FLINT (September 10, 2024) – Ahead of Thursday night’s “BIG TIME BOXING USA” event taking place live at Dort Financial Center in Flint, homegrown superstar Claressa Shields joined fighters from the highly talented card for a media open workout at Berston Field House today. Michigan’s most talented and emerging fighters, such as Leon Lawson III, Da’Velle Smith, DeAndre Savage, and Jaquan McElroy, all showcased their skills. Shields, one of the most prominent boxing stars today, accompanied Ardreal Holmes Jr., who is widely regarded as the future top contender from Michigan, into the ring for a star-studded workout.
Dmitry Salita:
“Some of the best boxers in the world happen to live here locally. It is so prestigious in Michigan. Claressa Shields, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Thomas Hearns, Chris Byrd, the Dirrell brothers and many others are a testament to that. Fighters like Ardreal Holmes are the future of the sport, and people are going to see that come Thursday as this will be broadcast worldwide live on DAZN.”
“That is what the Big Time Boxing USA series is about — giving the best young prospects and contenders an opportunity to show out in great fighting cities like Flint and before a global television audience. This is how you build the future stars of the sport and develop new boxing fans to keep the sport healthy, vibrant, and growing for years to come.”
Ardreal Holmes Jr.:
“It has been a blessing to be able to headline a card in my hometown. It will be excitement come fight night, then I will execute. I’ve watched Claressa [Shields] do it for years, and now I get the opportunity to headline.”
“It means everything to have Claressa here. In addition, I am so excited to be fighting on the same card as my brother [Jaquan McElroy]. I can’t even put into words how excited I am. We’ve been so close to each other for so long, so it’s just an honor to share this moment with him. It’s a dream come true.”
“My dream in this sport is to have every title possible. Once I achieve that in my weight class, I will probably go up and get those titles next.”
On how becoming a father has helped him in his career “I feel like when times get tough, it gives me motivation. I want to show him not to give up, so I have to practice what I preach.”
Claressa Shields:
“I respect his [Holmes Jr.] skills. I think he is a very patient fighter. He picks his shots, and he is very strong. He doesn’t mind sitting back and throwing out that jab. He is ready for this next step. In his last fight, he scored a second-round knockout.”
“I’m not the only one who has all this knockout power. All these guys have that power and skill. When holding pads for Ardreal, I could tell he was extremely strong and fast. He is going to get the chance to display his talents this Thursday. I also believe that he rises to the occasion with his opponents. So, when his opponents come with that smoke, he comes with that smoke.”
“BIG TIME BOXING USA” INVADES FLINT: The exciting night of fights features undefeated Flint, Mich., native Ardreal “Bossman” Holmes Jr. (15-0, 6 KOs) defending his USBA Junior Middleweight title against Cuba’s Hugo Noriega (10-2, 5 KOs) in the main event. The co-main event pits unbeaten prospect Joseph “Sug” Hicks (10-0, 7 KOs) of Grand Rapids, Mich., taking on Detroit’s Ronnie Austion (10-2, 7 KOs) in an eight-round super welterweight bout while fellow Detroit native and SugarHill Steward-trained “Hitman 2.0” Da’Velle Smith (8-0, 6 KOs) collides against Esau Herrera de la Cruz (21-17-1, 8 KOs) in a middleweight fight. Kicking off the televised card on DAZN will be a showdown between surging Flint prospect Leon Lawson III (15-1, 8 KOs) and Argentina’s Luis Alberto Veron (20-8-2, 9 KOs). Lawson is the cousin of the Dirrell brothers and his trained by his father, former pro boxer Leon Lawson II. All the action takes place at Dort Financial Center in Flint, with the top four bouts airing live on the premier global sports platform DAZN (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT). Tickets for the live event are on sale now and can be purchased online HERE or in-person at the Dort Financial Center Box Office.
