The King Returns: Kevin Walsh Continues his World Title March at Mohegan Sun Arena on July 24
BROCKTON, MA – Fresh off the biggest victory of his career, undefeated WBC International Featherweight Champion “King” Kevin Walsh (20-0, 10 KOs) returns to New England on Friday, July 24, to take on dangerous Dominican puncher Dannis Aguero Arias (20-5, 17 KOs) at Mohegan Sun Arena. The 8-round featherweight bout serves as the co-feature of CES Boxing’s Championship Jackpot 2026, a stacked 9-bout card that also features the return of former 3-time, 2-division world champion Demetrius ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade.
Tickets for Championship Jackpot 2026 are quickly selling out. Purchase yours now at cesfights.com.
Walsh enters the bout against Arias ranked #14 by the WBCfollowing a career-defining split decision victory over former world title challenger Michael Conlan on March 20 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Fighting in front of Conlan’s hometown crowd on St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Walsh captured the WBC International Featherweight Championship in one of the most impressive road victories by a New England fighter in recent memory.
“It was an unbelievable experience,” recalls the Brockton native. “Fighting in another country had always been a dream of mine, and the whole experience was amazing. As soon as I landed in Ireland, everyone treated me great and made me feel welcome. Honestly, I felt like I was home.”
The fight itself was a tactical, closely contested affair where Colan would find success as a southpaw but would consistently run into Walsh’s right hands and left hooks whenever he switched to orthodox.
“It was a close fight, but I knew when that final bell rang that I had won,” agreed Walsh. “I hurt him in the first and second rounds, and I honestly thought I was going to get the knockout, but Mick Conlan is a great fighter. He’s an Olympian who’s fought world champions and some of the best fighters in the world. It wasn’t an easy task, but I was in the best shape of my life, and I think that showed.”
Walsh’s win abroad was a graduation to the world level after the 33-year-old first established himself as New England’s premier featherweight by vanquishing regional rivals Tremaine Williams (W 10), Ricky De Los Santos (TKO 8) and Irvin Gonzalez (TKO 4)before conquering Belfast.
Throughout his five-year professional career, Walsh gained a reputation as an active fighter willing to take on all comers. That mindset hasn’t changed with the win over Conlan.
“I truly feel like I’m meant for this,” explained Walsh. “Whenever I’m the underdog, I rise to the occasion. It makes me train and work even harder. I love when the odds are against me.”
Kevin’s next challenge comes in the form of Dannis Arias, a hard-hitting Dominican who has shared the ring with the likes of former three-time, two-division world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux and has foes in common with Walsh as he dropped a close decision to Williams in June and stopped Gonzalez in four rounds three years ago.
“At this stage of my career, I expect everybody to be a good fighter,” admits Walsh. “I know Arias is durable. He comes forward, keeps a high guard and throws a lot of punches. He fought Tremaine Williams in June, and me and Tremaine had a close fight, so I’m looking forward to a competitive fight.”
While Walsh’s victory over Conlan vaulted him into the WBC’s top 15 and sparked conversations about a future world title opportunity against the likes of Bruce ‘Shu Shu’ Carrington, Kevin believes that remaining active is critical as he continues his march.
“If it were completely up to me, I’d be fighting for a world title next,” confesses Walsh, “but boxing doesn’t always work that way. I have to be patient, stay humble, keep working, keep making a name for myself and my opportunity will come.”
This mindset is what CES Boxing Founder Jimmy Burchfield Sr. believes will take Walsh all the way to a world championship.
“Kevin has earned everything he’s achieved,” said Burchfield. “He never shied away from a tough fight. He beat every top featherweight in New England, then traveled halfway around the world and defeated Michael Conlan in front of his own fans. That’s the kind of mentality world champions have. We believe Kevin belongs on the world stage, and July 24 is another opportunity to prove it.”
Returning to Mohegan Sun also allows Walsh to perform in front of the fans who have supported him from the very beginning before he moves on to world title opportunities.
“The support means everything,” Walsh said. “When I came home from Ireland, the reception in Brockton was unbelievable. It honestly felt like I had won a world title. My hometown has always had my back, and I never take that for granted. This is why we train so hard and put our heart and soul into this—not just for our families, but for our fans too. We do it for you guys, and we’re going to keep fighting for you.”
Championship Jackpot 2026 takes place on Friday, July 24 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, headlined by the long-awaited return of former 3-time, 2-division world champion Demetrius ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade against Brazil’s Douglas Ataide and WBC International Featherweight Champion ‘King’ Kevin Walsh against Dannis Arias. Don’t miss it!
For additional updates and event information, follow CES Boxing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @CESBOXING.
INFORMATION
ABOUT CES BOXING
CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast. Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.
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