A WELCOME FROM
EDDIE HEARN
H
ello from Dallas on a massive weekend of boxing live on DAZN all across the world. No travel restrictions, no pandemic can stop us from being here and I’ve not been this excited about a card for a long time, with a World championships triple header at the top of the card in Texas, as well as so many young prospects stepping up. What a main event, the rematch between Estrada and Chocolatito for the WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Championships, finally the return battle of their first epic war over eight years ago. This is going to be a special fight. It’s been a long time coming but both men are in their prime now, with Juan Francisco serving up a dramatic stoppage win in his fight of the year contender with Cuadras and Chocolatito rolling back the years
with his clinical KO win over Yafai and looking razor sharp against Gonzalez. Estrada is the number one in the division but Chocolatito will be looking to repeat his win – the winner will take a massive step to becoming undisputed. We have a fantastic co-main event in another rematch between the undisputed World Welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill and the former ruler Cecilia Braekhus and of course, Hiroto Kyoguchi and Axel Vega for the WBA and Ring Magazine World Light-Flyweight titles. First though, the action starts in Thailand where Srisaket Sor Rungvisai faces Kwanthai Sithmorseng over ten rounds, with Rungvisai set to face the winner of our main event in Dallas – it’s a mouth-watering line-up for fight fans to enjoy. ■
Programme Editor: Anthony Leaver Fighter Interviews: Daniel Barnard, Jamie Ward and Scott Hammerton Design: Hashtag Digital Media (hdmdigitalsales@gmail.com) Photographs: Ed Mulholland Master of Ceremonies: David Diamante
3
WORTH THE
J
WAIT
uan Francisco Estrada finally gets his rematch with Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez tonight, and the Mexican says revenge will taste sweet after such a long wait. Estrada and Chocolatito met for the first time in November 2012 when Estrada challenged for Chocolatito’s WBA World LightFlyweight title in LA. Chocolatito was on his way to being the pound-forpound number one fighter while Estrada was in his first World title at just 21 years of age. Estrada took Chocolatito the distance in a great fight but fell short, and nearly 100 months later, the pair meet up in a unification fight two weights higher, and ‘El Gallo’ cannot wait for the first bell to go. “I’m really happy to be in this rematch after eight or nine years of waiting,” said Estrada. “I really feel like I am fighting for my first World title being a World champion in a unification fight. It’s going to be a fight that history will remember. “I feel like the rematch is what I’ve been waiting for my whole life. I have three losses, I already avenged two of them, and this is the last one. I’ve always said that I show up in rematches. “It was a great feeling to be fighting for a World title fight for the first
4
FEBRUARY MARCH 13 27 2021 2021
ESTRADA CANELO VSVS GONZALEZ YILDRIM
“THE REMATCH IS WHAT I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR MY WHOLE LIFE” time in our first fight, and against the best pound for pound fighter in the world in the lighter weight classes. “It was an incredibly tough fight for all 12 rounds. At the end of the final round I was very weak, I just wanted the fight to end, but I still didn’t stop throwing punches. I still felt happy with the great fight I fought and thanks to that, great things came for me.” ■
5
ROMAN
REIGNS
R
oman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez says he is ‘proud to have represented Nicaragua with such dignity’ – but still has more to add to his legacy as he prepares to rematch Juan Francisco Estrada on Saturday night. Chocolatito (50-2 41 KOs) was victorious in the first fight with Estrada (41-3 28 KOs) in November 2012, and his final fight as a LightFlyweight World ruler. Two years later in his 40th pro fight he became a three-weight World ruler by beating Akira Yaegashi in Japan for the WBC and Ring Magazine World Flyweight titles and his September 2016 victory over Carlos Cuadras landed him World honors at a fourth weight with the WBC SuperFlyweight strap. Chocolatito has always been honored to be part of the rich boxing history in his homeland, led by one of the all-time greats in the late Alexis Arguello, and the former pound-forpound king fondly remembers looking up to and spending time with Arguello, as he looks back on a remarkable career that he believes still has many more chapters to be written. “When I fought Yaegashi, the question that all of Nicaragua had was ‘Are you on the same level as Alexis Arguello?’” said Chocolatito. “I won that third title in Japan and then a fourth title came, where everybody was waiting expectantly to see if I’d win it. I trained a lot because it was one of my dreams. And then… boom! I won the title and Nicaragua welcomed me like never before. “I’m so proud to have represented my country with such dignity. And well, I’m so happy for my parents, my family. And for Alexis, who was
6
FEBRUARY MARCH 13 27 2021 2021
ESTRADA CANELO VSVS GONZALEZ YILDRIM
“I’VE ALREADY CONQUERED MANY THINGS IN BOXING” always there for me, teaching me the good things about this boxing world. “I consider myself a man who’s done the best that I could. I had difficult times growing up but, in the end, it worked out well. And I feel and think that I’ve already conquered many things in boxing. What comes now with this title is just extra. “I never imagined myself getting to where I am now. But wow, it is still hard, it costs me. Because I train the right way. I do things the way they should be done. But I like it, I don’t complain because I thank god for where I am now.” ■
7
FIFTY SHADES OF
GREAT S
risaket Sor Rungvisai kicks off this week’s action in Thailand searching for a 50th pro win against Kwanthai Sithmorseng – and the Thai legend wants to make a big statement before sitting back the next day and watching Juan Francisco Estrada-Roman Gonzalez go to war for the second time, knowing he’s in line to face the winner. Rungvisai is looking to get back to World champion status having lost his WBC World Super-Flyweight strap to Estrada in LA in April 2019. The 34 year old responded to that defeat with a pair of wins on home soil in 2020, and knows that a milestone win against Sithmorseng would be the perfect preparation for a trilogy fight with the winner in Dallas. “I am not only preparing to fight Kwanthai, but also for the Estrada and Chocolatito winner,” said Rungvisai. “I’m not overlooking Kwanthai, but I’m confident that I will beat him. “He’s a very well-rounded boxer with great experience, who has fought at World level, but I am confident that my 50th win will be impressive. I am the stronger man, but I can’t afford to overlook him. “Their first fight was very competitive. Ultimately, I think it will come down to their preparation and the fighter with the best
9
“I AM LOOKING TO BECOME A THREE-TIME WORLD CHAMPION”
conditioning will win. “Both of my fights with Chocolatito were extremely entertaining, if I am to fight him next for a third time, I’ll do it again and become a three-time World champion. “My second fight against Estrada was very close. I accept the judges favored
10
MARCH 13 2021
him, but if it’s him for the trilogy I will beat him. “They are legends of the sport. It’s great for the division the best fight the best and I obviously include myself in that list. It can only help elevate the 115lbs division to become one of the more popular weight classes in the game.” ■
RUNGVISAI VS SITHMORSENG
KILL
SHOT
J
essica ‘CasKILLA’ McCaskill says she will retain her undisputed Welterweight crown and send Cecilia Brækhus into retirement in their rematch. McCaskill ripped the titles from Brækhus on the streets of Tulsa, Oklahoma in August, handing the Norwegian her first career loss and becoming a twoweight World champion in the process. Brækhus hinted at retirement in her post-fight interview before committing to the rematch days later, and now the pair will tussle for the titles once more – but the Chicago belt holder believes that the hunger has gone from her foe and that this weekend, she’ll blow the candles out on her long career. “This is the biggest retirement party DAZN has ever hosted there’s probably going to be cake and juice afterwards,” said McCaskill. “This is going to be it. She’s the one that alluded to it after losing in Tulsa, she seemed super relieved after losing and I am just giving her what she wants. “Once someone shows that weakness, shows they are not in it and talks retirement, that shows that they are mentally out of the game. We’ve never been given a whole lot, we’ve taken really
12
FEBRUARY MARCH 13 27 2021 2021
ESTRADA CANELO VSVS GONZALEZ YILDRIM
“THIS IS THE BIGGEST RETIREMENT PARTY DAZN HAS EVER HOSTED” big risks and they have gotten us to those higher places. I don’t want to take on anyone else’s legacy, I’m building my own and making history every step of the day and that’s what I want to continue to do. “I think she’s been struggling since the loss; I don’t know what she is going to do on fight night because we’re coming. I have a b-side mentality, we’re grinding for this, we’re not getting any handouts for this, she’s going to have to fight tooth and nail for anything.” ■
13
REVENGE
MISSION
C
ecilia Brækhus has vowed to ‘take back what’s mine’ when she rematches Jessica McCaskill for the undisputed World Welterweight titles. Brækhus suffered the first loss of her glittering career at the hands of McCaskill in Tulsa, OK, in August, with the Chicagoan taking her titles and preventing her from breaking Joe Lewis’ record of consecutive World title defenses. The Norwegian hinted at retirement in her immediate post-fight speech but within days of that loss, she activated the rematch clause, and now she is determined to settle the score and reclaim her property. “I know I am a better fighter than Jessica in every possible way – I’m back for me,” said Brækhus. “I’ve done it all in boxing; first undisputed women’s champion, first Ring Magazine champion, sold out arenas, hit one million viewers, sold Pay-Per-Views – Saturday is just about taking the belts back because I am better. “I’ve been in so many fights in my career and I knew that I did enough to win the first fight. I was a little bit naive. I didn’t consider that I was on her hometurf, I won’t make that mistake again. Those belts are rightfully mine and I want to make a statement on Saturday, I’ll be completely different
14
FEBRUARY MARCH 13 27 2021 2021
ESTRADA CANELO VSVS GONZALEZ YILDRIM
“I AM A BETTER FIGHTER THAN JESSICA IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY” from the last fight, I’m in peak shape and I am happy. “It’s fine to do some talking before the fight to promote it, but it’s not personal for me. She started talking about me and my team 24 hours after the last fight and I lost respect for her. You can’t be offended or take anything personally by someone you don’t respect. I feel calm and I am ready to get my belts back.” ■
15
LIGHT
WORK
T
wo-division World Champion Hiroto Kyoguchi tonight makes his Matchroom debut live on DAZN as he defends his WBA and Ring Magazine World Titles against Axel Vega. The undefeated Japanese star who penned a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn in December 2020 and is managed by Eddy Reynoso won the IBF Minimum Weight World Title in 2017 before moving up to 108lbs to stop Hekkie Budler and scoop the WBA and Ring Magazine LightFlyweight belts in December 2018. Tonight marks Kyoguchi’s (14-0 9 KOs) third defence of his Light-Fly crown and he plans to make a statement in the Lone Star state when he tangles with Vega (14-3-1 8 KOs) with the desire to explode onto the worldwide scene. With victory, the 27-year-old plans to hunt down unification bouts with fellow champions Ken Shiro, Felix Alvarado and Elwin Soto, and is happy to be back in the ring after the COVID pandemic robbed him of the chance of fighting in 2020. “As long as I can stay at 108 pounds, I want to show that I am the best in this division
16
FEBRUARY MARCH 13 27 2021 2021
ESTRADA CANELO VSVS GONZALEZ YILDRIM
“I ALWAYS WANTED TO COME TO THE US TO FIGHT. THIS IS A VERY BIG MOMENT FOR MY CAREER” and to dominate it,” said Kyoguchi. “But eventually my goal is to move up the weights and win more belts. “I became a World Champion in Japan and after that, I always wanted to come to the US to fight. This is a very big moment for my career, and I want to make a big statement. The fans can expect a really entertaining fight with Vega. “It’s an honor for me to fight for Matchroom as their first Japanese fighter. I am going to represent my country to show how great Japanese boxing is. “The Coronavirus has created a special situation for everyone, it’s hard to adjust to that but Matchroom have made it easy in the bubble, so thanks to them I can make weight well. “I have seen some tape of Axel, he’s a very good fighter. I’m already a World champion so from now on I want to show everyone that I am one of the best fighters in the world, and that starts against Vega.” ■
17
PART-TIME JOBS • FULL-TIME BENEFITS
The Air Force Reserve offers a variety of part-time job opportunities with full-time benefits, including tuition assistance and low-cost health insurance. You may be eligible for a signing bonus of up to $20,000 for specific part-time jobs. Serving your country part-time at a base close to where you live, gives you the opportunity to also pursue your civilian career or further your education. It’s an ideal option for those who have never been in the military as well as for those with prior military service in any branch.
800-257-1212 • AFReserve.com
SHORT ‘N
SWEET
A
xel ‘El Mini’ Vega says beating WBA and Ring Magazine World champion Hiroto Kyoguchi is not a tall order as they clash in Dallas. Vega stands at a diminutive 4ft 9’ but the Mexican youngster has already proved to be more than a handful in the ring, having been unfortunate to suffer a cut in his first World title fight against Wilfredo Mendez at Minimumweight in October 2019. Still only 20 years of age after turning pro in October 2016, Vega believes his typical Mexican style could turn Kyoguchi’s American debut into a nightmare. “How do I win? Like every Mexican fighter – going forward and throwing lots of punches,” said Vega. “I feel very capable of winning this and I think it’s going to be a great fight. “We’ve studied him, but fighters are never the same against other fighters, he’s going to fight differently against me and I am going to try to surprise him. He’s one of the best in the division, I’m super motivated because we’re fighting for the Ring Magazine belt too. “I was doing great in the Mendez fight for the World championship, I dropped him in the 4th round but in the 7th, I got cut on the eyebrow and I couldn’t continue. “Since I started fighting, I’ve always fought taller fighters, even Mendez was taller than me. So, we work on speed and angles, if they throw one punch, we throw three or four, so it’s nothing new to me and we always work on it. “It’s never easy to find sparring but we did spar with Elwin Soto the WBO champion all the way through the camp and it was great work. We are friends but if the opportunity came up to fight, it’s something that we would talk about as a team and I’d be open to do it, depending on what they say.” ■
19
IDAS CONTINENTAL 80 OFFICIAL PARTNER
FORD
FOCUS
R
aymond Ford believes he’s the best prospect in boxing, and he wants to underline that with another stand-out performance as he steps up against Aaron Perez over eight rounds in Dallas. Ford (8-0 4 KOs) had a great finish to 2020 with impressive stoppage wins in Florida and San Antonio adding to the buzz around the Camden, NJ talent, and now in his second eight round fight, he takes on the unbeaten Perez (10-0 6 KOs). Ford has ambitious plans for the rest of 2021 if he can see off the challenge of the 23 year old from New Mexico, and the 21-year-old is in no doubt that he is the rising star that everyone should be watching. “I feel I am the best prospect in all of boxing, not just at Matchroom, I’m talking everywhere,” said Ford. “I feel like I could be a contender by the end of the year, but I want to fight five more times after this fight and then going into 2022 I want to challenge myself and get a shot at the World title. “This is what I have been waiting for, it’s time to show who I really am. I don’t want to be just beating guys that I am supposed to beat, he’s a young, unbeaten prospect, the same as me, and I feel that this is the perfect start to show who I am. “I wasn’t sure what to expect coming into the pros, whether I would be moving fast or moving slow, I was just going along with it. I’ve recently been looking to make the decisions to move fast a few fights ago. “Even with COVID I fought three times last year and the first card wasn’t until August, so Eddie is moving me along great, and they are starting to test me now. I wasn’t supposed to be back until April so being back in March is great for me.” ■
21
Using digital to speak directly to your customers Tel: +44 (0) 7539 782979 Email: hdmdigitalsales@gmail.com www.hashtagdigitalmedia.co.uk
AMMO
A
ustin ‘Ammo’ Williams tonight steps up against Denis Douglin in what is the biggest test of his 7 fight journey by a considerable distance. Williams (7-0 6 KOs) secured his third straight stoppage win in December, when he destroyed Isiah Jones inside the opening round of their scheduled six on the Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez-Callum Smith undercard in San Antonio. That was KO number six from seven pro-outings for the dangerous Houston talent who ended 2020 in style, and now ‘Ammo’ wants to step things up in 2021, starting this weekend against the vastly more experienced Denis Douglin. Douglin (22-7 14 KOs) has a wealth of experience at the top level that Williams wants to reach next year, having shared the ring with World champions such as George Groves, Anthony Dirrell, David Benavidez and Jermell Charlo in the past. Williams is hoping he gets the test he desires before hunting down big names and titles, with Briton Anthony Fowler at the top of his hitlist. “Douglin is the sort of step-up I need right now, someone that’s had experience at the high level that is going to test me,” said Williams. “I always tell Eddie Hearn and Matchroom that I want more. I’m not working in the gym for regular guys, I think I have still got to prove myself and come up the ranks like everyone else, but I am showing that I am different. “This year I need a title shot, something like a USBA title, to get me ready for a World title in 2022. This is going to be a great development year for me. “I came into this sport late, but I progressed fast, and I feel like I cannot be stopped right now. I’m in the gym every day, no layoffs, not blowing hot or cold, I come to perform every single time.” ■
23
FRENCH
REVOLUTION S ouleymane Cissokho wants to kickstart his career as he returns to action over eight rounds against Daniel Echeverria. Cissokho has not boxed since picking up pro win number 11 in September 2019 in Nantes, France, but the COVID pandemic has not been kind to the Frenchman who has been waiting for the chance to continue his rise. The 29-year-old wants to step through the gears quickly in 2021, so a statement win over his Mexican foe in the Lone Star state would be the perfect start for Cissokho to target some of the big British and European names at 154lbs. “I’m ready to go,” said Cissokho. “You know, it has been 16 months without a fight so yes I can’t wait to get into the ring. “Hopefully it will be a big year for me. I want to move the world. In the UK, you guys have a lot of good fighters and I can’t wait to fight with them. I’m ready and I want to show you on Saturday and then let’s see. “It’s a good time for French boxing. Since 2016, we had six medals, two gold, two silver, two bronze, and now professional boxing in France is going well. With Tony Yoka and others. We want to show all the world that we are ready to be in the top level. I am very happy and very excited to be here. “We all know about the Mexican guys. They are tough fighters, they come to fight, and they are very ready so it will be a good test for me and I’m ready for everybody.” ■
24
MARCH 13 2021
ESTRADA VS GONZALEZ
12 X 3 MINS WBC, WBA AND RING MAGAZINE WORLD SUPER-FLYWEIGHT TITLES
JUAN FRANCISCO vs ESTRADA
(HERMOSILLO, MEXICO)
ROMAN GONZALEZ (MANAGUA, NICARAGUA)
10 X 2 MINS UNDISPUTED WORLD WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
JESSICA MCCASKILL
vs
(CHICAGO, IL)
CECILIA BRÆKHUS (BERGEN, NORWAY)
12 X 3 MINS WBA AND RING MAGAZINE WORLD LIGHT-FLYWEIGHT TITLES
HIROTO KYOGUCHI
vs
(TOKYO, JAPAN)
AXEL ARAGON VEGA (ENSENADA, MEXICO)
8 X 3 MINS FEATHERWEIGHT CONTEST
RAYMOND FORD
vs
(CAMDEN, NJ)
AARON PEREZ (ALBUQUERQUE, NM)
8 X 3 MINS MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTEST
AUSTIN WILLIAMS
vs
(HOUSTON, TX)
DENIS DOUGLIN (LAS VEGAS, NV)
8 X 3 MINS SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT CONTEST
SOULEYMANE CISSOKHO vs DANIEL ECHEVARRIA (BAGNOLET, FRANCE)
(DURANGO, MEXICO)