50-Cent's SMS Promotions Signs James Kirkland

For Immediate Release Returns to ring Dec. 7 on HBO vs. Glen Tapia   James Kirkland NEW YORK (October 16, 2013) -- Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's SMS Promotions officially announced its signing of world light middleweight contender James "Mandingo Warrior" Kirkland (31-1, 27 KOs) to an exclusive promotional contract. "James concentrates on conditioning and building strength,"50 Cent said.  "He brings the fight to you and is aggressive in the ring. The crowd loves the action and I'm excited to make him a part of our team." "I had a relationship with 50-Cent before he came into the boxing business," Kirkland explained.  "We already had a friendship when he got this group together.  He can do what no other promoters can do.  He's a different type of promoter who can make things happen in and out of the ring for me.  It's clear to me that I made the right decision." Due to problems outside of the ring, the 29-year-old southpaw from Austin, Texas has been inactive since stopping Carlos Molina in the 10th round of their March 24, 2012 fight in Houston. Kirkland successfully defended his World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas 154-pound title belt, originally captured November 5, 2011 when the knockout artist registered an impressive sixth-round technical knockout of Alfredo Angulo (20-1) in Mexico. Molina is now the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) World light middleweight champion, while the WBA No. 5-rated Angulo recently lost a World Boxing Association (WBA) Interim championship fight. Kirkland returns to the ring December 7 as part of an HBO tripleheader, headlined by Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Joseph Agbeko, also featuring Mathew Macklin vs. Willie Nelson, from Adrian Phillips Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In the third HBO fight, Kirkland faces undefeated prospect and North American Boxing Organization (NABO) light middleweight champion, Glen "Jersey Boy" Tapia (23 KOs), from nearby Passaic (NJ).  Rated No. 10 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), as well as No. 14 by the IBF, the 23-year-old Tapia is a rising star who had a 130-4 amateur record and gained invaluable experience as Manny Pacquiao's former sparring partner. "I had this great opportunity come along with Glen Tapia," Kirkland spoke about his upcoming fight.  "He just doesn't have what comes with knowledge in boxing, but he will know that December 7th.  There are different levels of fighting, as they say in the street, and he hasn't fought anybody at my level in his 20 fights.  I don't talk too much before a fight but, he doesn't have to worry about being 21-0, because I'm going to knock his ass out December 7th. "The proof is in the pudding.  All I have to do is put in extra work and that's what I've been doing.  I'm not overlooking him.  This is his 'Mayweather' fight.  He wants to win and be an exciting fighter on HBO.....that's not going to happen!  It all comes down to me boxing at my best; I can beat anybody at 154 pounds or 160, name anybody. Who does what I do?  There are a couple of cats at 160 who can put on a great performance but, right now, I'm concentrating on Glen Tapia.  Congratulations for him getting this fight but we are at different levels."     In addition to his aforementioned victories over Molina and Angulo, Kirkland's other notable wins have been against Brian Vera (TKO8), who just lost a controversial decision to Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., Joel Julio (TKO6) and Eromosele Albert (TKO1). Although Kirkland will have been inactive 20 1/2 months when he fights Tapia, the explosive Texan doesn't feel ring rust will be a problem at all for him.  "A lot of people know that I haven't been on a long layoff," Kirkland concluded.  "I've been working hard since the beginning of my lawsuit. Now that things are in motion, I'm jumping right into the mix.  My sparring sessions are like fights for other guys." Fans may follow 50-Cent on Twitter @50cent and friend Kirkland athttps://www.facebook.com/pages/James-Kirkland/736672159693254. SMS Promotions' growing stable of fighters also includes two-time world featherweight and reigning Interim WBA lightweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa, former International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight titlist Billy Dib, former world super middleweight title challenger Andre Dirrell, undefeated lightweight prospect Mark Davis, light welterweight Luis Olivares and junior welterweight Donte Strayhorn.

City Boxing's Denis Grachev vs Ismayl Sillakh ESPN Friday Night Fights

April 27, ESPN2- FNF Click-Boxingscene 

Erwin Center-Austin, Texas 

Ismayl Sillakh vs Denis Grachev | Main Event 

AUSTIN, Texas – World-class professional boxing will return to the Frank Erwin Center Friday, April 27 when Roy Jones Jr.’s Square Ring Promotions brings two riveting 10-round feature bouts to be telecast live on ESPN Friday Night Fights. 

NABF Light Heavyweight Champion Ismayl “The Black Russian” Sillakh will face unbeaten contender Denis “The Pirate” Grachev of Russia. Sillakh, 17-0 with 14 knockouts, is rated No. 2 in the world by the WBC, and is in line to meet the winner of the April 28 Bernard Hopkins-Chad Dawson WBC world title fight. He risks that title shot, his world rating and his NABF championship against danger man Grachev, 11-0-1 with 7 KO’s, a world champion kickboxer who trains in San Diego. 

"These are two great matchups with some of the most exciting young talent in the sport today," said Jones. "I can't remember a time when the top two fights on ESPN featured four undefeated boxers putting it all on the line. They're all stepping up because they want to be world champion.” 

Sillakh, a Ukrainian living in Southern California, stormed to the top of the WBC ratings last year when he dominated fellow unbeaten contender Yordanis Despaigne on an ESPN main event. Grachev earned the reputation as a spoiler after his two most recent matches, scoring impressive wins in the backyard of previously unbeaten opponents.