A media conference was held today to discuss this Friday, March 8 Friday Night Fights event at Resorts Casino Hotel and televised live on ESPN Friday Night Fights.
Promoted by Sampson Boxing, the main event will pit the Dominican Republic’s smooth-boxing Victor Cayo (31-3 22 KOs) against undefeated and upset-minded Emmanuel Taylor (16-1 11 KOs).
In the co-featured 10-round heavyweight bout, Russian powerhouse Magomed Abdusalamov (16-0, 16 KOs) will face Puerto Rican Olympian Victor Bisbal (21-1, 15 KOs).
Headlining the undercard will be two members of the Virgin Islands-based “Hawk Flock”, the son and nephew of former world champion Julian “The Hawk” Jackson, both of which are up-and-coming contender in the respective divisions.
WBC Super Welterweight Youth World Champion John “Dah Rock” Jackson (14-1, 13 KOs), will face Sinaloa, México’s Francisco Alexis Pena (7-1, 5 KOs) and junior middleweight contender Samuel “Rock City Cobra” Rogers (12-0, 7 KOs) will take on Virginia Beach’s Ivan Ziglar (7-2-1, 4 KOs).
Also scheduled to appear in separate bouts are local favorites such as Brooklyn lightweight Scott “Bang Bang” Burrell (6-1, 5 KOs) facing Vineland, New Jersey’s Edgardo Torres 2-1 (2 KOs) and Millville, New Jersey’s undefeated Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (10-0, 6 KOs) will go against Joshua Snyder of Berlin, Maryland, (9-8-1, 3 KOs).
Sampson Lewkowicz
It is my first time on this property and I love it. It is one of the best in Atlantic City for boxing. Thank you to all the staff here at Resorts and to Doug Loughrey and ESPN.
Victor Cayo is an idol in his country and he’s taking a big chance fighting Taylor, but the winner of this fight goes onto an eliminator to fight for the IBF #1 position.
In the co-main, we have a very special fight. Mago is one of the best heavyweights in the world because he brings punches from all angles and nobody can see them coming. It shows what he is made of by taking on a Puerto Rican Olympian, who is beloved by his people.
The winner of this fight will enter a WBC tournament of regional champions where the winner will win half a million dollars.
On the undercard are my three boys from Virgin Islands, John and Julius Jackson, the sons of Julian Jackson and his nephew, undefeated Samuel Rogers. We couldn’t find the right opponent for Julius this time, but I’m doing another show and he’ll be fighting next week in Panama. Plus we have local kids like Scott Burrell and Thomas LaManna. It’s a great show and there are some seats still available.
Mark Giannantonio, President and CEO of Resorts Casino Hotel
I can’t tell you how excited we are to be hosting this event and it was put together in such a short amount of time. For all intents and purposes, Resorts is a new property, as we are spending $65 million in expansion this year. Make no mistake, we want to be in the fight game. We are going to do everything we can to bring big-time boxing to Resorts Atlantic City.
Victor Cayo (31-3, 22 KOs)
This is a great opportunity and I will give everything I have for the people of the Dominican Republic and all the Dominicans coming out to see me fight. I am inviting every Dominican to come watch my fight live and help cheer me onto victory.
Emmanuel Taylor (16-0, 11 KOs)
This is my first main event and I am coming with all the confidence in the world. I’m here to show all of you what a world-class boxer can do.
Magomed Abdusalamov (16-0, 16 KOs)
(In much-improved English) Thank you to ESPN, my promoter and all my training team for this opportunity.
Boris Greenberg
Victor Bisbal is a good fighter, but my guy Mago is the best of the best. Get ready for an incredible knockout.
Victor Bisbal (21-1, 15 KOs)
Thank you for this opportunity. I am here to make the most of it. Mago is ready and so am I and I want all my Puerto Rican people to come out and support me.
Julius Jackson (14-0, 10 KOs)
Unfortunately, I did not get to fight, but my brother and cousin will represent the family well.
John Jackson (14-1, 13 KOs)
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Thank you for this opportunity. (joking) I am loving this cozy weather. I haven’t been in the ring for a while and I’m looking for an explosive night.
Samuel Rogers (12-0, 7 KOs)
It’s going to be a good night. I trained very hard for this fight. I want all my people from Virgin Islands to come watch my fight and wave flags.
Ivan Ziglar (7-2-1, 4 KOs)
It’s going to be a great show. I’m here to take this. (To opponent Samuel Rogers) You shouldn’t have come here. You should not have come.
The event will be televised live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights at 10 pm ET and can also be seen on ESPN Deportes and online at WatchESPN.com. It will also be available on smart phones and tablets via the WatchESPN app.
The main event is presented in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.
