Billy 'The Kid' Dib returns to Foxwoods as Junior lightweight For 50 Cent's Birthday Bash

Mark Davis vs. Michael Farenas headlines ESPN FNF Special Edition Wed., July 2

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (June 19, 2014) - Former IBF featherweight champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (36-3, 21 KOs) returns Wednesday, July 2 to the scene of arguably the most disappointing night of his professional career for a 10-round co-feature bout against  former WBA featherweight title challenger Alberto "Kichis" Garza (26-7-1, 21 KOs).  Dib's promoter, 50 Cent's SMS Promotions, will present a special edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights at Grand Theater in Fox Tower at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. In 2013, Dib lost his International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight title belt at Foxwoods by way of a 12-round split decision (114-112, 112-114, 112-114) to undefeated Evgeny Gradovich.  Dib also lost a rematch to Gradovich last November and the Australian has moved up one weight class to junior lightweight for his fight with Garza. "I'm grateful for fighting again at a beautiful venue like Foxwoods," Dib said.  "I have no demons (fighting there).  I am blessed for what I already achieved and hungry to achieve more.  I am also grateful for the opportunity ESPN and my promoter have given me.  50 creates opportunities.  I have had all four of my fights shown on U.S. television and also shown live in my home country, Australia.  50 is a really smart guy that surrounds himself with really good people that help run his business.  Some really fine examples of that is Monique Mayers, Angel Martinez and Sean Gibbons who make sure I'm always looked after.  I am very grateful to them and the whole SMS team." Moving up in weight at the age of 28 is typical for fighters.  "I have been making featherweight for the past 10 years and felt that I was losing some power due to slight struggles making weight," Dib explained.  "I feel stronger now and I am excited about attempting to win another world time in different division.  That's definitely my goal.  I have done it before and know what it takes.  I can't put a time frame on it. I will be patient and work hard to achieve another world title, God willing." Garza is a 28-year-old Mexican boxer who lost his only world title shot to World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion Nicholas Walters by fourth-round technical knockout in 2013.  Garza has held the World Boxing Council (WBC) and Silver Continental Americas titles, as well as the IBF Latino championship during his 11-year pro career. "I know Garza has the Mexican heart that you can never underestimate," Dib added.  "He is very experienced, fought and won titles, and is dangerous.  But I will be ready!" In the 12-round main event, undefeated 50 Cent-promoted junior lightweight Mark "Too Sharp" Davis (18-0, 5 KOs), fighting out of Cleveland, faces Filipino knockout specialist Michael "Hammer Fist" Farenas (38-4-4, 30 KOs) in an IBF (IBF) title eliminator.  The winner will become the mandatory challenger for the winner of the July 10 title match between IBF junior lightweight champion Argenis Mendez and challenger Rances Barthelemy. Undefeated SMS Promotions lightweight prospect Ryan "Blue Chip" Martin (6-0, 3 KOs), fighting out of Cleveland, takes on Albuquerque's Matthew "Champ" Baca (4-1-1, 2 KOs) in the four-round ESPN opener. Former S. Connecticut State University football player and current Connecticut State junior middleweight champion, New Haven's unbeaten Jimmy Williams (6-0, 3 KOs), faces Bronx veteran Stephen Owusu (8-6, 4 KOs) in a six-round fight of local interest.  Undefeated WIBA International super bantamweight champion Shelly "Shelito's Way" Vincent (11-0, 1 KO), of Providence, and former IWBF bantamweight titlist Nadia "Da Phenomenal" Feliciano (7-5-3, 0 KOs), fighting out of the Bronx, square off a six-round, non-title bout. Also scheduled to fight on the undercard is undefeated Nick DeLomba (3-0), of Cranston, RI versus New Haven (CT) welterweight Edwin Soto (9-1-2, 4 KOs) in a four-round match. All fights and fighters are subject to change. Tickets are priced at $100.00, $75.00 and $45.00 and are on sale online atwww.foxwoods.com, calling Foxwoods' box office at (800) 200-2882, or in person at Foxwoods' box office.  Tickets will also be available to purchase through any Ticketmaster outlet and online at www.ticketmaster.com.    Doors at Grand Theater in Fox Tower will open at 6 p.m. ET.  The first bout will start at 7 p.m. ET with ESPN FNF between 9-11 p.m. ET. Doors to the after party will open at 10:00 p.m. ET. Tickets may also be purchased online atwww.foxwoods.com, calling Foxwoods' box office at (800) 200-2882, or in person at Foxwoods' box office. --Pictures by Shareif Ziyadat-

Gamboa workout quotes and pictures with 50 Cent

(L-R) - 50 Cent & Yuriorkis Gamboa (Photo gallery below - all pictures by Rey Sanchez) DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (June 12, 2014) - Hosted by his promoter Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, undefeated multiple world champion Yuriorkis "The Cyclone of Guantanamo" Gamboa (23-0, 16 KOs) held an open media workout today at Iron Mike Promotions Gym to promote Gamboa's June 28 world title fight against World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight championTerence Crawford (23-0, 16 KOs). Promoted by Top Rank, in association with SMS Promotions, PS4 and Tecate, Crawford vs. Gamboa will be the 12-round main event, airing live on HBO Boxing After Dark, starting at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, from Century Link Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Reserved tickets to Crawford vs. Gamboa are on sale starting at just $27.00, with remaining tiers priced at $52.00 and $102.00.  Tickets are available to purchase at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office and all Ticketmaster outlets, call 800-745-3000 to charge-by-hone, or order online at www.TicketMaster.com. GAMBOA QUOTES "Coming from Cuba, the guys were technical and had size, and I fought them a lot. Me, I've perfected my strategy to fighting these type of fighters."    "I think this will be a counter-vs-counter match."     "Objective is to get him to the middle range where I can use my speed."   "Logic says to carry a little more weight as you get older, so I'm comfortable fighting at this weight."     "The training camp is going perfect."   How are you preparing in this training camp? "General conditioning and working on specific objectives as we draw closer to the fight." Working with Floyd Sr? "We worked on defense and counter punching.  I know I tend to put my hands down and we worked on that." Strategy vs Crawford:  "The game plan is to attack from the start, be on the defensive, and develop the fight from there." Why did you go fight Crawford in his hometown?  "At this point, we have nothing to lose. We fight whenever, where ever." Prediction: "We will have a great fight and I'll give you the best of me every time I fight.  We will win." Working with 50? "It's been two years up to this point it has been a great opportunity.  I'm aware that other promoters have not made it easy for 50 to complete his two bout agreement." What's next?  "After this fight, sitting with SMS and looking for a fight with Garcia or someone of that stature." The objective for the fight: "The first objective is not only to win the championship, it's to give SMS Promotions a better advantage.  I feel they have left them [SMS Promotions] on the side and not given them fights because they don't them to have a champion." Regarding his career: We have had a great career, of course, nothing is perfect. We have the right to make mistakes like humans but this is a great opportunity to show the people that Gamboa, 'The Hurricane of Guantanamo' is here."  His state of fighting activity and inactivity. Are you worried about that going into the ring with Crawford? "I'm not worried about that one bit.  I'm not only active when a fight presents itself.  For me inactivity is when you are not training at all but I'm always training." 50 CENT QUOTE "Gamboa has been with me from the beginning. I got the opportunity to see his talents early on.  He's here in Miami training hard and this is going to be a great fight."

50 Cent's Birthday Bash & Professional Boxing Two major events under one roof at Foxwoods Resort Casino

Mark Davis vs. Michael Farenas headlines ESPN FNF Special Edition Wed., July 2

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (June 12, 2014) - Rapper/boxing promoter Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson will celebrate his birthday with a bang on Wednesday, July 2 as his company, SMS Promotions, presents a special edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights at Grand Theater in Fox Tower at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Undefeated 50 Cent-promoted junior lightweight Mark "Too Sharp" Davis (18-0, 5 KOs) takes on Filipino knockout artist Michael "Hammer Fist" Farenas (38-4-4, 30 KOs) in a 12-round International Boxing Federation (IBF) title eliminator.  The winner of this main event fight will become the mandatory challenger for the winner of the July 10 title match between IBF junior lightweight champion Argenis Mendez and challenger Rances Barthelemy. 50 Cent, who owns a mansion in Farmington, Connecticut, is going home to celebrate his 39th birthday, technically speaking four days early, along with a star-studded list of friends and fans at a party in Foxwoods starting at 10 p.m. ET for those not attending the fights.  All Tier 1 ($100.00) ticket holders will be entitled to free admission to 50's birthday party. "I'm on the road constantly so I really enjoy coming home to Connecticut to celebrate my birthday with my family and friends," 50 Cent said.  "I had so much fun last year that I had to make it an annual event. It's going to be fantastic!"  Davis is a 27-year-old pure boxer. Fighting out of Cleveland, he had more than 200 amateur bouts, highlighted by his gold medal winning performance at the 2005 U.S. National Championships. Farenas is a battle-tested veteran from the Philippines who has never been stopped in 47 professional fights.  He lost a 12-round decision to another SMS fighter, multiple world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa, in 2012 for the interim World Boxing Association (WBA) super featherweight title, after fighting WBA super featherweight champion Takashi Uchiyama to a draw in Japan. Former IBF featherweight champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (36-3, 21 KOs), from Australia, is moving up one weight class to super featherweight in the 10-round ESPN FNF co-feature against  former WBA featherweight title challenger Alberto "Kichis" Garza (26-7-1, 21 KOs), of Mexico City. Undefeated SMS Promotions lightweight prospect Ryan "Blue Chip" Martin (6-0, 3 KOs), fighting out of Cleveland, squares off with Albuquerque's Matthew "Champ" Baca (4-1-1, 2 KOs) in the four-round ESPN opener. Former S. Connecticut State University football player, unbeaten New Haven lightweight Jimmy Williams (6-0, 3 KOs), meets Bronx veteran Stephen Owusu (8-6, 4 KOs) in a six-round fight.  Williams won the Connecticut State 154-pound title in his last fight, stopping Christian Lao in the opening round this past May 31st. Undefeated WIBA International super bantamweight champion Shelly "Shelito's Way" Vincent (11-0, 1 KO), of Providence, faces former IWBF bantamweight titlist Nadia "Da Phenomenal" Feliciano (7-5-3, 0 KOs), fighting out of the Bronx, in a six-round, non-title bout. Also scheduled to fight on the undercard is a four-round intra-New England match-up between undefeated Nick DeLomba (3-0), of Cranston, RI, vs. New Haven (CT) welterweight Edwin Soto (9-1-2, 4 KOs) All fights and fighters are subject to change. Tickets are priced at $100.00, $75.00 and $45.00 and are on sale online atwww.foxwoods.com, calling Foxwoods' box office at (800) 200-2882, or in person at Foxwoods' box office.  Tickets will also be available to purchase through any Ticketmaster outlet and online at www.ticketmaster.com.    Doors at Grand Theater in Fox Tower will open at 6 p.m. ET.  The first bout will start at 7 p.m. ET with ESPN FNF between 9-11 p.m. ET. Doors to the after party will open at 10:00 p.m. ET. Tickets may also be purchased online atwww.foxwoods.com, calling Foxwoods' box office at (800) 200-2882, or in person at Foxwoods' box office.

Undefeated lightweight Mark Davis vs. Michael Farenas headlines ESPN Friday Night Fights Special Edition in IBF Title Eliminator

50 CENT'S BIRTHDAY BASH July 2, 2014  * Foxwoods Resorts Casino * Mashantucket, CT

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Wednesday, July 2 at Foxwoods Resort Casino MASHANTUCKET, Conn., (May 29, 2014) - Rapper/promoter Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson returns to the Nutmeg State to celebrate his birthday as his company, SMS Promotions, presents a special edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights on Wednesday night, July 2, at Grand Theater in Fox Tower at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The 12-round main event matches undefeated junior lightweight Mark "Too Sharp" Davis(18-0, 5 KOs) against Filipino knockout specialist Michael "Hammer Fist" Farenas (38-4-4, 30 KOs) in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) title eliminator.  The winner will become the mandatory challenger for winner of the upcoming title match between IBF 130-pound champion Argenis Mendez and challenger Rances Barthelemy. "I'm thrilled to return to Foxwoods Resort Casino, celebrating my birthday yet again with ESPN Friday Night Fights," commented 50 Cent. "Last year was such a success I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do it again and deliver an amazing night of boxing.  All of the fighters on the card bring strength, power, endurance and agility to the sport. It's a night you won't want to miss." "We are delighted to be welcoming back 50 and his SMS Promotions for another stellar night of fights on ESPN." added Monique L. Sebastian, Executive Director of Entertainment, Foxwoods Resort Casino. "We couldn't think of a better way to kick off the holiday weekend." The 27-year-old Davis, fighting out of Cleveland, had more than 200 amateur bouts, highlighted by his gold medal winning performance at the 2005 U.S. National Championships. Farenas is a battle-tested veteran from the Philippines who has never been stopped in 47 professional fights.  He lost a 12-round decision to another SMS fighter, Yuriorkis Gamboa, in 2012 for the interim World Boxing Association (WBA) super featherweight title, after he fought WBA super featherweight champion Takashi Uchiyama to a draw in Japan. In the 10-round ESPN FNF co-feature, former IBF featherweight champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (36-3, 21 KOs) moves up in weight to face former WBA featherweight title challengerAlberto "Kichis" Garza (26-7-1, 21 KOs), of Mexico City, with world junior lightweight implications at stake. Dib, fighting out of Sydney, Australia, returns to Foxwoods where 14 months ago, also during ESPN FNF, he lost his IBF title to Evgeny Gradovich by way of a 12-round split decision. Last November, Garza lost his only world title fight to WBA featherweight championNicholas Walters by fourth-round technical knockout.  Garza is a former WBC Silver and WBC Continental Americas featherweight title holder. Scheduled to fight opponents to be determined in four-round bouts are three of SMS Promotions' top prospects: lightweights Luis Olivares, Jr. (7-0, 5 KOs), Glendale, Arizona;Donte Strayhorn (5-1, 1 KO), Cincinnati, Ohio; Ryan "Blue Chip" Martin (5-0, 3 KOs), Chattanooga, Tennessee. All fights and fighters are subject to change. Tickets are priced at $100.00, $75.00 and $45.00 and will soon go on sale online atwww.foxwoods.com, calling Foxwoods' box office at (800) 200-2882, or in person at Foxwoods' box office.  Tickets will also be available to purchase through any Ticketmaster outlet and online at www.ticketmaster.com.    Doors at Grand Theater in Fox Tower will open at 6 p.m. ET.  The first bout will start at 7 p.m. ET with ESPN FNF airing live between 9-11 p.m. ET. -30-

BIG APPLE BOXING RESULTS

Presents

JAMAICA, QUEENS, N.Y. (December 21, 2013) - Last night at Resorts World Casino NYC, promoter/rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's SMS Promotions closed its 2013 season in grand style with the presentation of "Big Apple Boxing," in which five of six fights ended in knockouts. In the main event, Amir "Young Master" Imam (12-0, 11 KOs) knocked out Mexican invader Sergio "Sirenito" Perez (28-16, 19 KOs) only 52-seconds into the opening round to capture the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) junior welterweight title.  Perez had been stopped only twice in 43 previous professional fights. Hot lightweight prospect Joel Diaz, Jr. improved to 14-0 (12 KOs), putting Tony "Sugar Boy" Walker (5-4-1, 3 KOs) to sleep at 2:27 of the first round in the co-feature. Three fighters promoted by 50 Cent registered impressive victories.  Puerto Rican welterweight Emmanuel "Pirata" DeJesus (9-0, 6 KOs) cruised to a win by fourth-round technical knockout over Antonio Chaves-Fernandez. Lightweight Ryan "Blue-Chip" Martin (2-0, 2 KOs), a 12-time national amateur champion, lived up to his nickname by destroying Eric Jamal Goodall (1-3) with a first-round knockout at the 1:22 mark.Welterweight Donte Strayhorn (4-1) notched his first knockout as a pro, dropping Sam Moura en route to a fourth-round technical knockout. Connecticut bantamweight Nate "The Great One" Green (5-0) overcame a first-round knockdown to upset Thomas "KO" Snow (16-2, 10 KOs).  Green came back to deck Snow in the fourth and sixth rounds to win a unanimous six-round decision by identical scores of 57-54. Complete Results (winners listed first) WELTERWEIGHTS: Emmanuel DeJesus (9-0, 5 KOs), Canovanas, Puerto Rico WTKO4 (2:54)                                   Antonio Chaves-Fernandez (4-14-2, 0 KOs), Brockton, MA JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS: Amir "Young Master" Imam (12-0, 11 KOs), Albany, NY WKO1 (0:52)             Sergio Perez (28-16, 19 KOs), Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (Imam captured the vacant NABF junior welterweight title) LIGHTWEIGHTS: Joel Diaz, Jr. (14-0, 12 KOs), Palmdale, CA WTKO1 (2:27) Tony Walker (5-4-1, 3 KOs), Cincinnati, OH Ryan Martin (2-0, 2 KOs), Cleveland, OH WKO1 (1:22)                                                 Eric Jamar Goodall (1-3, 0 KOs), Las Vegas, NV  JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS: Donte Strayhorn (4-1, 0 KOs), Cincinnati, OH                                                   WTKO4 (1:34) Sam Moura (0-3), New York, NY   BANTAMWEIGHTS:                        Nate Green (5-0, 1 KO), New Haven, CT WDEC6 (57-54, 57-54, 57-54) Thomas Snow (16-2, 10 KOs), Capital Heights, MD