NFL star Le'Veon Bell takes a loss on his professional boxing debut against Former UFC fighter Uriah Hall
- By Behind The Gloves
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- 30 Oct, 2022
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Uriah Hall
“I just told Le’Veon that I have so much respect for him. It’s such a hard thing to do, to switch careers. He’s a professional football player and for him to step outside of his comfort zone to do this – it’s the toughest sport in the world. I don’t care who you are. This is the toughest sport in the world. I give him so much props. I’m proud of you, man. This should make you understand that it’s a hard road and I promise you, if you keep going you’ll make it.
“He definitely surprised me. He’s pretty good. I do think he has a spot in this career. Obviously, this sport is mental. But for him to stick with his jab to the body, I didn’t know if he was trying to set me up, but he was very consistent with it. He was strong, man. I got cracked a couple times and I was like, ‘Holy s---.’ But I had to keep it together. I’m proud of him, man.
“I was surprised I won because this is MMA and boxing. The judges are different sometimes. It’s hard when you leave it up to these people who don’t really know you. I didn’t want to leave my career in the hands of people who don’t know me. So my job was to come out here and try to finish him. Unfortunately, I can’t leave it in the hands of other people. I can’t do it. This is my career. This is my life. This is my paycheck.
“F--- yeah I want to keep boxing. I want Jake Paul. I want his frosty ass. I’m the dude that’s going to come out here and expose him. If Anderson doesn’t do it, I’m going to be the one to f--- you up.”
Le’Veon Bell
“I thought I did OK. That’s a great fighter right there. I think he got the best of me.
“All the credit goes to him. I watched film and I think there are some things I would do differently now like following up with my hands a little more. But he did a great job.
“He didn’t hurt me. I’ve been playing football so I’m used to getting hit pretty hard.”
Boxing News
Chris Avila
“Props to Dr. Mike for taking the fight. I don’t have any bad feelings towards him. I’m glad I got the win but I would have liked to get the finish. It was a four-round fight, so I had to get the work in. He’s a tough guy, so props to him.
“I don’t fight at 185 pounds. I’ll come back to 168. So whoever wants it come and get you some. Who’s next? [Chad Ochocinco] can get it. Any of these guys can get it. I’m not going to say any names but any UFC fighters that are locked into your contracts out there, get out and I’ll give you some. Anybody can get it. Any boxer. Anybody.”
Dr. Mike Varshavski
“Probably just a lack of experience and I was trying to multi-task a little out there. But overall it’s a great experience. I got a beautiful check for the Harlem Boys and Girls Club for $175,000 so looking to move forward and do it again and get some wins.
“He never really hurt me. I got hit in the back of the head a few times, so that was different. Otherwise, just need a little more experience in the ring. Hitting the canvas wasn’t going to happen. I’m a tough Russian guy from Brooklyn.
“What’s next? We’ll see what opportunities come my way. I’m excited to get back out there and do it again.”
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Fury, who intends on fighting Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed championship in the first part of 2023, will once again perform on UK soil following his April knockout of mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte in front of 94,000 fans at Wembley Stadium.
Promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, in association with Top Rank, this will be the third meeting between Fury and Chisora. They first met in July 2011 with the British and Commonwealth titles at stake, and Fury prevailed by unanimous decision.
“I am thrilled to be delivering a Tyson Fury world title defense in front of the British fans in London,” said promoter Frank Warren. “Tyson clearly conquered America across his trilogy with Deontay Wilder and there is also huge demand to stage his fights from sites across the world.
“Tyson wanted to fight in his home country again this year following his special night at Wembley Stadium in April. This brings us to the magnificent Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and a match against an old rival in Derek Chisora.
“Derek, also a big favorite with British fans, has reinvented himself in recent years and Tyson has long stated his wish to fight him for a third time.
“Tyson can’t afford any slip-up in this fight as he has the much-publicized undisputed match-up with Usyk in the New Year which we’re really looking forward to.
"I am also delighted that we have added Daniel Dubois to the card with a first defense of his WBA belt against Kevin Lerena. It makes it a real heavyweight night, and Daniel represents the best of the new generation coming through."
“Whenever Tyson Fury fights, it is a major event, and I expect him to once again put on a spectacular show for the fans,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “There are talks about what’s next for Tyson, but the first order of business is a battle against an extraordinarily tough fighter in Derek Chisora."
Todd Kline, Chief Commercial Officer, Tottenham Hotspur, said: “Our stadium has firmly established itself as a leading venue in London for major sports and entertainment events.
“The AJ-Usyk fight in front of a record crowd here in Tottenham was a truly an unforgettable spectacle and we are extremely excited to bring World Heavyweight Championship boxing back to N17 on December 3.
“The World Cup break leaves us in a unique position of having no Spurs action at the stadium between November 12 – December 31 - what better way to satisfy the demand for world-class live sport before the Premier League returns.”
In between Fury fights, Chisora (33-12, 23 KOs) challenged for the WBC title and gave a good account of himself against Vitali Klitschko in Munich, before entering into a grudge match at West Ham United’s Upton Park against another British rival in David Haye.
He rebuilt from those setbacks by winning the WBO International, European and WBA International titles in a five-fight winning streak, setting up a return fight with Fury that took place at London’s ExCel Arena in November 2014.
In recent years, Chisora has been involved in two close encounters with Dillian Whyte and one with Usyk, while defeating Carlos Takam, Artur Szpilka and David Price. Last year, he lost a pair of tight affairs with Joseph Parker.
His last fight was an exciting points victory over former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev in July.
Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) remains an undefeated champion and completed his remarkable return from the boxing wilderness with a resounding rematch victory over Deontay Wilder in February 2020, with the Bronze Bomber saved by his corner in the seventh round.
A trilogy battle followed eight months later, which delivered a Las Vegas thriller where Wilder was put down in rounds three and 10 and Fury down twice in round four before knocking out the former WBC ruler in the 11th.
The 25-year-old Dubois (18-1, 17 KOs) seized his world title belt in June when he travelled to Miami and demolished previous champion Trevor Bryan, inflicting a first defeat on the American via a fourth-round stoppage.
Lerena (28-1, 14 KOs), 30, is a recent addition to the heavyweight ranks, having established himself as the IBO world cruiserweight champion, making six defenses of the title. At heavyweight he has recorded victories over contenders Patrick Ferguson, Bogdan Dinu and Mariusz Wach.
Tickets for Tyson Fury vs. Derek Chisora for the WBC & Lineal Heavyweight Championship of the World at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium go on general sale at noon tomorrow (Friday, 21 October) from ticketmaster.co.uk.
Fans are encouraged to sign-up for Ticket Alerts at frankwarren.com to receive the direct ticket link on Friday.
Please note, this will be an open-air event with a likelihood of winter conditions at the time of year it is taking place. Ticket purchasers are strongly advised to wear appropriate clothing on the night as all seating within the stadium is outdoor.
Doors for the event will open at 5 p.m.
About ESPN+
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| The youngest son of “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas will make his Top Rank debut Saturday, Nov. 12 on ESPN+ as part of the Janibek Alimkhanuly/Seniesa Estrada world title doubleheader undercard
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Ahead of the October 29 lightweight battle at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, ESPN presents Battle Lines: Lomachenko, a 30-minute celebration of Ukraine’s fighting hero, two-time Olympic gold medalist, three-division world titlist and boxing’s former pound-for-pound king, Vasiliy “Loma” Lomachenko (16-2, 11 KO). “The Matrix” prepares to make his long-awaited boxing return against rising contender” Jamaine “The Technician” Ortiz (16-0-1, 8 KO).
Battle Lines: Lomachenko takes fight fans inside the heart and soul of Loma amidst crisis in his native Ukraine. While on a clear path to challenge for the undisputed lightweight world championship, Lomachenko bravely paused his professional career to join the territorial defense battalion of his hometown during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Despite the endless conflict, viewers will see a glimpse of the Ukrainian fighting spirit and follow Lomachenko as he prepares to return to the ring, return to winning ways, and seal his shot at undisputed lightweight world champion Devin “The Dream” Haney.
The show will also be available for replay on-demand in the ESPN App and on ESPN.com.
Battle Lines: Lomachenko
| Date
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Network
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Time (ET)
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| Sat Oct 22
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ESPNEWS
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2 p.m.
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| Mon Oct 24 |
ESPNEWS
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1 a.m.
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| ESPN2
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7 p.m.
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| ESPN2
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11:30 p.m.
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| Tues Oct 25
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ESPN2
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10:30 p.m.
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| Wed Oct 26
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ESPN2
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7 p.m.
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| Thurs Oct 27
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ESPNEWS
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7:30 a.m.
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| Fri Oct 28
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ESPNEWS
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9 a.m.
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| Sat Oct 29
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ESPN2
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7 a.m.
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| ESPNEWS
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3 p.m.
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October 29: Vasiliy Lomachenko to Face Unbeaten Contender Jamaine Ortiz
Lead card begins Friday at 8 p.m. EDT and main card at 10 p.m. EDT
NEW YORK—October 18— Prime Video and ONE Championship are gearing up to present their third event in U.S. prime time, ONE on Prime Video 3: Lineker vs. Andrade , which features three world title fights in three different martial arts. Available exclusively to Prime members in the U.S. and Canada, fans can tune in to the lead card on Friday, October 21, starting at 8 p.m. EDT, with the evening’s main card beginning at 10 p.m. EDT.
Broadcast live from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ONE on Prime Video 3 is guaranteed to be an action-packed evening. In the main event, Brazilian heavy hitters John Lineker and Fabricio Andrade go head-to-head for the ONE Bantamweight World Championship, and in the co-main event, striking stars Regian Eersel and Sinsamut Klinmee battle for the inaugural ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Championship.
Friday’s card will also see a third world title fight, as the youngest-ever ADCC World Champion and Brazilian jiu-jitsu phenom Kade Ruotolo faces accomplished sambo and judoka stylist Uali Kurzhev for the ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Championship. Complete card details can be found in the graphic below.
Fans can watch ONE on Prime Video live events, including ONE on Prime Video 3: Lineker vs. Andrade , at home or on the go at amazon.com/ONEChampionship , and across hundreds of compatible devices, streaming from the web, or using the Prime Video app on smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes, game consoles, and connected TVs. For a complete list of compatible devices, visit amazon.com/howtostream.
ONE on Prime Video
will return to Singapore Indoor Stadium for its fourth live event on November 18, headlined by lightweight king Christian Lee challenging Kiamrian Abbasov for the ONE Welterweight World Title and Rodtang Jitmuangnon defending the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title against Strawweight champ Joseph Lasiri. Additional fight card details will be announced in the coming weeks.
A schedule of events for the remainder of 2022 can be found below:
October 21—8:00 p.m. EDT— ONE on Prime Video 3: Lineker vs. Andrade
November 18—8:00 p.m. EDT— ONE on Prime Video 4: Abbasov vs. Lee
December 2—8:00 p.m. EDT— ONE on Prime Video 5: TBD vs. TBD
Schedule and timing subject to change.