Billy Dib: record, next fight and profile →
Undefeated Evgeny Gradovich (16-0, 8KOs) was flying high as he celebrated Friday's big victory over veteran Billy Dib (35-2) to capture the IBF featherweight championship at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut. "Mexican Russian" Gradovich, 26-years-old, took the ESPN televised fight on a month's notice.
Late sub 'Russian-Mexican' Evgeny Gradovich willed his way to an upset win. Gradovich had nearly a 100-punch edge in power shots landed, outlanding the 50 Cent-promoted Billy Dib in each of the last nine rounds.
MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut - Rapper turned promoter 50 Cent’s night got off to a good start as newly signed junior welterweight Luis Olivares, who was making his pro debut, scored a first round stoppage over Rafael Munoz (1-2, 0KOs) in the opening bout of the ESPN Friday Night Fights telecast. It didn't take long for Olivares to make the wild swinging Munoz pay for his recklessness as he hit him with a monster left hook that dropped him. Munoz would beat the count only to be put down a second time by another left hook as the referee waived the fight off.
Of all the Russian fighters who have challenged world champions (or plan to do so in the near future), Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs) is one of the most mysterious. Having been living in Russia since his birth, he never fought as a pro in his Homeland. Gradovich, 26, has been fighting overseas since 2010, and tonight, less than three years into his career of a prizefighter, he will have a chance for ultimate glory. The IBF #11 ranked featherweight goes after highly regarded champion Billy Dib (35-1, 21 KOs) of Australia, who has been on a steady ascent since his only professional loss more than four years ago.
The head of unbeaten Russian challenger Evgeny Gradovich is IBF featherweight boxing world champion Billy Dib's next target, but he's also aiming to set up a bigger bout by winning his first American contest in four-and-a-half years. Dib (35-1, 21 KOs), will make the third defence of his title on Saturday afternoon (AEDT) when he fights Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs) in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The bout headlines a card on the ESPN network, which will beam the bout live to Australia, and also gives 27-year-old Dib invaluable exposure in the United States.
The final press conference took place for the ESPN Friday Night Fights event, scheduled for this coming Friday at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut. In the main event, undefeated IBF featherweight champion Billy Dib (35-1, 21KOs) will defend his title against undefeated Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8KOs). The card is promoted by SMS Promotions and DiBella Entertainment. Photos by Damien Acevdeo/BoxingScene.com.
NEW YORK - Co-promoters DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent's SMS Promotions are staging this Friday's ESPN Friday Night Fights main event, featuring International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs) defending his title against undefeated Russian challenger Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs), airing live (9 p.m. ET start) from the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Dib is putting in some work on fight week to prepare for the match. Photos by Damien Acevedo/BoxingScene.com.
NEW YORK -- 2012 Fighter of the Year and World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior featherweight champion NONITO "Filipino Flash" DONAIRE and undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) super bantamweight champion and former two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist GUILLERMO "El Chacal" RIGONDEAUX will collide on New York's biggest stage -- Radio City Music Hall! The Donaire vs. Rigondeaux world title unification battle, to determine the division's top dog, will take place Saturday, April 13 and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.
The next wave of standout New England boxers, headed by undefeated prospects Ryan "Polish Prince" Kielczweski (15-0, 3 KOs) and Luis "KO King" Rosa Jr. (12-0, 6 KOs), will showcase their talents on March 1, on the undercard of the ESPN Friday Night Fights event, airing live from the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The ESPN Friday Night Fights card, co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and 50 Cent's SMS Promotions, will air live at 9 p.m. ET. The 12-round main event features International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1-0-1NC, 21 KOs), who is promoted by 50 Cent, defending his title against undefeated Russian challenger and IBF No. 11-rated Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8 KOs).
According to Egis Klimas, the manager of both featherweight Evgeny Gradovich and red hot light heavyweight KO artist Sergey Kovalev, the former is in line to face IBF featherweight champion Billy "The Kid" Dib (35-1, 21 KOs) from Australia on March 1 at MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut, USA. A few days ago, Dib's original opponent Luis Franco of Cuba, who had previously agreed to fight the Australian titleholder, unexpectedly withdrew from the fight, citing his intentions to retire from prizefighting - while IBF #1 ranked and mandatory challenger Mauricio Javier Munoz, who had controversially defeated Franco in the IBF final elminator last year, rejected his chance due to medical issues.