help him achieve his dream of becoming world champion.”

Rick Mirigian added: “Our immediate goal is to position Arnold for a world title fight this year. We have a plan and map laid out for it.

“He’s hungry, humble and one of the best guys in the world in his weight class. At 25-0, some very big fights await for him and I’m grateful for the opportunity to manage him.”

Barboza Jr is the latest huge US name to team up with MTK Global and Mirigian, following the signings of Vergil Ortiz, Joshua Franco, Hector Tanajara, Misael Rodriguez and Jonathan Navarro.

Stay up to date at mtkglobal.com and on social media @mtkglobal

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Jazza Dickens and Ricards Bolotniks are both celebrating after they produced superb performances to win the Golden Contract featherweight and light-heavyweight tournaments.

Dickens (30-3, 11 KOs) defeated Ryan Walsh (26-3-2, 12 KOs) in the featherweight final, while Bolotniks (18-5-1, 8 KOs) overcame Serge Michel (11-2, 8 KOs) in the light-heavyweight final.

Elsewhere on the card, there were wins for Harlem Eubank, Adam Azim, James McGivern and Fearghus Quinn. Free to use photos from the event can be found HERE (Credit MTK Global), and here’s everything you need to know from a superb event:

QUICK RESULTS:
JAZZA DICKENS bt LIAM WALSH UD10 (97-94, 98-93, 96-94) – Golden Contract featherweight final / WBO European featherweight title

RICARDS BOLOTNIKS bt SERGE MICHEL TKO10 – Golden Contract light-heavyweight final / WBO European light-heavyweight title

HARLEM EUBANK bt DANIEL EGBUNIKE PTS10 (97-94) – Super-lightweight, 10 rounds

ADAM AZIM bt Ed Harrison PTS6 (60-54) – Lightweight, 6 rounds

JAMES MCGIVERN bt Jordan Ellison PTS6 (60-53) – Lightweight, 6 rounds

FEARGHUS QUINN bt Scott James PTS6 (60-54) – Middleweight, 6 rounds

DETAILED RESULTS & QUOTES:
JAZZA DICKENS bt LIAM WALSH UD10 (97-94, 98-93, 96-94) – Golden Contract featherweight final / WBO European featherweight title

Jazza Dickens won the Golden Contract featherweight tournament and retained his WBO European featherweight title with an impressive victory over domestic rival Ryan Walsh.

Dickens (30-3, 11 KOs) was in control for the majority of the fight, utilising his jab well and restricting Walsh (26-3-2, 12 KOs) to short bursts of success. Walsh’s superb heart and never say die attitude meant he kept coming forward, but in the end Dickens proved to be too good.

The three judges scored it 97-94, 98-93 and 96-94, meaning Dickens wins the tournament after previous victories over Leigh Wood and Carlos Ramos.

Dickens said: “I boxed many ways in this tournament with different styles, and I knew it was my chance to show what I can do.

“This was my moment on Sky Sports. I beat Leigh Wood and Ryan Walsh this year and now I want a world title. I’ll have my rewards when I get my world title.

“Sorry to those that couldn’t be there tonight. I need to thank my coaches George Vaughan and Derry Mathews for everything they have done for me.”

RICARDS BOLOTNIKS bt SERGE MICHEL TKO10 – Golden Contract light-heavyweight final / WBO European light-heavyweight title

Ricards Bolotniks won the Golden Contract light-heavyweight tournament after a fierce tenth round stoppage victory over Serge Michel.

The power of Bolotniks (18-5-1, 8 KOs) was on display, with fans watching on TV treated to a great contest. Bolotniks earned a knockdown in round five, before continuing his onslaught in round 10, securing another knockdown.

Michel (11-2, 8 KOs) was able to get back up to his feet, but his corner threw in the towel before the action could resume, handing Bolotniks an impressive win.

Bolotniks said: “At Christmas I will now be drinking coke and eating potatoes! I did my job and I showed the tactics that my coach taught me. I am just so happy.

“I want Anthony Yarde next year. Maybe we will see each other. I am ready for 12 rounds, 15 rounds, or 20 rounds! Everything in this tournament was good. Thank you to everybody. I will go drink beer and eat pizza!”

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The highly-anticipated #GoldenContract finals will take place at Production Park Studios in Wakefield on Wednesday 2 December – featuring the rescheduled featherweight final between Jazza Dickens and Ryan Walsh.

The event will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports in association with Matchroom Boxing, and in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, and will also feature the light-heavyweight final between Ricards Bolotniks and Serge Michel.

The clash between Dickens (29-3, 11 KOs) and Walsh (26-2-2, 12 KOs) was originally set for September 30 before a positive COVID-19 test for Dickens postponed the fight, with the final now confirmed for December. Dickens will also defend his WBO European featherweight title in the bout.

Dickens defeated Leigh Wood by majority decision in the semi-final to move into the final, while Walsh earned a unanimous decision victory over Tyrone McCullagh.

A belt will also be on the line in the light-heavyweight final, as Bolotniks (17-5-1, 7 KOs) defends his WBO European light-heavyweight title against Michel (11-1, 8 KOs).

Bolotniks progressed to the final with a unanimous decision win over Hosea Burton in the semi-final, and Michel picked up a fourth round stoppage victory over Liam Conroy.

MTK Global Vice-President Jamie Conlan said: “We are finally at the grand conclusion to our Golden Contract tournament.

“In the light-heavyweight final we have seen both boxers get better with each progressing round. Both have came in under the radar with Bolotniks beating the tournament favourite Hosea Burton in Latvia.

“Serge Michel then had a tournament best performance by stopping Liam Conroy in destructive fashion. Both have shown this fight can be explosive and end at anytime, so expect fireworks.

“The Ryan Walsh vs Jazza Dickens postponement has only added to the anticipation of what many in the trade are calling a genuine 50/50 and one of the best all-British fights to be on the 2020 schedule. A fight where the winner will be directly in line to fight for a world title.”

Further news on the #GoldenContract event including undercards fights will be announced in due course.

Stay up to date at mtkglobal.com and on social media @mtkglobal

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Ricards Bolotniks booked his place in the final of the #GoldenContract light-heavyweight tournament with a victory over Hosea Burton.

The two men were competing at Studio 69 in Riga, Latvia, with a fantastic back and forth battle taking place over 10 hard-fought rounds.

Bolotniks appeared to get the better of the action, with the most dramatic moments coming in round nine when Burton received two standing counts after an onslaught from the Latvian.

In the end, the judges had it slightly wider than expected, scoring it 98-90, 100-90, 98-90, earning Bolotniks the win and seeing him keep hold of his WBO European light-heavyweight title in the process.

Bolotniks will take on the winner of the other Golden Contract semi-final, which sees Liam Conroy meet Serge Michel at Production Park Studios in Wakefield, England on Wednesday.

Elsewhere on that card, Tyrone McKenna takes on Ohara Davies in the super-lightweight semi-final, and Jazza Dickens faces Ryan Walsh in the featherweight final, with the action live on Sky Sports in association with Matchroom Boxing, and on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank.

WATCH THE FIGHT

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MTK Global is thrilled to announce that it has entered an advisory agreement with world champion Jamel Herring.
The move will see MTK Global work with Herring’s talented team, including manager Brian McIntyre, Marketing Director Jerry Casarez, and PR Rep Julie Goldsticker.

Boxing champion Herring (22-2, 10 KOs) has had an incredible career inside and outside the ring, culminating with him winning the WBO super-featherweight in impressive fashion in May 2019.

During his illustrious career, he has also competed at the 2012 Olympics in London, and was a proud-serving US Marine Sergeant, serving two tours in Iraq.

The 34-year-old now appears to be on a collision course with Belfast hero Carl Frampton, and Herring is delighted to be teaming up with MTK Global ahead of the potential showdown.

Herring said: “I’m very excited about this next step in my career. I know that by adding MTK Global as an advisor along with Brian McIntyre as my manager, I have the strongest team in the game.

“A special shout out to my guy Jerry Casarez and Jamie Conlan of MTK for helping push this over the line. The best is yet to come from Jamel Herring and with MTK Global on my team I know I’m going to get the right opportunities.”

MTK Global Vice-President Jamie Conlan added: “We’re delighted to welcome Jamel Herring to the team. It became a top priority for MTK to work with Herring given who he is, his standing in the division, especially with JoJo Diaz now also in the stable, and as soon as we spoke, there were instant synergies and we were able to get the deal over the line right away.

“This is a fantastic addition to the team and we’re proud to have the champ with us. This is another step from MTK into the US market and its an honour to be working with a true champion in Jamel Herring.

“We know how much both Jamel and Carl Frampton are looking to square off with each other and it will be something everyone at MTK is now committed to fulfilling and working so closely with Top Rank, making these fights becomes very, very easy.”

Stay up to date at mtkglobal.com and on social media @mtkglobal

Photo Mikey Williams Top Rank

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The upcoming trio of stacked MTK Fight Night events will each take place 24 hours later – after the shows were moved to Wednesday evenings.

The new dates for the upcoming behind-closed-doors shows at the LS-Live in Wakefield are August 12, August 26 and September 2, and will be broadcast live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank and worldwide on IFL TV.

WBO bouts on Wednesday 26 August, and sees unbeaten star Lewis Crocker (11-0, 6 KOs) go up against former Southern Area champion Louis Greene (12-1, 7 KOs) for the vacant WBO European Welterweight title.

David Oliver Joyce (12-1, 9 KOs) defends his WBO European Junior Featherweight title against recent TJ Doheny conqueror Ionut Baluta (13-2, 2 KOs), while amateur sensation James McGivern makes his professional debut against an opponent to be announced.

MTK Global Chief Strategy Officer Paul Gibson said: “There are a lot of unique challenges to pulling a card together in the current climate but these fifteen matches guarantee some cracking fights.

“The remit was to make as many quality 50-50s as possible and the fact we’ve been restricted to matching domestically only adds to intrigue of the contests. It’ll be action from first bell to last.”

MTK Global Vice-President Jamie Conlan added: “Our first show on August 12 sees Jono Carroll returning following his incredible victory against Scott Quigg in March.

“Sean McComb and Siar Ozgul always bring excitement, so having them face each other is certain to lead to fireworks, and then we have two outstanding 50-50 fights as Craig MacIntyre faces Darren Surtees, and Sahir Iqbal goes up against Maredudd Thomas.

“Pierce O’Leary rounds off our first show, and he has looked tremendous in his career so far, so we can’t wait to see him back in the ring.

“Our second card on August 26 is just as packed, with Lewis Crocker competing for his first title in a terrific fight against Louis Greene, and it’s great to have Lee McGregor back too after his brilliant bout with Kash Farooq in November.

“Gary Cully against Kieran Gething is an extremely interesting fight that I can’t wait to see unfold, and the fans will see a star for the future when James McGivern is in action.

Aged 15-19 and want to enter the world of boxing as a fighter, coach, referee, cutsperson, promoter, event coordinator, journalist and everything in between? Sign up for the #MTKAcademy now: www.academyse.co.uk/mtkacademy

Stay up to date at mtkglobal.com and on social media @mtkglobal

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Welterweight Michael McKinson will look to add the WBO European crown when he takes on Evgeny Pavko.

Undefeated McKinson (16-0, 2 KOs) will clash with hard-hitting Russian Pavko (18-2-1, 13 KOs) on the #MTKFightNight at the Brentwood Centre on July 20 – live on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank and on iFL TV.

Having been unable to entice the big domestic names at 147lb to step in the ring with him, McKinson is delighted to be graduating to European level.

McKinson said: “This is a good bout. Nobody in Britain wanted to fight me so we’ve had to go the harder route and take on a dangerous Russian.

“I’ve always said I’ll fight anyone and while Pavko is a dangerous opponent, I believe in my ability and I’m going to show everyone – once again – that I’m not here to play games.

“I wouldn’t be a good fighter or a good champion if I had easy fights. I actually prefer these tough challenges so I’m excited by this.

“It’s about time I had a third belt to add to my collection. I’ve defended the WBC International Silver twice now against proper opponents so I wanted a new challenge and MTK Global has delivered.”

McKinson’s last performance was a 10-round schooling of the heavy-handed Ryan Kelly at the same venue back in March.

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