Billy 'The Kid' Dib returns Halloween night in Australia

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Billy "The Kid" Dib(Photo by Shareif Ziyadat) NEW YORK (Oct. 30, 2014) - Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (37-3, 21 KOs) will not be trick-or-treating tomorrow night (Friday) at home in Australia. Instead, he'll be dressed in trunks and wearing boxing gloves for his 12-round fight with his upset-minded Indonesian opponent Ruben Manakane (14-11-1, 9 KOs) for the vacant PABA super featherweight title. Dib, whose only three losses as a professional have been in world title fights to undefeated Evgeny Gradovich twice and Steve Luevano, based on his tremendous experience and talent advantage, will likely throw a horrific scare, if not worse, into his young opponent. The 29-year-old Dib will be fighting in Australia for the first time in more than four years having fought three of his last four fights in the United States with the other in Macao, China. This fight will mark Dib's professional debut in Melbourne, where he last fought 13 years ago as an amateur in the Australian National Championship. "The opportunity came about when I heard (promoter) Tarik Solak and (Dib's trainer)Billy Hussein discussing it," Dib explained to Aus-Boxing.com why he's fighting in Melbourne. "I mentioned that I'd love to fight back in Australia, so Billy and Tarik were like, let's do it. After my brother and manager Emid (Dib) got clearance from the team at SMS (Promotions) and (Dib's promoter) 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson), we decided that the next stop should be Melbourne. "I know that he (Manakane) is currently ranked fourth by the PABA and that he has eight wins from his last ten outings. He stretched world-class Filipino AJ Banal the full distance a few years back, too. He's only 21 years of age, so I'm expecting him to come out fast and do all he can to cease the moment. I never take any of my opposition lightly and I know that Manakane stands in the way of my journey to another world championship. One step at a time." After being stopped for the first time in his career last November to Gradovich in their rematch, Dib decided to move up in weight and campaign as a super featherweight, staring this past July 2 at Foxwoods Resort Casino on ESPN Friday Night Fights against former WBA featherweight title challenger Alberto Garza (26-7-1, 21 KOs). Dib overcame a nasty cut over his right eye from an unintentional head-butt in the opening round to win a unanimous 10-round decision. Dib (L) is shown here attacking Garza (photo by Emily Harney)      Now, Dib is rated No. 6 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), as well as No. 12 by the IBF, as he positions himself for a potential world super featherweight title shot in 2015 against one of the reigning champions: IBF Rances Barthelemy, WBOOrlando Salido, WBC Takashi Miura and WBA Takashi Uchiyama. "After being involved in the sport of boxing for so long, Dib continued his interview with Aus.Boxing.com, "I now understand that it's a business and not just a sport. It's all about strategic planning. We have had several discussions with WBA, WBO and IBF officials about this fight for the PABA crown. It will definitely help evaluate my rankings across the board. The plan is to face the necessary opposition to work my way into a mandatory position with one of the prestigious crowns. I honestly feel that I could face any of the super featherweight champions tomorrow, but realistically we may be looking at six to 12 months. I don't just plan on getting a world title shot, I plan on winning another crown.

Australian IBF #3 Featherweight Joel Brunker Training in NYC for Selby Showdown

Australian featherweight "Aussie" Joel Brunker (27-0, 15 KOs) is determined to win his upcoming IBF Elimination bout and is willing to go around the world to do it. Brunker, rated IBF #3, will face Selby (19-1, 7 KOs), rated IBF #6, on October 11 at the O2 Arena in London, England, for the right to become the next mandatory challenger to champion Evgeny Gradovich. To ensure himself the best training camp possible, Brunker flew to New York on September 14 and is spending his final month of training in the area's best gyms, sparring with world-class fighters. "I've never had a fighter so dedicated," said Brunker's co-promoter, Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions (along with Adam Wilcock of Fight Card Promotions). "To do something like this really shows he's putting it all out there and giving himself the best chance to win this fight." Brunker, who knows what it takes to win at the world level after competing at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, has been working out of Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn, House of Pain in Newark and Church Street Gym in Lower Manhattan, among others, trading punches with the likes of Wanzell Ellison, Jorge Diaz and Gary Stark Jr. "Joel wants this more than anything," continued Cohen. "He knew he couldn't get the right work in Australia, so he took the 22-hour flight to get here. I didn't ask him to do that; he asked me! And the results are already quite evident. He's learning a lot from working with so many top contenders and is looking extremely sharp and ready. Lee Selby is not going to know what hit him that night. My partner, Adam Wilcock, and I are extremely proud of his efforts."

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-

*****OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM FOXWOODS*****

PRESS RELEASE BILLY DIB 125 LBS. VS.    EVGENY GRADOVICH 125 LBS.    Ledyard, CT (2/28/13) - Earlier tonight IBF Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-1NC, 21KO's) and undefeated Russian Challenger Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8KO's) both made weight for their championship bout tomorrow night at MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods.  Both Dib and Gradovich looked to be in tremendous shape, with each fighter tipping the scales at 125 lbs.   The event tomorrow is promoted by 50 Cent's SMS Promotions and DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by SMS Audio.  The championship bout will be televised live tomorrow night on ESPN's Friday Night Fights.  Below are the complete weights for the entire card. IBF Featherweight Championship (12) Billy Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs), Champion, Sydney, Australia 125 LBS. Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs), Challenger, Igrim, Russia   125 LBS. NABF Super Welterweight Championship (10) Willie Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs), Champion, Cleveland, OH   152 LBS. Michael Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs), Challenger, Los Angeles, CA   154 LBS. Junior Lightweights (8) Ryan Kielczweski (15-0, 3 KOs), Quincy, MA   127 LBS. Gil Garcia (5-3-1, 1 KO), Houston, TX   129 LBS. Super Bantamweights (8) Luis Rosa Jr. (12-0, 6 KOs), New Haven, CT   124 LBS. Jhovany Collado (4-6-2, 1 KO), Jamaica, NY   123 LBS. Junior Welterweights (4) Luis Oliveras (pro debut), Glendale, AZ   140 LBS. Rafael Munoz (1-1), Houston, TX   140 LBS. Female Junior Featherweights (6) Shelly Vincent (7-0), Providence, RI   124 LBS. Mikayla Nevel (0-3), Columbus, OH   122 LBS. Welterweights (4) Jimmy Williams (1-0, 1 KO), New Haven, CT   146 LBS. Raynard Younger (0-1), Alpharetta, GA   147 LBS. The 12-round main event on ESPN Friday Night Fights features International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs), who is promoted by 50 Cent, defending against undefeated Russian challenger Evgeny Gradovich. NABF Super Welterweight Champion Willie "The Great" Nelson defends his title against Michael "Medina in the 10-round co-feature.             Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. ET.The ESPN Friday Night Fights card will air live at 9 p.m. ET. The Nelson-Medina bout is promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions. The event is sponsored by SMS Audio.    ***50 Cent will be performing live on fight night*** Tickets priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40 may be purchased online atfoxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods' box office at 800-200-2882, or in personat the Foxwoods' box office. OTHER PHOTOS CO-FEATURE NABF JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP  L-R: Michael Medina,Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Steve Smith (Rumble Time) and Willie Nelson   L-R: GIL GARCIA, LOU DIBELLA & RYAN KIELCZWESKI  L-R: LUIS ROSA & JHOVANY COLLADO  L-R: LUIS OLIVERAS, CURTIS "50 CENT" JACKSON AND RAFAEL MUNOZ TEAM SMS PROMOTIONS L-R: LUIS OLIVERAS, YURIORKIS GAMBOA, DONTE STRAYHORN  CURTIS "50 CENT" JACKSON, BILLY DIB & ANDRE DIRRELL ***50 Cent will be performing live on fight night*** PHOTO CREDIT: DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT/ED DILLER

FINAL PRESSER QUOTES DIB & GRADOVICH PROMISE FIREWORKS 50 CENT IN LIVE PERFORMANCE

PRESS RELEASE ESPN Friday Night Fights at MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino (L-R) Billy Dib, 50 Cent, Lou DiBella and Evgeny Gradovich (Presser Gallery Below - All pictures by Edward Diller)  NEW YORK (February 27, 2013) - Co-promoters Lou DiBella, of DiBella Entertainment, and 50 Cent, of SMS Promotions, hosted the final press conference today at the Strand Hotel in New York City for this week's (Mar. 1) ESPN Friday Night Fights at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. In the 12-round main event, SMS Promotions' IBF Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21KO's) puts his world title on the line against Russia's undefeated IBF #11 rated Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8KO's). In the televised co-feature, former amateur standout and now top-ten rated junior middleweight contender Willie Nelson (19-1-1, 11KO's) squares off against Michael Medina (26-3-2, 19KO's) in a 10-round showdown for Nelson's NABF super welterweight title. The Nelson-Medina bout is promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions. The event is sponsored by SMS Audio. Both bouts will air on ESPN's Friday Night Fights beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET. 50 Cent will perform live on fight night. Tickets priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40 may be purchased online atfoxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods' box office at 800-200-2882, or in personat the Foxwoods' box office.    PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES LOU DIBELLA: "First and foremost, I want to thank everyone here for coming out and also everyone that is involved in this event, particularly 50 cent, Foxwoods and our great sponsor, SMS Audio.  "We have an outstanding event coming up this Friday and I think it is important for everyone to know that we are not doing this event to make a ton of money.  We are doing this to give the public an opportunity to see a great event and also to give this great champion, Billy Dib, the exposure that he truly deserves here in the US.   "We have a terrific card from top to bottom, including a dynamite co-feature with NABF Junior Middleweight Champion Willie Nelson defending his title against Michael Medina. It is a co-feature that easily could have been a main event on its own, in fact, it was originally, but then we had this great opportunity to put Billy Dib in the main event, defending his world championship live on ESPN and we just couldn't pass that up.  I want to thank Doug Loughrey from ESPN for giving us this opportunity and for working so hard on making this a reality. "There are an awful lot of haters when you start a new business, especially in the boxing world. No one has laid out a red carpet for Curtis "50 Cent' Jackson. Everything that he has achieved thus far he has worked to get.  I am totally impressed by working with him to see his intellect and how hard he actually works.  I only see great things for him in this sport moving forward and just wanted to say it really is an absolute pleasure to work with you and your company."    CURTIS "50 CENT" JACKSON: "I am excited about Friday night. This has been a great partnership I have formed with Lou (DiBella) and it has just been an amazing process for me.  This is the first boxing event that I have been involved with for the entire process, from beginning to end, and it really is going to be a special night for me on Friday night. "To actually be in Billy's camp and to see the sacrifices that he makes day in and day out is really something special.  It makes you realize really what these fighters go through. It gives you a whole new appreciation for them and for this great sport. "The level of the actual talent involved in this promotion is exciting for me and excites me for what the future has to hold for me in this sport. I believe by combining the right elements we can bring back that younger demographic to this sport, and that is something we are going to be working on constantly." BILLY "THE KID" DIB: "I want to thank everyone who was involved with this promotion. March 1st is going to be a great event. The whole team has worked very hard. This is my second coming. I am coming back here to America to showcase my ability. I am a completely different animal right now and you will see that Friday night.  I know Gradovich is going to fight out of his skin, being this is his first world championship opportunity, so I can promise you that this is going to make for fireworks in this fight. We respect Gradovich; we know that he is ready, and these are the type of fights we want."  EVGENY GRADOVICH: "Thank you for this opportunity, I am very excited. I know that this is going to be a great fight. We trained very hard for this fight, and I know it is going to be a very good fight for everyone involved, especially the fans in attendance and those watching at home on ESPN."

MEDINA GOING TO 'WOODS' TO TAKE NABF BELT BACK FROM NELSON

March 1 ESPN Friday Night Fights co-feature at MGM Grand at Foxwoods   Michael "El Magnifico" Medina (photo by Chris Farina)  NEW YORK (February 27, 2013) - Former North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super welterweight champion Michael "El Magnifico" Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs) challenges present NABF titleholder Willie "The Great" Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs) tomorrow in the 10-round co-feature on ESPN Friday Night Fights, airing live from the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. "I wasn't active," Medina explained, regarding why he was stripped by the NABF. "Now, I'm getting my belt back. I feel that it's really still my belt. He's the NABF champion but he didn't take my belt from me. I'm looking forward to this fight. He's a strong, young fighter and it'll be awesome to add his name to my resume. A win will take me from this level to a higher one with bigger fights. I'm confident that, after this fight, I'll be getting more fights on television networks." The ESPN Friday Night Fights card, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent's SMS Promotions, will air live at 9 p.m. ET. The Nelson-Medina bout is promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions. The event is sponsored by SMS Audio. The 12-round main event on ESPN Friday Night Fights features International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs), who is promoted by 50 Cent, defending his title against undefeated Russian challenger Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs), who is rated No. 11 by the IBF. WBC No. 17-ranked Medina captured the NABF belt on December 22, 2011, winning a 10-round decision over veteran Grady Brewer. However, Medina was later stripped of his belt because he failed to defend his title due to him being unable to land fights, not because he turned down opponents. "He didn't have a promoter and Mike just got caught in the middle of things," his manager Steve Feder noted. "I wasn't with him until his last fight which, ironically, was on the same card (Sergio Martinez vs. Julio Caesar Chavez Jr. PPV, September 15, 2012, in Las Vegas) that Willie Nelson last fought. So, Mike will be fighting for the same belt that he didn't lose in the ring. He signed with Lou (DiBella) and now he's in a fight to get his belt back. He's always wanted to be in these kinds of fights. This is a good fight for both guys. "Mike's a good boxer who adapts well depending on who he's fighting. He gets a lot of different looks sparring at Wild Card Gym. Eric Brown (Medina's trainer) has done a good job with him. Mike likes to mix it up. He's hoping that the two of them stand there and go at it. He's not looking to box and move, which should make for a lot of action." Nelson won the vacant 154-pound title stripped from Medina by way of a 10-round decision in his aforementioned title fight against World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth champion and Virgin Islands Olympian, John "Dah Rock" Jackson (13-1, 12 KOs). Standing 6'4" with an imposing 84-inch reach, WBC No. 5-rated Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs) is a freakishly built super welterweight, against whom Medina will be giving away three-and-a-half inches in height, as well as a nine-inch reach advantage. "It's unusual," Medina spoke about fighting such a tall opponent. "I haven't fought guys that tall but I have been sparring with taller guys, middleweights and super middleweights, and I've also been working with good technical boxers like (Nobuhiro) Ishida. He's a good teacher and I'm comfortable that I'll benefit from that. "He's (Nelson) tall but I've watched some tapes of his fights and he likes to fight on the inside. If he does, that will help me because I'm aggressive. His height and reach can only be a factor if he jabs and moves, but we've been working on different strategies for whatever way he fights." Tickets priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40 may be purchased online atfoxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods' box office at 800-200-2882, or in personat the Foxwoods' box office.

SOLID UNDERCARD ANNOUNCED FOR DIB-GRADOVICH

PRESS RELEASE March 1 ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS at MGM Grand at Foxwoods NEW YORK (February 26, 2013) - Co-promoters DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent's SMS Promotions have announced a solid undercard supporting this week's ESPN Friday Night Fights event, featuring International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs) defending his title against undefeated Russian challenger Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs), airing live (9 p.m. ET start) from the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The 12-round main event pits Australia-native Dib, promoted by 50 Cent, against Gradovich. In the 10-round ESPN Friday Night Fights co-feature, North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super welterweight champion Willie "The Great" Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs) makes his first title defense against Michael "El Magnifico" Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs). The Nelson-Medina fight is being promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions. The event is sponsored by SMS Audio.  Undefeated prospect Ryan "Polish Prince" Kielczweski (15-0, 3 KOs), fighting out of Quincy (MA), takes on Houston's Gil "La Metrealleta" Garcia (5-3-1, 1 KO) in an eight-round junior lightweight bout. Another unbeaten New Englander, New Haven super bantamweight Luis "KO King" Rosa Jr. (12-0, 6 KOs), is matched against New York City-veteran Jhovany Collado (4-5-2, 1 KO) in an eight-rounder. World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 11-rated welterweight Charlie Ota (21-1, 15 KOs), fighting out of Japan by way of Harlem, has been added to the card in a six-round bout against hard-hitting Brandon "The Business" Baue (12-9, 10 KOs). Ota joined the US Navy in 2000 and was stationed in Japan.  Reigning OPBF and Japanese champion Ota was slated to fight this past Thursday in New York City but the fight fell through.  Baue, who lives in Troy, Missouri, lost a six-round decision in his last action to former world champion Yuri Foreman. The fastest rising New England female boxer, New London's (Conn.) undefeated junior featherweight Shelly "Shelito's Way" Vincent (7-0), who is trained by Peter Manfredo Sr. in Rhode Island, faces Mikayla Nebel (0-3) in a six-round fight. Also fighting on the undercard in four-round bouts are former Southern Connecticut State College football player, New Haven junior middleweight Jimmy Williams (1-0, 1 KO), against Raynard Younger (0-1), from Georgia, and Arizona junior welterweight Luis Olivares makes his professional debut versus Houston's Rafael Munoz (1-1), while Cincinnati lightweight Donte Strayhorn meets Cranston's (RI) Joe Pingitore in a battle of pro-debut fighters.    The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and 50 cent's SMS Promotions and sponsored by SMS Audio. Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40, may be purchased online at foxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods' box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods' box office. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET with the first bout scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. ET.

LIVE UNDERDOG EVGENY GRADOVICH PREPARED TO CASH IN ON 50 CENT'S IBF CHAMP BILLY DIB

March 1 ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS headliner at MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods   Evgeny Gradovich   NEW YORK (February 21, 2013) - One of the best kept secrets in boxing, late replacement Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs), will be a live underdog on March 1 as he challenges International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs), in the 12-round main event on ESPNFriday Night Fights, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent's SMS Promotions, airing live at 9 p.m. ET from MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. In the 10-round ESPN Friday Night Fights co-feature, North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super welterweight champion Willie "The Great" Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs) makes his first title defense against Michael "El Magnifico" Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs). The Nelson-Medina fight is being promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions. Australia-native Dib, who is promoted by hip-hop superstar 50 Cent, was originally supposed to fight Luis Franco who unexpectedly withdrew from the title fight. Gradovich immediately accepted the challenge without any reservations. "I train most of the time and I'm always in shape," Gradovich said. "To fight for a world title in only my 16th pro fight is quick, but I have good experience and this is a great opportunity for me." Gradovich was discovered by rising Russian manager Egis Klimas, who first heard about his latest star from his most well known boxer, world light heavyweight title contender Sergei Kovalev. "Evgeny had more than 150 amateur fights and he was a member of the Russian National Team," Klimas explained. "I went with Don Turner to scout him at the 2009 Russian National Championships. Evgeny lost but Don said that he was really good and to sign him if I could. All of my Russian fighters are trained in North Carolina by Don (19 world champions) when they first come to America. "I didn't build up his record. I had him fight opponents with equal records. If Evgeny was 5-0, he fought a guy with a similar record and so forth as he developed. Gradovich is a punching machine. He's going to pressure his opponent and throw a lot of punches, especially in good combinations. Being a late replacement won't be a problem. He'll have five weeks of training in Oxnard (CA) with Robert Garcia for this fight and he never blows up in weight between fights like other guys. We're not going to Foxwoods to meet 50 Cent; we're coming to take Dib's world title belt back with us." Called the Mexican-Russian by other fighters in his gym because of their respect for tough style of fighting, Gradovich is living the American dream: promoted by Top Rank, managed by trusted fellow countryman Klimas, trained by Garcia, and fighting for the world title in only his 16th pro fight. "Yes, I am," he agreed. "I like this country a lot. I wouldn't be fighting for the world title now if I had stayed in Russia. Boxing is difficult in Russia but you can move forward in America. I have a good team here that helps motivate me. I've been working with Robert Garcia, who trains a lot of world-class athletes, for the past year and I think he's the best trainer in boxing." Gradovich reports that Klimas, Kovalev and Turner will all be supporting him at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods on March 1. Tickets priced at $200, $100, $75 and $40, may be purchased online atfoxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods' box office at 800-200-2882, or in personat the Foxwoods' box office.