NEW YORK (OCTOBER 23, 2020)– Tonight in Mexico City, two of
Split-T Management’s undefeated prospects, super middleweight Diego Pacheco and junior lightweight Otha Jones III will be in action on a card that will be streamed live on DAZN (7 PM ET).

Pacheco (9-0, 7 KOs) of Los Angeles battles Juan Antonio Mendez (12-2-2, 8 KOs) of Mexico, while Jones (5-0, 2 KOs) battles fellow undefeated Kevin Monitel (6-0, 3 KOs) of Mexico. Both bouts are scheduled for six-rounds.

Pacheco, still just 19 years-old continues his upward ascension as he continues to take on quality opposition. He was wins over four undefeated foes, and is coming off a win over 34-fight veteran Oscar Riojas on February 29th.

Pacheco is under the guidance of Tim VanNewhouse.

Pacheco was 167.2 lbs at Thursday’s weigh-in. Mendez was 164.9 lbs

Mendez, 33 years-old, has wins over two undefeated fighters and undefeated in his last four outings. He is coming off a win over Rafael Rocha Merino on November 19th.

The 20 year-old native of Toledo, Ohio, Jones, who was a 21-time National Amateur Champion, looks to raise his mark to 6-0 as he battles an undefeated opponent.

Jones is coming off an impressive 2nd round stoppage over Juan Santiago on January 30th in Miami.

Montiel, 21 years-old, who has wins over Cesar Ramos (4-1) and Pedro Ivan Bernal (2-0), is coming off a Angel Enrique Leal Pacheco on November 16.

Both Jones and Montiel were 130 lbs, at Thursday’s weigh-in.

Jones and Pacheco are promoted by Matchroom Boxing.

Photos by Ed Mulholland / Matchroom USA

NEW YORK (OCTOBER 22, 2020)– Undefeated Greek boxer Andreas Katzourakis (5-0, 4 KOs) has returned to the United States to begin training under legendary coach Abel Sanchez at the historic Summit Gym in Big Bear, California. Sanchez, who is well known for developing fighters such as Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, Terry Norris, and Lupe Aquino, among many others, has been impressed with what he has seen from the Athens-native.

“Andreas is a very strong kid. He’s smart and has high expectations of himself – he’s doing all of the things he needs to do to grow as a fighter,” said Sanchez.

Despite having a limited amateur background in which he went undefeated in 21 bouts in Greece, Katzourakis has been tested tough early in his pro career – facing opposition with a combined 50 victories and a 70% win percentage. Thus far, he’s passed with flying colors. In his second career fight, Katzourakis handed the rugged Christian Aguirre (8-3) his first knockout loss and in only his fourth fight swept a crafty veteran in the former NABA and IBA Champ Walter Wright (17-5) in a 6-round UD victory.

Katzourakis recently signed with Split-T Boxing to advance his career. Split-T’s David McWater, who also manages the Undisputed Lightweight Champion of the World Teofimo Lopez, said of his new signing, “I was impressed at how advanced Andreas was for his age. Most of the foreigners that come here and move up quickly do so because they’ve had extensive amateur careers. Andreas is very young and has a lot of room for growth.”

Katzourakis is well aware of the unique opportunity he has to bring Greek boxing to the forefront.

“I have been waiting for this opportunity since I started boxing and competing globally. I have sacrificed a lot to be where I am today and I will keep working hard every day until I achieve my goals. I want to thank Split-T Boxing for giving me the opportunity to showcase my skills on bigger stages and also thank my coach Abel Sanchez for accepting me in his training camp and believing in me,” said Katzourakis.

Split-T’s Brendan Segalas stated that, “As a Greek-American, working with Andreas is a dream come true. Although he only just turned 23, Andreas already has the look of a complete fighter. He’s compact with a lot of punching power and strong defensive abilities and reflexes. Working with Abel will take him to the next level. Andreas has the ability – and determination – to become the first Greek World Champion of the modern era.”

Follow Andreas Katzourakis on Instagram @adreaskatz

NEW YORK (OCTOBER 18, 2020)–Split-T Management’s IBF Lightweight World Champion Teofimo Lopez became the youngest undisputed champion in the four-belt era by dominating the Pound-for-Pound number-one fighter in the world, Vasiliy Lomachenko over 12-rounds to add the WBC Franchise; WBA and WBO Lightweight world titles in a fight that took place at the MGM Conference Center, AKA “The Bubble” on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Lopez raced out to an early lead as he set the tone by using a sharp jab, and precision right hands to the body. His offense made Lomachenko very wary to have any aggression of his own as punch stats showed that Lomachenko only threw 58 total punches over the first half of the fight. Lopez continued working behind a nice jab that set up some blistering power shots. Lopez put on a boxing display and beat Lomachenko at his own game.

Feeling a sense of desperation, Lomachenko started to up his pace over the 2nd half of the fight. That led to some good exchanges between the two combatants.

Despite being headbutted that caused a cut over his right eye, Lopez was in control and closed the show in round 12 as he landed a fight high 50 punches in round 12.

Lopez won by scores of 119-109, 117-111 and 116-112 to capture the belts.

Said Lopez, “I had to dig deep, man. I’m thankful. I’m grateful. And each and every day, I take that in. I thank God first because I couldn’t do it without him.

“I’m a fighter. I got to dig in deep. I knew he was coming. I didn’t know if they had him up on the scorecards or not, and I love to fight. I can bang, too. I don’t care, man. I’ll take one to give one. That’s what a true champion does. I find a way to win.

“You just got to keep pressuring him, press the gas, stick the jab and don’t really give him that opportunity to set up. Every time he did want to throw, I had something ready for him.”

“Teofimo was totally dominant, and Lomachenko had no answers for him. Boxing has a new king, and the sport will be better for it. Long live the King!” said Split-T Management’s David McWater.

NEW YORK (OCTOBER 16, 2020)–Tomorrow night at the MGM Grand “Bubble” in Las Vegas, IBF Lightweight world champion, Teofimo Lopez (15-0, 12 KOs) squares off with WBA/WBO/WBC Franchise world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs) in the most anticipated bout of 2020.

Lopez is managed by Split-T Management and promoted by Top Rank.

The fight, which will be shown live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN + (Prelims at 7:30 PM ET, with the main card beginning approx. at 10 PM) has been front and center in the minds of boxing fans from all over the world for nearly a year when Lopez won his title with a sensational 2nd round destruction of Richard Commey on December 14, 2020 at Madison Square Garden.

Lomachenko, who many have at the top of the Pound-for-Pound rankings, will be facing his toughest test, when he looks across the ring at the brash 23 year-old Brooklyn native in Lopez.

At Friday’s weigh in, which was highlighted by a piercing stare-down, both fighters checked in at the lightweight limit of 135-pounds.

“Tomorrow night will be Teofimo’s coming out party. It will be the culmination of all the hard work he and his father have put in over eighteen years. It has been an honor for me and the entire Split-T family to have worked with him these last few years, and look forward to him being the youngest undisputed World Champion of the four belt era,” said David McWater of Split-T Management.

Teofimo Lopez Press Conference Quotes:

“Hard work pays off. Eighteen years in, and it’s just the beginning, You haven’t seen anything yet.”

“The Takeover is not just a phrase we throw out there. This is the part where I’m leading the new generation. Winning this is a stamp and a mark to put on for the new era.”

“Get your popcorn ready and just enjoy the show. It’s ‘The Takeover.'”

“A true champion can adapt to everything. It goes for both of us. He fought in arenas sold out. I fought in arenas sold out. My job and my thing are having all of these belts wrapped around me.”

Photos by Mikey Williams / Top Rank

Two-time World Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd is back in the ring after a prolonged series of health challenges. Following his Hall of Fame worthy career at heavyweight, which included wins over Vitali Klitschko, Evander Holyfield, and David Tua, Byrd (47-5, 22 KOs) suffered from severe neuropathy and chronic pain from fighting far above his natural weight.

“Nobody wanted to fight me at middleweight, so I ate my weight up to heavyweight, And I paid for it. I went through 11 years of suffering. A few years ago, I couldn’t even move my feet apart. The pain in my left leg was so bad that some days I just wanted to cut the whole thing off. I had to make drastic changes and choices in life to get where I am today,” said Byrd. 

Looking chiseled and svelte at 163 pounds, the 50-year-old Byrd’s transformation began nearly three years ago when his daughter was engaged to be married. The idea of being unable to walk her down the aisle pained Byrd, as he was willing to do or try anything that could help improve his condition, and let him be there for the ones he loved. He changed his eating habits – stopped consuming all those things that he was allergic to (wheat, sugar, and dairy) and switched to a plant-based diet.  

A chance meeting with a medicinal cannabis expert proved particularly fruitful in Byrd’s road to recovery. Byrd began a therapeutic regimen of juicing fresh cannabis leaves and utilizing CBD oil and topicals. He consumed ample hemp hearts as a complete source of protein and essential fatty acids. In short order, the ferocious pain he had felt in his left leg and the fatigue that he had battled his entire career began to subside.

By early 2020, Chris had reached a plateau in his recovery “at about ⅔ of where [he is] today.” He then discovered Aaron Cameron, Director of Club Q360, in Malibu, California. Cameron is widely known as the husband of film star and “Real Housewife of Beverly Hills”, Denise Richards. Under Cameron’s guidance, Chris began undergoing radio and sound frequency treatments to treat his neuropathy. According to Byrd, these treatments took his healing to a level – relieving his pain and greatly increasing his mobility.

“Aaron is a fantastic person, unique with a great mind who is an expert in radio and sound frequency work. Doctor’s had told me I would need my shoulders and hip replaced. After my treatments with Aaron, all of that changed. Aaron really wants to see people get healed and he really cares for the people he works with.”

“Chris’ recovery has been nothing short of miraculous,” said Split-T Boxing’s David McWater. “To see where Chris was only a few years ago to where he is now is remarkable. It’s an honor to be able to help him on this path.”

Considering all that he has accomplished in both his professional career and in his dramatic post-career transformation from struggling heavyweight to vibrant and virile middleweight, there is nothing that can stop Chris Byrd.

“I really want to show people that it’s never too late to accomplish your goals, and live out your dreams. My reflexes are razor sharp, my strength is phenomenal, and I’m more focused than I’ve been. I feel I’m ready to make a return to the ring, and with the help and guidance of Split-T Boxing, I hope to make it a reality.”

NEW YORK (October 9, 2020) – TONIGHT!! at the MGM Conference Center in Las Vegas, highly-touted Kahshad Elliott makes his professional debut against Akeem Jackson in a four-round junior middleweight bout.

Elliott of Plainfield, New Jersey is signed to Split-T Management, under the guidance of Tim VanNewhouse, was a 10-time National champion in the 165-pound division, but will campaign as a junior middleweight as he made the weight easily at Thursday’s weigh-in when he checked in at 152.8 lbs, while Jackson was 151.5

“I am feeling great. I have been waiting to turn professional, and finally got my first weigh-in done. I am ready to go out there and perform to show people that I am the one,” said Elliott.

“I have no thoughts on my opponent. I know that he has had some professional fights, but I have experience, I am excited to get in there because I know that there are a lot of people waiting to see what I bring to the table.”

Elliott had an outstanding amateur career that saw him win 117 of 140 fights.

Elliott’s fight will be streamed live on ESPN+ beginning at 7:30 PM ET

NEW YORK (October 9, 2020) – On Thursday, Split-T Management Super Middleweight DeAndre Ware was awarded the key to the city in his native Toledo, Ohio.

Ware, who is a Toledo Fire Fighter, got the well-deserved honor because of his heroic effort when he saved the life of longtime Top Rank coordinator Pete Susens after Susens fell ill and collapsed just before weigh-in on September 4th in Las Vegas.

Ware was in Las Vegas to fight undefeated Steven Nelson the following evening at the MGM Grand.

Ware jumped into action and used his talents of being an EMT to perform CPR until medical personnel arrived.

“It was unexpected, and a bit of a surprise,” said Ware. “I am so honored to receive this. This is the biggest honor that a city can give to someone. I actually did think that one day, I would get a key to the city, but I thought it would be for winning a world title. In a way it did come from boxing though as this happened at one of my fights, so it is the best of both worlds.”

CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO OF CEREMONY–VIA WTOL NEWS 11 IN TOLEDO

NEW YORK (October 8, 2020) – Three member of Split-T Management scored impressive victories on Wednesday night at The Mohegan Sun Arena, with two of the wins televised live as part of a ShoBox: The New Generation card live on SHOWTIME®

In The main event, 2016 United States Olympian Charles Conwell remained undefeated with a crushing 9th round stoppage over previously undefeated Wendy Toussaint in a junior middleweight bout.

Conwell dominated the 1st eight rounds with terrific boxing ability as he was able to get inside and get the better of the action. In round, nine, Cinewell landed a blistering uppercut that may have broke the nose of Toussaint. The New Yorker took a couple steps back, and took a knee for the 10-count at 2:42.

With the win, Conwell of Cleveland, Ohio is now 13-0 with 10 knockouts,

“I think this was a good fight for my first fight back, getting the ring rust off, but at the end of the day we got the job done,” said Conwell, a 2016 U.S. Olympian. “The game plan going in was to break him down round by round, go to the body until we got him to where we wanted him. I give my performance a C-plus, there were a lot of things I could have done better. I’m going to get back in the gym and continue to work hard to become the champion I know I can be. I’ll fight anybody next, but I really want an ex-world champion or ex-title challenger so I can get the championship rounds under my belt. Then it’s on to a world title.”

Conwell is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Holden Productions.

In the co-feature, undefeated welterweight Janelson Figueroa Bocachica announced himself to the world with a opening round destruction of Nicklaus Flaz.

Bocachica scored a crushing knockdown in the opening seconds of the fight as he landed a perfect left hook on the jaw. Bocachica kept up the onslaught has he landed tremendous power shots that culminated with another left hook that sent Flaz down for a second. It was only matter of time before Bocachica ended things with a big barrage of punches that forced the stoppage as Flaz was falling for a 3rd time at 2:43.

With the win, Bocachica of Detroit is now 16-0 with 11 knockouts.

Figueroa Bocachica is promoted by King’s Promotions.

“I came in and they said he wanted to brawl, and as soon as he did, the fight was over,” said Bocachica, a Detroit native, who like Flaz is of Puerto Rican descent. “The game plan was to showcase my boxing. I didn’t get to do that but I’m happy either way. I’m not shy calling out guys, but I’m trying to be respectful to the best in my division. I’m here, so bring them on. One-hundred forty-seven [pounds] is mine. It was easier than I thought, I’m not going to lie. But I didn’t think it was going to be hard.”

Featherweight prospect David Navarro made an impressive debut by stopping Nathan Benichou in the opening round of their scheduled four-rounder.

Navarro scored two knockdowns, and he showed why he was a much talked about singing for Split-T Management. The end came at 1:32 for native of Los Angeles.

Highlights of Navarro’s victory were shown on the ShoBox Telecast.

NEW YORK (October 7, 2020) – TONIGHT at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, one of the most decorated amateur stars in recent history is set to make his pro debut when David Navarro of Los Angeles introduces himself to the pro ranks when he takes on Nathan Benichou in a four-round featherweight bout.

Benichou is the son of former world featherweight champion Fabrice Benichou.

Navarro, who recently inked with Split-T Management under the guidance of Tim VanNewhouse weighed in at 126 3/4 lbs while Benichou weighed in at the same 126 3/4 lbs.

Highlights of the bout will be aired live on the ShoBox: The New Generation card that will feature Navarro’s Split-T Management stablemates Charles Conwell (who faces Wendy Toussaint in the main event) and Janelson Figueroa Bocachica (who takes on Nicklaus Flaz in the co-feature) live on SHOWTIME (9 PM ET/PT)

“I am very excited to start my pro career on Wednesday night,” said Navarro. “I just want to show everyone who I am, and what I can do. I will have a lot of family and friends who will be watching and rooting for me back home.”

“I am so prepared for this because of seeing my brother (Golden Boy Promotions, 17-0 Prospect, Jonathan Navarro) go through his career. I have defeated some of the best amateur fighters in the world, and that gives me the confidence to have a great career, and that begins tonight.”

Navarro, 20, began training in the sport at the age of five, and leaves behind his childhood long endeavor of becoming an Olympian to enter the professional ranks. During his time in the amateurs, David compiled 15 National titles and competed in over 170 amateur bouts.

Last December, Navarro was one of only eight boxers in his weight division to compete for a spot on Team USA’s Olympic squad. During the 10-day event, he made it all the way to the finals by upsetting top seed Duke Ragan and in January was named as an Olympic Alternate for the 2020 Olympics, now rescheduled to take place in 2021.

Photo by Steven Khan