Mikey Garcia was sharp and sensational inside in the ring on Saturday night as he demolished bull-strong Dejan Zlanticanin in three rounds of their lightweight clash at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada. There's no sign of ring rust! Although, he just came back in July after a 2.5 year hiatus.

The long lay-off didn't make his blade dull. Instead, he used those years that he's not able to fight to sharpen his skills, enhance his talent. A saying attributed to Abraham Lincoln that says: "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe". Garcia utilized those 2.5 years wisely and it paid off.

Garcia (36-0, 30 KOs) was very focused. It seemed he never blink his eyes the entire fight. He landed jabs from the as Zlaticanin tried to find his range. His textbook 1-2 combination was very effective.

Zlaticanin (22-1, 15 KOs) tried his level best to close the gap. But the 5' 4" champion was greeted with stiff jabs every time he comes in. The 5' 7" challenger used height and reach advantage to fire accurate shots from the distance. Zlaticanin never won a round on my scorecards.

In the third, Garcia surprised Zlaticanin with a right uppercut then a left hand that got him in real trouble before Garcia landed the home run, a big right hand that knocked Zlaticanin out unconscious. He was motionless for few minutes. I was worried, he might not be able to get up. But thanks that in a few more minutes he was able to move and sit on a stool. The crowd felt relief as they cheered for Zlaticanin.

"I'm very happy he's okay and I'm glad he was able to recover from that. The natural response is to be celebrating and to be cheerful, but then concern does kick in when I saw he was still laying there for a few minutes. I'm glad he's okay, Garcia said.

Zlantican said that he was getting ready pick up a little bit in Round 3. But of course he gave credit to the new champion.

"I was just getting ready to pick it up a little bit and I got between the ropes and then he hit me with a good, hard punch. Mikey is a good fighter without a doubt. I never was able to get into the fight" he said.

Highlights:

In an 8-round fight, Ivan Redkach (20-2-1, 16 KOs) out-boxed and outclass Demond Brock (13-4-1, 4 KOs) in the Carl Frampton vs Leo Sta Cruz rematch at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday.

Redkach, 30, of Shostka, Ukraine by way of Los Angeles, California, was fighting from the outside from the get-go all the way to what it looks like the final bell. But the fight end up with a stoppage to Redkach's credit. He's been tagging Brock with uppercuts and hooks while maintaining distance.

Brock, 35,  of Kenner, Louisiana, tried to close the gap stalking Redkach with body shots that landed few times but produced little effect.

In round 8, Redkach landed series of unanswered shots, starting from a left hand then a right hand that sent Brock down. Brock managed to get up but was again tagged with shots that opted the referee to stop the fight at 2:30.

Carl Frampton vs Leo Sta Cruz II is one of the most anticipated rematch in boxing. On Saturday, Jan 28 Frampton and Sta Cruz will do it again. In 2016, they fought a fight that was among the Fight of the Year candidate. In the above short preview clip Showtime discusses about last year's fight and the fighters preparation for this rematch.

Carl Frampton vs. Leo Santa Cruz II will be on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

In the co-main event, lightweight world champion Dejan Zlaticanin will meet former two-division champion Mikey Garcia in the opening bout on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Featherweight world champion Lee Selby will fight for the second time in the United States when he battles former world champion Jonathan Victor Barros in action on SHOWTIME EXTREME.

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 23, 2017) - Building on its record of signing and promoting the best of the best, Golden Boy Promotions - in association with ZR Entertainment -- today announced a multi-fight deal with former three-division world champion and Olympic Gold medalist Yuriokis "El Ciclón de Guantánamo" Gamboa (25-1, 17 KOs).

The Cuban standout, who has defeated a who's who of champions and contenders throughout his 10-year professional career, will look to add to the title belts he has held in the featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight divisions as he makes another run at championship glory.

"I am looking forward to winning yet another world title, and I know Golden Boy Promotions is the perfect place to help guide me," Gamboa said. "Though I have recently had some long stretches of inactivity, that stops today, and I will take on anyone, anytime, to achieve my goal of recapturing a championship belt."

Gamboa will come out of the gate facing a tall order on March 11 when he squares off with Rene "Gemelo" Alvarado (24-7, 16 KOs) who was last seen defeating contender Jason "Star" Velez. The fight will serve as chief support for the highly anticipated HBO Boxing After Dark card featuring middleweight knockout artist David Lemieux taking on the heavy-handed Curtis "Cerebral Assassin " Stevens at Turning Stone Resort Casino.

Gamboa has been a force in multiple divisions for many years, defeating big names along the way including former world champions Orlando "Siri" Salido, Daniel Ponce De León and the contender Jorge "Coloradito" Solís. Gamboa also handed Darleys Pérez and Jonathan "Yoni" Victor Barros their first professional defeats.

"When he is on his game, there are few better than Gamboa in the 126, 130, or 135 weight classes," said Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy Promotions CEO and Chairman. "We are going to get him in the ring in a quality match as soon as possible, and then work with him to start his path back to championship glory."

Gamboa's accomplishments in both the amateur and professional ranks are numerous, but a select list includes:

• Former Unified WBA and IBF Featherweight Champion


• Former Interim WBA World Super Featherweight Champion


• Former Interim WBA World Lightweight Champion


• First Cuban IBF World Champion in the history of the organization


• 2004 Olympic gold medalist in the flyweight division.


• 2006 World Cup gold medalist in the featherweight division


• 2003 Pan American games gold medalist in the flyweight division

Philadelphia, PA—It will be another old fashioned all-Philly rumble when lightweights Anthony Burgin and Avery Sparrow collide over eight rounds or less on Friday evening, March 10, at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia. First fight is 7.30 p.m.

“It may not be Bennie Briscoe vs. Cyclone Hart or Joey Giardello vs. George Benton, but it’s a start and Philly vs. Philly is what put our city on the boxing map years and years ago,” said promoter J Russell Peltz.

Burgin , 24, a pro for more than four years, is 10-2, 2 K0s, and comes into this fight after having beaten another Philadelphian, Gerald Smith, in his last fight Oct. 14 in the same ring. He also has beaten Philadelphians Frankie Trader, Ramon Ellis (twice) and Kenneth Brown.

In his only other fight in 2016, Burgin lost a four-round split decision to unbeaten DiVante Jones, of Augusta, GA, in a fight most of the crowd at the Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, CT, thought he won clearly. Jones, now 9-0, has not boxed since.

“I am ecstatic to be headlining the fight card on March 10 and excited to be fighting Avery Sparrow,” Burgin said. “When two Philly guys face each other, a spectacular show is guaranteed and this fight will be no exception. I am going to make a statement.

“I’m only getting started and what you’re going to see from me in the future starts March 10. I haven’t been as active as I would like to be but I have fought great fights and tough opponents and it has only made me better. It’s only the beginning and 2017 is my year and nothing is going to stop me from grabbing what is already mine.”

Burgin is managed and trained by Raul “Chino” Rivas, whose excellent stable of fighters includes WBA junior lightweight champ Jason Sosa, junior lightweight contender Tevin Farmer, undefeated lightweight Stevie Ortiz and promising lightweight newcomer Victor Padilla.

Sparrow (right), 23, has had a rough career marked by long periods of inactivity. He will have been a pro for 32 months by fight time, but has only a 5-1 record (3 K0s) to show for it.

His only loss came late in 2015 in the same ring when he was disqualified after five rounds for low blows against lefty Jerome Rodriguez, of Allentown, PA. Sparrow was getting the better of it during the fight, but too many punches strayed low and referee Hurley McCall waved it off after numerous warnings and point deductions.

Sparrow has not boxed since March 26 when he knocked out hometowner Brandon Ruffin in one round in Charlotte, NC. Sparrow also has beaten Jesus Lule, a frequent rival of Philadelphia fighters.

“I’m down now, but after I win this fight, I should be on my way up,” Sparrow said. “I am grateful for this fight and a wonderful opportunity to showcase my talent. No one knows what this chance means to me. It’s much appreciated and it’s a blessing. This will help me get my career back on track. I want good fights to happen. It’s what Philly and boxing needs. I understand completely.”

Eight additional fights complete the card.

David Lemieux vs Curtis Stevens will headline HBO Boxing After Dark on March 11 at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in New York for a 12-round middleweight fight.

Well, many showed disappointment for a Lemieux-Stevens fight. Mostly were boxing fans who waited for a non-ppv boxing match on HBO. For them Lemieux-Stevens is a undercardesque match-up. They're looking for better, free fight on TV. Fed up of high PPV subscriptions to star fighter match-ups and at times not delivering the goods.

But make no mistake, if you look at it, Lemieux-Stevens is a guaranteed all-action match. Both men don't like to step back, hard hitters and looking for knockout victories. Lemieux has 82% knockout ratio while Stevens has 62% knockout rate on his ledger. Put them together and it's gonna be a hell of a fight.

As a boxing fan, I don't care who were the fighters shared a ring. As long as you I will see a good, competitive and action-packed fight, I'm good.

The worst thing about watching boxing is when you see a one-sided beat-down because of bad match-making. These were results of so-called tune-up fights, stay busy fights. Whatever you called it. Just to match an A level fighter to like C level fighter to boost the A level fighter's activity, stock and or record.

Lemieux-Stevens is not at all what I mentioned above. Both men are strong middleweights contenders. What's interesting is that both men lost to Gennady Golovkin. I'm sure they want to prove that they're just one level below Golovkin at the middleweight division.

Lemieux had set his eyes for another shot at the world title.

"I've told everyone my goal is to once again become middleweight champion of the world. Curtis is in the way, and I'm going to go right through him," said Lemieux.

If other boxing fans feel that this is a lousy match-up HBO can give on TV, well, for me, this is a must-see fight.

LOWELL, Mass. (January 9, 2017) - The 71st annual Lowell Sun Charities Golden Gloves Championship kicks-off this Friday night (Jan. 13) featuring Central New England (Greater Lowell) preliminary-round action at historic Lowell Memorial Auditorium. See the complete 2017 schedule below.

Last year, Peter Welch's Gym (South Boston) dominated the Central New England tournament, capturing seven individual titles, followed in team scoring by the Lowell West End Gym and Grealish Boxing (Dorchester).

One of the boxers to watch this year is North Chelmsford's Brandon Higgins, who represents the Lowell West End Gym.

Tickets are reasonably priced at $70.00 season ticket in the balcony. To purchase call the Lowell Memorial Auditorium box office at 1.866.722.8881 or order online at www.LowellMemorialAuditorium.com. Individual event tickets are also available to purchase, starting at $13.00, only $7.00 for students.

Proceeds from the Lowell Sun Charities Golden Gloves Championship go towards sending the New England Golden Gloves champions to the National Golden Gloves Championship (2017 in Lafayette, Louisiana), in addition to supporting local athletes and area gyms, the Boys & Girls Club, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, cancer funds, scholarships and many other great charitable causes.

"This is the continuation of a great Lowell boxing tradition," Tournament Executive Director Bobby Russo said. "We're all excited about this year's 71st edition of the Lowell Sun Charities Golden Gloves Championship. I'm very proud to be part of this tradition. So many outstanding boxers have fought in the Greater Lowell Golden Gloves over the many years such as hometown hero 'Irish' Micky Ward, two-time world heavyweight champion John 'The Quietman' Ruiz, Dicky Eklund, Beau Jaynes, Manny Freitas, Nate James, Danny O'Connor and so many others.

"In addition to sending a complete Team New England to The Golden Gloves Nationals, proceeds go towards so many worthy charities ranging from soup kitchens to cancer funds, the Boys and Girls Club, scholarships and many other needed community-based causes."