News: Blair Cobbs, Anthony Laureano, Kem Ljungquist, More

Undefeated prospect, Blair "The Flair" Cobbs (7-0-1, 5 KOs), who is managed by Prince Ranch Boxing's Greg Hannley and promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, is gearing up for his second fight of 2018, when he faces Jhon Sanchez Leon (3-1-1, 2 KOs) at the Belasco Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, CA, on the July 6 edition of LA FIGHT CLUB. The 4-round bout will be off TV.

Cobbs, who hails from Philadelphia but now trains in Las Vegas with former two-time world champion, Bones Adams, is excited to be making his return to the ring.

"Training camp is going great and I'm healthy," said Blair Cobbs. "I'll be ready and willing to let my hands go when I step in the on July 6th in LA."

Blair will be making the move up to welterweight, where he will be campaigning moving forward in his career. At 6'0, Cobbs was struggling to make weight at 140 lbs. With the move, Cobbs feels he'll be at his optimum weight class.

"I feel a lot stronger now that I've moved up in weight," said Blair Cobbs. "Fans can expect me to be a lot more explosive and electrifying. I need to make a statement in this fight to let the entire welterweight division know that I have arrived."

With June 30th rapidly approaching, the hype for STAR BOXING'S "SLUGFEST at the SUN" continues to build as two of the premier fighters on the card will be making their New England homecoming.  In the co-feature bout, KALI "KO MEQUINONOAG" REIS (13-7-1 4KO's) of Providence, Rhode Island will be making her third appearance at Mohegan Sun against PATY "LA ELEGANTE" RAMIREZ (11-5 5KO's).  Adding to the excitement, Connecticut's own "ACTION" ANTHONY LAUREANO (7-0 3KO's) of East Hartford is set to make his return home at Mohegan Sun in his bout against JUAN de la CRUZ RODRIGUEZ (8-9-1 6KO's).
 
Rhode Island's Native Warrior, Kali Reis, is no stranger to bright lights and pressure. Coming off an impressive performance on HBO against undisputed champion and #1 pound-for-pound female fighter in the world, Cecilia Braekhus, Reis looks to return home, back to New England and put her full warrior spirit out on display at the Mohegan Sun.
 
When commenting on her upcoming fight, Reis had this to say, "Fans can expect to see an even more determined, skilled, hungry, evolving WARRIOR in there! The fight on HBO with Braekhus was such a learning experience and I am grateful for making history in not only women's boxing but my own personal journey as well."
 
The last time Reis fought at Mohegan Sun was in November of last year. She is thrilled to be making this homecoming.
 
"I am excited to be back 'home' at Mohegan Sun June 30th," said the Rhode Island native. "Star Boxing always has action packed fights lighting up this beautiful area. My fans love coming to Mohegan Sun. There isn't a bad seat in the house and their hospitality is fantastic.  Joe DeGuardia is keeping me very productive since we signed with him back in November.  I am so pleased with the decision myself and manager Brian made to sign with them."
 
Another local warrior on the card to watch is Anthony Laureano.  Laureano earned the nickname "Action" for his relentless, coming-forward fight style.  If the East Hartford native is in the ring, fans can always expect an exciting show from start to finish. Star Boxing's "Slugfest at the Sun" always brings fireworks to Connecticut, and Laureano looks to continue the tradition with his homecoming at Mohegan Sun.
 
Laureano was asked what he will provide the fans at Mohegan Sun, and his response was simply, "The same thing they always see, action. Action, that's it. The people are coming to pay money and they are going to get what they paid for.  Even in my last fight, people got what they paid for. They came to see action and to see somebody come forward.  They don't want to see nobody dancing around. I'm not saying that style is bad, I can do it too, but people like two guys who come forward and want to fight.  I'm that fighter. I'm that fighter that always wants to fight."
 
This bout against Rodriguez will mark the third time in his career that Laureano is fighting at Mohegan Sun.
 
When asked about the venue, this is what Laureano had to say, "I love Mohegan...Mohegan is my home. There is no place like it. I love the ring, everything is just so beautiful. The atmosphere, the crowd, my hometown crowd is there, and when they're there it's loud...Mohegan is my home, no doubt. The casino treats me good, and when I go there I feel this is where I belong. I've never felt that anywhere else.

In the main event of "SLUGFEST at the SUN" on June 30th, JOE SMITH JR. will make his long anticipated return to the ring against tough Kentuckian, MELVIN RUSSELL. After eleven months out of the ring due to a broken jaw, the "Common Man", Union Local 66 laborer, Joe Smith Jr. returns at the beautiful Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. After coming off a stellar KO win on NBC against Andrzej Fonfara, and knocking out the legend, Bernard Hopkins, clear out of the ring, on HBO, Smith Jr. has his eyes set on winning a world title. Smith Jr. is currently rated #3 (WBC) and #7 (WBA) in the world.

Kem Ljungquist (4-0, 2 KOs) will meet Finland’s Gennadi Mentsikainen (5-2, 4 KOs) in a six-round contest on the undercard of Dina Thorslund’s WBO Female World Super Bantamweight title fight with Yessica Munoz on August 25 at the Struer Energi Park.

"I'm looking forward to getting back in the ring again," says the Danish heavyweight hope, who returns to action following a unanimous points win over Andre Bunga on June 16 in Munich. "I'm glad I can stay active and I'm excited to be boxing at home in Denmark."

Ljungquist will box for a second time in Struer following the second-round KO of Frantisek Kohout in March. A career best performance for the former three-time national and two-time Nordic champion, who is successfully transitioning into the professional ranks.

“Last time in Struer, there was a great atmosphere," said the 27 year-old. "There was an energy in the crowd that I could use in the ring, and I think that showed in my performance.
 
"I'm going to repeat that success when I return to Struer on August 25. People can expect a fierce Kem making an entertaining and exciting fight that will end when I stop my opponent. My punching power is enough to shake anyone out there!
 
“I’m still adapting from an amateur to a professional, but I feel that I'm getting stronger and stronger with every fight. My boxing is getting more and more explosive, and I don’t have to worry if a fight goes the distance because I know I'm in good shape.
 
“The goal is a big fight within the foreseeable future, but right now, I’m just looking forward to giving the fans at the Struer Energi Park another great fight!”

Promoter Nisse Sauerland: “Kem has huge potential. Not since Brian Nielsen has Denmark had a heavyweight with so much talent. We are increasing the level of opposition with every fight, and Gennadi Mentsikainen will provide his toughest test yet.”

Tickets for the WBO Female World Super Bantamweight Championship contest between Dina Thorslund and Yessica Munoz on August 25 at the Struer Energi Park are on sale now and available via www.ticketmaster.dk or by calling (+45) 70 15 65 65.