MVP UNVEILS ADDITIONAL BOUTS FOR MOST VALUABLE PROSPECTS 13 CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION ON SATURDAY, JUNE 7, IN ORLANDO, FL, LIVE GLOBALLY ON DAZN

NEW YORK, NY – May 30, 2025 – Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced additional bouts for MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 13 Championship Edition on Saturday, June 7 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL, live globally on DAZN. Joining the main card is the WBA’s #5-ranked bantamweight Bree “Bam Bam” Howling (8-0, 2 KOs), making her return to the Most Valuable Prospects series vs. fellow undefeated prospect Naomy “Kusa” Cardenas (8-0, 2 KOs) in a 6-round bantamweight bout at 118lbs. Most Valuable Prospects 13 Championship Edition, an MVP Event, will be a headlined by a 10-round women’s world championship fight at 135lbs as Brazil’s IBF lightweight world champion Beatriz “The Beast” Ferreira (6-0, 2 KOs) defends her title for the second time against 28-year-old Buenos Aires, Argentina challenger Maria Ines “Dinamita” Ferreyra (11-0-1, 6 KOs). In the co-main event, MVP’s new signee, 2x Brazilian Olympian Keno Marley, will make his highly-anticipated professional debut over 4 rounds at 200lbs in the cruiserweight division against Weslaco, Texas’s undefeated cruiserweight Sean Sparks (2-0, 2 KOs). Also on the main card will be an 8-round 135lbs lightweight fight between Brazilian national champion Luan Almeida (5-0, 4 KOs) vs. Crescent City, Florida’s Tony Aguilar (13-1-1, 4 KOs). Tickets for MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 13 Championship Edition are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com

Headlining the preliminary card is Kissimmee, Florida’s 26-year-old local talent Antraveous Ingram (10-0, 5 KOs) vs. Saint Paul, Minnesota’s super welterweight standout Sona Akale (9-2, 4 KOs) in a 6-round super welterweight bout at 154lbs. Joining the preliminary card in an 8-round bantamweight bout at 118lbs will be undefeated 22-year-old Reina Tellez (11-0-1, 5 KOs) vs. Saltillo, Mexico’s Maria “Polvorita” Salinas (27-11-6, 7 KOs) in an 8-round bantamweight bout at 118 lbs. Returning to Most Valuable Prospects is MVP’s 3x US national boxing champion and high-fashion model Alexis “Chop Chop” Chaparro (4-0, 4 KOs). Also featured will be undefeated 20-year-old prospect Sebastian Juarez (7-0, 5 KOs) vs. Gadsden, Alabama’s Shaquille Cameron (7-4, 6 KOs) in a 6-round super welterweight bout and undefeated super bantamweight standout Chavez Barrientes (10-0, 6 KOs) vs. Saint Louis, Missouri’s Sharone “Smoke” Carter (14-11-1, 3 KOs) in an 8-round super bantamweight bout at 122lbs.

Opening the Most Valuable Prospects 13 Championship Edition main card will be 27-year-old top-5-ranked WBA bantamweight Bree “Bam Bam” Howling (8-0, 2 KOs), who will face fellow undefeated prospect Naomy “Kusa” Cardenas (8-0, 2 KOs) in a 6-round bantamweight bout at 118lbs. The 26-year-old Howling comes to the ring from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and is promoted by Boxlab Promotions and Kings Promotions. Following her professional debut in September 2019, Howling has worked up an impressive undefeated 8-0 record, advancing to #5 on the WBA’s world rankings of top female bantamweight talents. Howling returns to the Most Valuable Prospects series, aiming to continue to develop her undefeated streak following her unanimous decision win over Beata Dudek at Most Valuable Prospects 8 in September 2024. Howling will now take on Naomy Cardenas, the 25-year-old prospect from Chihuahua, Mexico. Cardenas makes her first international appearance as a pro as she steps into the ring on Saturday, June 7, to face Howling.

Headlining the preliminary card will be Kissimmee, Florida’s local talent Antraveous Ingram (10-0, 5 KOs) as he looks to defend his undefeated record against Saint Paul, Minnesota’s super welterweight standout Sona Akale (9-2, 4 KOs) in a 6-round bout at super welterweight on Saturday, June 7. Ingram, the 26-year-old from Kissimmee, Florida, took home a unanimous decision victory over Luis Solis on Most Valuable Prospects 6 in May 2024 and a dominant win by TKO against Cruse Stewart at Most Valuable Prospects 8 in September 2024. Akale notably stunned Nico Ali Walsh with a majority decision win in August 2023, only to see the tables turn in June 2024 when he was defeated by unanimous decision in their rematch bout.

Also on the preliminary card is Boxlab Promotions’ 22-year-old WBC Youth featherweight champion Reina Tellez (11-0-1, 5 KOs), who will face Saltillo, Mexico’s Maria “Polvorita” Salinas (27-11-6, 7 KOs) in an 8-round bantamweight bout at 118lbs. Tellez also holds the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) title at bantamweight and super bantamweight. Tellez, who began boxing at the age of 8, claimed multiple national titles as an amateur before making her professional debut in February 2021, finishing with a first-round technical draw before winning her next three fights by TKO. She has continued to build her undefeated record, most recently securing a unanimous decision over Perla Lomeli in November 2024 to defend her female NABF bantamweight title. Tellez will look to keep dominance over Salinas on June 7, following Salinas’ recent losses against Cecilia Nino Rodriguez in Match 2025 and Kenia Stephanie Enriquez in February 2024.

MVP’s 3x US national boxing champion and high-fashion model Alexis “Chop Chop” Chaparro (4-0, 4 KOs) will return to the Most Valuable Prospects preliminary card for a 6-round middleweight bout. The 24-year-old Chaparro, raised in Ridgewood, New York, competed at both the 2020 and 2024 USA Boxing Olympic trials. The gifted Puerto Rican athlete is also a high fashion model, having worked for Versace, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, and Polo Ralph Lauren, among others. Chaparro landed a sensational first-round KO win in his pro debut on Most Valuable Prospects 6 in April 2024, before scoring a stunning second-round knockout win on the preliminary card of MVP’s Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry in July 2024. He also earned a first-round TKO victory on MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 9 in Puerto Rico in October 2024. Most recently, Chaparro traveled to the Dominican Republic where he won by TKO over Jordhany Caba. 

Also on the preliminary card will be Boxlab Promotions’ undefeated 20-year-old prospect Sebastian Juarez (7-0, 5 KOs) from Brownsville, Texas in a 6-round super welterweight bout vs. Gadsden, Alabama’s Shaquille Cameron (7-4, 6 KOs). Juarez, fresh off a dominant, unanimous decision victory over Juan Loera in February 2025, will face Cameron as he continues his quest to conquer the super welterweight division and become a multi-time world champion. 

Additionally, on the preliminary card is undefeated 22-year-old standout Chavez Barrientes (10-0, 6 KOs) in a 6-round welterweight bout against Saint Louis, Missouri’s Sharone “Smoke” Carter (14-11-1, 3 KOs). Barrientes will step into the ring to defend his unblemished record against the seasoned Carter. Barrientes is promoted by Boxlab Promotions and comes to the ring from Las Vegas, Nevada. 

“Most Valuable Prospects 13 reflects the global scale of MVP, uniting the next generation of stars from Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the US on one stage, all topped by the return of MVP’s Championship Edition featuring Brazil’s IBF champion Beatriz Ferreira vs. Maria Ines Ferreyra,” said Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founders of MVP. “We are proud to welcome our Puerto Rican rising star Alexis Chaparro back to the series alongside our newly signed Brazilian Olympian Keno Marley for his pro debut. We look forward to seeing these future champions shine live globally on DAZN on Saturday, June 7, in partnership with Boxlab Promotions.”  

“Caribe Royale is excited to work with MVP, led by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, on this exciting event. This is truly a united nations of both female and male prospects coming together for a tremendous card in Central Florida,” said Amaury Piedra, President of Boxlab Promotions and Managing Director of the Caribe Royale Resort. “Not only will this card show off the future of boxing, but also the present with the IBF Women’s World Title on the line. Caribe Royale is always focused on bringing world-class entertainment to our visitors and locals alike with this internationally televised event. We look forward to a great evening of boxing!”

The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and marketed by MVP, promoted by MVP and Boxlab Promotions, and distributed globally by DAZN. The 13th event in the series, hosted by the Caribe Royale Resort, will continue the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drinks, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP and the Most Valuable Prospects series. Fansly and Event Ticket Center have also joined on to sponsor the Most Valuable Prospects series.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @DAZNBoxing.

About MVP

MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP have produced Jake Paul’s last six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson streamed live globally on Netflix and shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app.

For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit?dazngroup.com.




MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS UNVEILS MOST VALUABLE PROSPECTS 13 CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION FEATURING BRAZILIAN CHAMPION BEATRIZ FERREIRA VS. MARIA INES FERREYRA FOR IBF LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE ON SATURDAY, JUNE 7 IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA, LIVE GLOBALLY ON DAZN

ORLANDO, FL – April 30, 2025 – Most Valuable Promotions today announced Most Valuable Prospects 13, an MVP Championship Edition on Saturday, June 7 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida, live globally on DAZN. Most Valuable Prospects 13, an MVP Event, will be a headlined by a 10-round women’s world championship fight at 135lbs as Brazil’s IBF lightweight world champion Beatriz “The Beast” Ferreira (6-0, 2 KOs) defends her title for the second time against 28-year-old Buenos Aires, Argentina challenger Maria Ines “Dinamita” Ferreyra (11-0-1, 6 KOs). In the co-main event, MVP’s newest signee, 2x Brazilian Olympian Keno Marley will make his highly-anticipated professional debut over 4 rounds at 200lbs in the cruiserweight division against Dallas, Georgia’s undefeated cruiserweight Sean Sparks (2-0, 2 KOs). Also on the main card will be an 8-round 135lb lightweight fight between Brazilian national champion Luan Almeida (5-0, 4 KOs) vs. Crescent City, Florida’s Tony Aguilar (13-1-1, 4 KOs). Tickets for Most Valuable Prospects 13 are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com

Matchroom’s Beatriz “The Beast” Ferreira made her professional debut in Cleveland, Ohio in 2022. Prior to turning pro, Ferreira’s glittering amateur career saw her win lightweight gold at the 2019 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Russia and silver in the lightweight category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, before returning to compete for Team Brazil at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where she earned the bronze medal. The 31-year-old Ferreira is an aggressive, come-forward fighter who put on a thoroughly impressive display against an unbeaten Taynna Cardoso in her pro debut in 2022, twice dropping her fellow Brazilian en route to a four-round shutout decision victory, which she competed over three-minute rounds. Less than a month later, Ferreira returned for her second pro bout, stopping the 7-2 Carisse Brown inside two rounds on the undercard of Estrada-Chocolatito 3 in December 2022. Ferreira made her third outing as a professional in July 2023 on the undercard of Dalton Smith vs. Sam Maxwell in Sheffield, England, taking another big step up early in her career and delivering an electric decision win over Karla Ramos Zamora. Ferreira followed the win with an eighth round stoppage of Destiny Jones on the undercard of Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis in December 2023. In just her fifth fight, Ferreira earned her first shot at world title honors against Yanina Lescano in April 2024 in Liverpool, England. Ferreira dished out a severe, relentless beating, winning by technical decision and claiming the vacant IBF lightweight world title at 135lbs. Following the bout, Ferreira turned her attention back to her Olympic aspirations, medaling in Paris before returning to the pro ranks in December 2024 to defend her IBF title and winning a dominant 10-round unanimous decision over France’s Licia Boudersa in Monte-Carlo. She now will defend her title for the second time against Argentinian challenger Maria Ines Ferreyra. 

“I want to thank Matchroom and Most Valuable Promotions for this opportunity and I am very excited to return to the United States to defend my world title,” said Biatriz Ferreira. “I am expecting a very tough challenge from my opponent, I know she is no joke and is coming to take my title but these are the type of challenges I want. It’s exciting times for women’s boxing and I want to be part of these big nights. I am ready for all the big names that people are talking about and I will prove this on Saturday, June 7th.”

María Inés “Dinamita” Ferreyra (11-0-1, 6 KOs) is a 28-year-old undefeated Argentine professional boxer from Tres Algarrobos, Buenos Aires, currently living in Villa María, Córdoba. She made her professional debut in March 2021. Following a strong start to her pro career, Ferreyra earned her first regional title shot in September 2024, contesting for the then-vacant South American lightweight title against Johen Paola Gonzalez and earning a first-round TKO win over Gonzalez to claim the title honors. She followed the showing with a title defense in her latest bout in December 2024, winning by unanimous decision against Lizbeth Crespo. Now entering her first world title fight, she will challenge Ferreira for the IBF lightweight world title in a 10-round women’s championship bout on Saturday, June 7.

MVP’s Keno Marley is a 24-year-old 6’3” boxer born in Sapeaçu, Bahia, Brazil. He first began boxing at age 11 before moving to São Paulo alone to pursue his boxing training at age 13, joining the Brazilian national team to launch a standout amateur career. He first made a name for himself at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, taking home the gold medal and becoming the first Brazilian boxer to achieve this feat. The next year, Marley earned silver at the 2019 Pan American championships. He earned a place on Brazil’s Olympic team, qualifying to compete in the men’s light heavyweight event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and finishing as a quarter-finalist in a narrow 3-2 defeat to Britain’s Benjamin Whittaker, the eventual silver medalist. At the 2021 amateur world championships, Marley fought in the IBA cruiserweight division and earned the silver medal, before becoming the 2022 Brazilian national amateur champion. In 2023, Marley won the prestigious Strandja Tournament, the biggest championship on the European circuit, becoming the first Brazilian man to reach the final and win the title before winning silver at the 2023 Pan American Games. He continued his amateur sprint as he returned to represent Brazil again at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the men’s heavyweight division, defeating Team Great Britain powerhouse Pat Brown to reach the quarter finals. Outside boxing, Marley faced two difficult losses in 2021, losing his older brother to murder and his cousin to suicide. He now actively serves as a third sergeant in the Brazilian Army, holds a university degree in physical education, and is currently completing a law degree. He trains out of the Brazilian Olympic Training Center and is co-managed by Brazil’s biggest influencer, multi-talented superstar Whindersson Nunes, who faced MVP’s Neeraj Goyat on the main card of MVP’s record-shattering Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson in November 2024. Marley currently resides in São Paulo, Brazil. On Saturday, June 7, Marley will make his professional debut over 4 rounds at 200lbs in the cruiserweight division against Sean Sparks (2-0, 2 KOs). The 33-year-old Sparks comes to the ring from Weslaco, Texas by way of Palm Desert, California, boasting a perfect record so far in his pro career. Sparks, an orthodox fighter standing at 6’2”, most recently earned a third-round KO over Enrique Rodriguez in March 2025, following his outstanding first round KO of Edmilson Freitas in his pro debut in October 2024. He is managed by Felix Piedra.

“I’ve been boxing for 11 years now. To finally get to the point where I’m about to make my pro debut after all I’ve done so far feels surreal,” said Keno Marley.“I’m really excited and thankful that MVP is the stage where I’m starting my boxing career. I’m doing exactly what I wanted, when I wanted, and where I wanted, so I can’t be anything but thankful about my life right now! Saturday, June 7 can’t get here soon enough.”

Luan Medeiros (5-0, 4 KOs) is an undefeated professional lightweight boxer and the current CNB Super Lightweight Brazilian National Champion. As an amateur, he built an extensive career with close to 150 fights, boasting over 114 wins and becoming a Brazilian National Champion, Copa del Pacífico winner in Ecuador, and a Cheo Aponte Tournament runner-up in Puerto Rico. Domestically, he won multiple regional titles, including 4x Rio de Janeiro state champion, 3x São Paulo state champion, Paraná state champion, Sul-Sudeste champion, and Centro-Oeste champion. He also represented Brazil internationally, winning team challenges against Italy and Argentina. Outside the ring, the 30-year-old Luan is known for his relationship with Brazilian A-list actress Mel Maia, who has over 21 million followers. Facing him will be one of boxing’s most exciting up-and-coming lightweight prospects, Tony Aguilar (13-1-1, 4 KOs). The 26-year-old Aguilar, a Crescent City, FL native, returns to the ring following four thrilling fights across MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects series and Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry in July 2024 and his latest UD win over Marcello Williams in December 2024. He proudly represents his Mexican heritage in the ring and is a relentlessly hard-working fighter who will look to keep the action high over 8 rounds against Medeiros.

“On Saturday, June 7, our newest signee and two-time Brazilian Olympian Keno Marley will be making his pro debut as part of a card that uniquely celebrates the tremendous talent and achievements of Brazilian boxing,” said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions. “This event also marks the return of MVP’s Championship Edition, which first featured Amanda Serrano’s historic 12×3:00 unified women’s world championship bout against Danila Ramos in October 2023. We are proud to now spotlight two more world-class women’s fighters as Brazil’s Olympic silver medalist Beatriz Ferreira defends her IBF world title against a difficult challenger in Maria Ines Ferreyra. Most Valuable Prospects 13 continues to showcase some of the most exciting women’s fighters and rising prospects in the sport—both core tenets of our MVP mission–in partnership with DAZN and Boxlab Promotions.”

“On behalf of the entire team at Caribe Royale and Boxlab Promotions we’re proud to be partnering with MVP on what should be a great night of action,” said Amaury Piedra, President of Boxlab Promotions and Managing Director of the Caribe Royale Resort. “Central Florida’s Brazilian community will be out supporting their champion and their Olympian! This is part of Caribe Royale’s commitment of bringing world class events to Orlando. Sports fans in Central Florida should be excited about the headliners and the soon to be announced undercard!”

The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and marketed by MVP, promoted by MVP and Boxlab Promotions, and distributed globally by DAZN. The 13th event in the series, hosted by the Caribe Royale Resort, will continue the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drink, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP and the Most Valuable Prospects series. Fansly and Event Ticket Center have also joined on to sponsor the Most Valuable Prospects series.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @DAZNBoxing.

About MVP

MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize returns for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP has produced Jake Paul’s last six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson streamed live globally on Netflix and shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app.

For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit?dazngroup.com.




WORLD TITLE DOUBLE-HEADER TOPS MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN V ON DECEMBER 14

A thrilling World Title double-header will top the latest instalment of the Monte-Carlo Showdown at Salle Des Étoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo on Saturday December 14, shown live worldwide on DAZN

Uzbekistan’s former IBF and WBA Super-Bantamweight World Champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (12-1, 9 KOs) attempts to become a two-time World Champion when he takes on Mexican knockout artist Ricardo Espinoza Franco (30-4, 25 KOs) for the interim WBA Super-Bantamweight World Title.

‘MJ’ made three defences of the IBF and WBA World Titles he landed against Daniel Roman in Miami in January 2020 before losing them in a split decision points loss to Marlon Tapales on the undercard of Jesse Rodriguez vs. Cristian Gonzalez at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas last year.

Brazilian amateur star turned 5-0 professional Beatriz Ferreira makes the first defence of her IBF Lightweight World Title against France’s former European Champion Licia Boudersa (23-2-2, 4 KOs) after capturing the vacant crown against Yanina del Carmen Lescano in Liverpool earlier this year.

‘The Beast’, a former amateur World Champion, won silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games before putting pen to paper on a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing in 2022. The 31-year-old attempted to go one better by winning gold in Paris this summer but ultimately fell short to eventual champion Kellie Harrington in the semi-final.

British Cruiserweight Champion Chev Clarke (10-0, 7 KOs) looks to build on his successful American debut last time out in August when he clashes with unbeaten Frenchman Leonardo Mosquea (15-0, 9 KOs) for the vacant EBU European Cruiserweight Title in what will be his biggest test to date.

Big hitting ‘C4’ looks to end a breakout 2024 on a high after stopping Belfast’s former European ruler Tommy McCarthy at Ulster Hall back in January, taking out Ellis Zorro in eight rounds to claim the famous Lord Lonsdale Challenge Belt at the First Direct Arena in Leeds in May and decisioning Efetobor Apochi over ten hard rounds in Los Angeles in August.

Irish Lightweight contender Gary Cully (18-1, 10 KOs) puts his WBA Continental Title on the line against Rossington’s Maxi Hughes (27-7-2, 6 KOs) in an intriguing Ireland vs. England match-up. ‘The Diva’ outpointed Belgium’s former European Champion Francesco Patera in Leeds last time out in May while ‘Maximus’ earned an impressive stoppage win over Efstathios Antonas in Sheffield last month. 

“I’m very excited to be back in the ring and making the first defence of my World Title in Monte-Carlo,” said Ferreira. “I am very proud to have finished my Olympic journey as a two-time medallist but from now on my focus is 100% on the professionals and I am excited about this next phase in my career and dedicating myself fully to professional boxing.

“My opponent is very experienced and has won many titles in the past so I’m looking forward to the challenge and then I hope to move into big unification fights and add more World Titles in 2025.”

“I’m happy to be going back to work,” said Akhmadaliev. “It looks like that p4p star is not ready for big challenges. He can continue running away, but I will get what should be mine anyway. ‘M’J in business again and December will be hot!”

“I can’t wait to return to breathtaking Monte-Carlo for a magnificent night of World Championship boxing on December 14,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Two thrilling World Title clashes, a European Title showdown between two hungry undefeated contenders and a big Ireland vs. England match-up – Monte-Carlo Showdown V has something for everyone! Catch all of the action live worldwide on DAZN.”

“Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer has been the essential partner of the Principality of Monaco greatest sports events for over a century,” said Albert Manzone. “We are delighted to welcoming the 2024 edition of the Monte-Carlo Showdown, presented by the Casino de Monte-Carlo, at the Sporting Monte-Carlo, in the prestigious Salle des Etoiles room.”

Tickets priced at €200 plus fees will be available to purchase via Stage Front from 10am tomorrow morning (Monday October 28). In addition, Hotel and Ticket Packages are available priced at £995 plus fees (for two people sharing).

About Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer

Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer embodies a new Art de Vivre that is unique in the world with a taste for what is beautiful, fine and good. Its Resort offers Luxury Gaming in its casinos, “haute couture” experiences in its iconic palace hotels and their Diamond Suites and gourmet dining at the cutting edge of modernity, combining Michelin-starred restaurants, international concepts and our own creations, as well as a topflight artistic and cultural selection. The Resort also offers a fantastic range of sport and well-being activities, shopping and partying. And because the new Art de Vivre Monte-Carlo must evolve towards increasingly ethical and responsible luxury, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer has been committed since 2007 to a pro-active policy in terms of energy transition, consumption of resources and waste, local fine dining and preservation of the natural heritage. The number 1 private employer in the Principality of Monaco, in 2023 the Group launched its 4th ethics charter to uphold its values of integrity and responsibility in conducting its professional business.




FERREIRA: WINNING A WORLD TITLE AND OLYMPIC GOLD IN THE SAME YEAR WOULD BE EXTRAORDINARY

Beatriz Ferreira insists she is ready to ‘seize the moment’ this Saturday at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool and kickstart a monumental 2024 by winning the IBF World Lightweight Championship.

The decorated Brazilian superstar is primed to win gold at this summer’s Paris Olympics, with many tipping her to better her silver medal heroics from Tokyo 2020.

And in what would be a historic feat, the unbeaten Sao Paulo native (4-0, 2 KOs) believes she will secure her first major professional title when she challenges Yanina del Carmen Lescano for the vacant IBF belt, live worldwide on DAZN.

“I’m living the dream, you know,” said ’The Beast’ speaking to Matchroom Boxing. “To tell the truth I never dreamed of being in professional boxing. But once I accepted this challenge, as someone driven by challenges, I just love fighting and I’m really enjoying fighting as a professional.

“I feel at home and am having a lot of fun. The prospect of winning a belt and an Olympic medal in the same year is extraordinary. I’m feeling so much energy and I’m delighted to be here.”

With a huge South American contingent in the North-West, Ferreira already feels right at home on Merseyside where on Wednesday night she was a special guest at a local Capoeira For All session, surprising a group of local children, in partnership with Matchroom in the Community.

Now she wants to go one further and inspire the local children by claiming her first World Title on UK soil – in what she assures will be the “first of many”.

Ferreira said: “I will seize the opportunity and become World Champion here in Liverpool. What the World Title means to me, it’s absolutely massive. I like making history, so why not be a World Champion as a professional as well, as I’m already a two-time World Champion as an amateur. 

“As I always say, I’m living a dream. It’s a dream that comes from a lot of hard work. But it’s not just my dream, it’s the whole team’s and a lot of people who believe in my potential. Now as a professional I’m going to enjoy collecting belts. So prepare yourselves for a lot of belts.”

With her Paris mission still to come, Ferriera is fully focused on the job in hand against a tough Argentine opponent in Lescano (14-3-0, 3 KOs) whom she hopes to deliver a knockout performance against.

“Facing great opponents is where I’m heading, one step at a time,” she added.

“With every fight as a professional I’m feeling better and more comfortable. I’ve still got a lot to learn. I have a lot of Olympic experience and am gradually gaining experience as a professional.

“I’m obviously so looking forward to facing the best fighters in my division because I want to be the best of them all as well. It’s going to be a huge challenge and I can’t wait to face them with no fear at all. I’m always ready here.

“The way I see myself becoming World Champion is as follows… we have a strategy: We have strategies A, B and C. And of course we want to put on a good performance up there. I am ready to fight ten rounds like I start the first round, with high intensity. 

“My fights don’t disappoint, I’m getting better and better. I believe that it will be a good fight and a great spectacle, God-willing, I’ll be blessed and win with a knockout, that would be sensational.

“But no cuts this time, my face is fine as it is!”

Ferreira vs. Lescano is part of a huge night of boxing in Liverpool; Liverpool Bantamweight Peter McGrail (8-1, 5 KOs) looks to get back to winning ways against former British Champion Marc Leach (18-3-1, 4 KOs), Rotherham Super-Welterweight talent Junaid Bostan (8-0, 6 KOs) faces Southminster’s Jack Martin (9-1, 4 KOs) in a Final Eliminator for the English Title – with the Commonwealth Silver Title also on the line; Liverpool Middleweight Ste Clarke (2-0, 1 KO)gets a quick return to action following his win on the Gill-Barrett undercard; there’s also action for Eltham Super-Flyweight prospect Maiseyrose Courtney (5-0), Matchroom’s latest Featherweight signing Joe McGrail (9-0, 5 KOs), Walsall Flyweight pro debutant Hamza Uddin and Liverpool Lightweight Frankie Stringer (6-0).




FERREIRA LANDS WORLD TITLE SHOT AGAINST LESCANO IN LIVERPOOL

Brazilian amateur star turned 4-0 professional Beatriz Ferreira will face Argentina’s Yanina del Carmen Lescano for the vacant IBF Lightweight World Title at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool on Saturday April 27 – live worldwide on DAZN.

‘The Beast’ (4-0, 2 KOs), who captured Silver in the Lightweight category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, put pen to paper on a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing in July 2022 before making her much anticipated professional debut at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland later that year.

The 31-year-old from Sao Paulo returns to fight in the UK for the second time following her points win over Karla Ramos Zamora at the Utilita Arena Sheffield in July 2023, aiming to capture a World Title in just her fifth professional fight before turning her attention to winning Gold at the Paris 2024 games this summer. 

“I’m very excited to be fighting for a World Title in just my fifth pro fight,” said Ferreira. “A few other opponents didn’t accept the challenge to fight me for the World Title. I don’t understand that attitude but Lescano was brave enough to accept and I know she will be a tough challenge.

“I want to put on a great show in Liverpool next month and make sure I go to the Olympics in Paris as the reigning World Champion in both the professionals and amateurs. That would be very special. I won Silver at the last Olympics in Tokyo and I am very focused and confident that I can upgrade that medal to Gold in Paris.”

Sunderland’s rising Welterweight star Pat McCormack (5-0, 5 KOs) returns to the ring for his first fight since July 2023 to face Argentina’s William Andres Herrera (16-3, 7 KOs) for the vacant WBA Intercontinental Title, while Rotherham Super-Welterweight talent Junaid Bostan (8-0, 6 KOs) faces Southminster’s Jack Martin (9-1, 4 KOs) in a Final Eliminator for the English Title – with the Commonwealth Silver Title also on the line. 

There’s also action for Eltham Super-Flyweight prospect Maiseyrose Courtney (5-0), Matchroom’s latest Featherweight signing Joe McGrail (9-0, 5 KOs), Walsall Flyweight pro debutant Hamza Uddin and Liverpool Lightweight Frankie Stringer (6-0).

Tickets for Matchroom’s latest NXTGEN card on April 27 are priced £40, £60 and £120 (Ringside)

FightPass tickets will be available to purchase for Matchroom Boxing FightPass members from midday on Wednesday March 27.

General Sale tickets will be available to purchase from midday on Thursday March 28 via stagefrontvip.com/boxing and exhibitioncentreliverpool.com.




Haney Comes Home and Dominates Prograis

By Mario Ortega Jr. (Ringside)

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA  — The former unified lightweight champion Devin Haney impressed in his 140-pound debut, issuing Regis Prograis the most one-sided defeat of his career en route to claiming the WBC light welterweight title before his hometown crowd.

Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada was just too much of everything for Prograis (29-2, 24 KOs) of Houston, Texas by way of New Orleans, Louisiana over the twelve rounds.

After a feeling out opening stanza, the fight was all Haney. In the second round, Haney, 140, began to find the angles he needed to land, which he did with one right uppercut in particular.

Early in the third, Haney scored a knockdown with a lead right over the top of Prograis’ guard.

Prograis, 139, came out for the fourth on steady legs, but the challenger continued to give him a boxing lesson as the fight wore on. Haney landed a crisp one-two combination to punctuate the fourth round.

Haney continued to blister Prograis with combinations in the fifth round, while also putting some money in the bank via a body attack.

The one-two worked again for Haney as he rocked Prograis back on his heels with less than a minute to go in the sixth.

The pace slowed in the seventh, with Prograis was unwilling to let his hands go. The referee and the ringside doctor took a long look in the Prograis’ corner prior to the eighth.

Haney led the action in the eighth and ninth, but with less and less to counter, the Bay Area native was content to box and move. With a minute to go in the ninth, Prograis over extended himself with a left and Haney made him pay with a clubbing right that excited the crowd.

Haney seemed satisfied sending the bout to the cards as he exhibited some flashy defense in the championship rounds, but never pressed for the stoppage as he outboxed Prograis from bell-to-bell.

In the end, all three judges scored the shutout for Haney, 120-107. The question now is where does Haney go next. 140-pounds is one of the deepest divisions in boxing, but the Haneys have already floated designs on the welterweight division. Promoter Eddie Hearn floated the name of Ryan Garcia after the bout, but that seems like an unlikely prospect.

In the final appetizer before the main event, WBO #11 ranked light welterweight Liam Paro scored two knockdowns early in the sixth en route to stopping Montana Love midway through the round.

Paro (24-0, 15 KOs) of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and Love (18-1-1, 9 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio fought on even terms early in the fight. There was not much to distinguish the two as the boo birds derided the lack of early action. 

Things heated up a bit more late in the fifth, but it was the sixth where the fight took a quick turn. Paro, 140, landed clean with a left uppercut that sent Love, 140, to the seat of his pants for the first knockdown. 

When action resumed, Paro moved in aggressively, eventually landing a straight left that sent Love down for a second time. Love made it to his feet, but when Paro forced him into a neutral corner with a flurry, Love covered up for too long for referee Thomas Taylor’s liking. The referee stopped the fight at 1:49 of round six.

With the win, Paro, who had a scheduled title bout against Regis Prograis slip between his fingers due to injury earlier this year, claimed the vacant regional WBO Intercontinental 140-pound title.

Cruz Takes out Straffon in 3

Fast-rising lightweight prospect Andy Cruz (2-0, 1 KO) of Miami, Florida by way of Matanzas, Matanzas, Cuba completely steamrolled normally durable Jovanni Straffon (26-6-1, 19 KOs) of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico en route to a third-round stoppage. 

Cruz, 134.4, let loose with both hands from the opening bell. It was all Straffon, 134, could do to weather the onslaught. The second round was especially one-sided, as Cruz straffed Straffon with everything in his arsenal.

Early in the third round, Cruz pressed Straffon into a neutral corner, landing clean with both hands. Having seen enough of the mismatch, referee Edward Collantes leaped in to stop the bout at :53 of the third round. 

With the win, Cruz successfully defended his IBF International lightweight title and claimed the vacant WBA Continental Latin America lightweight title. 

Yoshida Upsets Bridges to Claim Bantamweight Title

Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.

Coming in on short notice, Miyo Yoshida (17-4) of New York, New York by way of Kagoshima, Kagoshima, Japan upset media darling Ebanie Bridges (9-2, 4 KOs) of New South Wales, Australia to claim the IBF bantamweight championship by ten-round unanimous decision. 

Yoshida, 117.6, was in the face of the champion Bridges, 117.8, from the get-go and never took a backward step. Yoshida, despite having campaigned mainly in the 115-pound super flyweight division throughout her career, looked like the bigger fighter and landed the harder shots.

Bridges, fighting for the first time in a year with a surgically-repaired right hand,  never was able to force Yoshida into any sort of retreat and ate the more eye-catching shots as they exchanged throughout a fight fought completely on the inside. 

Yoshida, who entered the ring as the IBF #10 ranked bantamweight and had fought just one month ago in a losing effort to Shurretta Metcalf, closed out the fight strong and raised her hands in celebration as the final bell rang. In the end, all three judges scored the fight wide for Yoshida by scores of 97-93 and 99-91 twice

Middleweight prospect Amari Jones (11-0, 10 KOs) of Las Vegas by way of Oakland, California was impressive in his Bay Area homecoming as he stopped tough veteran Quilisto Madera (14-5, 9 KOs) of Stockton, California in the fifth-round. 

Jones, 159.2 controlled Madera, 160, in the opening round with his jab. As the fight progressed into round three, Jones’ right hand came more into play and became the dominant punch of the fight. 

The end of round four got Jones’ home crowd excited as a right hand snapped Madera’s head back against the turnbuckle and set off an exchange along the ropes. 

Jones picked right up where he left off early in the fifth. With Jones landing clean, two-handed combinations as Madera backed against the ropes, referee Thomas Taylor leaped in to stop the fight. Official time of the stoppage was 1:44 of the fifth round. 

Beatriz Ferreira (4-0, 2 KOs) of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil saw her own blood for the first time as a professional en route to an eight-round stoppage of a game Destiny Jones (5-2, 2 KOs) of Austin, Texas.

Ferreira, 130, found a willing opponent in Jones, 129.8, who had her moments throughout the bout. Ferreira is just a fearless punching machine and Jones had to work hard to keep pace. Twice Ferreira knocked Jones’ mouthpiece out, once with a right late in the second and again in the fourth.

After Jones drew blood with an accidental elbow late in round four, Ferreira seemed more determined to go for the stoppage as the fight progressed. Ferreira eventually landed with a sweeping left hook with seconds to go in round seven that dropped Jones, who was leaning that way.

At the beginning of round eight, Jones did not react well when asked to touch gloves and referee Edward Collantes asked the doctor for a look. On the advice of the doctor, Collantes stopped the bout. Official time of stoppage was :05 of round eight.

In the opening bout, Shamar Canal (7-0, 4 KOs) of Albany, New York continued his rise with a dominant six-round unanimous decision over veteran Jose Antonio Meza (8-9, 2 KOs) of Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico. 

Canal, 132, had too many dimensions for the durable Meza. After comfortably outboxing Meza, 131.8, over the early rounds, Canal pressed on the gas in the last two and finally broke through with a straight right that dropped the Mexican native late in the sixth. All three judges were in agreement on the shutout, 60-53.




LIVE FIGHTS: Before The Bell: Haney Vs Prograis Undercard (Ft Ferreira, Jones & Canal)




Dalton Smith Takes Out Sam Maxwell in 7!

Dalton Smith scored an explosive seventh round stoppage over Sam Maxwell in a 12-round super ligh1tweight fight in Sheffield, England.

In round seven, Smith uncorked a perfect right to the side of the head that sent Maxwell down on his back with his right leg folded underneath and the fight was stopped mid-count at 1:34.

Smith, 139.4 lbs of Sheffield is 15-0 with 11 knockouts. Maxwell, 139.4 lbs of Liverpool, ENF is 17-2.

Pat McCormack remained undefeated with a stoppage of Tony Dixon after round four of their 10-round super welterweight bout.

McCormack landed a booming right on the jaw that put Dix on his back just before the bell rang for the end of round four. The towel was thrown in from Dixon’s corner in between rounds.

McCormack, 150.2 lbs of Washington, ENG is 5-0 with four knockouts. Dixon, 148.7 lbs of Mountain Ash, WAL is 14-5.

Hopey Price stopped James Beech Jr. after round seven of their 10-round featherweight bout.

Price beat down Beech until the fight was stopped in the corner following the seventh frame.

Price, 125.5 lbs of Leeds, ENG is 11-0 with four knockouts. Beech, 125.2 lbs of Bloxwich, ENG is 15-5.

Junaid Bostan went the distance for the first time, but was able to win a eight-round decision over Ryan Amos in a fight between undefeated junior middleweights.

Bostan, 155.4 lbs of Rotherham, ENG won by a 79-73 score and is now 6-0. Amos, 155 lbs of Nottingham, ENG is 10-1-1.

In a fight featuring undefeated lightweights, Lewis Sylvester won a razor-thin 10-round unanimous decision over Adam Cope.

Sylvester, 134.3 lbs of Hill. ENG won by scores do 96-94 twice and 96-95 and is now 12-0. Cope, 133.9 lbs of Hartlepool, ENG is 7-1.

In round eight, Sylvester had a little swelling under his left eye.

Beatriz Ferreira remained undefeated with a eight-round decision over Karla Ramos Zamora in a super featherweight fight.

In round eight, Zamora was bleeding from her mouth.

Ferreira, 132 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA won by a 8-72 score and is now 3-0. Zamora, 130.4 lbs of Chimalhuacan, MEX is 10-10-1.

In a fight between undefeated super bantamweights, Nico Leivers won a six-round decision over Alberto Motos.

Leivers, 123.1 lbs of Mansfield, ENG won by a 59-55 score and is now 4-0-1. Matos, 121.1 lbs of Madrid, SPA is 4-1.

Cory O’Regan remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Jordan Ellison in a lightweight contest.

O’Regan, 137.5 lbs of Hackmondwike, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is now 10-0. Ellison, 138.8 lbs of Seaham, ENG was fighting for the 65th time.




Steve Spark Defeats Montana Love by Disqualification

Steve Spark got a victory via sixth round disqualification over Montana Love in 12-round super lightweight bout at The Rocket Mortgage Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

In round two, Spark landed a hard right that put Love on the canvas. In round six, the two fighters clashed heads which opened up a cut around the left eye of Love. That seemed to have perturbed Love as he pushed Spark over the top rope that caused a disqualification.

Spark, 140 lbs of Toowoomba, AUS is 16-2. Love, 140 lbs of Cleveland, OH is 18-1-1.

Richardson Hitchins remained undefeated by stopping Yomar Alamo after round eight of their 10-round super lightweight bout.

Hitchins beat down Alamo until the fight was stopped in the corner following the eighth frame.

Hitchins, 140 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 15-0 with seven knockouts. Alamo, 138.5 lbs of Caguas, PR is 20-2-1.

Raymond Ford scored an eighth round stoppage over Sakaria Lukas in a scheduled 10-round featherweight bout.

Ford was credited with a knockdown in the opening minute of the fight when he landed a left and Lukas stumbled to the canvas.

In round seven, Lukas was deducted a point for hitting behind the head. In round eight, Ford landed a booming right hook to the chin that put Lukas down and out on his back and the fight was stopped at 2:20.

Ford, 126 lbs of Camden NJ is 13-0-1 with seven knockouts. Lukas, 128 lbs of Windhoek, NAM is 25-2-1,

Thomas Mattice won a 10-round unanimous decision over Christian Tapia in a super featherweight fight.

In round two, Mattice dropped Tapia with a straight right.

Mattice, 129.5 lbs of Cleveland, OH won by scores of 97-92 and 96-93 twice and is now 19-3-1. Tapia, 129.5 lbs of Coamo, PR is 15-1.

Beatriz Ferreira made a successful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Taynna Cardoso in a super featherweight bout.

In round one, Ferreira scored a knockdown when she put Cardoso on the canvas with a right hand. In round three, it was another hard right hand that forced Cardoso to take a knee.

Ferreira, 130.5 lbs of Salvador, BRA won by scores of 40-34 on all cards and is now 1-0. Cardoso, 131 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 5-1.

Nikoloz Sekhniashvili stopped previously undefeated David Rodriguez after round three of their scheduled six-round super welterweight bout.

Early in round one, Sekhniashvili dropped Rodriguez with a straight left. The left eye of Rodriguez swelled badly throughout the fight and the bout was stopped after round three.

Sekhniashvili, 153.5 lbs of Gori, GEO is 8-1 with six knockouts. Rodriguez, 155 lbs of Akron, OH is 6-1.

Raynell Williams won a six-round unanimous decision over Ryizeemmion Ford in a super featherweight bout.

In round one, Williams sent Ford down with a left hand.

Williams, 130 lbs of Cleveland, OH won by scores of 60-53 on all cards and is now 14-1. Ford, 131 lbs of Alliance, OH is 8-3.

Khalil Coe won a six-round unanimous decision over Bradey Olmeida in a light heavyweight bout featuring undefeated fighters.

In round five, Coe dropped Olmedia with a right hand

Coe, 174 lbs of Jersey City, NJ won by scores of 60-53 on all cards and is now 4-0-1. Olmeida, 175 lbs of Mayaguez, PR is 5-1.




BEATRIZ FERREIRA MAKES PRO DEBUT IN CLEVELAND

Beatriz Ferreira will make her much anticipated professional debut at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on Saturday November 12, live worldwide on DAZN.
 

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FROM THE ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE WEBSITE

Ferreira penned a long-term promotional deal with Matchroom and Eddie Hearn in the summer, and the amateur World champion and Olympic silver medalist will step through the ropes for the first time in the paid ranks in Cleveland against fellow Brazilian Taynna Cardoso (5-0 1 KO) over four rounds.
 
The 29 year old Ferreira is itching to get started in the pro game and wants to get active from debut as she targets adding professional World title honors to her impressive amateur background.
 
“I am excited to finally have my professional debut confirmed and especially for it to take place in the United States,” said Ferreira. “I want to put on a big show for all the boxing fans there so they can see what I am about. 
 
“I have been working very hard in the gym for the last few months, making little adjustments to my style. I can’t wait to feel the vibe and energy as a professional boxer and start my journey to becoming World Champion!”
 
Ferreira faces Cardoso on a stacked card in Cleveland, as hometown star Montana Love headlines his first show in his backyard against Australian Steve Spark.
 
Matchroom’s newest Stateside signing, Richardson Hitchins, fight for his first pro title when he takes on Yomar Alamo for the IBF North American Super-Lightweight title, Raymond Ford continues to catch the eye in his rise in the Featherweight division and defends his WBA Continental Americas title in Cleveland against Sakaria Lukas and Christian Tapia takes on Cleveland’s Thomas Mattice for the WBA Continental Americas Super-Featherweight title.
 
Love’s older brother and Olympian Raynell Williams continues his return to boxing against fellow Ohioan Ryizeemmion FordKhalil Coe faces unbeaten Bradley Olmeda and Nikoloz Sekhniashvili meets Ohio’s David Rodriguez.




BEATRIZ FERREIRA SIGNS WITH MATCHROOM

Brazilian amateur World Champion Beatriz Ferreira has signed a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.

The 29-year-old from Salvador won Lightweight gold at the 2019 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Russia, beating China’s Wang Cong on points in the final.

Ferreira is also a three-time Pan-American Champion (2017, 2018, 2019), the 2018 South American Games gold medallist and the 2019 World Military Champion – accolades that have cemented her position as one of the best pound-for-pound amateur boxers on the planet.

She won silver in the Lightweight category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games last year, losing on points to Ireland’s Kellie Harrington in the final, but plans on going one better by landing gold at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

An aggressive and powerful fighter, Ferreira, who is better known as ‘The Beast’, is out to win multiple World Titles in the pro ranks – following in the footsteps of her new stablemate and Undisputed Lightweight ruler Katie Taylor.

“Today is truly a very special day for me,” said Ferreira. “I’m so excited to be turning professional and to sign with the best in the business, my manager Brian Peters and promoter Eddie Hearn and Matchroom. I can’t wait to have my debut and to be involved in big fights and have people all over the world follow my journey on DAZN.

“It’s a big challenge for me and an exciting new stage in my career but I’m also really happy that I can continue to live my Olympic dream. I plan to win gold at Paris in 2024 while also winning many World Titles as a professional. I’m more determined than ever to succeed at the very top in this sport and I can promise the fans a great show every time I step in the ring.”

“Beatriz is one of the most ferocious pound-for-pound fighters I have ever seen come through the amateur system,” said Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman. “She is going to absolutely light up the professional scene and become a huge star of the sport. If you have been around or watched this talent then you know exactly what I’m talking about.”

Marcos Brito, President, Confederaco Brasileira De Boxe, said: “Bia is so excited to start her professional boxing career. Of course she dreams of winning Olympic gold in Paris but this is the right time and the right opportunity with a great promoter and a great broadcast platform to launch her professional career. She has won the World Championship as an amateur and I have no doubt she will win many World Titles as a professional. She will not settle for anything less.

“We are grateful that Eddie understood and respected Bia’s desire to win gold at the next Olympics. It means that she can have the best of both worlds and bring success back to Brazil with medals and World Title belts!”

You can follow Ferreira’s journey on Instagram: beatrizferreira60kg