Khalil Coe avenged his only professional loss as he stopped Manuel Gallegos in round six of their 10-round light heavyweight bout in Guadalajara, Mexico.
In round one, Gallegos began to bleed from his nose after Coe landed a stiff jab. Coe continued to land hard shots, mostly jabs, the systematically busted up the face of Gallegos. The damage built up to the point where the corner of Gallegos pulled their man out of the fight one second into the sixth round.
Coe, 173 lbs of Jersey City, NJ is now 10-1-1 with eight knockouts. Gallegos, 173 lbs of Sinaloa, MEX is 21-3-1.
Coe suffered his only pro loss in November when Gallegos stopped him in nine rounds in Philadelphia.
Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela won a 10-round unanimous decision over Manuel Medina in a super lightweight contest.
Valenzuela, 141 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 31-4-1. Medina, 141 lbs of Jalisco, MEX is 7-4-3.
Murodjon Akhmadaliev tuned up for a fall date with Nayoya Inoue with an eighth round stoppage over Luis Castillo in a 10-round super bantamweight bout.
In round five, Akhmadaliev landed a hard left to the body that put Castillo down before the bell sounded to end the frame.
Round six saw Akhmadaliev land a short right that put Castillo down for a second time. In round eight, Akhamadaliv started to beat up and bloody the nose of Castillo and the fight was stopped at 2:05.
Akhmadaliev, 122 lbs of Chust, UZB is 14-1 with 11 knockous. Castillo, 120 lbs of Jquipilco, MEX is 31-7.
Former world champion Adrian Curiel won a 10-round unanimous decision over Johan Rubio in a super flyweight bout.
Curiel, 119 lbs of Mexico City is 26-6-1. Rubio, 115 lbs of Guadalajara is 8-3-2.
OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MATÍAS VS. GOLLAZ VALENZUELA, LIVE ON DAZN AT 7 P.M. ET
SUBRIEL MATÍAS VS. GABRIEL GOLLAZ VALENZUELA– MAIN EVENT
QUOTES FROM TODAY’S OFFICIALMATÍAS VS. GOLLAZ VALENZUELA PRESS CONFERENCE
FAJARDO, PUERTO RICO (February 27, 2025) – Ahead of Saturday night’s IBF title eliminator between two of the top-ranked Junior Welterweights in Puerto Rican knockout artist Subriel Matías (21-2, 2 KOs) and Mexico’s hard-hitting?Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela?(30-3, 17 KOs), Salita Promotions and Fresh Productions held the official press conference today in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
Joining the dais alongside the main event competitors were the evening’s co-main event, reigning WBO NABO Junior Welterweight Champion Alfredo Santiago (16-2, 7 KOs) and Dominican Republic’s Javier Fortuna (39-5-1, 28 KOs). Also in attendance, Puerto Rico’s undefeated Nestor Bravo (23-0, 16 KOs) and his opponent Xolisani Ndongeni (32-6, 19 KOs) addressed the media ahead of their WBA Intercontinental Super Lightweight title showdown. Additionally, Dmitriy Salita, the President of Salita Promotions, Juan Orengo, the President of Fresh Productions, and José Aníbal “Joey” Meléndez Méndez, the Mayor of Fajardo, all participated.
Returning to Puerto Rico for the second time in five months, Salita Promotions has continued to showcase the rich boxing talent that resides on the island, much like it has done the past two years in the state of Michigan. With a proven track record of discovering talent throughout the greater Detroit and Flint, Mich., region, Dmitriy Salita continues to give up-and-coming talent a global platform to perform.
Subriel Matías, No. 3-ranked IBF Junior Welterweight. “I am happy to be a part of this title elimination fight. When I lost the title, I did not give any excuses. I promised myself I would regain the title and bring it back to my hometown. I respect my opponent, but I understand the great rivalry between Puerto Rico and Mexico.
“People have seen me fall and get up again. If you have followed my life, you would know that being a fighter was not in the stars for me. I thought I would either be dead or in jail for a long time. I had the opportunity to turn my wrongs into rights.”
Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela, No. 4-ranked IBF Junior Welterweight “Thank you to the people of Puerto Rico. You have given me a warm welcome. I am extremely anxious to get into the ring and represent Mexico in this new edition of Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry. This is historical and I feel the weight and honor of representing Mexico. I understand that this fight has two fighters with the warrior spirit.
“I also want to thank the media because without them, no one would see the work we put in.”
Alfredo Santiago, WBO NABO Junior Welterweight Champion “I know Fortuna very well. I hope he comes prepared. This is the most important fight of my life, and I will not let him, or anybody take my dream away.”
On being classified by the WBO as the No. 1-ranked contender at 140 pounds, “I am very excited. I got the call from my manager last night. This is the fruit of our labor.”
Javier Fortuna, Junior Welterweight Contender “This fight means so much to me. I’ve wanted to challenge for a title and this opportunity has been a long time in the making. Many people believe I am in the last stretch of my career and on Saturday, I plan to prove them otherwise.”
Nestor Bravo, Undefeated Junior Welterweight Contender “I want to thank God first. Thank you to my opponent for accepting this fight. I know he [Ndongeni] is a good fighter, and I respect him, but nobody is taking the food away from my baby.”
Xolisani Ndongeni, Junior Welterweight Contender “I am very thankful for this opportunity. I believe I am in the best shape of my career, and I can’t wait to prove that on Saturday.”
Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions “It is a great honor to be here. The last time I spoke at a press conference in Puerto Rico was when I fought here. I am very grateful to be back at a place that has produced so many great fighters in boxing. We recently made a long-term deal with DAZN, which allows us to stage great fights all over the United States and work with great promoters. We have chosen to work with Juan Orengo and Fresh Productions. Juan has proven to develop very competitive fighters.”
“Saturday’s card is filled with great fighters. Pryce Taylor is a heavyweight prospect out of Brooklyn, N.Y. and will open up our televised portion. I believe he has the potential to reach the upper echelon of the heavyweight division.”
“Claressa Shields, who we have worked with since the beginning of her career, will be in attendance this Saturday.”
“There is not much to say about this incredible main event matchup between two fighters from nations that have produced legends in the sport, Puerto Rico and Mexico.” José Aníbal “Joey” Meléndez Méndez, Mayor of Fajardo “To all, welcome to Fajardo, Puerto Rico. We hope you enjoy our food, culture, beaches, and all the beautiful things we offer while you are here.”
Juan Orengo, President of Fresh Productions “I am excited about the quality of our fights here in Fajardo this Saturday. I want to thank Mayor Meléndez Méndez and Dmitriy Salita for working with us. All eyes will be on Fajardo this weekend.”
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.
Resurging Puerto Rican knockout specialist?Subriel?Matías?(21-2, 21 KOs) will face Mexico’s hard-hitting?Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela?(30-3, 17 KOs) in an IBF Junior Welterweight World Title Eliminator on Saturday, March 1, live on?DAZN. The winner of the bout, featuring the IBF’s two top ranked 140-pound contenders, will be the mandatory challenger to reigning IBF Champ,?Richardson Hitchins. The 32-year-old former IBF Junior Welterweight titleholder Matías has amassed 21 victories, all coming by way of finish. Boasting an impressive highlight reel career, Matías is widely regarded as one of the most prolific finishers in boxing.
Facing Matías will be a skilled, confident 30-year-old Gollaz Valenzuela. On the strength of five straight victories, Valenzuela boasts 17 knockouts in 30 wins and should make an electrifying match opposite Matías. Originally scheduled to face each other in November 2024, Valenzuela will compete for the first time in Matías’ home country of Puerto Rico. Currently ranked No. 4 in the IBF Junior Welterweight division (Matias is No. 3) with the top two spots vacant, Valenzuela is confident that he can win on foreign soil and earn his first world title shot against Hitchins.
Returning to Puerto Rico for the second time in five months, Salita Promotions has continued to showcase the rich boxing talent that resides on the island, much like it has done the past two years in the state of Michigan. With a proven track record of discovering talent throughout the greater Detroit and Flint, Mich., region, Salita Promotions President Dmitriy Salita continues to give up-and-coming talent a global platform to perform.
140-POUND DIVISION ON DISPLAY
The co-main event will see the WBO NABO Super Lightweight Title on the line as Dominican Republic’s Alfredo Santiago (16-2, 7 KOs) meets fellow countryman Javier Fortuna (39-5, 28 KOs). Santiago, 30, returns to the ring on the heels of a statement first-round TKO victory over Mexico’s Pedro Campa in November 2024. Currently on the strength of three straight victories, Santiago captured the WBO NABO Junior Super Lightweight Title last June when he defeated Angel Fierro via unanimous decision, and this Saturday night, Santiago will attempt to defend his title for the third time. Starting his impressive career off with an undefeated record of 12-0, Santiago earned a shot against former Undisputed Lightweight World Champion Devin Haney for the WBC Lightweight World Championship in November 2019. While coming up short, Santiago has proven that he belongs in the upper echelon of the Super Lightweight Division.
Entering his second bout in just over two months, the 35-year-old Fortuna will compete in Puerto Rico for the first time. Like his opponent, Fortuna is coming off an impressive TKO victory defeating Jonatan Mariano in December 2024. Boasting a staggering 28 knockouts to his name, Fortuna made his professional debut in 2009 against Ricardo Johnson. Fortuna held the WBC Continental Americas Lightweight Title in 2019 and challenged former IBF Super Featherweight World Champion Joseph Diaz in 2021 for the WBC Interim Lightweight World Title.
In addition, undefeated Nestor Bravo (23-0, 16 KOs) and South Africa’s Xolisani Ndongeni (32-6, 19 KOs) will collide for the vacant WBA Intercontinental Jr. Welterweight Title. Hailing from Arecibo, P.R., Bravo will return to action after nearly a year away from the ring. Previously holding the WBC Latino Lightweight Title and the WBO NABO Super Lightweight Title, Bravo pursues another belt when he faces his toughest test to date in Ndongeni.
Recently challenging for the vacant WBO Latino Lightweight Title, Ndongeni looks to insert himself back into the win column against Bravo. A tenured competitor, Ndongeni has held the WBF International Featherweight Title, IBO International Lightweight Title, and WBF Lightweight Title. With ample experience against undefeated prospects, Ndongeni aims to give the rising Bravo his first defeat.
HEAVYWEIGHT STANDOUT RETURNS TO THE RING
Brooklyn, N.Y.’s Pryce Taylor (6-0, 4 KOs) returns to action against Arizona’s Trevor Kotara (4-3-1, 1 KO) following his second-round knockout victory over Jerell Nettles on February 2. A promising heavyweight prospect, Taylor signed with Salita Promotions in November 2024, and has since gone 2-0 under the banner, both victories coming by way of knockout. Standing at 6-foot-4, Taylor is a former collegiate basketball player and has won two New York Golden Gloves title.
CATCH ALL THE ACTION ON DAZN
The night of fights will air live globally on DAZN at 7 p.m. ET/4 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. Veteran sports reporter Claudia Trejos joins the team as the ringside reporter.
SALITA PROMOTIONS’ ALI IZMAILOV SET FOR HOMECOMING BOUTLight heavyweight prospect and Salita Promotions’ rising star Ali Izmailov (12-0, 8 KOs) will fight in his homeland of Russia for the first time as a professional this Thursday night when he faces veteran Habib Ahmed (30-2-1, 21 KOs) of Ghana in the main event in Moscow.
Izmailov is trained in Detroit by noted trainer John David Jackson. “I’ve had an incredible training camp and can’t wait for February 27th,” Izmailov said. “The light heavyweight division is on fire right now, and I’m ready to make my mark. My goal is to become a world champion, and this is the year I make that dream a reality!”
It’s been a little more than a year since Izmailov last stepped into the ring as he stopped Britton Norwood by fourth-round TKO at Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit last February.
“The light heavyweight division is all about the best fighting the best, as we saw in the incredible Beterbiev vs. Bivol showdown just last weekend,” said Dmitriy Salita. “Ali Izmailov is a true blue-chip contender – he’s proven he can compete at the highest level and has what it takes to be the best. It’s only a matter of time before he gets his shot at the world championship.”
Bazinyan Decisions Fox
Erik Bazinyan remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Alantez Fox in a super middleweight clash at The Montreal Casino in Montreal, Canada.
Bazinyan, 167 lbs of Montreal, won by scores of 98-92 twice and 96-94 and is now 29-0. Fox, 16.5 lbs of Upper Marlboro, MD is 28-4-1.
Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela destroyed Yves Ulysses Jr. in just 52 seconds of their 10-round junior welterweight bout.
With both guys throwing on the inside, Valenzuela uncorked a vicious uppercut to the jaw that froze Ulysses as he plummeted to the canvas. Ulysses got up, but his legs were shaky, and the bout was stopped.
Valenzuela, 139 lbs of Jalisco, MEX is 26-3-1 with 16 knockouts. Ulysses, 140 lbs of Montreal is 22-3.
Alexander Gaumont remained undefeated with a first round stoppage over Carlos Gallego Montijo in a middleweight bout.
In round one, Gaumont landed a big left hook that put Montijo down. With Montijo down, Gaumont landed some vicious punches, and the bout was stopped at 2:26.
Gaumont, 160 lbs of Buckingham, QUE is 7-0 with five knockouts. Montijo, 161.5 lbs of Monterrey, MEX is 8-5.
Christopher Guerrero remained undefeated with a third round stoppage over Edwin Villareal Flores in a six-round welterweight bout.
In round three, Guerrero dropped Flores with a body shot. Moments later, it was a left hook that put Flores down again. Guerrero ended the fight by putting Flores down with a prefect timed 1-2, and the fight was stopped at 2:49.
Guerrero, 149 1/2 lbs of Montreal is 6-0 with two knockouts. Flores, 147 lbs of Tepic, MEX is 3-1-1.
Avery Martin Duval stopped Eduardo Mota Garcia in round three of their six-round junior lightweight bout.
In round three, Duva landed a snapping left hook that sent Garcia to the canvas. Garcia got up but was stumbling around, and the fight was stopped at 1:51.
Duval, 132 lbs of Montreal is 9-0-1 with five knockouts. Garcia, 129.5 lbs of Mexico City, MEX is 7-2-1.
Wilkens Mathieu made a successful pro debut with a first round stoppage over Zsolt Birkas in a four-round super middleweight fight.
In round one. Mathieu dropped Birkas with a short right. Mathieu dropped Birakas for a second time in the round with a left uppercut. Mathieu dropped Birkas for a third time in the round, and the fight was stopped at 2:49.
Matieu, 164 lbs of Quebec City, CAN is 1-0 with one knockouts. Birkas, 162 1/2 lbs of Budapest, HUN is 0-1-1.
Bivol upsets Canelo in a stunner
LAS VEGAS –Canelo Alvarez said he was facing a challenge. He wasn’t kidding. He just didn’t know just how much of a challenge it would be.
Turns out, Dmitry Bivol was a bigger challenger than even Canelo, boxing’s biggest star.
Bivol took him down Saturday, upsetting Mexico’s greatest current champion on a night when his nation celebrated Cinco de Mayo.
It was a stunner, historic, but not the kind of history Canelo has said he is pursuing. Bivol was supposed to be a step in his path to all-time recognition. But that journey was interrupted.
The bigger Bivol (20-0, 11 KOs), still the World Boxing Association’s light-heavyweight champion, employed all of his measurable advantages and many that can’t be measured, scoring a unanimous decision – 115-113 on all three cards – over the favored Canelo (57-2-2, 39).
“I prove today that I’m the best,’’ Bivol said to his promoter and the stunned crowd at T-Mobile Arena after the pay-per-view/DAZN bout. “Thank you, Eddie Hearn, Sorry, I break your plans for Gennadiy Golovkin, maybe.’’
On the Canelo blueprint, the bout versus Bivol was a good payday en route to a third fight against Golovkin.
A third bout in a contentious middleweight rivalry was seen as a way for Canelo to have the final say-so. It would allow him to move on from the debate about GGG, who had a draw and a decision loss to Canelo
But maybe Canelo moved a little but too fast and too far up the scale. He unified the super-middleweight title. Light heavyweight was next. But Bivol was there, to remind him that there’s a reason for weight classes.
Canelo, who had promised victory, offered no excuses.
“I lost tonight and he won,’’ Canelo said.
He also said he wanted a rematch. He was asked whether he would exercise the rematch clause in his contract with Bivol
“Si,’’ he said to the Mexican crowd.
Canelo has proven he learns from defeat. He learned a lot after his one-sided loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. After this one – only his second defeat, he faced many more adjustments against a skilled, poised Bivol. The Russian doesn’t get rattled.
No Russian anthem was played, no Russian flag was waved, when Bivol made his entrance. The World Boxing Association ruled against both weeks before the fight in response to Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine.
Initially, the WBA’s ruling was called cosmetic. It’s a boxing acronym after all. It’s more about sanctioning fees than ethics. On fight night, however, the ban felt like the proper move. It fit the time. And the man.
Bivol, the WBA’s champion, has family in Saint Petersburg. He has never taken a position on his home country’s attack on a neighboring country. Neutrality has been hard to maintain. But he has remained quiet about his homeland. He delivers punches. Not opinions.
The Russian flag and anthem might have put further pressure on Bivol in an arena already awash in Mexican flags and symbols. It was Cinco de Mayo, a party and a celebration of Mexican pride. Bivol was the pinata at a roaring fiesta.
But the designated pinata contained surprises. Bivol was more than just a party favor. He had some weapons of his own.
In an early surprise, Canelo started faster than expected. He’s known for a measured pace in the first few rounds. Against Bivol, however, he didn’t hesitate.
The opening bell still echoed through the jammed area when he began to move forward, ever forward. Perhaps, he was buoyed by the crowd, his crowd. Perhaps, he already knew that Bivol couldn’t hurt him. Perhaps, Canelo was anxious to get the job done and join the party.
Whatever the reason, the Canelo attack got underway without hesitation. The thud from his lethal body punches could be heard in the upper-reaches of T-Mobile. The real surprise was coming from Bivol, who over the first four rounds would not give an inch.
Canelo backed up and into the ropes repeatedly. But Bivol responded, coming back behind his long jab. Midway in the third round, the Russian appeared to land a left solid enough to get Canelo’s attention.
In the fourth and again in the fifth, Canelo began to show signs of fatigue. He breathed heavily through an open mouth. The momentum – slowly, surely and inevitably – had begun to switch. It belonged to Bivol.
In the end, so did the victory and the title.
Restless crowd boos Montana Love decision over Gabriel Gollaz
It was an awkward fight between a lefthander, Montana Love, and an orthodox Gabriel Gollaz. A couple of early knockdowns were the result.
In the first round, Love,(18-0-1, 9 KOs) of Cleveland, landed a glancing blow that knocked Gollaz off balance. Then, he appeared to slip. Referee Tony Weeks ruled it a knockdown.
In the second, Gollaz (25-3-1 15 KOs) , of Mexico, threw a quick counter left. It, too, appeared to be a glancing blow off the top of Love’s. But it was enough for Love to lose his balance. He touched the canvas. It was a knockdown. He got up , looking almost embarrassed.
For the next several rounds, neither fighter knew what to do. It left the crowd unhappy. Restless fans knew what to do. There was no love for Montana. None for Gollaz either. Fans jeered, whistled and booed. Love came into the ring to a rapper who carried his pet dog. Even the dog must have whined.
In the end, Love won a unanimous decision. The crow cheered. But it was happy only because it was over.
The only good news was that the main event, Canelo Alvarez-Dmitry Bivol, was next.
Shakhram Giyasov wins unanimous decision
Shakhram Giyasov, an Olympic silver medalist and a welterweight from Uzbekistan, had enough power and poise to emerge from a sloppy fight with a unanimous decision over Mexican Christian Gomez.
It wasn’t close on the scorecards. Giyasov (13-0, 9 KOs) made sure of it with power. He knocked down Gomez (22-3-1, 20 KOs) three times. Two — one in the fourth and again the 10th were — clear. One in seventh, however, appeared to be the result more of a trip than a punch.
Marc Castro wins one-sided decision
Lightweight prospect Marc Castro (7-0, 5 KOs), of Fresno CA, got in some work, dominating Pedro Vicente (7-5-1, 2 KOs).
Vicente, of Puerto Rico, never had a chance. Never won a round either. Castro scored a six-round shutout, 60-54 on all three cards.
Zhang Zhilei scores first-round KO
He was a late stand-in. He didn’t stand for long.
Scott Alexander, a substitute for Croatian Filip Hrgovic, was gone within a minute, thanks to a straight left from Zhang Zhilei, perhaps the biggest athlete from China since Yao Ming.
Zhilei (24-0-1, 19 KOs) might not have the same height as Ming, a former Houston Rocket center. But he’s got a slam dunk for a left hand. He took one step back, threw it on a straight line and it landed, dropping Alexander (16-5-2, 8 KOs) flat onto his back in the first bout in the pay-per-view telecast of the Canelo-Bivol card. It was over at 54 seconds of the opening round
Joselito Velazquez unleashes deadly combo for TKO of Soto
Joselito Velazquez had power. He added precision. It was deadly.
Velazquez (15-0-1, 10 KOs, a Mexican flyweight, blew out Jose Soto with the combination, stopping the Colombian (15-2, 6 KOs) in the sixth round of the final fight before the pay-per-view telecast of the Canelo Alvarez-Dmitry Bivol card.
Velazquez landed a left, short and precise. Then, he followed up with a succession of powerful combinations. Jay Nady ended it at 1:06 of the sixth
Aaron Silva scores powerful TKO
Superman is stitched across the back of Aaron Silva’s trunks. The Mexican super-middleweight lived up to the nickname. Alexis Espino had no chance against his sustained power in the third fight on the Canelo-Alvarez undercard.
Silva (10-0, 7 KOs) stunned Espino (9-1-1, 6 KOs) with a huge right in the fourth and then poured it on, driving Espino into the ropes and leaving him defenseless. Kenny Bayless stopped it at 1:17 of the round.
Abduraimov scores three knockdowns for second-round stoppage
Elnur Abduraimov (9-0, 8 KOs), a powerful junior-bantamweight from Uzbekistan, appeared to be too much Manuel Correa. Appearances quickly turned real.
Correa (11-1, 7 KOs) was finished within two rounds of the second bout on a card featuring Canelo Alvarez-Dmitry Bivol. Abduraimov overwhelmed the Cuban, knocking him down three times in bout stopped at 2:43 of the second.
First Bell: Canelo-Bivol show opens with a split decision
Empty seats, lots of echoes.
That’s how the show started Saturday, about seven hours before Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol were scheduled to fight for a light-heavyweight title at T-Mobile Arena in a DAZN pay-per-view bout.
There was nothing definitive about the opener. The matinee ended in a split decision. Mexican junior-welterweight Fernando Molina (8-0, 3 KOs) prevailed,mostly because of an edge in power. He rocked Ricardo Valdovinos (8-2, 5 KOs), of San Diego, just enough to win on two of the three score cards.
