NEW YORK (FEBRUARY 4, 2023)–TONIGHT at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, undefeated super lightweight John Bauza takes on fellow undefeated Richardson Hitchins in a 10-round bout for the IBF North American Super Lightweight Title.

Bauza is managed by Split-T Management.

The bout can be seen Live on DAZN at 8 PM ET.

To say that the lead-up to the fight has been contentious is an understatement.

The former sparring partners engaged in a 20-minute heated debate at Thursday’s press conference that was filled with confident bold predictions and profane smack talk.

“First of all, I want to say thank you for this opportunity to be here. All I have to say is that I work hard. There was a lot of back and forth, but we got the fight, and we’re ready,” said Bauza. “We’re ready for everybody. We already proved that in the amateurs. He [Hitchins] knows who I am; I sparred him before. I come from the same group as them, all of them. They know who I am too, so we’re ready for everybody. I’m ready for it.”

Bauza of North Bergen, New Jersey via Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico is 17-0 with seven knockouts. The 24 year-old Bauza is a seven year-pro who has defeated the likes of Larry Fryers (11-2), Christian Edwards (12-2), Michael Williams Jr. (19-0) and his last bout when he took an eight-round unanimous decision over Tony Luis (29-4) on March 19, 2022 at Madison Square Garden.

Hitchins of New York is 15-0 with seven knockouts. The 25 year-old Hitchins is a six-year pro and has defeated Mario Alberto Perez Navarro (1-0, Alejandro Munera (4-1-3), Kevin Johnson (7-1), Nicholas DeLomba (16-2), former world champion Argenis Mendez (25-5-3), Malik Hawkins (18-1) and his last bout when he stopped Yomar Alamo (20-1-1) on November 12, 2022 in Cleveland.

Bauza was 139 lbs. at Friday’s weigh in. Hitchins was 139.6 lbs.

New York, NY (March 21, 2022)-Split-T Management fighters came home with two wins in as many fights on Saturday night as junior welterweight John Bauza and junior lightweight Dalis Kaleiopu remained undefeated with wins in New York and Los Angeles respectively.

At The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, John Bauza remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Tony Luis in a junior welterweight bout.

Bauza boxed well, and controlled the fight with his quicker hands and variety of punches.

Bauza landed 109 of 329 punches; Luis was 90 of 449.

Bauza, 140.2 lbs of Coamo, PR won by scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74 and is now 17-0. Luis, 140.8 lbs of Cornwall, ONT, CAN is now 29-5.

The bout was televised live on ESPN.

Bauza is promoted by Top Rank.

Photo By Tom Hogan / Golden Boy

At the Galen Center In Los Angeles, Dalis Kaleiopu stopped Manuel Lara in the fourth and final round of their lightweight bout.

In round one, Kaleiopu dropped Lara with a right to the head. Later in the round, Lara went down from a body shot.

In round four, it was a three-punch combination to the head that dropped Lara to his knees and the bout was stopped at 2:15.

Kaleiopu, 132.4 lbs of Waianae, HI. is 2-0 with two knockouts. Lara, 134.2 lbs of Celaya, MEX is 2-8.

Kaleiopu is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.

New York, NY (March 18, 2022)–Undefeated junior welterweight John Baiza will continue to climb up the competition as he takes on tough veteran Tony Luis as part of an ESPN televised card at 10 PM ET on Saturday night at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Bauza of North Bergen, New Jersey via Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, has a record of 16-0 with seven knockouts. The 23 year-old Bauza, who is managed by Split-T Management Bauza turned professional on April 23, 2016 with a 1st round stoppage over LeRoy Padilla in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

Bauza is coming off an explosive performance as he took apart previously undefeated Michael Williams in four-rounds at Madison Square Garden on December 11th.

In that bout, Bauza clocked Williams with an overhand left that sent him to the deck in the 2nd round. Williams kept kneeling on the canvas in an effort to slow down Bauza’s attack. In round four, Bauza dropped Williams three times. The first came from a combination on the ropes. The 2nd came from a perfect left. Bauza finished the fight with a perfect straight left to the face and the fight was stopped at 2:18.

Luis of Cornwall, Ontario, Canada is 29-4 with 10 knockouts. The 34 year-old Luis is a former WBC Continental Americas champion who also fought for the WBA Interim Lightweight title. Luis has wins over Adrian Verdugo (13-1-1), Wanzell Ellison (11-0-1), Karl Dargan (17-0), Christian Uruzquieta (14-2-1), Jose Nunez Rodriguez (17-4-1), Cam O’Connell (15-0-1), Jovanni Straffon (14-2-1). Luis dropped his last bout to undefeated Arnold Barboza on August 29, 2020 in Las Vegas.

At Friday’s weigh-in, Bauza was 140.2 lbs. Luis was 140.8 lbs.

Bauza is promoted by Top Rank.

New York (December 15, 2021)–This past Saturday night, John Bauza took apart Michael Williams Jr, by scoring a 4th round stoppage in a scheduled eight-round bout that featured undefeated super lightweights.

Bauza is managed by Split-T Management.

The fight took place at the famed Madison Square Garden, and was streamed live on ESPN +

In round two, Bauza clocked Williams with an overhand left that sent him to the deck. Williams kept kneeling on the canvas in an effort to slow down Bauza’s attack. In round four, Bauza dropped Williams three times. The first came from a combination on the ropes. The 2nd came from a perfect left. Williams finished the fight with a perfect straight left to the face and the fight was stopped at 2:18.

Bauza, 140.2 lbs of Puerto Rico is now 16-0 with seven knockouts. Williams, 138.9 lbs of Fayetteville, NC is 19-1.

Bauza is promoted by Top Rank.

photos from Mikey Williams / Top Rank via Getty Images

NEW YORK (June 14, 2021)- Split-T Management’s John Bauza remained undefeated with a 2nd round destruction of Christon Edwards in round two of their scheduled eight-round junior welterweight bout at the Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas.

Bauza set a ferocious pace early and dropped Edwards at the end of the opening frame. Bauza, of North Bergan, New Jersey via Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico did not rest of his early success, as he wasted no-time in ending the night early by dropping Edwards two more times in the opening 40 seconds of the second frame, and the bout was stopped.

With the win, the 23 year-old Bauza raises his perfect mark to 15-0 with six knockouts.

Edwards of Houston falls to 12-3.

The bout was part of the ESPN+ streamed undercard.

Bauza is promoted by Top Rank.

NEW YORK (June 11, 2021)- Undefeated junior welterweight John Bauza will be in action on Saturday night when he takes on Christon Edwards in a bout scheduled for eight-rounds at The Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas.

The fight can be seen live on ESPN+ at 6:30 PM ET

Bauza is managed by Split-T Management

Bauza of North Bergen, New Jersey has a record of 14-0 with five knockouts.

The 23 year-old began boxing at the age of nine when he walked into a gym and loved the sport immediately.

That started a heralded amateur career that saw Bauza rack up an impressive record of 178-8. Bauza captured many tournament victories which included the USA Junior Olympic Qualifier, Diamond Gloves, Regional Golden Gloves and Ringside World Championships.

Bauza turned professional on April 23, 2016 with a 1st round stoppage over LeRoy Padilla in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

He is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision over Larry Fryers (11-2) on June 30th in Las Vegas.

Edwards of Houston is a very respectable 12-2 with six knockouts.

The 28 year-old Edwards has wins over Omar Reyes (1-0), Julius Dyis (9-2), and his latest outing when he won a unanimous decision over Jonathan Steele on March 4th in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Bauza weighed 140 llbs at Friday’s weigh-in; Edwards was 140.4 lbs.

Bauza is promoted by Top Rank.

NEW YORK (November 30, 2020)–Split-T Management is proud to announce the signing of undefeated junior welterweight John Bauza.

Bauza of North Bergen, New Jersey by way of San Juan, Puerto Rico has an unblemished professional record of 14-0 with five knockouts.

“I have followed John Bauza since the amateurs, and I always have been impressed. He won the best fighter award at the best tournament I ever went to beating out the likes of Ryan Garcia, Tiger Johnson, Marc Castro, Otha Jones, Keyshawn Davis and so many more top fighters. I believe that he has the opportunity to be as big a star in New York as he already is in Puerto Rico, and he is on the path to a world title,” said David McWater of Split-T Management.

“I am excited to sign with Split-T Management because they have a lot of great fighters, and I see what they have done with them in terms of advancing their careers. I was looking for somebody to bring me to another level, and Split-T Management is just the company that will do that for me,” said Bauza.

“I want to keep training hard. Now that I have good management, I can see that my dreams can come true, and that is to be a world champion.”

The 22 year-old began boxing at the age of nine went he walked into a gym and loved the sport immediately. “My dad did not like it at first, but I was good at it and stuck with it,” Said Bauza.

That started a heralded amateur career that saw Bauza rack up an impressive record of 178-8. Bauza captured many tournament victories which included the USA Junior Olympic Qualifier, Diamond Gloves, Regional Golden Gloves and Ringside World Championships.

Bauza turned professional on April 23, 2016 with a 1st round stoppage over over LeRoy Padilla in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

Bauza, who was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and has continuously stepped up his competition. He is coming off a eight-round unanimous decision over Larry Fryers (11-2) on June 30th in Las Vegas.

Bauza lists going to the beach and watching documentaries on boxing as his hobbies.

Bauza is promoted by Top Rank.

ATLANTIC CITY (October 23, 2018)–Welterweight contender Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna takes on former world title challenger Mike Arnaoutis for the New Jersey State Welterweight Title in the eight-round main event for will headline a full night of action on Friday night, November 16th at The Bourbon Room inside The Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City.

The card is promoted by Rising Star Promotions.

LaManna of Millville, New Jersey has a record of 26-2-1 with nine knockouts.

The 26 year-old LaManna is a seven-year professional, who won his first 16 bouts.

LaManna is currently riding a six-fight unbeaten streak. He has wins over Kendall Mena (20-3), and in his last bout he won an eight-round unanimous decision over Matthew Strode (25-6) on August 18th in Atlantic City.

This will be LaManna’s 7th consecutive start in Atlantic City, and 20 bout overall on the boardwalk.

Arnaoutis of Atlantic City, New Jersey via Athens, Greece has a record of 26-11-2 with 13 knockouts.

Arnaoutis began his career in 2001 and was undefeated in his first 16 bouts, which included wins over Hector Saez (4-1), Former world title challenger Jesse Feliciano (12-2-2), Joaquin Gallardo (16-2-1), Roberto Santa Cruz (11-2), Jose Leo Moreno (12-0) & Marc Thompson (14-0). Arnaoutis fought to a disputed draw with future world champion Juan Urango.

Arnaoutis challenged for the WBO Junior Welterweight title against Ricardo Torres on November 18, 2006. Aranoutis lost a split decision that many ringside observers thought Arnaoutis had pulled out the victory.

Arnaoutis has picked up victories over Lanardo Tyner (19-0) & Nasser Athumani (20-5-2).

In his bout, Arnaoutis lost to top prospect Jaron Ennis on June 1st in Atlantic City.

In the eight-round co-feature, Chris Thomas will defend the New Jersey State Middleweight Title against Eddie Edmond.

Thomas (10-0-1, 7 KOs) of Toms River, New Jersey won The New Jersey State Middleweight Title when scored a 3rd round stoppage over Darryl Bunting on June 1st.

The 20 year Thomas is a two-year professional, and is coming off a 2nd round knockout over 147-fight veteran Roberto Valenzuela on July 28th in Hampton, New Hampshire.

Edmond of Newark, New Jersey has a record of 4-5-2 with one knockout.

The 32 year-old is a 10-year professional is looking to get back in the win column after losing to Isiah Seldon on May 27th, 2016 in Atlantic City.

Also in an eight-round bout, Greg Jackson (8-7-1, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on Juan Rodriguez Jr. (13-5, 3 KOs) of Union City, New Jersey in a welterweight rematch of a controversial bout that took place three years ago.

In that bout, most people who saw that bout had Jackson ahead at the time of a melee that happened in the crowd, and the bout was halted as there was not any ambulance onsite due to it being used to transport injured fans.

On November 16th, Jackson and Rodriguez will get it on again to settle the score.

In six-round bouts:

Miguel Cartagena (15-5-1, 6 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on an opponent to be named in a flyweight contest.

John Bauza (11-0, 5 KOs) of North Bergen, New Jersey takes on an opponent to be named in a junior welterweight bout.

Donald Smith (7-0, 4 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on Tyrone Luckey (9-9-3, 7 KOs) of Neptune, New Jersey in a featherweight contest.

Yurik Mamedov (10-1, 3 KOs) of Brooklyn, NY takes on an opponent to be named in a welterweight bout.

In four-round bouts:

Omar Salem (5-0, 2 Kos) of Brooklyn, NY takes on Albert Delgado (0-5-3) of Roanoke, VA in a middleweight bout.

Isiah Hart (1-0, 1 KO) of Atlantic City takes on Leon DeShields of Philadelphia in a middleweight bout

Joel De La Paz (8-1, 4 KOs) of Atlantic City takes on an opponent to be named in a super middleweight fight.

Ryan Wilczak (7-0, 3 KOs) of Scranton, PA will see action in a middleweight bout.

Ry’Shine Collins (1-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will take on an opponent to be named in a bantamweight bout.

More bouts will be announced shortly.

Atlantic City, NJ (August 22, 2018) – Glen Tapia has suffered a shoulder injury in training, thus elevating an “All-Atlantic City Battle” between super middleweight’s Antowyan Aikens and DeCarlo Perez to the eight-round main event on Saturday, September 8th at The Bourbon Room in The Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City.

The fight, which will be for the New Jersey State Super Middleweight title, will headline a card “Boardwalk Boxing: Round 3”, promoted by Rising Star Promotions

Aikens of Atlantic City has a record of 13-4-1 with one knockout. The 29 year-old Aikens won his first ten bouts. He has significant victories over undefeated Sherman Arits (2-0) & Amir Shabazz (4-0).

Aikens is riding a two-fight winning streak, as in his last bout he won a six-round unanimous decision over Rich Gringas on May 11th in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

This will be the eighth appearance in Atlantic City for Aikens.

“This fight to me is one of those fights that you dream about but never expect it to happen,” said Aikens. “This fight will be one to talk about for many years to come and I’m looking forward to putting on a great show in my hometown in front of my family and friends. Words cannot express how happy and excited I am. I can’t wait to put on a great performance that night. I got a great team around me. I’m focused on the task at hand; I’m ready for anything they have to offer.”

“I’m ready for whatever comes September 8. My jab and superior boxing skills will lead me to what I’m killing myself in the gym for and that’s the NJ State Championship. I will not be denied that night. You will get the best iceman you ever seen and that’s a fact. I’m bringing all action that night, first fight at home in 3 years. I can’t do nothing but bring my A game. It’s been a long wait but its here and its now, I’m war ready”

Perez has a record of 16-6-1 with six knockouts.

The 27 year-old Perez is an eight-year professional.

Perez has quality wins over Shamone Alvarez (21-5), Dante Moore (8-0-2), Jamar Freeman (9-1-2), Marcus Willis (13-3-2), Tyrone Brunson (22-2-1), Jesse Nicklow (24-5-3), Juan Ubaldo Cabrerra (23-0) & Lanell Bellows (16-1-1).

In his last bout, Perez was stopped by former two-time world title challenger Ronald Gavril on April 29, 2017 Las Vegas.

“My thoughts on the fight are just as any other fight. I have to go in, apply my skills and allow the game plan to unfold, plain and simple. Now if someone would ask what the game plan is, it’s simple and that is to win by all means.,” said Perez. “To me it’s another fight where someone is trying to take the roof over my family’s head away, trying to take food out there mouths and I have to make sure that they can’t. The fact that its for a title puts me in a place where my work ethic is just multiplied by a million and more. I am excited to be fighting in my hometown and can’t wait to put on a great show.”

“I am hungry. I think a lot of people see that I haven’t been active and think they can take advantage of it. Well that’s a bad idea because I’m always training and always preparing myself. You know what they say, ‘stay ready so you don’t have to get ready’ that’s what I do. I think a lot of people would agree and say I’m a very formidable opponent on short notice and now basically given me 10 weeks to prepare for someone, so I’m excited and looking forward to bringing my best.”

This will be the 9th fight in Atlantic City for Perez.

In the eight-round co-feature Greg Jackson will take on Julius Dyis in an eight-round battle for the WBF Welterweight Championship.

Jackson of Philadelphia has a deceiving record of 8-7-1 with two knockouts.

Jackson has faced five undefeated opponents, and has defeated Saud Clark (2-0) & Gledwin Ortiz (3-0). Jackson is coming off a six-round majority decision defeat to Vernon Brown on June 30th in Phoenix.

Dyis of Clarksdale, Mississippi has a record of 9-1 with four knockouts.

The 30 year-old Dyis is a four-year professional.

He has wins over two undefeated opponent when he defeated Oscar Valdez (1-0), and in his last bout when he won a six-round unanimous decision over Samuel Ellsworth (3-0-1) on June 24, 2017 in Tunica, Mississippi.

In six-round bouts:

Joel De La Paz (7-1, 4 KOs) of Atlantic City, NJ will take on Tahlik Taylor (3-11, 1 KO) of Greensboro, NC in a light heavyweight contest.

John Bauza (10-0, 5 KOs) of North Bergen, NJ will face an opponent to be named in a junior welterweight bout.

In four-round bouts:

Omar Salem (3-0) of Brooklyn, NY will fight Mike Anderson (0-2) of Philadelphia in a middleweight bout.

Michael Williams, Jr. (5-0, 5 KOs) of Fayetville, North Carolina takes on an opponent to be named in a junior welterweight bout.

Nahir Albright (3-1,1 Ko) of Philadelphia tangles with Glenford Nickey (4-1, 1 KO) of Brooklyn in a lightweight bout.

Isaiah Hart of Atlantic City makes his pro debut against Dillion Kasprzak (0-1) of Philadelphia in a middleweight bout.

Marcos Lugo (0-1) of Vineland, NJ will box against Jahmal Dyer (4-1) of Baltimore, in a lightweight contest.

Steve Moore (1-4, 1 KO) of Orange, NJ takes on Kashon Hutchinson (3-5, 1 KO) of Reading, PA in a welterweight affair.

Ryan Wilczak (6-0, 3 KOs) of Scranton, PA. will take on an opponent to be named in a junior middleweight bout.

Rising Star Promotions would like to thank the following Sponsors:

Ticket Prices are $55 I $80 I $125 and are available at www.RSPBoxing.com

Atlantic City, New Jersey (March 12, 2018)–Chazz Witherspoon raised his winning streak to eight in a row as he went the eight-round distance by won a unanimous decision over Lamont Capers that headlined a seven-bout card at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City.

The show, which took place this past Saturday, was promoted by Mis Downing Promotions and Silverspoon Promotions.

Witherspoon was able to outpoint the crafty Capers. Capers was very competitive, but it was Witherspoon’s size and harder punches that proved to be the difference as he captured the via 78-74, 78-74 and 77-75 scores.

Witherspoon of Paulsboro, NJ is now 37-3. Capers, who was fighting for the 2nd time in seven days is 9-12-4.

Willis Lockett took a six-round majority decision over Prince Badi Ajamu in a cruiserweight bout.

Lockett of Takoma Park, MD won by scores of 59-55, 58-56 and 57-57, and is now 16-22-6. Ajamu of Camden, NJ is 28-4-1.

Super Lightweight John Bauza remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over David Morales.

Bauza of North Bergen, NJ won on all cards by scores of 60-54, and is now 9-0. Morales of Managua, Nicaragua is 13-9.

Mike Hilton won a three-round technical unanimous decision over Hector Perez.

The fight was a terrific back and forth brawl when Perez suffered a cut over his right eye in the third frame.

Perez almost made a quick night for himself as he dropped Hilton in the 1st round. Hilton stormed back to register his own knockdown’s in round two and three.

The scores were 28-26 on all cards at the time of he stoppage.

Hilton of Trenton, NJ is 10-0. Perez of Pleasantville, NJ is 3-2

Edgar Cortes won a four-round unanimous decision over Kevin Asmat in a featherweight bout.

Scores were 38-37 twice and 39-36 for Cortes, of Vineland, NJ, who is now 6-4. Asmat of North Bergen. NJ is 3-2.

Alejandro Jimenez made a successful pro debut with a 2nd round stoppage over Derrick Pitts in a bantamweight bout.

The time of the finish was 3:00. Pitts is 0-2.

Dan Murray and Latorrie Woodberry fought to a no-contest when Woodberry hurt his shoulder in the 1st round of their scheduled four-round welterweight bout.

“I am ecstatic about Saturday night’s card,” said Mis Downing of Mis Downing Promotions. “The fights were terrific and very competitive. I want to thank the Claridge Hotel and a special thanks to The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame. I also want to thank Mayor Frank Gilliam for supporting our event. We are excited about what is to come in the future, and we will have a very big announcement shortly about our next event, which will be a very special night of boxing.”

Mis Downing Promotions would like to thank their sponsors which includes The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame, The Claridge Hotel, Fantasea Resorts, AEI Insurance, Urgent Response, HairX, Buy Smart Motors & New Vision Property Management.