Montana Love vs. Stevie Spark | DAZN - November 12, 2022

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Press Release

Montana Love will headline at home in Cleveland, Ohio for the first time in his career as he defends his IBF North American Super-Lightweight title against Stevie Spark at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Saturday, November 12, live worldwide on DAZN.

Ticket pre-sale begins Tuesday, August 30 at 10 a.m. with public on-sale beginning on Wednesday, August 31 at 10 a.m. at RocketMortgageFieldHouse.com.

Love (18-0-1 9 KOs) boxes in his backyard for the fourth time in his career but first time as the star attraction and does so making the first defense of the strap he landed in his last outing, outpointing Gabriel Valenzuela in Las Vegas on May 7, on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez’s clash with Dmitry Bivol.

The 27 year old is ranked at #7 in the IBF and will be looking to put on a statement performance ahead of the vacant IBF World title being claimed by either Jeremiah Ponce or Subriel Matias this fall – and the man Love will need to impress against is Australian puncher Spark, who has plenty at stake himself.

‘The Viking’ (15-2 14 KOs) penned a promotional pact with Matchroom and Eddie Hearn, and his first bout under the deal sees him straight into the Lion’s den on his US debut.

The 25 year old from Toowoomba in Queensland has ended 14 of his 15 wins inside the distance, and the former IBF and WBC Australasia Champion will be out to ruin Love’s homecoming and leap into World title contention.

“From neighborhood hero to superstar - Cleveland we did it baby!” said Love. “I am happy to announce I will be defending my title here in my hometown.

“This is something I dreamed of as a kid. I’m looking forward to putting on a superstar performance. I need everybody in my city to come out – let’s defend the land!”

“I’ve been working very hard for a lot of years for this moment,” said Spark. “I have the best team in the world who I can’t thank enough for making this possible. I’m looking forward to exploding into the international boxing scene with a spectacular win. The American boxing fans are in for a treat, as I believe they will love my all-action style.

“We respect the fighter Montana Love is, he is highly credentialed but that’s why we took this fight. We are coming prepared, and we are coming to win. Come November 12, there will be no Love!”

“This is the stage and moment that Montana has been waiting for – and now he needs to take it with both hands,” said Hearn. “The chance to headline at home in a fight that can lead to World title action makes this the biggest night of his life, and with the Cleveland’s fans behind him, this is the moment to prove he belongs in the elite.

“But Stevie has other ideas. Australia is one of the fastest growing markets for boxing, and we’re looking to build stars Down Under. If ‘The Viking’ can pack his punch power and bring it to Ohio, he could become a major player at 140lbs overnight.”

[gregregegg]

So they have signed spark and there not even going to put him on there Australia card… weird move, but decent opponent for mont lov.

[margaret thatcher]

battle of the porn star names

[gregregegg]

battle of the porn star names

Poster never mentions boxing, maybe they’re just fu.cking … live on DAZN,, game changed.

[margaret thatcher]

[Dioufy]

I’d resub tbh

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Press Release | Hitchins vs. Alamo, Ford vs. Lukas Added To Love-Spark Card

Richardson Hitchins will fight for his first pro title when he takes on Yomar Alamo for the IBF North American Super-Lightweight title and is the co-main event as Montana Love headlines in his hometown for the first time as he takes on Steve Spark for the WBA Intercontinental Super-Lightweight title on Saturday November 12 at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, live worldwide on DAZN.

Hitchins (14-0 6 KOs) inked a promotional pact with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom yesterday and wastes no time in his quest to crash into the top ten in the Super-Lightweight rankings and put the big names on notice as he fights for his first title in his 15th pro fight, entering the bout on the back of three impressive wins; dismissing Angel Rodriguez in May inside four rounds to add to convincing ten round victories over Malik Hawkins and former World champion Argenis Mendez

Opposing the 2016 Olympian is Puerto Rico’s Alamo (20-1-1 12 KOs), the 27 year old is no stranger to title action having recently held the WBO Latino crown to go with his time holding the WBO NABO, WBC Youth and WBC FECARBOX belts, and ‘The Magic’ will be out to spoil Hitchins’ bow under Hearn and bounce back from a slender split decision loss to another new Matchroom signing, Liam Paro, in his last fight in December.

“November 12, my time to shine,” said Hitchins. “Eddie promised me big fights, big opportunities, and most importantly, activity. This is the beginning of all that, the beginning of this new journey in my career and I couldn’t be more excited.

“Alamo is a very tough opponent, and I know he’s coming to win, but he’s simply a roadblock towards achieving my championship goals. As I’ve said before, I believe I’m the best 140 pounder in the world, and he’s going to find that out as soon as the bell rings. I plan on stealing the show November 12. I promise you; you don’t want to miss it.”

“It’s a good fight,” said Alamo. “I’m looking to jump back in the rankings and get a better shot. It will be my first time fighting in Cleveland and I am happy to be fighting in a city where I have a lot of love and support. I’m training at my best to give 100 per cent and to win in style.”

Raymond Ford (12-0-1 6 KOs) continues to catch the eye in his rise in the Featherweight division and defends his WBA Continental Americas title in Cleveland against Sakaria Lukas. The New Jersey talent landed that title against the unbeaten Edward Vazquez in February via split decision and defended it with a shutout win over Richard Medina in June, taking another ‘0’ in the process.

Lukas (25-1-1 17 KOs) is the latest man to try to claim the strap from Ford, and the Namibian has familiarized himself with fighting outside his homeland in his last four fights. The 38 year old had only boxed once outside Namibia in his first 23 fights – with that bout taking him to Zimbabwe – but his last four outings has seen fights in Texas and Atlantic City either side of a pair of bouts in Cancun, Mexico, and now he’ll look to hand a first defeat to the 23 year old ‘Savage’.

“I'm stepping up again, I don't duck any challenge,” said Ford. “Lukas has only lost once in 27 fights. I'm fighting to impress my fans and I see myself hurting him and being the first person to stop him.

“Then, I'm coming after any of the Champions out there because there's no fun and games anymore, I want those belts.”

“This is my third fight in the USA and I’m not here to be robbed!” said Lukas. “This boy Ford won’t see the final bell; he will just see me standing over him”

There’s more Puerto Rican action on the card and this time against a local favorite, as Christian Tapia takes on Cleveland’s Thomas Mattice for the WBA Continental Americas Super-Featherweight title.

Unbeaten Tapia (15-0 12 KOs) picked up the title in March with a wide points win over Luis Lebron in Philadelphia, and kept busy in the same city with an eight round win over Mario Lozano, and now faces local man Mattice (19-3-1 15 KOs), who enters the bout on the back of two wins inside the distance, with a first round KO in May in Cleveland Heights and an sixth round stoppage in Toledo.

“The Super-Featherweight division just got a little more interesting now,” said Tapia. “Matchroom has given me a global platform and I intend to take full advantage of it. On November 12 in Cleveland, I’m going showcase my skills, showing the 130lb division, showing the people watching and most of all show my opponent why I am the best kept secret in boxing. El Hijo Del Pueblo (The Son of the People) will not only be victorious but all ‘contenders’ in MY division will be put on notice.”

“This is one of the opportunities I’ve been looking for,” said Mattice. Being in my hometown makes it even better. I will be ready and victorious on November 12.”

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Press Release | Undercard Information

Montana Love’s first headline hometown show will be a family affair as his older brother and Olympian Raynell Williams continues his return to boxing at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on Saturday November 12 – with Khalil Coe and Nikoloz Sekhniashvili also added to the Ohio bill.

Williams (13-1 7 KOs) returned from a near five-year absence from the ring in September with a stoppage win in Cleveland in the final round of six, and the Team USA 2008 games man will face fellow Ohioan Ryizeemmion Ford (8-2 6 KOs) over the same distance.

“This is a dream come true for me,” said Williams. “Fighting at home, in Cleveland, on a card headlined by my brother – it doesn’t get much better than that.

“It felt great to finally step back into the ring last month, and I’m excited about getting right back in there, and working my way back into contention. I know Ford well; he’s an Ohio boy just like me. I respect him as a fighter, but he’s simply not on my level and on November 12 I plan to put on a show.”

Khalil Coe fights for the third time in 2022 and will do so over six rounds against the unbeaten Bradley Olmeda. Coe (3-0-1 2 KOs) is looking for win number three of the year having stopped Dylan O’Sullivan in Phoenix in February and followed that with a points win in his first six rounder against William Langston in New York in April.

The New Jersey talent now meets Puerto Rican Olmeda (5-0 3 KOs) who himself has two wins to his name in 2022 and fights for the third time in the States with plenty on the line in a battle of the undefeated Cruiserweights.

“I’m very excited for this fight,” said Coe. “These are the type of challenges I want at this stage of my career. I’ve had a great training camp and I’m ready to show that on November 12 against a very tough, determined, and undefeated opponent.”

“I want to thank Eddie Hearn and Matchroom for this great opportunity to fight on this show,” said Olmeda. “I am ready, prepared, and confident I will win this fight and show the world what Bradley ‘The Underdog’ Olmeda is made of.”

There is a fascinating Super-Welterweight clash on the card, as Nikoloz Sekhniashvili faces David Rodriguez. Sekhniashvili (7-1 5 KOs) returns to action in Cleveland after over a year out of the ring and will do so against the undefeated Rodriguez (6-0 2 KOs) over six rounds. Sekhniashvili turned pro in April 2018 after seven years on the Georgian national team and recorded seven wins with five inside the distance before tasting defeat in New York in August 2021.

It's a huge opportunity for Rodriguez to make a name for himself in the biggest fight of a career that the 27 year old juggles with being a Health teacher at LeBron James’ I Promise School in Akron, Ohio.

“I am excited to be a part of such a great event in Cleveland,” said Sekhniashvili. “I am fighting an undefeated fighter and will show everyone that I am a World-class Super-Welterweight prospect. Thank you to Matchroom and my team for providing the opportunity.

“I’ve fought in nationals, in Cuba, and been in the ring with World champions; it’s my time,” said Rodriguez. “I’ve fought punchers my whole boxing career, I know exactly what to do, this moment is everything – I won’t lose.”

Love headlines his first hometown show against Australian Steve Spark on November 12, and the fights above join an already stacked undercard that sees Matchroom’s newest Stateside signing, Richardson Hitchins, fight for his first pro title when he takes on Yomar Alamo for the IBF North American Super-Lightweight title, Raymond Ford continues to catch the eye in his rise in the Featherweight division and defends his WBA Continental Americas title in Cleveland against Sakaria Lukas and Christian Tapia takes on Cleveland’s Thomas Mattice for the WBA Continental Americas Super-Featherweight title.

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Press Release | Beatriz Ferreira To Make Pro Debut on Love-Spark Undercard

Beatriz Ferreira will make her professional debut at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on Saturday November 12, live worldwide on DAZN.

Ferreira penned a long-term promotional deal with Matchroom and Eddie Hearn in the summer, and the amateur World champion and Olympic silver medalist will step through the ropes for the first time in the paid ranks in Cleveland against fellow Brazilian Taynna Cardoso (5-0 1 KO) over four rounds.

The 29 year old Ferreira is itching to get started in the pro game and wants to get active from debut as she targets adding professional World title honors to her impressive amateur background.

“I am excited to finally have my professional debut confirmed and especially for it to take place in the United States,” said Ferreira. “I want to put on a big show for all the boxing fans there so they can see what I am about.

“I have been working very hard in the gym for the last few months, making little adjustments to my style. I can't wait to feel the vibe and energy as a professional boxer and start my journey to becoming World Champion!”

Ferreira faces Cardoso on a stacked card in Cleveland, as hometown star Montana Love headlines his first show in his backyard against Australian Steve Spark.

Matchroom’s newest Stateside signing, Richardson Hitchins, fight for his first pro title when he takes on Yomar Alamo for the IBF North American Super-Lightweight title, Raymond Ford continues to catch the eye in his rise in the Featherweight division and defends his WBA Continental Americas title in Cleveland against Sakaria Lukas and Christian Tapia takes on Cleveland’s Thomas Mattice for the WBA Continental Americas Super-Featherweight title.

Love’s older brother and Olympian Raynell Williams continues his return to boxing against fellow Ohioan Ryizeemmion Ford, Khalil Coe faces unbeaten Bradley Olmeda and Nikoloz Sekhniashvili meets Ohio’s David Rodriguez.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Week!

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I think Love should be more active.

[Cutman Scabbers]

I think Love should be more active.

and Spark more attractive?

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Press Release

Montana Love fulfils a dream on Saturday night – headlining for the first time in his hometown of Cleveland as he faces Steve Spark for the WBA Intercontinental Super-Lightweight title at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Saturday night (November 12) live worldwide on DAZN.

Love (18-0-1 9 KOs) tops the bill in the sports mad Ohio city and on his second appearance at the home of NBA giants, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Love meets Australian Spark (15-2 14 KOs) in a pivotal clash in the 140lb division, with ranking positions and World title shots at the front of the hometown man’s mind.

“The city is showing me love and getting behind me,” said Love. “It’s a proud city and we look after each other and back. It’s a dream come true, being able to headline in the biggest arena in my home. Cleveland means everything to me. We don’t have much, but we stick together and get the job done.

“The Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is an electric place, we’ve had a lot of great athletes come through the city in that building, and now I am one of them. I am living my dream, I went through the trials and tribulations to get here, and what I had to deal with is a big part of what makes me hungry now.

“I promised my mother that I would take this 100 per cent seriously. The last thing she remembers of me is going to prison and being in and out of jail, so now I am trying to right my wrongs.

“I feel like I am made for this moment. I am coming off being co-main on a Canelo card; fighting in front of a packed house in Las Vegas and I’ve fought at home in front of a big crowd before, so there’s no pressure, I’m going to embrace it.

“Steve is a tough guy; he’ll bring the fight and it’ll make for a real spectacle. I want to win this in spectacular fashion, go for the KO – but we just want to look beautiful and put on a great show.”

Love and Spark clash on a stacked card in Cleveland, with the co-main bout featuring a Matchroom debut for Richardson Hitchins also at Super-Lightweight, where the Brooklyn talent faces Yomar Alamo for the IBF North American title.

Raymond Ford continues to catch the eye in his rise in the Featherweight division and defends his WBA Continental Americas title against Sakaria Lukas and Christian Tapia takes on Cleveland’s Thomas Mattice for the WBA Continental Americas Super-Featherweight title.

Love’s older brother and Olympian Raynell Williams continues his return to boxing against fellow Ohioan Ryizeemmion Ford, Khalil Coe faces unbeaten Bradley Olmeda, Nikoloz Sekhniashvili meets Ohio’s David Rodriguez and Brazilian Olympic silver medalist and former amateur World champion Beatriz Ferreira steps through the ropes for the first time in the paid ranks against fellow Brazilian Taynna Cardoso.

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Press Conferennce



Weigh in



Before The Bell

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"I'm not the underdog in this fight!" Steve Spark hits Cleveland to spoil Love homecoming

[handsofstone]

DAZN are showing another card from Canada same time as this, Shakeel Phinn vs Vladimir Belujski topping the bill in that one, Super Middles

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Montana Love: No Pressure Fighting at Home, I'm Going To Embrace It

“The city is showing me love and getting behind me,” said Love. “It’s a proud city and we look after each other and back. It’s a dream come true, being able to headline in the biggest arena in my home. Cleveland means everything to me. We don’t have much, but we stick together and get the job done.

“The Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is an electric place, we’ve had a lot of great athletes come through the city in that building, and now I am one of them. I am living my dream, I went through the trials and tribulations to get here, and what I had to deal with is a big part of what makes me hungry now.

“I promised my mother that I would take this 100 percent seriously. The last thing she remembers of me is going to prison and being in and out of jail, so now I am trying to right my wrongs.

“I feel like I am made for this moment. I am coming off being co-main on a Canelo card; fighting in front of a packed house in Las Vegas and I’ve fought at home in front of a big crowd before, so there’s no pressure, I’m going to embrace it.

“Steve is a tough guy; he’ll bring the fight and it’ll make for a real spectacle. I want to win this in spectacular fashion, go for the KO – but we just want to look beautiful and put on a great show.”

[gregregegg]

Insane to think someone put steven spark in with Tim tszyu. its one thing stepping up a weightclass if your the better fighter. but stepping up 2 weight classes, when your not the better fighter, against a puncher. thats just madness.

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FINAL PRESSER QUOTES

Montana Love
On Steve Spark: “He’s getting too comfortable. I’ve been playing it cool because you are from out of town and you’ve been humble, but I will step on you, in or out of the ring. You are tripping, being disrespectful – just keep it on boxing, keep it cool.

“I am not worried about Richardson. On Stevie, I take my hat off to him, he’s a great fighter, pressure fighter, but it’s nothing I’ve never seen before. In this same arena, we had the Russian [Ivan Baranchyk] who said the same words as Stevie – and he got laid out and hasn’t fought since. He has a great style, but you haven’t fought anyone brother. It’s going to be a tremendous fight; we’re going to run Stevie into some traps and we’re going to put his ass to sleep. I know he is coming to fight but he’s getting taken out.

“He has never faced anyone like me, he’s had a good camp, he’s had some great sparring, but it’s not going to be enough.”

On Richardson Hitchins: “I’ve never seen a fighter getting dropped [by a promoter] while being undefeated. He had an opportunity to fight me in 2019 when I was independent and he was with the Money Team. They turned me down. Now I’m sitting next to the big dog [Eddie Hearn] this is the real money team, and now he’s chasing the bag, as he should.”

Steve Sparks
“I haven’t come halfway across the world to not beat Montana Love. And not just beat him, I’m going to knock this man out. He’s chinny and he’s got a glass jaw.

“I’ve asked for this kind of opportunity because I believe I’m ready for a World title next year. So, I must go out there and beat people like Montana and not just beat him but do it in good fashion, so I must have my wits about me, I know the level of fight this is. I’m excited to be on DAZN and I’m going to shine, he knows this is a hard fight for him, and he’s a hard fight for me. This is the fight of the night; it’s going to be great. I don’t see this fight going the distance.

“It’s do or die in this fight. All or nothing. I’m not going home without that belt. I’m taking it back to Australia.”

Richardson Hitchins
“When you are facing somebody like me you got to come ready. A great fighter like me you should never ever slack not one bit, and I’m looking to take care of business Saturday night. And after that if Montana Love even gets his job done me and him is next. And if he tries to hide from me and him fighting next, we got to see each other in 2023, that’s my goal.

“I came to Ohio cause I’m the truth. I feel like I’m the best fighter on this card and I’m the best fighter in the 140lb division, so it starts like I said on Saturday night. I’m going to show up and show out in his city and hopefully Montana can match that energy.”

Yomar Alamo
“I’ve been prepared like I prepare for all my fights, and we’ve made all the necessary changes to look better and stronger in this fight.”

Raymond Ford
“We’re coming here to dominate. Whether it comes down to a 10 round decision or I stop him early, it really don’t matter. But I’m coming out victorious.

“He [Lukas] got the experience and everything, he’s been around a long time 38 years old. I’m just going to get him out of boxing and send him on his way out.”

Sakaria Lukas
“Saturday night I’m ready to go. You eat or get eaten. Talk is cheap and we can talk the whole night or the whole day but it’s going to change once you get smacked in the face.”

Christian Tapia
“We’re more than prepared to walk away with the victory.”

Thomas Mattice
“We ready. We train extremely hard, had a full camp. I don’t really have much talking to do, I’m ready to handle business. My mind is to hurt something and that’s it.”

Khalil Coe
“This is what boxing is about, taking the tough fights and giving the people a show and giving your best. So that what we want to do and what we’re going to do.”

Beatrice Ferreira
“I prepared a long time for this moment this big opportunity and there’s nothing better than to be here in the best place in the world for boxing to make my debut and I want people to be happy with my performance.”

David Rodriguez
“I’ve been around World champions, been in the ring with World champions, got nothing but knowledge and skills, technique, and fundamentals. I got everything to show everyone.”

[The Asleep Lamps]

battle of the porn star names

Their names reminded me of these Norah Jones lyrics.

"It's him or me"
That's what he said
But I can't choose between a vegan
And a pothead

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Date: Saturday November 12, 2022
Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse - Cleveland, OH
TV/Stream: DAZN

Start Times
Youtube/Facebook: 5:30 pm ET | 2:30 pm PT | 10:30 pm GMT (Preliminary Card)
DAZN: 7:30 pm ET | 4:30 pm PT | 12:30 am GMT (Main Card)

Promoted by: Matchroom Boxing

Main Card

Vacant WBA Intercontinental Super Lightweight Championship
Montana Love vs. Steve Spark

Vacant IBF North American Super Lightweight Championship
Richardson Hitchins vs. Yomar Alamo

WBA Continental Americas featherweight Championship
Raymond Ford vs. Sakaria Lukas

Vacant WBA Continental Americas Super Featherweight Championship
Christian Tapia vs. Thomas Mattice

6 Round Lightweight Bout
Beatriz Ferreira vs. Taynna Cardoso

Preliminary Card

6 Round Lightweight Bout
Raynell Williams vs. Ryizeemmion Ford

6 Round Super Welterweight Bout
Nikoloz Sekhniashvili vs. David Rodriguez

6 Round Cruiserweight Bout
Khalil Coe vs. Bradley Olmeda

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Prelims start in half hour!

Card is above.

[margaret thatcher]

kalil coe 0 killer instinct