DETROIT – May 21, 2024 – Some of the marquee fighters scheduled for battle later this week at the “Big Time Boxing USA” event showed off their skills at a media workout today at the Kronk Gym in Detroit before Salita Promotions presents the latest installment of its popular series Thursday night (May 23) from Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit and live on premier global sports platform DAZN (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT).

Featured during the workout were top American heavyweight Jermaine Franklin Jr. (22-2, 14 KOs), who will appear in the 10-round main event against former U.S. Olympian Devin Vargas (22-10, 9 KOs), Joshua James Pagan (9-0, 4 KOs) of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who will face fellow undefeated prospect Roger Hilley (13-0, 8 KOs) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the Junior NABF Super Lightweight Championship in the televised co-feature, and late addition Ali Akhmedov (20-1, 15 KOs), of Venice, California, via Almaty, Kazakhstan, who takes on Encarnacion Diaz (18-4, 11 KOs) of San Jose, Costa Rica, in an intriguing eight-round special attraction.

Akhmedov’s trainer, Detroit-born Johnathon Banks was also on hand to train his fighter and take questions, as well as Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein, who is part of the night’s broadcast crew. Former WBC Welterweight Champion and Kronk hero Milton McCrory was also in attendance to offer his support.

Tickets for BIG TIME BOXING USA are on sale now and can be purchased online HERE or in-person at the Wayne State Fieldhouse Box Office.

Here is what the group had to say:

Jermaine Franklin

Fighting in my home state again feels great. I love the energy. It’s like an aura and it feels great.

What I learned in those two fights in Europe is that everything isn’t fair and don’t look to the refs to clean up everything. Fight to the best of your ability and don’t pay attention until he stops you. I was already mentally tough, but those two fights over there brought out a new ferociousness in me. Not a lot of stuff can get to me anymore. If the ref doesn’t stop me, you better get out of the way.

I still want my rematch with Joshua, but we’re chasing belts. Hopefully I can go after one of these top contenders like Daniel Dubois or Phillip Hrgovic or Cassius Chaney or Michael Hunter.

I only saw bits and pieces of Fury vs. Usyk, but I think my punch output would be a lot higher than those guys. Usyk can punch and move against the big heavyweights, he’s got real nice feet, but I think my punch output could keep up with him a lot better than most other heavyweights could.

I know Vargas was a great boxer in his time, and he went to the Olympics. He has a punch-and-move type style, so I’ll beat him at his own game and cut the ring off – force him to engage. I don’t do predictions, but he’s going to end up on his ass.

Fighting to the level of my opposition has been a real problem for me in the past. I really can’t explain why the better the opponent, the better I fight. We’ve been working on pushing the pace and pushing our intensity in the gym, so we don’t get stuck in that comfortable space anymore and fight to my limit every time.

I still see myself as a top guy and I’m just trying to get back to the top fights. Mentally and physically I’m ready to take the call for the next big fight.

Joshua Pagan

It feels great to be back. I was supposed to fight in February and March, and it didn’t go through, so I’m happy to be back. It was frustrating a lot to train and not fight, but I just call it God’s timing. I’m ready to go and I can’t wait to bring the belt home.

I know he’s a crafty southpaw. I’ve seen a couple of his fights and I know what he brings to the table, but I know what I bring to the table, too, and I’m ready to go. I’m determined and I trained hard for this, and I know I will win. I’m ready to execute the game plan.

I knew I would get to the level of a televised co-feature eventually, but not this quickly. I’m very blessed and excited to be getting this opportunity. Thanks to my promoter, Dmitriy Salita.

Johnathon Banks

We’ve been having fun since the first day we worked together. We met when I started training Gennady Golovkin about five years ago.

This is a homecoming for me. Ali is able to fight in Detroit for the first time and I’m able to work at home for the first time in a long time.

The Kazakh style of boxing is similar to the Kronk style because they do a lot of movement. The only difference is the late, great Emanuel Steward taught us to do rhythm along with our movement and we punch off that rhythm and punch off that movement and that’s what we’ve worked on a lot – moving and punching at the same time because that’s what Emanuel was all about.

The Rosado fight was a tough test for Ali and coming into the 12^th round, I looked into his eyes and said we’ve been here before and we’re here again. Listen to everything I tell you this time and you will have no worries. He said ‘Johnathon, I believe you,’ and he kissed my forehead. Then he went out there and won the title. He listened and did everything he was supposed to do, and it worked out.

Ali Akhmedov

I’m very happy to work with Johnathon. We have a very good connection. He understands me and I believe in him. I’ve learned a lot from Johnathon. He’s taught me a lot about moving around the ring better.

Of course, I knew about Kronk Gym when I lived in Kazakhstan. All fighters around the world know about Kronk Gym. This is my first time training here and it’s a thrill.

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ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action. 

DETROIT – May 20, 2024 – Salita Promotions has made a significant late addition to the televised lineup of “Big Time Boxing USA” fights this Thursday night (May 23), as world-class super middleweight Ali Akhmedov will take on always-tough Encarnacion “Demoledor” Diaz in a 10-round bout from Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit and live on premier global sports platform DAZN (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT).

Akhmedov (20-1, 15 KOs), of Venice, California, via Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Diaz (18-4, 11 KOs) of San Jose, Costa Rica via Nicaragua, will meet in support of top American heavyweight Jermaine Franklin Jr.’s (22-2, 14 KOs) 10-round main event battle against former U.S. Olympian Devin Vargas (22-10, 9 KOs) and an intriguing eight-round co-feature between undefeated former national amateur champion Joshua James Pagan (9-0, 4 KOs) of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and fellow undefeated prospect Roger Hilley (13-0, 8 KOs) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the Junior NABF Super Lightweight Championship.

Promoted by GGG Promotions, Akhmedov’s biggest career win so far came in late 2022, as he defeated veteran Gabriel Rosado for the IBF North American and WBC Silver Super Middleweight Championships by dominant 10-round decision at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, on the undercard of his hero and countryman, Gennady Golovkin’s, final fight against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Akhmedov’s most recent ring appearance was a quick second-round knockout of Venezuela’s then 26-3-1 Carlos Rivero in April of this year.

Making the first US ring appearance of his nearly eight-year pro career, Diaz will already be having his third fight this year. In January, he decisioned Edwin Vargas over eight rounds and then in March, he needed just two rounds to dispatch Nicaragua’s Celso Ocampo. After losing his pro debut, Diaz has gone on to win 18 of his next 21 contests, beginning in the welterweight division and going as high as light heavyweight.

“This is an excellent addition to an already packed night of boxing,” said event promoter Dmitriy Salita. “Thanks to GGG and Tom Loeffler for their cooperation in making it happen for the fans in attendance and around the world. The addition of this fight just further demonstrates our willingness, and fulfills my personal promise, to work with all promoters to make the best and most important fights in boxing. I believe this is best for the fighters’ careers and for the sport of boxing. This week’s card is the biggest and best BIG TIME BOXING USA event yet!”

True to BIG TIME BOXING’s emerging format, several local prospects will appear in the night’s supporting televised bouts, including Detroit’s undefeated “Hitman 2.0” Da’Velle Smith (8-0, 6 KOs).  

Tickets for the live event are on sale now and can be purchased online HERE or in-person at the Wayne State Fieldhouse Box Office.

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ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action. 

January 29, 2023, Panama City, Panama – – Luis Rodriguez, now a perfect 11 wins in 11 fights with 11 stoppages, won the World Boxing Association Continental Americas Super Middleweight title with a second-round knockout against Encarnacion “Demoledor” Diaz on Saturday, January 28 at Los Andes Mall, Panama City, Panama. 

Rodriguez knocked Diaz down in round two with a left hook, then delivered a flurry of punches that dropped him a second time.  Diaz could not recover while referee Guillermo Perez Pineda counted to ten and the fight was called at 3:00 of round two. The bout was scheduled for ten rounds.  

“This was a phenomenal opportunity and I made sure to take full advantage of it,” said Rodriguez. “I only want to fight the best and am here to stay. I will continue to work hard and stay fight ready for my next step.  If all goes well, Puerto Rico will soon be celebrating a new world champion in 2023.”

Rodriguez (11-0, 11 KOs) from Tao Alto, Puerto Rico, whose team includes renowned boxing attorney Tony Gonzalez and promoter, Rivalta Boxing, made his pro debut on June 11, 2021. His knockouts have come in rounds 2, 1, 4, 1, 2, 2, 1, 4, 3, and now 2 respectively. 

Encarnacion Diaz (15-3, 9 KOs) from San Jose, Costa Rico, entered Saturday on a three-fight win streak including two by knockout and one by decisive unanimous decision win.

“I want to thank my team for getting me this opportunity to start 2023 strong,” said Luis. “When-not if- I beat Diaz this weekend, I want to fight the best super middleweights and make my name known as one of the best in the division.  It is my time and time for young blood to carry this division and this sport. I fight for my family and to make all of Puerto Rico proud.”

Rodriguez’s advisor, Attorney Tony Gonzalez stated “This kid is the full package. He can box, slug and end the fight with one punch with either hand. We are planning to have Luis defend the title in Miami in March.”

Panama City, January 27, 2023 – – Luis Gonzalez, a perfect 10 wins in 10 fights with 10 stoppages, will fight for the World Boxing Association Continental Americas Super Middleweight title against Encarnacion “Demoledor” Diaz on Saturday, January 28 at Los Andes Mall, Panama City, Panama. 

Rodriguez (10-0, 10 KOs) from Tao Alto, Puerto Rico, whose team includes renowned boxing attorney Tony Gonzalez and promoter, Rivalta Boxing, made his pro debut on June 11, 2021, fought again two weeks later June 26 then once per month for the next four months.  In 2022 he fought four times. His knockouts have come in rounds 2, 1, 4, 1, 2, 2, 1, 4, 3 and 2 respectively. Two of his last three last three fights were scheduled for ten rounds as competition toughened to prepare him for a title fight. 

Encarnacion Diaz (15-2, 9 KOs) from San Jose, Costa Rico, enters Saturday on a three-fight win streak including two by knockout and one by decisive unanimous decision win.

“I want to thank my team for getting me this opportunity to start 2023 strong,” said Luis. “When-not if- I beat Diaz this weekend, I want to fight the best super middleweights and make my name known as one of the best in the division.  It is my time and time for young blood to carry this division and this sport. I fight for my family and to make all of Puerto Rico proud.”

Rodriguez’s advisor, Attorney Tony Gonzalez stated “This is a wonderful opportunity for Luis to start his 2023 campaign very strong. If all goes well, we will bring him back in March to defend his title and will be targeting the top 10 in the division. Luis deserves to be fighting only the best but unfortunately towards the end of 2022, it was almost impossible finding someone willing to fight him which led to his inactivity in the 4th quarter. I understand that to a certain extent – here you have a kid who is the full package, he can box, can slug and can end the fight with one punch which makes for a very dangerous opponent. Diaz has a good record, and it should make for a good test for him. We have heard Diaz has been in camp nearly 2 months getting ready for Luis and Luis will be ready.”