Raul Rosas Jr. to Fight During Noche UFC, UFC’s Mexican Independence Day Show in Las Vegas

Posted on August 19, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Raul Rosas Jr. will be heading to the Octagon next month.

The 18-year-old Mexican American mixed martial artist, who was the youngest fighter signed to the UFC last year at 17 years old, will attempt to get back on track at the UFC‘s Mexican Independence Day show.

Rosas Jr., a bantamweight, will face Terrence Mitchell at Noche UFC on September 16 in Las Vegas, according to ESPN.

ESPN Deportes‘ Carlos Contreras Legaspi first reported the bout set for Noche UFC, which is a larger-sized UFC Fight Night card in celebration of the Mexican holiday at T-Mobile Arena.

Rosas Jr. (7-1) earned his way into the promotion from Dana White‘s Contender Series. Rosas Jr. won his UFC debut at UFC 282 in December but then fell to Christian Rodriguez via unanimous decision at UFC 287 in April.

Mitchell (14-3), a 33-year-old from Alaska who competed on “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2016, lost in his UFC debut to Cameron Saaiman by first-round TKO at UFC 290 last month.

Canelo Alvarez to Fight Jermell Charlo in Las Vegas This September

Posted on July 1, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Canelo Alvarez has lined up his next opponent, but it’s not the person most expected it to be.

The 32-year-old Mexican professional boxer, the sport’s top star at the moment, has announced on social media that he’ll fight Jermell Charlo rather than his twin brother, Jermall, on September 30 in Las Vegas, the first meeting of undisputed champions in the four-belt era.

Alvarez holds all four super middleweight titles while Charlo owns all four belts at 154 pounds. The bout, which is expected to be a Showtime PPV event, will be contested at 168 pounds for Alvarez’s undisputed championship, per ESPN sources.

Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs) was lined up for a fight with Jermall Charlo, the WBC champion at 160 pounds, after he met with PBC founder Al Haymon in the Cleveland area earlier in June.

But earlier this week, Alvarez’s team was informed that Jermall wouldn’t be available to fight in September, sources said. The sides pivoted to Jermell, who sits just outside ESPN’s pound-for-pound list but has never competed above 154 pounds, and the matchup was finalized on Friday, sources said.

ESPN Deportes reported earlier Friday that Jermall needed more time to get in shape because he has not fought since June 2021, when he scored a unanimous decision win over Juan Macias Montiel. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said last month that Jermall’s inactivity is due to mental health.

Alvarez, a future Hall of Famer from Mexico, struck a three-fight deal with PBC earlier in June, with the other two fights expected to take place on Cinco De Mayo Weekend and Mexican Independence Day Weekend in 2024, sources said.

Alvarez’s preferred September 16 date wasn’t available in Las Vegas due to a UFC event on the same night at T-Mobile Arena.

Canelo is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over John Ryder in May in a Mexico homecoming in Guadalajara. The win was Alvarez’s first fight since he underwent left wrist surgery in October.

In May 2022, Canelo moved up to light heavyweight but was routed by Dmitry Bivol in his first loss since he faced Floyd Mayweather in 2013. He returned in September to defeat his rival, Gennaidy Golovkin, in a trilogy fight.

Alvarez is ESPN’s No. 5 pound-for-pound boxer and has captured titles in four weight classes.

Last month, Alvarez was No. 5 on Forbes’ Highest-Paid Athletes list at estimated earnings of $110 million in 2022.

Jermall Charlo was one of two finalists for the Alvarez bout when Canelo ultimately selected Bivol last May. He could land his shot next May if Alvarez defeats his brother.

Jermell Charlo, a 33-year-old who fights out of the Houston area, captured the undisputed 154-pound championship last May when he knocked out Brian Castano in the 10th round of a rematch. The two fighters had previously battled to a highly controversial draw in July 2021 after Castano appeared to do enough to earn the decision.

The only defeat of Jermell’s career came in December 2018, a disputed decision loss to Tony Harrison. Jermell (35-1-1, 19 KOs) also avenged that blemish on his record, scoring an 11th-round knockout of Harrson one year later.

Jermell was set to defend his four titles against Tim Tszyu, the son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, in January before he suffered a broken left hand.

Jillian Mercado Wins Gracie Award for Breakthrough Work on Showtime’s “The L Word: Generation Q”

Posted on May 5, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Jillian Mercado is living grac(ie)fully…

The 34-year-old Dominican American actress and fashion model has been revealed as a winner for the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation’s Gracie Awards, for her work on The L Word: Generation Q.

Lana Parrilla, the star of CBS Studios‘Why Women Kill, has won the Actress in a Supporting Role – Comedy or Musical award.

Pati Jinich is also celebrating a big win…

The 50-year old Mexican chef, TV personality, cookbook author, educator, and food writer has been recognized for her work of La Frontera with Pati Jinich.

Other Latinx talents picking up awards include ESPN Deportes and ESPN International’s Pilar Pérez; Skyview Networks, MJ Rodriguez and the fellow cast mates of FX’s Pose, Angie Martinez and Angélica Vale.

The Gracie Awards honor exemplary programming created by, for and about women in radio, television, cable and interactive media.

Holly Robinson Peete will host the 47th annual Gracie Awards at its in-person ceremony May 24 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Here’s the full list of 2022 winners:

TELEVISION NATIONAL HONOREES

48 Hours: A Promise to Ahmaud (48 Hours & CBS News)
CBS News
Investigative Feature [TV – National]

48 Hours: What Happened to the Perfect Child? (48 Hours)
CBS News
Documentary- News [TV – National]

60 Minutes: Saving the Mountain Gorillas (60 Minutes)
ViacomCBS
Soft News Feature [TV – National]

Baby Roe Speaks (ABC News Prime)
ABC NEWS
Interview Feature [TV – National]

Beverly Chase (VICE on Showtime)
VICE Media (United States of America)
Showrunner Nonfiction- News [TV – National]

Custody Abuse (NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt)
NBC NEWS
News Feature Series [TV – National]

Elle Fanning (The Great)
Hulu
Actress in a Leading Role – Comedy or Musical [TV – National]

Friday Night Vibes
TBS
Special or Variety [TV – National]

Geeta Gandbhir, Samantha Knowles, Nadia Hallgren and Yoruba Richen (Black and Missing)
HBO/HBO Max
Director [TV – National]

Hind Hassan (VICE News)
VICE Media (United States of America)
Reporter/Correspondent [TV – National]

Home Sweet Home
Warner Bros. Unscripted Television & ARRAY Filmworks
Family Series [TV – National]

Honour
BritBox
Made for Television Movie [TV – National]

Jane Ferguson (PBS NewsHour)
PBS NewsHour
Reporter/Correspondent – Public Broadcast [TV – National]

Jen Flanz (The Daily Show with Trevor Noah)
Comedy Central
Showrunner Nonfiction- Latenight [TV – National]

Jillian Mercado (The L Word: Generation Q)
SHOWTIME
Actress in a Breakthrough Role- Drama [TV – National]

Kaitlyn Dever (Dopesick)
Hulu
Actress in a Leading Role – Made for TV Movie or Limited Series [TV – National]

The Kelly Clarkson Show
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios
Talk Show – Entertainment [TV – National]

Lana Parrilla (Why Women Kill)
CBS Studios
Actress in a Supporting Role – Comedy or Musical [TV- National]

Linsey Davis (ABC News)
ABC NEWS
On-Air Talent – News Magazine [TV – National]

Mahlet Girma (Breast Cancer Awareness: The story of Mahlet Girma)
Voice of America
Non-English Program [TV – National]

Maid
Warner Bros. Television
Limited Series [TV – National]

Maria Taylor (NBC Sports and Olympics)
NBC Sports and Olympics
On-Air Talent – Sports [TV – National]

Marja-Lewis Ryan (The L Word: Generation Q)
SHOWTIME
Showrunner Fiction- Drama [TV – National]

Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets)
SHOWTIME
Actress in a Leading Role – Drama [TV – National]

Melissa McCarthy (Nine Perfect Strangers)
Hulu
Actress in a Supporting Role – Made for TV Movie or Limited Series [TV – National]

Michelle King (The Good Fight)
CBS Studios/King Size Productions
Producer- Entertainment [TV – National]

Nasim Pedrad (CHAD)
TBS
Actress in a Breakthrough Role- Comedy [TV – National]

Nida Manzoor (We Are Lady Parts)
Working Title Television, which is a part of Universal International Studios
Writer Scripted- Comedy [TV – National]

On Her Turf
Peacock/NBC Olympics
Sports Program [TV – National]

Pati Jinich (La Frontera with Pati Jinich)
PBS
Producer- Documentary /Unscripted / Non-Fiction [TV-National]

Making History
ESPN (United States of America)
GRAND AWARD Sports Feature [TV – National]

Pilar Pérez (En sus zapatos)
ESPN Deportes & ESPN International
Non English Individual Achievement [TV – National]

Pose
FX
GRAND AWARD Drama [TV – National]

Pose
FX
Ensemble Cast [TV – National]

Savannah Guthrie & Hoda Kotb (TODAY)
TODAY/NBC News
On-Air Talent – News [TV – National]

Stories We Tell: The Fertility Secret
MSNBC Films, Cinemation Studios, NBC News Studios
Non-Fiction Entertainment [TV – National]

Suzan-Lori Parks (Genius: Aretha)
National Geographic
Producer- Entrtainment Limited Series

Tamron Hall (TAMRON HALL SHOW)
ABC News/ Disney
On-Air Talent – Entertainment [TV – National]

The New York Times Presents: Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson
FX
Documentary- Entertainment [TV – National]

The Rescue of Parwana
CNN
Hard News Feature [TV – National]

Tina Lifford (Queen Sugar)
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
Actress in a Supporting Role – Drama [TV – National]

Tonya Simpson (ABC News)
ABC NEWS
Producer- News [TV – National]

Trafficked With Mariana van Zeller
National Geographic
News Magazine [TV – National]

U.S. Capitol Insurrection (TODAY)
TODAY/NBC News
News Program [TV – National]

Vanessa Roth (Impact with Gal Gadot)
National Geographic
Writer Unscripted [TV – National]

We Are Lady Parts
Working Title Television, which is a part of Universal International Studios
Comedy [TV – National]

Writing Team (The Walking Dead)
AMC Networks
Writer Scripted- Drama [TV – National]

Yvette Lee Bowser (Run the World)
STARZ
Showrunner Fiction- Comedy [TV – National]

RADIO NATIONAL HONOREES

A Look Back At 1992 LA And America Since Rodney King
WBUR
Documentary [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial]

ABC Audio’s Front & Center Spotlight: Carly Pearce
ABC News Radio
Special [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial]

Alison Cook (The Doc Project)
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
Producer [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial]

Allison Keyes (CBS News Weekend Roundup)
CBS News Radio
Weekend Host / Personality- News [ Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial ]

Cheri Preston (ABC News Radio)
ABC News Radio
Outstanding News Anchor [ Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial ]

Child Care Industry In Crisis (Karen Travers)
ABC News Radio
News Feature [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial]

Dana Cortez (The Dana Cortez Show)
Skyview Networks
Host/Personality [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial]

Ellen K (The Ellen K Weekend Show)
iHeartMedia
Weekend Host / Personality Entertainment [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial]

Fall of Afghanistan
CBS News Radio
Crisis Coverage/Breaking News [Radio – National Syndicated Commercial]

Fordham Conversations – Attacks on Asian Americans and The Search for Solidarity
WFUV-FM
Public Affairs [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial]

Jen Horn, Victoria Keelan, Jai Kershner (The DJV Show)
Doug Stephan Networks; The DJV Show
Co-host- Talk Radio [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial]

Medha Gandhi (Elvis Duran and the Morning Show)
Premiere Networks/iHeartMedia
Co-host [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial]

Melissa Harris-Perry (The Takeaway)
NYPR / WNYC Studios
Interview Feature [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial]

NPR coverage of India’s farmer protests
NPR
Crisis Coverage/Breaking News [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial]

Rerouting: defying the given path, paving a new one – North Korean female defectors’ journey
Radio Free Asia Korean Service
Non-English Program [Radio – National]

Rund Abdelfatah (Throughline)
NPR
Reporter / Correspondent / Host [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial]

Smith Sisters Live
SiriusXM
Talk Show [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial]

The Julia Show
Audacy
Interview Feature [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Commercial]

The World At Six (Margaret Evans)
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
News Feature [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial]

Women in China
NPR
Series [Radio – Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial]

DIGITAL MEDIA NATIONAL HONOREES

Amber Ferguson (Interabled Caregiving)
The Washington Post
Online Producer- Investigative [DM – National]

Because of Anita
Pineapple Street Studios and The Meteor
Podcast – Educational [DM – National]

Believe Her
Lemonada Media
Podcast – Investigative [ DM – National ]

Brooke Siffrinn and Aricia Skidmore-Williams (Even the Rich)
Wondery
Podcast Co-host/Ensemble [DM – National]

Clarissa Ward (Tug of War)
CNN Audio
Podcast Host – News [ DM – National ]

George Floyd: A Community Leader (Univision News Digital (online))
Univision News Digital
Website – News [DM – National]

History Refocused: Claudette Colvin
CNN Digital
Original Online Programming – Standalone Video [DM – National]

In Giro Con Fra
Lemonada Media
Non-English Program- Podcast [DM – National]

Inaccessible Cities
AJ Contrast, Al Jazeera Digital
Website – Information/Entertainment [DM – National]

Jemele Hill is Unbothered
Spotify
Podcast – Lifestyle Interview [DM – National]

Kim Cornett (NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt: Kids Edition)
NBC News
Online Producer- News [DM – National]

Ladies First: Black Women & Sex in Hip-Hop
MTV Entertainment Group, Paramount
Original Online Programming – Entertainment [DM – National]

Meredith Goldstein (Love Letters)
Boston Globe
Podcast Host – Entertainment [ DM – National ]

NPR: Teaching in the Pandemic
NPR
Blog [DM – National]

Patty Steele (The Deep 6)
Elvis Duran Group
Podcast – Lifestyle Limited Series [DM – National]

Perseverance with Abby, Lola and Diana Trujillo
Sesame Workshop
Non-English Program- Family Program [DM – National]

Savannah Sellers (NBC News Now)
NBC News Now
Online Video Host / Correspondent / Actress [DM – National]

SEEHER Multiplicity
Dotdash Meredith
Original Online Programming – Video Series [DM – National]

Stéphanie Fillion
La Presse/Radio-Canada (special contribution)
Non-English Individual Achievement [DM – National]

Stephanie McMahon (HEAVEN)
WWE
Online Producer- Sports [DM – National]

Suzie Liu (ABC News: The Dropout)
ABC NEWS
Podcast Producer [DM – National]

Teens in America
Washington Post
Original Online Programming – Standalone Audio [DM – National]

The Lead
Wondery & The Athletic
Podcast – Sports [DM – National]

The Turning: The Sisters Who Left
Rococo Punch & iHeartRadio
Podcast – Entertainment [DM – National]

Unlocking My Past & Finding A Connection to Slavery
NBC News Digital
Original Online Programming – News [DM – National]

We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle
Cadence13
Podcast – Lifestyle [DM – National]

TELEVISION LOCAL HONOREES

Claudia Orozco (Migración durante la pandemia)
Noticias Univisión San Diego
Non English Individual Achievement [TV – Local]

Deborah Horne (KIRO 7)
Cox Media Group
On-Air Talent [TV – Local]

Dress shopping in Mom’s final days (KBTX News 3 at Ten)
KBTX
Soft News Feature [TV – Local]

Juneteenth: 1865-2021
KHOU 11
Documentary [TV – Local]

KSAT Explains: What You Need To Know About Protective Orders In Bexar County
KSAT
News Magazine [TV – Local]

Mary Fecteau (The 86th Annual Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards)
Ideastream Public Media
Director [TV – Local]

RACE LISTEN. LEARN. LIVE.
KSDK
News Program [TV – Local]

Senator Lauren Book, Chucha Barber, Claire VanSusteren, Michele Watson (Journey Home)
Chucha Barber Productions, Inc.
Producer – Scripted / Edited / Live [TV – Local]

Susan Moses (The Year of the Tiger Ladies)
WKYC / TEGNA
Sports Feature [TV – Local]

The Next 400: Digging Into The Tangled Roots of Black Hair Culture
WOIO-TV
News Magazine- Special [TV – Local]

The Power of Healing: Address the Mess
WKYC / TEGNA
Hard News Feature [TV – Local]

Bailed Out to Abuse (WAVE News)
Gray Television, Inc.
Investigative Feature [TV – Local]

RADIO LOCAL HONOREES

A Love Supreme
WUNC – North Carolina Public Radio
Special [Radio – Non-Commercial Local]

Allison Sherry (‘I’ll Fight For The Rest Of My Life’: Elijah McClain’s Mother Reflects On Two Years Since His Death)
Colorado Public Radio
Interview Feature [Radio – Non-Commercial Local]

Amanda Orlando (The WARM Morning Show with Jim and Amanda)
Cumulus Media
Co-host (Music DJ/ Personality) Medium [Radio – Local]

Andie Summers (The Andie Summers Show)
Beasley Media Group (United States of America)
Host Morning Drive- Major Market [Radio – Local]

Angélica Vale (Cali 93.9 Mornings)
Cali 93.9, KLLI-FM, Meruelo Media – Los Angeles
Non-English Individual Achievement [Radio – Local]

Angie Martinez (The Angie Martinez Show)
iHeartRadio
Host Non-Morning Drive (Music DJ/Personality) Major Market [Radio – Local]

Angie Perrin (Press Play with Madeleine Brand)
KCRW
Producer [Radio – Non-Commercial Local]

CBC Cree Radio: Winschgaoug and Eyou Dipajimoon
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
Non-English Program [Radio – Local]

Christine Nagy (Cubby and Christine in the Morning)
iHeartMedia (WLTW)
Co-host (Music DJ/Personality) Large/Major [Radio – Local]

Figgy Pudding Choir
KIRO Newsradio
Soft News Feature [Radio – Local]

Gold Star Moms
KIRO Newsradio
Public Service Announcement [Radio – Local]

Heather Hunter (O’Connor and Company)
WMAL
Producer- Talk [Radio – Local]

I Regret Becoming a Parent (Audacious)
Connecticut Public
Talk Show [Radio – Non-Commercial Local]

I’m Listening (KCBS Radio)
KCBS Radio (Audacy)
Public Affairs [Radio – Local]

International Women’s Day (Valentine in the Morning)
iHeartMedia
Special [Radio – Local]

Janet Saidi (The Check-In)
KBIA
Host/Anchor [Radio – Non-Commercial Local]

Jeana Gondek (Jacksonville’s Morning News)
Cox Media Group
Outstanding News Anchor [ Radio – Local]

Judi Franco (Dennis & Judi)
Townsaquare Media
Co-host (Talk/Personality) Small/Medium Market [Radio – Local]

Kelly Dzanaj (Kelly on 100.7 Star)
Audacy Pittsburgh
Host Non-Morning Drive (Music DJ/Personality) Medium Market [Radio – Local]

Lori Barghini & Julia Cobbs (The Lori & Julia Show)
myTalk 107.1 – KTMY-FM
Host Non-Morning Drive (Talk/Personality) Large/Major Market [Radio – Local]

Magic 106.7’s “Exceptional Women” with Kyra Sedgwick
Audacy Boston
Interview Feature- Entertainment [Radio – Local]

MalaniKai (Word on the Street (95.5 WSB / WSB-AM WSBB-FM / Atlanta, GA))
Cox Media Group
Co-host (Talk/Personality) Large/Major [Radio – Local]

Many Troops Are Leaving The Military Prematurely Due To Sexual Harassment, Assault
Texas Public Radio
Hard News Feature- Non-Commercial [Radio – Local]

Mary Walter (Mary Walter WMAL Mornings On The Mall)
Cumulus Media
Interview Feature- News [Radio – Local]

Melissa “Mo” Wagner (“The Mo & StyckMan Show”)
Audacy – WUSY-FM Chattanoonga, TN
Co-host (Music DJ/ Personality) Small [Radio – Local]

Michelle Durham (Family fights for teens in toxic relationships)
KYW Newsradio – Audacy
Hard News Feature [Radio – Local]

Rural Healthcare: The Other Texas Drought
Texas Tech Public Media, The Texas Newsroom, Texas Public Radio, PBS Frontline, American Public Media Research Lab
Documentary [Radio – Non-Commercial Local]

Saraya Wintersmith (Like Other Arab Americans in Politics, Boston’s Essaibi George Faces Questions About Her Identity)
GBH News
Portrait/Biography [Radio – Non-Commercial Local]

Sharon Barnes-Waters (1010 WINS: The Black Experience)
1010 WINS
Producer- News [Radio – Local]

The Rita Cosby Show
WABC Radio
Talk Show [Radio – Local]

Tracy Dixon (KYGO Morning Show)
Bonneville International
Host – Morning Drive – Medium Market [Radio – Local]

Ways & Means Presents: The Arc of Justice – From Here to Equality
Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University / North Carolina Public Radio – WUNC
Series [Radio Non – Commercial Local]

TELEVISION STUDENT HONOREES

A Horse From Heaven
The University of Maryland
Soft News Feature [TV – Student]

Ashley Chase, Lauren Kraudy, Emma Davis, Alexandria Sorensen (Universe Live)
Brigham Young University School of Communications – Newsline
Producer [TV – Student]

Carly Wasserlein (Universe Live)
Brigham Young University School of Communications – Newsline
Director [TV – Student]

Church members respond to urging from the First Presidency to get the COVID-19 vaccine (Universe Live)
Brigham Young University School of Communications – Newsline
Hard News Feature [TV – Student]

Harlee Hunsaker (Universe Live)
Brigham Young University School of Communications – Newsline
On-Air Talent [TV – Student]

RADIO STUDENT HONOREES

Crystal Lucio-Bermudez (WRHU – Abortion Rights Feature)
WRHU FM Radio Hofstra University
Host/Personality [Radio – Student]

Emily White Music Biz Executive Inspires Next Generation of Female Industry Leaders (Music Biz Buzz)
WRHU FM Radio Hofstra University
Talk Show [Radio – Student]

Nassibah Beddredine (Youth Advocate For Inclusive Sex Education)
WUNC – North Carolina Public Radio
Interview Feature [Radio – Student]

Rachel Schnelle (Lavender a Tough Crop for ‘Muggy’ Missouri, But This Couple is Giving it a Go.)
KBIA
News Feature [Radio – Student]

The Rowan Report Election Night Special
Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM
Public Affairs [Radio – Student]

Victoria Bell (Backyard Players & Friends)
WRHU FM Radio Hofstra University
Producer [Radio – Student]

DIGITAL MEDIA STUDENT HONOREES

Amudalat Ajasa (Inside America’s last whites-only church)
Hofstra University
Online Video Host or Correspondent [DM – Student]

ESCAPE TO JUSTICE
Global Girl Media
Original Online Programming [DM – Student]

Linda T. Kennedy (Of A Certain Age)
Harvard University Extension School
Podcast Host [DM – Student]

Looking For Violet
Fordham University
Podcast Entertainment [DM – Student]

Sex Work After Gilgo | Getting to the Root
Hofstra University
Podcast Investigative [DM – Student]

Ernesto Jerez Named a Finalist for Ford C. Frick Award for Excellence in Baseball Broadcasting

Posted on November 2, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Ernesto Jerez has voiced his way to the top…

The 52-year-old Dominican sportscaster and commentator for ESPN Deportes has been named a finalist for the Baseball Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in baseball broadcasting

Jerez has worked ESPN Deportes’ Sunday Night Baseball for more than 25 years along with the World Series, All-Star Game and World Baseball Classic.

He’ll face off against Hall of Fame pitchers Dizzy Dean and Don Drysdale, along with Fox‘s Joe Buck, ESPN‘s Dan Shulman and NBC‘s Al Michaels.

Dave Campbell and Buddy Blattner also are finalists, the Hall said Monday.

The winner will be announced on Dec.ember 9 and will be honored next July 24 ahead of the Hall of Fame inductions, along with 2020 Frick winner Ken Harrelson. The 2020 ceremonies were called off became of the coronavirus pandemic.

This year’s Frick Award is for national voices, part of a three-year rotation that includes broadcasting beginnings (autumn 2021) and major league markets (autumn 2022).

Broadcasters must have at least 10 continuous years of major league broadcast service with a team, network or combination.

Jose Ramirez to Defend His Junior Welterweight Title Against Jose Zepeda

Posted on December 26, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Jose Ramirezis going on the defense…

The 26-year-old Mexican American boxer and Junior welterweight world titleholder will make his second defense against contender Jose Zepeda on February 10 at the Save Mart Center, the arena in Ramirez’s hometown of Fresno, California, where he has drawn sellout crowds.

Top Rankannounced the bout, which will headline Top Rank Boxing on ESPNspecial Sunday edition (ESPN and ESPN Deportes, 7:00 pm ET, with the entire undercard streaming on ESPN+beginning at 4 p.m. ET).

Ramirez is known for his copious amount of public service in his community and it will continue with this card. Top Rank announced that a portion of each ticket sold will benefit the Community Cancer Institutein Clovis, California. Ramirez also will auction off his fight-worn trunks, gloves, shirt and shoes, with all proceeds to benefit the Community Cancer Institute.

“I feel blessed to defend my title a second time at home against a great opponent and also support an issue that affects everyone and their families,” Ramirez said. “Let’s all band together to KO cancer and remember that every moment counts.”

Top Rank chairman Bob Arumhas regularly lauded Ramirez’s charitable efforts.

“Jose Ramirez is a great young champion and an even better person,” Arum said. “We are proud to be involved with an event that will raise a tremendous amount of exposure for cancer research. Zepeda is a really tough fighter who will give Jose an excellent fight. The fans in the Central Valley have supported Jose since day one, and I expect another fantastic crowd at the Save Mart Center.”

Ramirez (23-0, 16 KOs), a 2012 U.S. Olympian, will be in his second fight with head trainer Robert Garcia. Ramirez won a vacant 140-pound world title by lopsided decision over Amir Imamin March in New York and then returned to the Save Mart Center in September and outpointed Antonio Orozcoin a one-sided, action-packed fight.

Zepeda (30-1, 25 KOs), 29, a southpaw from La Puente, California, will be getting his second opportunity to fight for a world title.

He is unbeaten in eight consecutive fights — 7-0 with a head-butt induced no contest — since he dislocated his left shoulder and was unable continue against then-lightweight world titlist Terry Flanagan in July 2015, which resulted in a second-round stoppage loss.

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity since my first world title shot against Terry Flanagan,” Zepeda said. “I’m going to train very hard, better than ever before. I’m very thankful to my team and Jose Ramirez for giving me this chance. I’m not going to waste it, and that’s why I’m training so hard.”

Oscar De La Hoya Partners with Facebook to Stream Live Boxing & Original Programming

Posted on July 4, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Life is but a stream for Oscar De La Hoya…

Facebook is punching up its video lineup with more live sports, inking a deal with the 45-year-old Mexican American boxer-turned-promoter’s Golden Boy Promotions to stream live boxing and original programming on the platform.

The live boxing will be available to fans in the U.S. on Facebook Watch and globally via the Golden Boy Promotions page on Facebook.

The pact expands L.A.-based Golden Boy’s distribution outlets, which include deals with ESPN, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, HBO, EstrellaTV,and RingTV.com. The company also distributes content on owned-and-operated sites CaneloGGG.com and GoldenBoyPPV.com.

Under the pact, the first of Golden Boy’s five live fight nights on Facebook will be August 11, featuring Jesus Rojas (26-1-2, 19 KOs) defending his WBA World Featherweight title against Joseph “JoJo “Diaz Jr. (26-1, 14 KOs) at the Avalon Theater in Hollywood. The second live bout be on August 18 with light heavyweight contender Sullivan Barrera (21-2, 14 KOs) squaring off against a yet-to-be announced opponent at the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, Pa.

The boxing bouts will not carry any advertising. So far, none of the live sports broadcasts on Facebook have carried ads but the company has been experimenting with inserting ads into live-streaming video.

For the live Facebook boxing series, Golden Boy has teamed with Kathy Duva’s Main Events boxing promotion company to increase “the number of world-class fighters to be featured.” Golden Boy’s live boxing series on Facebook will be augmented with “shoulder programming,” including rebroadcasts of past fights featuring commentary from the boxers themselves, with the first content slated to debut July 13. The on-demand programming also will feature celebrities, influencers, and boxing commentators.

De La Hoya, a former prizefighter who won multiple boxing world titles in six different weight classes, touted the Facebook agreement as a “game-changing deal for the sport of boxing.” “The reach of Facebook is just incredible, and our sponsorship conversations will truly resonate with brands across all categories,” De La Hoya said in a statement. Kathy Duva added, “We look now to a future with Facebook with unlimited opportunity, where promoters can work together to best serve the interests of the fighters and fans all over the world.”

Golden Boy Media and Entertainment will produce the live fights and original programming for Facebook, with De La Hoya serving as executive producer. The content will take advantage of Facebook’s social features; for example, the live broadcasts will incorporate the real-time fan interaction and engagement.

Pablo Cesar Cano to Fight Fidel Maldonado Jr. at the Dallas Cowboys Training Facility

Posted on May 19, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Pablo Cesar Cano is ready to rumble…

The 27-year-old Mexican professional boxer will face off against fellow hard-hitting junior welterweight Fidel Maldonado Jr. in a 10-round fight on June 17 at the Tostitos Championship Plaza at The Star in Frisco, Texas, according to Golden Boy Promotions.

The fight, which will be the first boxing event to take place at the training facility of the Dallas Cowboys, will headline a “Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN” card (ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, 10 p.m. ET).

Cano (30-5-1, 21 KOs), a former interim junior welterweight titlist, is as battle-tested as they come, though he lost his biggest fights — decisions against Paulie Malignaggi and Shane Mosley and a 10th-round knockout to Erik Morales in a 2011 junior welterweight world title fight. But he’s also coming off a 10-round split decision against fringe contender Mauricio Herrera in November and hoping to score another win and move on to a bigger fight.

“Even though I have been a professional for 11 years, I feel like I am just hitting my prime,” Cano said. “With a win over Maldonado, I feel like I will be ready to take on the top opponents at 140 pounds and compete for a world title.”

Maldonado (23-3-1, 19 KOs), a 25-year-old southpaw from Albuquerque, New Mexico, is 4-0-1 in his past five bouts since suffering a fifth-round knockout loss to contender Amir Imam in January 2015.

“I can’t wait to get in the ring with Cano and show the Texas fans what I’m all about,” Maldonado said. “People may call this a crossroads fight, but I’m only interested in taking one road — toward a world championship.”

In the co-feature, San Antonio’s Joshua Franco (10-0, 5 KOs), 21, and 24-year-old Oscar Mojica (10-2, 1 KO), of Dallas, will engage in an all-Texas junior bantamweight fight scheduled for eight rounds.

Dallas junior welterweight prospect Vergil Ortiz Jr. (5-0, 5 KOs), who is just 19, will face an opponent to be determined in his first scheduled six-round bout.

Other Dallas-based Golden Boy prospects — junior lightweight Javier Martinez (1-0, 1 KO) and junior middleweight Alex Rincon (1-0, 1 KO) — will also appear on the card as will San Antonio junior lightweight prospect Hector Tanajara Jr. (8-0, 4 KOs).

ChocQuibTown Signs Management Deal with La Industria

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

ChocQuibTown is under new management…

The Latin Grammy-winning Colombian group has signed a management deal with La Industria, according to Billboard.

The trio, comprised of Gloria Martínez “Goyo,” Mike Martínez “Slow” and Carlos Valencia “Tostao, joins the Industria family led by Juan Diego Medina, who manages Nicky Jam, Saga White Black and Valentino.

ChocQuibTown’s 2015 album El Mismo reached the No. 5 spot on Billboard‘s Latin Rhythm Albums chart.

Last summer, the Grammy-nominated group scored their first No. 1 on Billboard’s Tropical Songs chart with their single “Desde el día en que te fuiste” (chart dated August 6, 2016).

ChocQuibTown’s “De donde vengo yo” will be the official song for ESPN Deportes‘ 2017 World Baseball Classic coverage.

ChocQuibTown’s “De donde vengo yo” Featured in ESPN Deportes’ 2017 World Baseball Classic Coverage

Posted on January 18, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

ChocQuibTown may be sporting new fans soon…

ESPN Deportes is featuring the Latin Grammy-winning Colombian hip-hop group’s prideful, feel-good song “De donde vengo yo” for their 2017 World Baseball Classic coverage.

ChocQuibTown, comprised of Carlos “Tostao” Valencia, his wife Gloria “Goyo” Martínez and Gloria’s brother Miguel “Slow” Martínez, took to social media to share news of their participation along with a video featuring the Latin teams that are playing in the tournament.

“Let’s experience the 2017 WBC to the beat of ‘De donde vengo yo,'” ChocQuibTown posted on Facebook.

The international tournament, with games taking place in major cities including Tokyo, Miami, Seoul and Los Angeles, will kick off March 6.

Alexis & Fido Record “Si No Tiene El Swing” for ESPN’s MLB Coverage

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a swing and a hit for Alexis & Fido…

The Latin Grammy-nominated Puerto Rican reggaeton duo have partnered with ESPN to release a Spanish version of “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” for the sports channel’s Major League Baseball coverage.

Dubbed “Si No Tiene El Swing,” the new version was recorded by Alexis & Fido, and features vocals by up-and-coming singer Eli Jas.

It was produced exclusively for ESPN and will be incorporated into ESPN’s cross-platform MLB game and studio coverage, including bumpers, teases and montages across all of ESPN’s baseball programming on all platforms worldwide.

It will include programs in Spanish, like ESPN Deportes, as well as in English, like Baseball Tonight.

This isn’t the first time ESPN tapped a Latin act to use Spanish music, but it’s the first time it’s been done on such a wide scale, according to ESPN music director Kevin Wilson.

“We do a good job of choosing music whether in English or Spanish that lyrically connects to the network and to the sport,” says Wilson. “As long as people know the message of the lyrics [it] works.”

In fact, the use of Latin music at ESPN has increased exponentially in the last couple of years. “Reaching our Hispanic fans became much more of a priority for the network,” says Wilson.

The use reflects the reality of the market. According to Major League Baseball’s site for last season, reggaeton is the third most-used genre for walk-up songs (only behind hip hop and rock). Additionally, Pitbull, Daddy Yankee and Nicky Jam are among the top 10 most-used artists by players.

Alexis & Fido, who perform an uptempo brand of reggaeton, have already seen their music used in cross-cultural campaigns.

In 2014, they were part of a TV spot for Sol Replic Deck for Radio Shack that also featured Lil’ Jon and Steve Aoki.

“It’s been a wonderful process,” says Wilson. “We had the idea to create a reggaeton version of the classic record ‘It Don’t Mean A Thing.’ We contacted the guys and they were totally down to do it since they are big MLB fans.”

“Si no tiene el swing” is available via Alexis & Fido’s app.

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