LAS VEGAS – August 15, 2024 – Former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. will take on all-action contender Carlos Castro in a featherweight clash that will headline a three-fight PBC on Prime Video lineup on Saturday, September 14 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The live-streaming action will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT and be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card it leads into.
The streaming presentation will also feature hard-hitting welterweight Roiman Villa dueling Mexico’s Ricardo Salas in a 10-round battle, plus unbeaten prospect Jonathan Lopez squares off against Richard Medina in an eight-round super featherweight clash that kicks off the action.
The Fulton vs. Castro topped lineup will lead into a four-fight PBC Pay-Per-View available on Prime Video as Canelo Promotions presents a Mexican Independence Day weekend blockbuster featuring pound-for-pound great Canelo Álvarez putting his unified super middleweight world titles on the line against unbeaten WBA No. 1-ranked mandatory contender Edgar Berlanga in the main event. In the star-studded co-main event, WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream’’ Lara will take on hard-hitting former two-division world champion Danny “Swift’’ Garcia. Plus, former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant battles undefeated contender Trevor McCumby for the interim WBA Super Middleweight title and former super lightweight world champion Rolando “Rolly’’ Romero will duel Manuel Jaimes in the pay-per-view opener at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the PPV via DAZN.com. Additionally, fans can purchase the PPV at PPV.com. On top of those options, fans will continue to be able to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Matchroom Boxing.
“Saturday, Sept. 14 is a stacked card that now features six champions and former champions with the addition of the former unified champion Stephen Fulton headlining PBC on Prime Video leading into the pay-per-view,’’ said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Fulton is a top pound-for-pound talent and he’s ready to remind everyone why he belongs on that list against the always tough Carlos Castro. With an all-action duel between Roiman Villa and Ricardo Salas, plus rising prospect Jonathan Lopez facing Richard Medina, this lines up to be another stacked night of PBC on Prime Video action.’’
**STEPHEN FULTON JR. VS. CARLOS CASTRO**
The former unified WBC and WBO World Champion at 122-pounds, Stephen Fulton Jr. steps back into action looking to begin his run at featherweight and bounce back from his first career defeat when he takes on the hard-charging contender Carlos Castro in a 10-round featherweight clash that adds yet another intriguing showdown to a stacked night of action.
Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Pa., Fulton (21-1, 8 KOs) makes his featherweight debut coming off a July 2023 challenge that saw him travel to Japan to take on undefeated Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue, eventually dropping the road contest in round eight. In his previous 14 professional fights, the 30-year-old had established himself on pound-for-pound lists by beating eight previously undefeated fighters. After taking the super bantamweight title from Angelo Leo in January 2021, he edged out Brandon Figueroa in November to unify titles in one of the year’s best fights. Trained in his hometown, Fulton has displayed sublime boxing skills that have allowed him to dominate opponents of varying styles and control fights from start to finish.
“It’s been a long time coming, but I’m glad to be back in the ring. I’ve been in the gym and learning new techniques with Bozy Ennis that I can’t wait to show my fans and the boxing world,’’ said Fulton. “This is a tremendous event. I plan to show out on my way to becoming a two-division world champion.”
Castro (30-2, 14 KOs) was born in Sonora, Mexico and came to the U.S. as a child. Now living in Phoenix, Ariz., Castro enters this fight on a three-bout winning streak, including most recently earning a 10-round unanimous decision over Belmar Preciado in April. He’s challenged two top featherweights in his career, losing a July 2022 bout against former world champion Brandon Figueroa in addition to a narrow split-decision against two-division champion Luis Nery in February 2022, with one point on the cards ultimately holding Castro back from keeping his unbeaten record intact. The 30-year-old has competed at featherweight and super bantamweight throughout his career, including a 10th round TKO victory over veteran featherweight contender Oscar Escandon in August 2021.
“Fighting Fulton is going to bring the best out of me. I can promise you that,’’ said Castro. “These opportunities only come along so often. I will take advantage of it because my life has been boxing for as long as I can remember. Come Sept. 14 I will be the best entertainer of all the boxers that night.’’
**ROIMAN VILLA VS. RICARDO SALAS**
One of the hardest punchers in the welterweight division, Roiman Villa will step back into action after going toe-to-toe with welterweight champion Jaron Ennis in his last bout, as he competes in a 10-round welterweight attraction against the young and hungry Ricardo Salas, who’s trained by Isaac Cruz Sr., the father and trainer of former WBA 140-Pound World Champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz. Villa and Salas had been originally scheduled to meet on June 15, before Villa was forced to withdraw due to illness.
A native of Rosario, Venezuela, Villa (26-2, 24 KOs) gave Ennis perhaps the toughest fight of the unbeaten fighter’s career last July before losing the bout in round 10. Previously, Villa had delivered one of 2023’s biggest upsets in January by earning a majority decision victory over the then-undefeated top contender Rashidi Ellis. In an exciting action bout, Villa broke through in the 12th and final round as he dropped Ellis twice to clinch the career-changing win. The 31-year-old made a memorable U.S. debut in September 2022 as he dropped the previously unbeaten Janelson Bocachica on his way to a unanimous decision. The only other blemish on his resume came via a 2019 split-decision in Mexico against Marcos Villasana.
“I’m very happy to be returning to the ring and I’m ready to chase my dream of becoming world champion,” said Villa. “I’m 100% ready to make the most of this opportunity. My team has put me in a great position and now it’s on me to execute in the ring. I learned a lot in my last fight and I can’t wait to show everyone what I can do on September 14.”
The 25-year-old Salas (19-2-2, 14 KOs) is unbeaten in his last five outings, with three KO victories and two draws. A native of Mexico City who trains alongside Mexican star Isaac Cruz, he’ll be making his U.S. debut on September 14 looking to make a big splash on Prime Video. Salas however has experience fighting outside of his home country, having won fights in Canada and Jamaica. A pro since 2016, both of Salas’ defeats came via split decision.
“Ever since I started boxing, my goal was to fight in the U.S. and in Las Vegas like my idol Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. did,” said Salas. “I can’t wait to finally make that dream a reality on September 14. I’m going to make sure that everyone knows my name after this fight. I’m thankful to my whole team and I’m extremely motivated and excited to step into the ring.”
**JONATHAN LOPEZ VS. RICHARD MEDINA**
Trained by the renowned Eddy Reynoso, the 21-year-old Jonathan Lopez has shown the skills to become a future world champion and will look to continue his rise when he takes on the 23-year-old Richard Medina in an eight-round super featherweight bout.
Residing in Orlando, Florida, Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs) turned pro in 2020 following an impressive amateur career and will enter this fight having stopped 10 of his last 11 opponents. He scored a career-best victory in June 2023 and went 10 rounds for the first time as he bested former title challenger Eduardo Baez via a wide unanimous decision. He’s scored two victories so far in 2024, stopping Edgar Ortega in round eight in May, before most recently KO’ing Leonardo Padilla in round one in July.
“I’m very motivated by this opportunity and I’m thankful to Eddy Reynoso, Canelo and my whole team for putting me on this platform,” said Lopez. “This is a huge chance for me to fight on Canelo’s undercard and I’m going to make the most of it. I’m ready to go out there and give the fans a great fight that they’re going to love.”
Fighting out of his native San Antonio, Medina (15-2, 8 KOs) will look to bounce back from a decision defeat against George Acosta last December. A pro since 2018, Medina was unbeaten in his first 13 outings. His undefeated run was halted in 2022, as he lost a decision to former featherweight world champion Raymond Ford. Medina would go on to bounce back from that loss with victories over Steve Garagarza and Juan Antonio Lopez.
“I’m working extremely hard right now so that I can make the most of this opportunity on September 14,” said Medina. “I’m expecting the best version of my opponent, but I’m gonna be the toughest opponent he’s faced and I’m getting better with every fight. Fans can expect a great matchup, because I’m coming to win. I’m gonna leave it all in the ring and give the fans their money’s worth on September 14.”
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ABOUT CANELO VS. BERLANGA
Canelo vs. Berlanga will deliver the latest installment of the historic Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry as Canelo Promotions presents pound-for-pound great and Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez putting his unified WBC, WBA and WBO Super Middleweight World Titles on the line against undefeated WBA No. 1-Ranked Mandatory Contender Edgar Berlanga headlining a Mexican Independence Day weekend extravaganza topping a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The star-studded co-main event will feature Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara taking on hard-hitting two-division world champion and Puerto Rican star Danny “Swift” García in a 12-round showdown between two of this era’s most accomplished fighters.
Plus, former super middleweight world champion Caleb Plant will take on undefeated contender Trevor McCumby for the Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title, while the former 140-pound world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero steps into the ring against the hard-hitting Manuel Jaimes in a 10-round bout opening the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to purchase the PPV via DAZN.com. Additionally, fans can purchase the PPV at PPV.com. On top of those options, fans will continue to be able to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. The event is promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Matchroom Boxing.
For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #CaneloBerlanga, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions
