SALITA PROMOTIONS TAKES THE SHOW ON THE ROAD
Friday, October 18: “Big Time Boxing Puerto Rico” featuring undefeated Salita prospects Joshua James “Double J” Pagan and Da’Velle Smith live on DAZN.
Saturday, October 19: Vladimir Shishkin vs. William Scull for vacant IBF Super Middleweight World Championship in Germany.
IBF SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE LINE
On Saturday, October 19, undefeated Vladimir Shishkin (16-0, 10 KOs) challenges No. 1-ranked contender William Scull (22-0, 9 KOs) for the vacant IBF Super Middleweight World Championship in Stadthalle, Germany, just outside of Berlin. A former WBA Asia titleholder, the 33-year-old Shishkin has made a name for himself in the star-studded super middleweight division throughout his impressive career starting in 2016, and is a familiar face to U.S. boxing fans having scored impressive wins on SHOBOX: The New Generation in 2019 and 2020.
A bona fide knockout artist, Shishkin carries momentum from back-to-back knockout victories, most recently defeating Mike Guy in the seventh round of their main event bout in Detroit, Mich., home of the famed Kronk Gym where Shishkin has worked with world-class training SugarHill Steward. Shishkin, who recently helped prepare social media phenomenon Jake Paul for his fight against Mike Perry, aims to capitalize on the biggest opportunity of his career and punch his ticket to challenge the world-renowned Canelo Alvarez.
Opposite Shishkin, Cuba’s Scull has proven to be one of the most dangerous super middleweights in the world. Starting his professional career in 2016 like Shishkin, Scull most recently defeated New Orleans’ Sean Hemphill via unanimous decision in dominant fashion this past May. As a result, Scull was listed as the mandatory challenger for the reigning IBF Super Middleweight Champion, Canelo. Now, paired with his toughest test to date in Shishkin, Scull plans to remind boxing fans around the world that he is battle-tested and ready for the big stage.
“Having worked with Shishkin for over six years, I have seen the undeniable progress he has made throughout his career as he continues to fight the biggest names in the sport,” said Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions. “On Saturday, October 19, both Shishkin and Scull will have the chance to make their case to fight Canelo Alvarez. In a division where there is a wealth of talent, the IBF super middleweight world title will showcase the very best of the marquee division.”
“BIG TIME BOXING PUERTO RICO” THIS FRIDAY
A spectacular night of boxing is set for this Friday night from the Caribbean island’s new marquee arena, the iconic Coca-Cola Music Hall in San Juan, P.R. “BIG TIME BOXING PUERTO RICO” is promoted by Salita Promotions in collaboration with PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) and 21 Events and is part of Salita Promotions’ burgeoning “Big Time Boxing USA” series, the leading developmental series for promising prospects and young contenders on their journey toward a world championship.
CARRILLO vs. CASTILLO FOR VACANT IBF LATINO LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE The IBF has made the decision to sanction the co-featured bout pitting heralded and unbeaten Argentine prospect Juan Carrillo (12-0, 9 KO) against Lenin Castillo (25-5-1, 19 KO) from Miami, Fla., for the vacant IBO LATINO light heavyweight belt in a 10-round bout. The division is one of the best in all of boxing with newly undisputed light heavyweight Artur Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol, and even the winner of David Benavidez and David Morrell possibly waiting in the wings for a future bout.
AND IN THE MAIN EVENT Undefeated Joshua James Pagan (10-0, 4 KOs) will take on hard-hitting veteran Haskell Rhodes (31-6, 16 KOs) in a 10-round bout in the lightweight division. The Michigan-born Pagan’s father and trainer Tone is a former boxer who grew up in Puerto Rico. “Double J” Pagan is managed by Aaron Samson at Samson Team Management.
IN THE TV OPENER Salita Promotions’ popular and undefeated Da’Velle Smith (9-0, 7 KOs) of Taylor, Mich., – who is also managed by Samson – returns to the ring to contest a middleweight bout at six rounds against Brazil’s Gilberto Pereira dos Santos (16-15, 12 KOs). Smith is coming off an impressive fourth-round stoppage over Esau Herrera De La Cruz in Flint, Mich., last month on DAZN.
EXCITING WOMEN’S BOUT ADDED TO DAZN LocalSan Juan, P.R., product Kiria Tapia (4-0, 0 KOs)will take on Hungary’s Beata Dudek (4-4, 4 KOs) in a junior lightweight (130 pounds) special attraction.
HOW TO WATCH The night of fights will air live globally on DAZN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Corey Erdman will handle the blow-by-blow call, with International Boxing Hall of Famer announcer Al Bernstein joined by former IBF Junior Middleweight world champion Raul Marquez handling the commentary.
IF YOU’RE GOING TO BE IN SAN JUAN Doors open at 5 pm ET with the first fight to begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketera.com and the venue’s official website: www.cocacolamusichall.com.
