Robson Conceicao vs. Xavier Martinez | ESPN - January 29, 2022

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Xavier Martinez Signs With Top Rank, To Fight Robson Conceicao In ESPN Main Event January 29

If Xavier Martinez is to fight for a 130-pound world title, the 24-year-old contender will do so as a member of Top Rank’s stable of fighters.

BS.com has learned that Martinez has signed a multi-fight promotional agreement with Bob Arum’s company, which is heavily invested in Martinez’s weight class. Sacramento’s Martinez will make his Top Rank debut January 29, when he will battle Brazil’s Robson Conceicao in the evenly matched main event of an ESPN telecast from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Martinez (17-0, 11 KOs) was built from a prospect into a contender by Mayweather Promotions. His contract with Floyd Mayweather’s company expired after his 10-round, unanimous-decision victory over Victor Burgos on May 15, though, which led to Top Rank offering him a deal that Mayweather Promotions declined to match.

In Conceicao (16-1, 8 KOs), Martinez will face a top 130-pound contender who pushed unbeaten WBC champion Oscar Valdez in his most recent action. Mexico’s Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs) beat Conceicao by unanimous decision in their 12-round title fight September 10 at Casino del Sol in Tucson, Arizona.

In addition to Valdez, Conceicao and Martinez, Top Rank promotes unbeaten WBO junior lightweight champ Shakur Stevenson (17-0, 9 KOs) and former WBO champ Jamel Herring (23-3, 11 KOs) and co-promotes former WBC champ Miguel Berchelt (38-2, 34 KOs) in the 130-pound division.

Before Martinez and the 33-year-old Conceicao meet in a 10-rounder, featherweight contenders Joet Gonzalez and Adam Lopez will square off in the 10-round co-feature January 29.

Gonzalez (24-2, 14 KOs), of Glendora, California, also entered a promotional agreement with Top Rank recently. The 28-year-old Gonzalez, who was previously represented by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, will attempt to bounce back from a one-sided, 12-round, unanimous-decision defeat to WBO 126-pound champion Emanuel Navarrete (35-1, 29 KOs) on October 15 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego.

Lopez (15-3, 6 KOs, 1 NC), of Glendale, California, most recently settled for a no-contest in his rematch with Adan Ochoa last month. Ochoa (12-2, 5 KOs, 1 NC), of Downey, California, suffered a gruesome gash on his right eyebrow that prohibited him from answering the bell for the third round on the Terence Crawford-Shawn Porter undercard November 20 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.

Martinez overcame Mexico’s Burgos (34-6-2, 21 KOs) in a competitive, entertaining encounter Showtime televised nearly seven months ago from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. In his previous appearance, Martinez got up from two eighth-round knockdowns to out-point Dominican southpaw Claudio Marrero (25-5, 18 KOs) by unanimous decision in a 12-rounder that took place in October 2020 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Martinez used to be a Mayweather fighter.

This could be tough for him.

Should be a good one.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

The 2022 junior lightweight world title picture will get a bit clearer Saturday, Jan. 29 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The 10-round main event — a WBC title eliminator — will see recent title challenger Robson "O Brabo" Conceicao attempt to turn back hard-charging Sacramento native Xavier Martinez at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.

Martinez recently signed a multi-fight pact with Top Rank and will look to shine in his promotional debut. Conceicao-Martinez and a co-feature will air live on ESPN & ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Tony Holden Productions, tickets starting at $49.50 are on sale now and can be purchased at tickets.hardrockcasinotulsa.com and at the Box Office at 918-384-ROCK (7625).

“This has all the makings of a special, action-packed main event,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Conceicao nearly defeated the great Oscar Valdez for the title, while Martinez is a young kid hoping to make a name in the 130-pound division.”

Conceicao (16-1, 8 KOs), from Bahia, Brazil, captured a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, capping a 400-plus fight amateur career that included wins over the likes of Cuba’s Lazaro Alvarez and a razor-thin defeat to Vasiliy Lomachenko at the 2011 World Championships. After nearly five years as an unbeaten pro, Conceicao challenged WBC world champion Valdez in September. Conceição built an early lead, but Valdez rallied late to shade the unanimous decision.

Conceicao said, “Nothing can stop me. Nothing can make me lose focus. I remain firm towards my goal of becoming a world champion. My last fight was just a minor setback. I'm going to make sure that all my hard work and sacrifices will not be in vain.

"I'm excited for the opportunity to be the main event and to face an undefeated fighter like Xavier Martinez. I'm sure we will give the fans a great show."

Martinez (17-0, 11 KOs) began boxing at the age of 6 in Sacramento and compiled an 85-10 amateur record before turning pro in June 2015. He stepped up in 2019 with knockout wins over Jessie Cris Rosales and John Vincent Moralde and survived a gut check versus former interim world champion Claudio Marrero the following year. Martinez was knocked down twice in the eighth round, but outboxed Marrero in the championship rounds to earn a unanimous decision. He last fought in May and dominated veteran Juan Carlos Burgos over 10 rounds.

Martinez said, "It was a dream to get a multi-year promotional deal with Top Rank and a shot to be the main event on ESPN. This is my chance to show the world I'm one of the best in the 130-pound division and work towards my goal of becoming a world champion under the Top Rank banner.”

"Xavier is positioned to write his destiny, and the stage is set,” said Rick Mirigian, Martinez’s manager. “He can bring back the sport to Sacramento in a big way and fulfill his dream of becoming a world champion. Thank you to Top Rank for getting this done and believing in Xavier.”

[margaret thatcher]

this fits into the category of nicely competitively matched yet something i think could end up pretty boring

[Ruthless-RKO]

This will be regular ESPN.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

January 29: Robson Conceição-Xavier Martinez 130-Pound Title Eliminator Takes Main Event Stage at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa LIVE on ESPN – Conceição-Martinez and a co-feature will air live on ESPN & ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT – Tickets on sale NOW at tickets.hardrockcasinotulsa.com

The 2022 junior lightweight world title picture will get a bit clearer Saturday, Jan. 29 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The 10-round main event — a WBC title eliminator — will see recent title challenger Robson “O Brabo” Conceição attempt to turn back hard-charging Sacramento native Xavier Martinez at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.

Martinez recently signed a multi-fight pact with Top Rank and will look to shine in his promotional debut. Conceição-Martinez and a co-feature will air live on ESPN & ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Tony Holden Productions, tickets starting at $49.50 are on sale now and can be purchased at tickets.hardrockcasinotulsa.com and at the Box Office at 918-384-ROCK (7625).

“This has all the makings of a special, action-packed main event,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Conceição nearly defeated the great Oscar Valdez for the title, while Martinez is a young kid hoping to make a name in the 130-pound division.”

Conceição (16-1, 8 KOs), from Bahia, Brazil, captured a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, capping a 400-plus fight amateur career that included wins over the likes of Cuba’s Lazaro Alvarez and a razor-thin defeat to Vasiliy Lomachenko at the 2011 World Championships. After nearly five years as an unbeaten pro, Conceição challenged WBC world champion Valdez in September. Conceição built an early lead, but Valdez rallied late to shade the unanimous decision.

Conceição said, “Nothing can stop me. Nothing can make me lose focus. I remain firm towards my goal of becoming a world champion. My last fight was just a minor setback. I’m going to make sure that all my hard work and sacrifices will not be in vain.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to be the main event and to face an undefeated fighter like Xavier Martinez. I’m sure we will give the fans a great show.”

Martinez (17-0, 11 KOs) began boxing at the age of 6 in Sacramento and compiled an 85-10 amateur record before turning pro in June 2015. He stepped up in 2019 with knockout wins over Jessie Cris Rosales and John Vincent Moralde and survived a gut check versus former interim world champion Claudio Marrero the following year. Martinez was knocked down twice in the eighth round, but outboxed Marrero in the championship rounds to earn a unanimous decision. He last fought in May and dominated veteran Juan Carlos Burgos over 10 rounds.

Martinez said, “It was a dream to get a multi-year promotional deal with Top Rank and a shot to be the main event on ESPN. This is my chance to show the world I’m one of the best in the 130-pound division and work towards my goal of becoming a world champion under the Top Rank banner.”

“Xavier is positioned to write his destiny, and the stage is set,” said Rick Mirigian, Martinez’s manager. “He can bring back the sport to Sacramento in a big way and fulfill his dream of becoming a world champion. Thank you to Top Rank for getting this done and believing in Xavier.”

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Press Release | Nico Ali Walsh Added To Conceicao-Martinez Card, January 29

Mexican action star Rene “El Bravo” Tellez Giron will meet Puerto Rican upstart Luis Melendez in a 10-round junior lightweight showdown Saturday, Jan. 29 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.

Giron-Melendez will serve as the co-feature to the 10-round WBC junior lightweight title eliminator between former title challenger Robson Conceicao and undefeated contender Xavier Martinez. Both bouts will air live on ESPN & ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

The ESPN+-streamed undercard will include the return of undefeated middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (3-0, 2 KOs), grandson of Muhammad Ali, in a four-round bout. Ali Walsh made his professional debut last August with a first-round stoppage at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Tulsa-born heavyweight prospect Jeremiah Milton (3-0, 3 KOs) will see action on the undercard in a six-rounder.

Giron (16-1, 10 KOs), a 22-year-old rising star from Queretaro, Mexico, emerged from relative obscurity with his December 2019 knockout victory over then-unbeaten 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas. He has won two fights since the Balderas triumph, including a seventh-round knockout over Eduardo Garza last September on the Oscar Valdez-Conceição undercard in Tucson, Arizona. Melendez (17-1, 13 KOs), winner of 15 straight fights since a controversial split decision loss, had a busy 2021. He picked up seven victories in three months in Colombia, then returned to the States with a flourish. Melendez won an eight-round decision over Thomas Mattice at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas last November, a career-best victory that earned him the co-feature slot against Giron.

“I told my manager, Frank Espinoza, that I am ready to fight any junior lightweight out there,” Giron said. “Melendez answered the call, and we’re going to give the Tulsa fans a great fight. Whenever you have a Mexican versus a Puerto Rican, it can’t help but be toe-to-toe.”

Melendez said, “I jumped at this opportunity without hesitation. I’m thankful for this platform, and I will put the 130-pound division on notice. Giron is the man in my way. I am the next Puerto Rican star, and I will prove it in Tulsa."

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Press Release | Giovanni Cabrera joins Conceicao vs Martinez undercard

The Freddie Roach-trained boxer signs with Top Rank

Undefeated lightweight contender Giovanni “El Cabron” Cabrera, a southpaw boxer-puncher from Chicago, has signed a multi-year promotional contract with Top Rank. Cabrera, who is managed by Steve Feder and trained by the legendary Freddie Roach, will make his Top Rank debut Saturday, Jan. 29, on the Robson Conceicao vs Xavier Martinez undercard at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Tickets can be purchased via TicketNetwork.

Cabrera (18-0, 7 KOs) will face Mexico’s Alejandro Frias (13-5-2, 6 KOs) in an eight-round bout that will stream live on ESPN+, ending a layoff of more than two years due to managerial and promotional issues.

“Giovanni is a legitimate lightweight contender who just needs an opportunity to showcase his talents,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “He has sparred the top fighters, and with Freddie Roach in his corner, I am confident Giovanni will rise to the occasion.”

Cabrera said: “I’m excited to be signed with Top Rank, the promoter of so many great champions. I always wanted to sign with Top Rank because of that history. I have great trust in Bob Arum and the entire Top Rank team, and I will prove that I am a world championship contender. I have Freddie Roach in my corner and the skills to reach the top. It’s now or never.”

Giovanni Cabrera had a storied and unique amateur career, winning the Chicago Golden Gloves in 2013 before moving to Mexico, where his father was born. In 2015, he earned a bronze medal at the Mexican National Championships and nearly qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Cabrera returned to the United States to begin his professional career, notching 18 wins from April 2016 to October 2019.

He has not fought since a split decision victory over Joshuah Hernandez, but he has spent the layoff sharpening his skills against the world’s elite. Cabrera has sparred Manny Pacquiao, Gary Russell Jr., Jose Zepeda and Ray Beltran, earning his stripes in the gym while awaiting his ring return.

[margaret thatcher]

lol he didnt nearly qualify for the olympics at all, press release bull sheet

his manager (or at least former manager) used to come on boxrec and moan about his ranking lol

[Ruthless-RKO]

Undercard Press Release | Tiger Johnson, Ali-Walsh, Carrington Get Foes

U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson, Brooklyn-born phenom Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington and Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of “The Greatest,” are among the rising stars who will fight Saturday, Jan. 29 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. The bill is topped by the 10-round WBC 130-pound title eliminator between Robson Conceicao and Xavier Martinez, and a 10-round junior lightweight co-feature featuring Mexican grinder Rene Tellez Giron and Puerto Rican contender Luis Melendez.

Conceicao-Martinez and Giron-Melendez will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

The following undercard bouts will stream live on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT:

Johnson (1-0, 1 KO), a 23-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio, will take on fellow unbeaten Xavier Madrid (3-0, 1 KO) in a four-round welterweight tilt. Johnson advanced to the quarterfinals at the Tokyo Olympics and turned pro last November with a fourth-round stoppage over Antonius Grable.

Middleweight Ali Walsh (3-0, 2 KOs), who grabbed international headlines last year, looks to continue his unbeaten run in a four-rounder against Jeremiah Yeager (1-1-1, 1 KO).

Carrington (1-0), the latest young talent from the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, makes his Top Rank debut against fellow unbeaten Steven Brown (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-round featherweight bout.

Light heavyweight prospect Dante “Free Smoke” Benjamin Jr., a one-time U.S. amateur standout from Cleveland, Ohio, makes his professional debut in a four-rounder against Herman Rendon (2-0). Benjamin signed a long-term promotional contract with Top Rank last year.

Featherweight prospect Haven Brady Jr. (4-0, 3 KOs) will see action in a six-rounder against an opponent to be named.

Tulsa-born heavyweight Jeremiah Milton (3-0, 3 KOs) hopes to thrill the hometown fans when he takes on the well-traveled Jason Bergman (27-20-2, 18 KOs) in a six-rounder. Milton and Bergman fought on the same Top Rank-promoted card in Tulsa last April, with Milton notching a first-round knockout and Bergman losing an eventful three-round shootout against Trey Lippe Morrison.

Junior lightweight Pink Tyson (11-2, 2 KOs) looks to make it three consecutive wins when she fights the durable Carla Torres (6-6) in an eight-rounder.

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Stephan Shaw, Joey Dawejko To Meet On Martinez-Conceicao Undercard

Top Rank has added an interesting heavyweight fight to its Xavier Martinez-Robson Conceicao undercard Saturday night.

Boxing Scene has learned that unbeaten heavyweight prospect Stephan Shaw will oppose Joey Dawejko in an eight-rounder that’ll headline the ESPN+ portion of an undercard from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Top Rank has signed Shaw (15-0, 11 KOs), who is also promoted by DiBella Entertainment, to a multi-year co-promotional agreement.

The 29-year-old Shaw most recently knocked out Nick Davis (then 6-2) in the first round August 27 in Plant City, Florida. The St. Louis native has shown some promise, but the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Shaw’s career has progressed pretty slowly since he made his pro debut in December 2013.

The typically durable Dawejko (21-9-4, 12 KOs) was knocked out by hard-hitting Kazakh southpaw Zhan Kossobutskiy (17-0, 16 KOs) in the second round of his last bout, which took place August 21 in Hamburg, Germany.

Philadelphia’s Dawejko, 31, has been beaten inside the distance just twice during his 12-year, 34-fight pro career. He has fought former IBF champ Charles Martin, who stopped him after four rounds, and has gone the 10-round distance in losses to former or current contenders Amir Mansour, Bryant Jennings, Andrey Fedosov, Sergey Kuzmin and Frank Sanchez along the way.

Martinez (17-0, 11 KOs), a 130-pound contender from Sacramento, will make his Top Rank debut when he battles Brazil’s Robson Conceicao in the 10-round main event.

Before he signed with Bob Arum’s Top Rank recently, the 24-year-old Martinez was promoted by Floyd Mayweather’s company. The 33-year-old Conceicao (16-1, 8 KOs) tested unbeaten WBC super featherweight champ Oscar Valdez during his most recent action, but Mexico’s Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs) won their 12-rounder by unanimous decision September 10 at Casino del Sol in Tucson, Arizona.

The co-feature Saturday night will pit Mexican junior lightweight contender Rene Tellez (16-1, 10 KOs) against Luis Melendez (17-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-rounder that’ll begin ESPN’s telecast at 10 p.m. ET and 7 p.m. PT. Top Rank’s undercard coverage is set to start at 6 p.m. ET and 3 p.m. PT on ESPN+, the network’s $7-per-month streaming service.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Forgot this is Fight Week!!

[ironbeard]

Did anyone else feel that Valdez received a very generous gift v Conceicao?

I honestly could not find a way to get to a Valdez win.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Robson Conceicao: Oscar Valdez Should've Been Banned For At Least One Year From The Sport

Robson Conceicao tested Oscar Valdez in the Brazilian boxer’s first world title fight four months ago.

The 2016 Olympian’s performance versus Valdez validated that he is a credible contender in the 130-pound division and moved him into another high-stakes fight against Xavier Martinez on Saturday night. Conceicao still wishes the 12-round, 130-pound championship match he lost by unanimous decision never happened.

Conceicao would’ve preferred that the WBC made an “example” of Valdez for failing a performance-enhancing drug test a little less than a month before he encountered Conceicao on September 10 in Tucson, Arizona. Instead, Valdez and his promoter, Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc., utilized a loophole in boxing’s unified PED testing procedure to move forward with his first defense of the WBC super featherweight championship that the unbeaten Mexican veteran won in his previous bout – an impressive, 10th-round knockout of favored rival Miguel Berchelt last February 20 at MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.

According to Conceicao, allowing Valdez to fight despite his violation of the WBC’s “Clean Boxing Program” sent a damaging message to both boxers and fans alike.

“Before that happened, I was a big fan of Valdez,” Conceicao told BS.com. “I respected and admired him a lot. But when he tested positive, everything changed. I was so disappointed with Valdez. In my opinion, when he tested positive, he needed a harsh punishment, to be made an example to the people. They should not let him fight and make a bad example to other fighters.”

Conceicao clearly benefitted from fighting for a world title, financially and from the exposure he received. If it were up to him, however, Valdez would remain sidelined to this day after testing positive for Phentermine, a stimulant banned by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.

“I got an opportunity, but I would’ve preferred that Valdez got punished,” Conceicao said. “He should’ve been banned for at least one year from the sport. Then he could come back clean and start again, to be an example.”

The Pascua Yaqui Tribe Athletic Commission licensed Valdez despite his dirty “A” and “B” samples submitted August 13 because it is affiliated with the Association of Boxing Commissions, which adheres to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s testing standards for PEDs. Phentermine is not on WADA’s list of banned substances, thus Valdez was eligible to defend his title against Conceicao in a regulated event ESPN+ streamed from Casino del Sol in Tucson, Arizona.

That understandably caused controversy because Valdez and Conceicao willingly signed up for the WBC’s “Clean Boxing Program,” which is administered by VADA. Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the WBC, publicly defended Valdez and that sanctioning organization’s decision to allow him to defend his title even though he didn’t meet the standards established by its chosen testing partner.

Sacramento’s Martinez (17-0, 11 KOs), who will face Conceicao (16-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round main event ESPN will televise Saturday night from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma (10 p.m. ET), understands why Conceicao went through with his fight against Valdez.

“We just wanna fight, you know, and provide for our families,” Martinez told BS.com. “I think for them to go through with it, if it was anybody else [other than Valdez], it would’ve been a whole different story. They probably would’ve really, you know, punished him. I don’t know why they didn’t do it to Valdez, but it is what it is.”

Martinez, 24, is confident, though, that regulatory agencies, promoters and some boxers themselves have done a better job of policing PED use in boxing in recent years.

“I think it’s come a long way,” Martinez said. “I think back in the day a lot of fighters were probably on a lot of stuff. I think boxing is starting to stay on top of it more. I had my first WBC random drug test [recently] and it tripped me out. I got a hard knock on my door [at home] and it was like, ‘It’s time for you to test.’ I was like, ‘Whoa!’ So, they’re taking it very seriously.”

The Martinez-Conceicao winner will secure himself another high-profile fight later this year. They’re both promoted by Top Rank, which is heavily invested in the 130-pound division.

The top two junior lightweights that Top Rank promotes – Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs) and WBO champion Shakur Stevenson (17-0, 9 KOs) – have agreed to meet in a 12-round title unification fight April 30 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Conceicao expects the skillful, left-handed Stevenson to have a “very easy” time with Valdez on his way to winning a wide unanimous decision.

When asked to elaborate, Conceicao replied, “Because I’m not a big fan anymore of Valdez. I don’t like Valdez.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Robson Conceicao: Oscar Valdez Should've Been Banned For At Least One Year From The Sport

Robson Conceicao tested Oscar Valdez in the Brazilian boxer’s first world title fight four months ago.

The 2016 Olympian’s performance versus Valdez validated that he is a credible contender in the 130-pound division and moved him into another high-stakes fight against Xavier Martinez on Saturday night. Conceicao still wishes the 12-round, 130-pound championship match he lost by unanimous decision never happened.

Conceicao would’ve preferred that the WBC made an “example” of Valdez for failing a performance-enhancing drug test a little less than a month before he encountered Conceicao on September 10 in Tucson, Arizona. Instead, Valdez and his promoter, Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc., utilized a loophole in boxing’s unified PED testing procedure to move forward with his first defense of the WBC super featherweight championship that the unbeaten Mexican veteran won in his previous bout – an impressive, 10th-round knockout of favored rival Miguel Berchelt last February 20 at MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.

According to Conceicao, allowing Valdez to fight despite his violation of the WBC’s “Clean Boxing Program” sent a damaging message to both boxers and fans alike.

“Before that happened, I was a big fan of Valdez,” Conceicao told BS.com. “I respected and admired him a lot. But when he tested positive, everything changed. I was so disappointed with Valdez. In my opinion, when he tested positive, he needed a harsh punishment, to be made an example to the people. They should not let him fight and make a bad example to other fighters.”

Conceicao clearly benefitted from fighting for a world title, financially and from the exposure he received. If it were up to him, however, Valdez would remain sidelined to this day after testing positive for Phentermine, a stimulant banned by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.

“I got an opportunity, but I would’ve preferred that Valdez got punished,” Conceicao said. “He should’ve been banned for at least one year from the sport. Then he could come back clean and start again, to be an example.”

The Pascua Yaqui Tribe Athletic Commission licensed Valdez despite his dirty “A” and “B” samples submitted August 13 because it is affiliated with the Association of Boxing Commissions, which adheres to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s testing standards for PEDs. Phentermine is not on WADA’s list of banned substances, thus Valdez was eligible to defend his title against Conceicao in a regulated event ESPN+ streamed from Casino del Sol in Tucson, Arizona.

That understandably caused controversy because Valdez and Conceicao willingly signed up for the WBC’s “Clean Boxing Program,” which is administered by VADA. Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the WBC, publicly defended Valdez and that sanctioning organization’s decision to allow him to defend his title even though he didn’t meet the standards established by its chosen testing partner.

Sacramento’s Martinez (17-0, 11 KOs), who will face Conceicao (16-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round main event ESPN will televise Saturday night from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma (10 p.m. ET), understands why Conceicao went through with his fight against Valdez.

“We just wanna fight, you know, and provide for our families,” Martinez told BS.com. “I think for them to go through with it, if it was anybody else [other than Valdez], it would’ve been a whole different story. They probably would’ve really, you know, punished him. I don’t know why they didn’t do it to Valdez, but it is what it is.”

Martinez, 24, is confident, though, that regulatory agencies, promoters and some boxers themselves have done a better job of policing PED use in boxing in recent years.

“I think it’s come a long way,” Martinez said. “I think back in the day a lot of fighters were probably on a lot of stuff. I think boxing is starting to stay on top of it more. I had my first WBC random drug test [recently] and it tripped me out. I got a hard knock on my door [at home] and it was like, ‘It’s time for you to test.’ I was like, ‘Whoa!’ So, they’re taking it very seriously.”

The Martinez-Conceicao winner will secure himself another high-profile fight later this year. They’re both promoted by Top Rank, which is heavily invested in the 130-pound division.

The top two junior lightweights that Top Rank promotes – Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs) and WBO champion Shakur Stevenson (17-0, 9 KOs) – have agreed to meet in a 12-round title unification fight April 30 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Conceicao expects the skillful, left-handed Stevenson to have a “very easy” time with Valdez on his way to winning a wide unanimous decision.

When asked to elaborate, Conceicao replied, “Because I’m not a big fan anymore of Valdez. I don’t like Valdez.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali, to be trained by Richard Slone

Top Rank’s surging middleweight prospect, Nico Ali Walsh (3-0, 2 KOs), the grandson of Muhammad Ali, will now have a new head coach guiding his corner when he steps in the ring this Saturday, January 29th against Jeremiah Yeager (1-1-1, 1 KO). Former heavyweight boxer and Joe Frazier protégé Richard T. Slone will now serve as chief cornerman for Nico Ali Walsh. Walsh’s next bout is promoted by Top Rank Inc. and will air live on ESPN+ from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with undercard coverage starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

“Working with Slone is a blessing to my career”, said Nico Ali Walsh. “Most people recognize Rich Slone as the world’s greatest boxing artist but I’ve known him for many years. I know his extensive background working with Joe Frazier and Emanuel Steward as a professional boxing trainer. Together we will do great things.”

“Working with Nico is something I never anticipated but I have known him for most of his life and I know that he has a good work ethic,” said Slone, who spent over a decade training boxers and working corners for top fighters with Emanuel Steward. Nico has worked very hard in preparation for this fight and I think that will show in his performance”,

Richard Slone spent over a decade as the Vice President of Kronk Gym and is known globally for his incredible talent as an artist, having painted some of the most iconic pieces in boxing history. He’s the official artist for the International Boxing Hall of Fame and has had his artwork grace the cover of Ring Magazine.

[ironbeard]

So, Valdez is a confirmed cheater who received a borderline gift/robbery decision v Conceicao.

I hope Shakur beats him down and stops him late. He can’t chance leaving it to the judges.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[PhillyD215]

Was the Shaw/Dawejko fight just announced or is Dawejko a last minute replacement? I love Joey but this is not a good matchup for him..Pretty much every HW has a reach advantage on him since he ain't even 6' but he really struggles against guy with a major height and reach advantage and id say 6 inch height and 11 inch reach advantage is pretty significant

[Ruthless-RKO]

Date: Saturday January 29, 2022
Location: Hard Rock Hotel And Casino Tulsa - Catoosa, OK
TV: ESPN

Start Times
ESPN+: 6 pm ET | 3 pm PT | 11 pm GMT (Preliminary Card)
ESPN: 10 pm ET | 7 pm PT (Main Card)
Sky Sports: 2am GMT(Main Card)

Promoted by: Top Rank

Main Card

10 Round WBC Super Featherweight Title Eliminator
Robson Conceicao vs. Xavier Martinez

10 Round Super Featherweight Bout
Rene Tellez Giron vs. Luis Melendez

Undercard

4 Round Welterweight Bout
Tiger Johnson vs. Xavier Madrid

4 Round Middleweight Bout
Nico Ali Walsh vs. Jeremiah Yeager

4 Round Featherweight Bout
Bruce Carrington vs. Steven Brown,

4 Round Light Heavyweight Bout
Dante Benjamin Jr vs. Herman Rendon

6 Round Featherweight Bout
Haven Brady Jr vs. Diuhl Olguin

6 Round Heavyweight Bout
Jeremiah Milton vs. Jason Bergman

8 Round Super Featherweight Bout
Pink Tyson vs. Carla Torres

[oogiebe]

Watching:

Yeager/Ali walsh coming up.

[oogiebe]

Kayo 2.

This time I saw some improvement (despite the opponent's level).
Walsh used his jab more in setting up his shots and avoided fire in return. His left hook was the definitive blow as he wasn't right hand crazy. Enough for me to look forward to seeing him next time out.

[oogiebe]

He did a little Ali Shuffle during the last couple of punches. Not crazy about that.

[skanksta]

Shades of Hughie Fury.