In his latest quest to rejuvenate his career, Sergio Mora announced he’s inked a deal with manager and adviser Al Haymon.

Mora, a former WBC junior middleweight champion, announced his signing on Twitter Thursday night. Mora (26-3, 9 KOs) is currently promoted by DiBella Entertainment and has been lobbying for big-name fights in the middleweight division.

“I’ve come a long way as a self managed fighter,” Mora said. “I have a loyal team behind me that has never doubted my abilities.”

Mora, 33, has scored three consecutive wins since losing a majority decision to Brian Vera in 2012. Mora is not known for his knockout power, but has consecutive knockout victories over Milton Nunez and most recently, a TKO victory over Samuel Rogers in May.

Mora’s highlight of his career was a majority decision over the late Vernon Forrest in 2008, winning the WBC strap. Forrest avenged the loss in a rematch three months later.

-Jose Quintero/ @JoseSwift8755

US Managing Editor for www.BehindTheGloves.com

DiBella Entertainment (DBE) has announced the signing of undefeated junior middleweight prospect Alantez Fox to an exclusive co-promotional agreement with New Legend Boxing.

At 6’5″, Fox is a tall, slick boxer who literally stands head and shoulders above most of his 154lb. contemporaries. Having already built his record to 12-0-1 (4 KOs) with exceptional physical tools that include a 79-inch reach, the 22-year-old Fox is ready to take the division by storm as he climbs up the rankings. From Forestville, MD, Fox is trained by his father, Troy Fox, out of Lloyd Irvin MMA/Boxing Gym.

Fox had a successful 10-year amateur career that began at the age of eight. He won the 2010 Under-19 Championships as well as the Ringside National Tournament that same year. Holding wins over current prospects Antoine Douglas and David Grayton, Fox’s amateur career culminated with a 165-35 record.

Following his July 2010 pro debut, Fox quickly fought his way into contention for the vacant New York State junior middleweight title. On September 22, 2012, at Resorts World Casino, in Queens, NY, Fox challenged hometown favorite Frank Galarza, also now co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and New Legend Boxing. Both Fox and Galarza were 7-0 heading into the match, and, when the bell rang, they waged a fast-paced exhilarating war for eight rounds. Galarza had early success with his overhand right, but Fox then established a distance using his long jab to dictate the action. Landing his left hook with regularity, he evened up the fight on the scorecards, leading to a draw verdict. Since then, Fox has won five in a row, including unanimous decision victories over the highly regarded Julius Kennedy and Zain Shah.

“Fox is an undefeated, super high quality junior middleweight,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “We feel that Galarza is one of the best 154lb. fighters in the world and Fox gave him his toughest fight. We believe that, along with Galarza, he too can be a force on the championship level in the competitive 154lb. division.”

“I am excited about the signing of our new prospect, Alantez Fox,” said Felipe Gomez, of New Legend Boxing. “I saw him for the first time in 2012 when he fought Galarza on one of my New Legend shows. Watching him fight, I really had a lot of interest in him. With his height, reach and boxing skill, Fox is going to be a huge threat in the junior middleweight division.”

Despite the sensational start to his pro career, Fox has been inactive for the past year due to promotional issues. However, that has now all been resolved, having aligned himself with DiBella Entertainment and New Legend Boxing ready to pick up where he left off.

“I’m just ready to fight,” said Fox. “I’m thrilled to be with my new family. I’ve been waiting for somebody to give me an honest opportunity. Hopefully, there is no ring rust and I can shine like a diamond. Thanks to Lou DiBella, DiBella Entertainment, Felipe Gomez and New Legend Boxing for taking a chance on me. I won’t let you down.”

“Alantez is a talented fighter,” said his father Troy. “I am glad and thankful to be working with DiBella Entertainment and New Legend Boxing. I know that they will push my son’s career in the right direction. I’m ready to see him get the attention he deserves and to watch him become a world champion one day.”

Look for an announcement on Fox’s DBE debut to come very soon.

– PRESS RELEASE

Connecticut’s Super Bantamweight prospect, Danny Aquino (15-2, 10 KOs), makes his return to the ring on Saturday September 20th, 2014 against an opponent to be announced. The six-round bout will take place at the Resorts World Casino New York City in Jamaica, New York. The show will be promoted by New Legend Boxing.

After a year layoff, Aquino is excited to be back in the ring. Aquino was recently signed to a three year promotional deal by New Legend Boxing and DiBella Entertainment.

“I feel happy to be part of New Legend Boxing and Dibella Entertainment. I know that with them I will achieve great things in the sport of boxing. This is the opportunity that I have been looking forward to. Now I will be able to show everyone who Danny Aquino is,” said Aquino.

“Danny Aquino had an outstanding amateur background compiling a record of 95-12. He is a strong and relentless fighter,” said New Legend Boxing promoter Felipe Gomez. “Aquino is one of those fighters that will have the crowd on their feet from start to finish.”

In the main event, undefeated Jr. Middleweight Frank Galarza (14-0-2, 9 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will take on an opponent to be named in a 10-round bout.

in 6 Round Bouts:

Angel Garcia (7-2, 2 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY will take on Trevis Hall (5-1-1, 1 KO) of Guyana in a Super Featherweight bout.

Allan Phelan (6-2, 4 KO’s) of New York will fight Francisco Arellano (4-3, 1 KO) of Houston, TX in a Featherweight bout.

Chris Galeano (4-0) of Bronx, NY will take on an opponent to be named in a Middleweight bout.

In Four round Bouts:

Danny Valle (5-0, 3 KO’s) of Bronx, NY will fight against an opponent to be named in a Jr. Lightweight bout.

Devaun Lee(2-0, 1 KO) of Queens, NY will see action against an opponent to be named in a Super Middleweight bout.

Jordan Rodriguez of Brooklyn, NY will make his pro debut against Angel Siguenza (0-1-1) of Queens, NY in a Bantamweight bout.

A complete list of all fighters scheduled to appear on the September 20th card will be announced in the next press release. Doors Open 6:00PM / First Bout 7:00PM

– PRESS RELEASE

Jose Pedraza excited to be on Miguel Cotto-Sergio Martinez bill at MSG

PUERTO RICO (June 4, 2014) – Gary Shaw Productions, Universal Promotions and DiBella Entertainment‘s undefeated super-featherweight champion, Jose Pedraza (16-0, 10 KOs), is excited to be fighting on the undercard of Miguel Cotto vs. Sergio Martinez, taking place at the Madison Square Garden in New York on June 7, 2014. Pedraza will battle Arturo Uruzquieta (15-6, 5 KOs) in a scheduled 6-round bout.

Pedraza, who is Ranked WBC #5, IBF #8, and WBA #8, looks at this fight as a blessing, as Miguel Cotto is someone he’s looked up to growing up as a kid in Puerto Rico. Currently Pedraza is looked at as the number one fighter coming from the island, and seeks to follow in the footsteps of past greats who hailed Puerto Rico.

“Miguel Cotto is one of the best fighters to come out of Puerto Rico and I want to become a household name in my country just like he did,” said Pedraza. “I know with hard work, and the guidance of my promoters, Gary Shaw, Lou DiBella and Javier Bustillo, I can go far in boxing. My ambition is to be the next great champion from Puerto Rico.”

Pedraza’s opponent Arturo Uruzquieta, is coming off two impressive knockout victories. Pedraza expects to see Uruzquieta bring forth a gallant effort, so his mindset is not to look past him.

“I know Uruzquieta is coming to upset me, but I’m not going to let it happen,” continued Pedraza. “I’ve been very sharp in sparring and my body is in great shape. I’m going to display my boxing skills to my fans watching on TV. On Saturday, everyone will see what I’m talking about. I’m taking my career to the next level.”

“Pedraza can do it all,” said Gary Shaw. “He has the ability to adapt to any style and his charisma is second to none, which is why he is loved by his countrymen in Puerto Rico. He’s the next great fighter emerging from the Island.”

Pedraza is a member of “Team Puerto Rico”, which is a collaboration between Gary Shaw Productions, DiBella Entertainment and Universal Promotions, made with the goal of gathering the best of Puerto Rico’s boxing talents.

-PRESS RELEASE

Photo courtesy of Bob Barton / Rumble Time Promotions

Willie Nelson loses out on HBO-PPV clash against Andy Lee

ST. LOUIS (April 24, 2014) — World junior middleweight Willie Nelson (21-1-1, 12 knockouts) has been caught in the middle of a boxing power play, resulting in the loss of his HBO PPV debut fight June 7 against Andy Lee (32-2, 22 KOs) at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Team Nelson had agreed to the Lee fight, which was supposed to be part of the HBO PPV headlined by Miguel Cotto vs. Sergio Martinez. However, plans changed yesterday with the announcement that Lee will now face John “Dah Rock” Jackson (18-1, 15 KOs), the same fighter Nelson defeated in 2012.

The switch reportedly was the result of a power play led by Jackson’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, who demanded a Jackson rematch with Nelson. When Team Nelson rejected the offer, Lewkowicz leveraged Lee vs. Jackson, essentially forcing Nelson off the televised portion of the show.

Nelson is co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Rumble Time Promotions. DiBella promotes the Lewkowicz-managed Martinez.

“Why would we fight Jackson again,” Rumble Time Promotions president Steve Smith asked rhetorically. “We’re moving forward not backwards. We already beat him; Willie’s rated higher (WBC #3 and WBC #5) and there was relatively little money in that fight. We wanted to fight Lee, he wanted to fight Willie.”

Nelson upset previously undefeated Jackson (13-0), the son of three-time, two division world champion Julian Jackson, September 15, 2013 by 10-round decision (98-92, 96-94, 96-94) on the Sergio Martinez-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. HBO PPV card in Las Vegas.

Prior to defeating the U.S. Virgin Island Olympian for the vacant NABF title, Nelson had upset another Olympian, 2004 Cuban silver medalist Yudel Jhonson, by 10-round decision. Nelson, fighting out of Cleveland, went on to beat Michael Medina (26-3-2) by way of a sensational first-round knockout, and followed up with a victory by 10-round decision on HBO over Luciano Leonel Cuello (32-2), who is currently WBC #15 rated in the 154-pound division.

Nelson was scheduled to fight Matthew Macklin last December on HBO but Willie was forced to withdraw due to an elbow injury that required surgery.

After losing to Nelson, Jackson has won five fights in a row, albeit in carefully matched bouts against relatively unknown opponents such as Alexander Hernandez (11-9-1), Alexis Pena (7-2), Cerresso Fort (16-0-1), Tony Hirsch (14-5-2), and Jorge Miranda (51-15).

“I’m very disappointed,” Nelson’s trainer Jack Loew said. “I expected a lot more from Lou DiBella.”

Still scheduled to fight June 7 but now against an opponent to be determined, Nelson is the highest-rated fighter on the entire undercard, yet he’ll be fighting off television.

-PRESS RELEASE