Super middleweight rising star Sena “African Assassin” Agbeko scored a career best victory when he topped longtime contender Brian Vera, 26-14 (16 KO’s) Saturday, December 8.

The TriStar Boxing promoted event was Murfreesboro, TN’s first pro boxing card in more than 20 years and took place at the Mid-TN Expo.

Agbeko took a big step up in competition against Austin, TX’s Brian Vera. Vera, who has wins over Andy Lee, Sergiy Dzinziruk and Sergio Mora among others, looked to overwhelm Agbeko but the Nashville transplant wouldn’t be taken off his game.

Agbeko, who is originally from Ghana, worked behind a solid jab and straight right hand while displaying excellent movement to mostly keep Vera out of range. The gutsy Vera had a few moments of success but Agbeko weathered the storm and won convincingly.

Scores were 79-73 on all three scorecards.

“It feels good to have gotten this win, said Agbeko,” who is now 22-1 with 18 wins by knockout. “This was my first real step up and I’m looking forward to an even bigger challenge in my next fight. The goal is to keep moving up in the rankings and get in position for a title shot.”

Matt Young of TriStar Boxing Promotions was pleased with Agbeko’s performance and the return of boxing to Murfreesboro.

“Sena fought an excellent fight,” said Young, who works as a local firefighter and grew up in Murfreesboro. “We’re hoping to have him fight a ten rounder in his next fight against a respectable opponent. I owe a special thanks to all the fans that came out Saturday night and everybody that played a part in making this card happen. It was a dream of mine to promote a show in my hometown and we hope to return in the future."

IBF European welterweight champion Larry Ekundayo has warned challenger Louis Greene a cauldron atmosphere awaits him on Friday night. Ekundayo (14-1-KO3) makes the first defence of his crown against Greene (9-0-KO5) at York Hall – live on BoxNation – and with a fanbase built on both British and Nigerian support, ‘The Natural’ is revelling in the increasing exposure.

Ekundayo said: “This is my territory. It’s always going to be big in terms of my fanbase. A lot of Nigerians are getting behind me now. 70-80% of my fanbase is British even though I’m from Nigeria.

“It took me 10 years to build this fanbase and although I was well-known back in Nigeria, it’s different with social media helping and creating awareness. It’s gathering momentum now.

“It’s a positive thing for me to be representing Nigeria and my family. My children were born in Britain and have never been to Nigeria. I’m doing it for them. They know their roots even though they were born here.

“It’s something I see as a positive thing. I get the British fans support me too so it’s win-win.“

On the threat presented by Greene, Ekundayo added: “I’ve never sparred Louis Greene or even heard of him until the fight was announced. I’ve checked him out since and he’s a good fighter.

“Greene is a very tough kid and has a lot of belief in himself. That makes him more impressive. I’ve seen a few of his fights and he’s not going to be any kind of pushover.”

Joining Ekundayo vs. Greene on a stacked bill is the WBO European super-lightweight title fight between Darragh Foley and Akeem Ennis Brown, a battle of two unbeaten prospects in Liam Wells vs. Rod Douglas Jr and much more.

Adam ‘The Wolf’ Bashanov (2-2) will face Bulgaria’s Ivan Nikolov (2-5-1) on the undercard of Dina Thorslund's WBO Female World Super Bantamweight title defence against Alesia Graf on January 19 at the Struer Energi Park.

Bashanov began his amateur career in Struer, and always receives a hero’s welcome when he enters the ring to the sound of wolves at the Struer Energi Park. On January 19, it will be the third time he boxes in front of his home fans.

"I'm really looking forward to fighting in Struer again," said Bashanov. "I always get the wildest reception, and I always do everything I can to pay back the audience by giving them the most exciting fights. I promise to give the fans a good show on January 19 and to display some good boxing.

"I always train hard and I’m ready to fight whoever is put in front of me. I love to box and I like to give the fans an entertaining performance.”

Bashanov’s four round light heavyweight contest with Nikolov is the latest addition to a stacked card in Struer. Dina Thorslund defends her WBO Female World Super Bantamweight title against Germany's Alesia Graf, former European Champion Dennis Ceylan rematches Jesus Sanchez for the EU Featherweight crown, Oliver Flodin faces Abdul Khattab in a Scandinavian middleweight thriller, and heavyweight Kem Ljungquist takes on Dominik Musil.

Tickets are available via or by calling (+45) 70 15 65 65.