With TCL Team Boxing League’s third season of weekly boxing matches set for broadcast on Dr. Phil’s Merit TV, week 1 offers a hard-hitting match-up pitting the Boston Butchers against the NYC Attitude in a format that lends itself to non-stop action. On opening night, the Butchers will be led by Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis (11-1 TCL; 26-1, 17 KO), Michael Fontanez (4-3 TCL; 11-0, 7 KO) and Amelia Moore (10-0 TCL; 2-0, 1 KO) while the NYC Attitude boast a squad highlighted by Ryan Pino (8-7 TCL; 17-7, 10 KO), TCL-debuting Stacia Suttles (2-0, 1 KO) and former world title challenger Christina Cruz (6-1, 1 KO). Throughout the course of the April 4th matchup, critical contests pitting Ellis against Pino at junior middleweight, Fontanez against Lasha Gurguluani at middleweight Moore against Suttles at junior welterweight will likely determine the outcome of the latest chapter in the NYC vs. Boston rivalry.    

A familair face joining the Butchers will be Abraham Nova (23-3-1, 16 KOs).  The Puerto Rican native, now living in Albany, New York is a former title challenger who brings lots of experience after facing the likes of Robeisy Ramirez and O’Shaquie Foster in his pro career.

TCL Team Boxing League features 12 teams consisting of male and female boxers competing across a series of weight classes in a total of 24 individual one-round contests per event. Boasting 16 different fighters on each team’s roster, intrigue, strategy and skill will all be on display as TCL's coaches determine which boxers from the “Launch Rounds” (1-8) and “Middle Rounds” (9-16) will return for the decisive “Money Rounds” (17-24). The winners of the April 4th Boston Butchers vs. NYC Attitude matchup will be determined by overall team performance scored on an individual round, 10-point must system by State Athletic Commission judges.

Weekly events are set for broadcast on Dr. Phil’s Merit TV within a tournament format culminating in the Money Rounds where winning and losing is determined by overall team performance.
 

Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz has announced the signing of junior flyweight contender Erick Badillo (17-0, 8 KOs) to a co-promotional agreement along with Mexico-based promoter Eric Ibarra of TM Boxing. Badillo turned pro in 2018 and got a quality win via TKO5 over then-undefeated Neider Valdez Aguilar in March 2024. The 29 year-old Badillo, known for his aggression and excellent body attack, was last seen scoring an eight-round unanimous decision over Miguel Angel Herrera in November of last year.

Badillo hopes the signing will help lead to him his dream of a world title shot against WBC champion Panya Pradabsri or WBA champion Erick Rosa, who won his title with a unanimous twelve-round decision over previous Badillo knockout victim Neider Valdez Aguilar last December. “I thank Mr. Sampson Lewkowicz for the opportunity he gives me to join his team,” said a happy Badillo. “I’m grateful to God for the opportunities he gives me by putting the right people in my path. I also thank my co-promoter, Eric Ibarra, for his support and tireless dedication in my career. I'm excited and ready to take on challenges and make it to the world championship this year. Thank you for believing in me.”

“A few weeks ago, we talked about the signing of Isaac Lucero and today we announce the alliance with Erick Badillo,” added Ibarra. “This speaks for itself about the excellent relationship and trust that exists between Sampson and I. Sampson is like a mentor to me; every time we talk, I learn something. Expect great things from Erick Badillo!”

Lewkowicz, known for spotting undiscovered ring talent, says Badillo, who has never fought outside his native Mexico, is a hidden gem in the light flyweight division, with a long and distinguished career ahead of him. “This is a very talented young man who will very soon become known around the world as a top fighter,” said Lewkowicz. “Thank you to my partner, Eric Ibarra, for his excellent work in developing a stable of future stars in boxing. We will get to work on landing Erick a shot at the world title.”
 

Each year, on one of the business days of the IBF's annual convention, there is an election to fill three seats of those directors whose terms have expired on the IBF Board of Directors. The election will fill the seats presently held by Daryl Peoples, Massimiliano Bianco and Roberto Ramirez and will be held on Tuesday, June 3rd. IBF bylaws provide that “only persons who are former United States State Commissioners, former Executive Directors of United States State Commissions, members of the [IBF] corporation for five consecutive years immediately preceding the election, or former members of the [IBF] executive committee or board of directors or its predecessor corporation (the IBF/USBA) shall be eligible to be elected a director.” Under the bylaws, the newly elected directors will hold office until the third successive annual meeting after their election and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.

William Zepeda W12 Tevin Farmer ... Mexico's undefeated William Zepeda retained the WBC interim lightweight title by defeating Philadelphia's Tevin Farmer by majority decision at the Benito Juárez Poliforum in Cancún. It was the second clash between the two fighters, the first one being a controversial decision win for Zepeda. This time, there was much less doubt, as  the boxer from San Mateo Atenco, State of Mexico, retained his title after the judges scored it 114-114, 116-112, and 115-113. In an exciting bout, Zepeda (33-0) unleashed effective combinations from the early rounds, punishing his opponent and keeping him on the ropes several times. However, Farmer (33-8-1), a former 130-pound champion, reacted well and also began to damage Zepeda, who suffered a nosebleed in the sixth round. Although Zepeda's punches seemed more jolting, the Philadelphia fighter simply refused to buckle and also managed to land his own hard punches. In the final rounds, both fighters grimly sought the knockout, but neither was able to secure it.

Afterwards, Farmer tweeted:  "I’ve kept this private for a long time but I see the concern and speculation about my tick. I have Tourette’s Syndrome. I’ve dealt with it all my life. No neurological issues, so no need to worry. I’m still out here putting belt to a**! There you go, the rabbit’s out of the hat."