New Town, North Dakota (March 28, 2014)–Tonight at the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge in New Town, North Dakota, the Boxcino 2014 lightweight tournament semifinals will take place as Fernando Carcamo will take on Miguel Gonzalez and Petr Petrov battles Chris Rudd with the winners meeting on May 23rd. Banner Promotions has lined up a terrific undercard that will feature four of their prized prospects.

The card will be televised live on ESPN, ESPNDeportes+ and watchESPN beginning at 9 PM ET.

2012 Olympic Bronze Medal winner, Taras Shlestyuk (7-0, 5 KO’s) will take on Romon Barber (4-7, 3 KO’s) in a jr. middleweight bout scheduled for six rounds.

Taras Shelestyuk

Shelestyuk of Sumy, Ukraine is on a 2-fight knockout streak with his latest being a 1st round stoppage over Francisco Flores on February 21st in Laughlin, Nevada.

Heavyweight Donovan Dennis (8-0, 7 KO’s) of Davenport, Iowa will take on the most experienced foe of his career when he boxes 57-fight veteran Travis Fulton of Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Dennis has been very impressive by scoring three consecutive stoppage wins. He has two early wins over undefeated fighters, Eric Scribner (1-0) and Hugo Arceo (4-0-1). He is coming off a 1st round destruction over Sam Comming on February 28th in Hammond, Indiana.

Donovan Dennis

Light Heavyweight Micheal Seals (17-0, 13 KO’s) will look to stay perfect when he takes on Willis Lockett (13-12-5, 5 KO’s).

Seals of Atlanta will be making his Banner Promotions debut. He holds a 1st round stoppage over former world champion Byron Mitchell. Seals has won 7 consecutive fights by knockout which includes a 1st round stoppage over Steve Walker on November 9, 2013.

19-year old lightweight Ruben Ozuna (1-1) takes on Wayne Smith (0-1) in a bout scheduled for four rounds.

Ozuna of Wauchula, Florida was a distinguished amateur and has a ton of upside.

Ruben Ozuna

“We are excited to feature these four guys on the undercard,” said Banner Promotions CEO Arthur Pelullo.

“Taras has been terrific so far and we are very pleased with the development of Donovan Dennis. Tonight we are very much looking forward to seeing Michael Seals make his debut for our company. We also have high expectations for the 19-year old Ozuna as well,” finished Pelullo.

New Town, North Dakota (March 28, 2014)–Below are videos and images of Thursday’s weigh in plus interviews with the four semifinal participants of the Boxcino 2014 lightweight tournament that will feature Fernando Carcamo taking on Miguel Gonzalez and Petr Petrov battling Chris Rudd.

The fights will take place at the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge in New Town, North Dakota.

The fights will be shown live TONIGHT on ESPN, ESPNDEPORTES+ and watchESPN at 9 PM ET.

Media outlets may use the videos for journalistic use by copy/paste the embedded codes on their websites.

Fernando Carcamo 135.8 – Miguel Gonzalez 136
(Boxcino Semifinals)
Chris Rudd 135.6 – Petr Petrov 135.6
(Boxcino Semifinals)

Michael Seals 173.4 – Willis Lockett 191
Taras Shelestyuk 152 – Romon Barber 152.8
Donovan Dennis 224.8 – Travis Fulton will weigh in tomorrow
Ruben Ozuna 135.8 – Wayne Smith 134,6
David Laque 148 – Corey Land 145.2

Promoter: Banner Promotions
Venue: 4 Bears Casino & Lodge
TV: ESPN at 9 PM ET

New Town, ND (March 26, 2014)– This Friday night at the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge in New Town, North Dakota, The Boxcino 2014 lightweight tournament semifinals will take place with 8-round bouts featuring Petr Petrov (33-4-2, 15 KO’s) fighting Chris Rudd (13-1, 8 KO’s) and Fernando Carcamo (16-5, 13 KO’s) taking on Miguel Gonzalez (23-3, 16 KO’s).

The fights will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPNDeportes+ and WatchESPN beginning at 9 PM ET.

The tournament has been a critical success with the viewers and is the talk of social media.

One of the men responsible for identifying much of the talent that has been on display is Banner Promotions matchmaker Eric Bottjer.

Bottjer has been one of the most distinguished boxing men for the better part of two decades as he signed and developed many world champions.

Bottjer gives his overview of the quarterfinals and he breaks down what to look for in the semifinals.

“Petrov and Rudd were both big surprises because most people picked their opponents (Fedor Papazov and Yakubu Amidu respectively) to win in the opening fights,” said Bottjer.

“Both guys now face opponents with completely different styles than what they faced in their opening matches, so the key to their fight is who can make the adjustment. They both capitalized on fighting very aggressive fighters. Now they are each fighting more accomplished boxers.”

“Carcamo is the biggest puncher of the whole group of lightweights in the tournament and Gonzalez is the best boxer. It is no secret on how each of them is going to fight.”

“The fights in the first round were very good. The semifinals will be at that level if not better. The guy who wins this tournament would have defeated three good fighters on national television over a three-month period. Whoever wins the tournament will establish himself as a world-class fighter and title contender,” finished Bottjer.

Philadelphia (March 19, 2014)–Back on February 21, Fernando Carcamo (16-5, 13 KO’s) scored the only knockout in the quarterfinal round of the Boxcino 2014 lightweight tournament. He will look to continue to that momentum when he takes on Miguel Gonzalez (23-3, 16 KO’s) in the semifinals which will take place on March 28 at the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge in New Town, North Dakota.

The bout was be televised Live on ESPN, ESPNDeportes+ and WatchESPN beginning at 9 PM Eastern.

Carcamo of Ciudad, Mexico looked terrific in dispatching previously undefeated Samuel Neequaye in the 2nd round and now he turns his attention to the accomplished Gonzalez who has been on a roll as of late.

The performance over Neequaye did not just happen by coincidence as Carcamo put in the work needed to impress the audience who was watching around the world.

“It was all a part of the training camp we had. It was the best preparation that I ever had and I was happy to materialize it with a knockout and it was even better that it was the only stoppage of the quarterfinals,” said Carcamo.

Carcamo respects Gonzalez but he feels that this fight should be another where he will have his hand raised at the end of the fight.

“He is a pretty good fighter but he has weak points and we will attack them and break his spirit.”

Carcamo knew going into the tournament that it would be a great chance to showcase his ability and become a player in the lightweight division.

“I am just really motivated. I know this will take me to a completely different level and get me really close to a title shot. I am 100% into this and looking forward to this fight and want to give the fans what they want,” finished Carcamo.

Philadelphia (March 19, 2014)–Lightweight contender Miguel “Silky Smooth” Gonzalez (23-3, 16 KO’s) is looking for big things in 2014. First on his agenda is defeating Fernando Carcamo (16-5, 13 KO’s) on March 28 at the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge in New Town, North Dakota as part of the semifinal round in the Boxcino 2014 tournament.

Gonzalez defeated Miguel Angel Mendoza on February 21 via split decision in the quarterfinal round and now looks ahead to the power punching Carcamo.

“Everything is great. Training is good and we have been in camp since a week after the Mendoza fight. I am getting the proper preparation,” said Gonzalez.

Although Gonzalez won the fight, he wasn’t totally satisfied with the fight due to Mendoza.

“I think the guy who I was in there with wasn’t quality. I can’t judge my performance other than I was too quick for him.”

Gonzalez is now turning his attention to the hard charging Carcamo, who scored the only stoppage of the quarterfinal round when he took out previously undefeated Samuel Neequaye in two rounds.

“Carcamo is a stand up fighter. He is basic with a left hand. We have had the right sparring for this fight and I am coming in with confidence. I am here to win this tournament and he is just another guy.”

“I see myself as the champion of this tournament and this will lead to being a mandatory contender for a world title.”

With that confidence level, Gonzalez feels he is the man to beat as the semifinals commence.

“It has been a great tournament so far. I can not wait to go to North Dakota and put on a great show and it will be just one more fight left to win Boxcino. After I win this fight, I will go home and rest for a week with my daughter and her mother and start preparing for the final,” finished the Cleveland based contender.

Philadelphia (March 18, 2014)–He pulled off the biggest upset in the opening round of the Boxcino 2014 lightweight tournament and now Chris Rudd (13-1, 8 KO’s) is ready to do it again when he takes on Petr Petrov (33-4-2, 15 KO’s) on Friday, March 28 at the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge in New Town, North Dakota.

The semifinal bout will be televised Live on ESPN, ESPNdeportes+ and WatchESPN.

Rudd of Covington, Tennessee was the least known of the eight participants in the tournament but he won a 7 round (Draw Breaker) decision over veteran Yakubu Amidu on February 21 in Laughlin, Nevada, reflected back on the win for a moment before setting his sights on Petrov.

“I did a pretty good job,” said Rudd. “I think I won that fight because of my head and foot movement.”

Rudd began preparing for Petrov almost immediately after his win over Amidu.

“I have been working hard in the gym. Petrov throws a lot of wild combinations and a wild hook. I have been working on that as well as my jab and staying out of range.”

Rudd has relished being the unknown fighter in the tournament as he believes that will only enhance his accomplishments.

“It does not matter being the underdog. I was talking with my brother and he said, the more that I can win, the better I look.”

Rudd knows he can win the tournament but knows he has a tough road ahead.

“I see me winning. Petrov is a good fighter and he will come hard. The other two fighters (Miguel Gonzalez and Fernando Carcamo) are good fighters. I see myself winning but I can not claim it until I have it,”finished Rudd.

Philadelphia (March 17, 2014)–Coming off his impressive 6-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Fedor Papazov, former world title challenger Petr Petrov (33-4-2, 15 KO’s) opened some eyes in the United States with his quarterfinal win in Boxcino 2014 on February 21 in Laughlin, Nevada.

On Friday night, March 28, Petrov will have literally a tall order in front of him when he takes on tournament underdog Chris Rudd (13-1, 8 KO’s) in the semifinals at the 4 Bears Casino and Lodge in New Town, North Dakota.

The fight will be televised live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes+ and WatchESPN beginning at 9 PM ET.

What made Petrov’s performance against Papazov more impressive was his uncertainty about performing in front of the American fans.

“It was a great win for me,” said Petrov. “I had not fought in 10 months so I was real nervous to be on the big stage for my first televised fight in the U.S. I am happy to move on to the next fight and I will be stronger and more relaxed.”

Next up is the 6’0″ Rudd who is coming off a 7-round decision over Yakubu Amidu in a (draw breaker) fight which was the biggest upset of the quarterfinal round.

“Rudd is going to be difficult because of his height and reach but I believe my trainer Danny Zamora and I have prepared a good strategy and we have had with great work in the gym.”

With a win over Rudd, Petrov will take one more step closer to reaching the finals.

“I am not thinking of the finals yet. I have to get through this fight and go from there. My main thing is to win and look good for the people watching on ESPN. I would like to thank my team, Banner Promotions, Danny Zamora and my sponsors Lucas Oil, Snac Supplements and I know big things will come my way,” finished Petrov.

HAMMOND, IND (March 3, 2014)–Middleweights Brandon Adams, Raymond Gatica and Vitalii Kopylenko scored stoppages while while Willie Monroe Jr. scored a 6 round unanimous decision as all four advanced to the semi-finals of Boxcino 2014 that highlighted a great night of boxing at the Hammond Horseshoe Casino.

Monroe Jr. scored a 6 round unanimous decision over Donatas Bondas.

Bondas pressed forward while Monroe tried to box and move. Bondas ‘oft injured nose started to bleed as early as the 1st frame. In round three, Bondas began to up his pressure and Monroe was trying to move lateral while throwing jabs. Monroe Jr. stayed in the pocket a little more in the 4th round and he began working the body. His agression continued throughout the last half of the bout and Bondad had no answer for it. Monroe was more versatile and won by scores of 59-55 twice and 58-56 twice and 58-56.

Monroe, 160 lbs of Rochester, NY. is now 16-1. Bondas, 160.2 lbs of Chicago, IL. is now 18-5-1.

Vitalii Kopylenko scored two knockdowns in just over three minutes and registered a 2nd round stopapge over Cerreeso Fort.round

Kopylenko buckled Fort with an over hand right in round one. After the opening frame, Fort was already bleeding from his mouth.

Seconds into the 2nd round, Kopylenko dropped Fort from a hard left hook. Fort was clearly hurt and was dropped again from a series of punches. The bout was stopped at 43 seconds of round two.

“Fort was heavy handed and I was patient,”said Kopylenko.

“I did not try to knock him out, it just came.”

Kopylenko, 160 lbs of Kiev, Ukraine is now 23-0 with 13 knockouts.

Said Fort, “I got hit with a shot in the 1st round and was hurt. I tied to bounce back but he hurt me again.”

Fort, 160.2 lbs of St. Paul, MN is now 17-3-1.

Raymond Gatica scored a emphatic 4th round stoppage over previously undefeated knockout artist Sena Agbeko.

The two came out firing with Gatica getting the better of the exchanges. Gatica was more efficient with his punches while Agbeko came in with wide-winging shots. In round three, Gatica landed several shots that snapped the head of Agebko back. It looked like the referee was close to stopping the bout but Agbeko did enough return punching to warrant his continuation. He did mot last much longer as Gatica was all over Agbeko and continued to rock his head with power shots and the fight as stopped at 1:06 of round 4.

“You always have to be ready,” said Gatica. “I knew in the 1st round I had the fight.”

Brandon Adams scored a stoppage after round four when Daniel Edouard did not come out for the 5th round.

Adams found a home in the second round as he landed hard body shots with both hands. Adams continued to score and stay out of harms way. In round four, Adams deposited Edouard on the canvas with a perfect left hook. Edouard got to his feet and ate a few more punches on the ropes. ,

After the 4th round, Edoaurd had enough and pulled the plug on the contest.

“I had a long layoff and my timing wasn’t right. I am a professional and there was no reason to take anymore punishment,”said Edouard

“Getting hit with that left hook discouraged me.”

Said Adams, “I hit him with a good left hook. He was tough and I am happy with my performance. I know I can do better.”

Adams, 160. Lbs of San Diego, CA is now 13-0 with 9 stoppages. Edouard, 160 lbs of West Palm Beach, FL is 23-5-2

Gatica will face Adams while Kopylenko will take on Monroe Jr. on April 18th at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY.

Boxcino will continue on March 28th at the 4 Bears Casino in New Town, North Dakota with the lightweight semi-finals that will put Chris Rudd taking on Petr Petrov while Miguel Gonzalez fights Fernando Carcamo in bouts scheduled for 8 rounds.

In the opening bout, Banner Promotions Donovan Dennis scored an explosive 1st round stoppage over Sam Commings in a scheduled 6 round heavyweight bout.

Dennis landed a straight left that made Commings fall back and hit his head with a loud thud against the canvas and the bout was immediately stopped at 1:34 of round one.

Dennis, 226 lbs of Davenport, Iowa is now 9-1 with 7 knockouts. Commings, 264 lbs of West Palm Beach, FL. is now 4-8.

Simeon Hardy was successful in his Banner Promotions debut as he stopped Chad Greenleaf in round five of their scheduled six round middleweight bout.

Hardy dominated the action and dropped Greenleaf twice in round five. The foirst from a hard overhand right and the finisher was from a right that was followed by a booming left hook that knocked Greenleaf out for several moments and the bout was stopped at 2:50 of round five.

Hardy, 157.6 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 11-0 with 9 knockouts. Greenleaf, 158.8 of Parkersburg, WV is 13-20-1.

Sergio Montes De Oca and Fidel Navarette battled to a spirited six round draw in a featherweight bout.

Montes De Oca, 124 lbs of Chicago took a card 58-56 while two judges ruled the fight even at 57-57.

De Oca is now 7-2-2. Navarette, 127 lbs of Highland, IN is now 4-0-2.

Mike Jimenez needed just 56 seconds to take care of Jimmy Campbell in their scheduled six round Light Heavyweight bout.

Jimenez scored a knockdown from an uppercut and a follow up flurry ended the bout.

Jimenez, 175 lbs of Chicago is now 13-0 with 10 knockouts. Campbell, 173 lbs of Indianapolis, IN is now 11-7.

Russell Fiore scored a 4 round unanimous decision over Tim Carrizales in a lightweight bout.

Fiore dropped Carrizales twice in the final frame and cruised home with a victory by the scores of 40-34 on all cards.

Fiore, 134.8 lbs of Chicago is 11-2-1. Carrizales, 134.4 lbs of Waukesha, WI is now 4-9-1.

Brandon Adams 160.8 – Daniel Edouard 160

Sena Agbeko 157.2 – Raymond Gatica 158.4

Cerresso Fort 160.2 – Vitalii Kopylenko 160

Willie Monroe Jr. 160 – Donatas Bondas 160.2
(Photos by Shane Sims / Banner Promotions)

Donovan Dennis 226 – Sam Commings 264
Simeon Hardy 157.6 – Chad Greenleaf 158.8
Dimur Ortuz 215 – John Moxey TBA
Fidel Navarette 127 – Sergio Montes De Oca 124
Mike Jimenez 175 – Jimmy Campbell 173
Russell Fiore 134.8 – Tim Carrizales 134.4

Venue: Horseshoe Casino
Promoters: Banner Promotions / Hitz Boxing / Round 3
1st Bell: 7pm central
ESPN 2 Start: 9pm eastern / 8 pm central