Charlie Sheehy will face Jaret Gonzalez for the WBA NABA Lightweight title at the Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas on Saturday May 30, live worldwide on DAZN, with the bout serving as the co-main event ahead of the blockbuster showdown between Houston’s own WBC World Super-Featherweight champion O’Shaquie Foster defending his crown against former World ruler Raymond Ford.
TICKETS FOR FOSTER VS. FORD ON MAY 30 IN HOUSTON ARE ON SALE NOW
Sheehy (12-0 7 KOs) penned a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom in April, and on a night of firsts for the Californian with a glittering amateur career, he boxes over the ten round distance for the first time in a bid to claim his maiden pro strap. The 27 year old, who made his pro debut on a Matchroom card in Fresno, California in October 21, moved to 12-0 in November with his seventh stoppage win in the paid ranks, and he’ll be looking to make his three KO wins in a row in Houston.
Standing in Sheehy’s way is Gonzalez (18-2 13 KOs), the Mexican who returned to winning ways in October with a ten round shut out in Aguascalientes against Martin Morales, bouncing back from defeat against former World ruler Joe Cordina in Manchester in July, where he took the Welshman the distance.
“I’ve waited for this moment my whole life and I’m excited for the opportunity to fight for Matchroom and have the chance to get my first regional title as a professional,” said Sheehy. “I’m coming to make a statement. This is just the start of a much bigger run.”
“I’m very excited about this opportunity to return on another Matchroom card and in Texas where there will be many Mexican and Mexican American fans coming out to support,” said Gonzalez. “I showed against Cordina in the UK that I am World-class, and Charlie is not on his level, or mine. He’s made a big mistake here and he’ll quickly understand that on May 30. Viva Mexico.”
The full undercard is announced today, with Olympic bronze medal man Omari ‘Banger’ Jones fighting for the seventh time in the paid ranks against Alan Sanchez. Jones (6-0 4 KOs) boxes over the eight round distance for the second time, having banked eight rounds in his Orlando hometown in March in a landslide triumph over the Christian Gomez, and Jones’ second outing of the year sees him tackle another experienced Mexican campaigner in Alan Sanchez (24-7-1 10 KOs).
“This is another great opportunity to show my growth,” said Jones. “I’m coming to prove a point – on May 30, the Banger Show returns.”
Foster’s stablemate Miguel Flores kicks off the action live on DAZN over ten rounds against Javon Woodard Jr. Flores (29-5-1 13 KOs) is looking to extend his winning streak to five on his Texas home turf, with his last two wins coming in Houston. The former World title challenger, who lost on points for the WBA Super-Featherweight title to Leo Santa Cruz, knows he’s in must-win territory in his hunt for big fights, but Woodard Jr (16-2 14 KOs) is on his own four-win roll following a unique ‘overtime round’ loss in Atlanta in August 2023, and the 30 year old Atlanta, Georgia man brings plenty of ambition to what promises to be an all-action live opener on DAZN.
“I am honored and privileged to be able to open the show for my stablemate ‘Shock’ Foster here in our hometown,” said Flores. “This is a huge night for the both of us and a huge night for the city of Houston. This is a make-or-break fight for me at this point in my career and there is no way I’m leaving the ring without my hand raised on May 30.”
There is plenty of young talents on the prelim section of the undercard, topped by the return of Zaquin Moses (6-0 3 KOs) the Newark, NJ starlet who is training alongside main event man Ford in Houston, and on his seventh outing in the paid ranks, the 21 year old will face Travis Crawford (7-6 2 KOs) at Lightweight.
“When you talk about the future of boxing all you need to do is lay eyes on me,” said Moses. “Houston has become my home away from home and I’m excited to show out here on May 30.”
Another rising star features on the card in the shape of Sacramento’s Frank Espinoza (3-0 3 KOs) as the 20 year old boxes for the fourth time in the pro game over six rounds against local man Bryce Blackwell (4-2 1 KO).
“First and foremost, I want to thank God for this opportunity,” said Espinoza. “I am ready to deliver a career-defining performance on May 30. I’m grateful for this opportunity and proving that I belong among the elite in this sport.”
Two more six round bouts complete the prelims and a stacked card, with unbeaten Texan Jahyden Franklin Britton (8-0 5 KOs) taking on Najee West (9-2 4 KOs) at Super-Middleweight and Las Vegas’ unbeaten Super-Featherweight Julian Montalvo (6-0 4 KOs) takes on New Mexico’s Maximus Moya (3-3 2 KOs).
