LAS VEGAS (Jan. 30, 2025) — The paint isn’t dry, and the rivalry isn’t over.
 
Two-weight queen Mikaela Mayer will defend her WBO welterweight world title in a rematch against former champion Sandy Ryan on Saturday, March 29, at Bleaulive Theater, the fully-customizable, 90,000-square-foot theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
 
The tension between the two intensified before their first encounter last September. Mayer claimed Ryan had stolen her trainer, while Ryan accused Team Mayer of orchestrating a pre-fight stunt that saw Ryan doused with paint outside of the New York City fight hotel. Mayer dethroned Ryan via majority decision, but the brushwork on this feud is far from finished.

In the co-feature, Brian Norman Jr. will make the inaugural defense of his WBO welterweight world championship against Puerto Rican challenger Derrieck Cuevas.
 
Rising featherweight phenom Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington will square off against Jose Enrique Vivas in a 10-round WBC final eliminator as the featured bout on the ESPN+-streamed undercard.

Mayer-Ryan II and Norman-Cuevas will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Matchroom Boxing, tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 7, at 10 a.m. PT via https://www.fontainebleaulasvegas.com/entertainment/top-rank-boxing/.
 
“The rivalry between Mikaela Mayer and Sandy Ryan is one of the fiercest we’ve seen in recent years, and both are determined to put it to rest once and for all,” says Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “Brian Norman Jr. faces a tough first defense, but I’m confident he’ll rise to the occasion and prove he belongs at the top. Bruce Carrington is close to a world title shot, and this fight is his chance to cement his place in line.”
 
“I’m delighted that Sandy has a second chance in Las Vegas,” says Matchroom Chairman Eddie Hearn. “The rivalry between the pair spilled over in New York, and there’s certainly no love lost between them. But when they got in the ring at Madison Square Garden, they delivered one of the fights of the year for 2024.
 
“Although Mikaela got the nod last time, it was a pick’em fight with only a coat of paint to separate them. I’m confident that it will be revenge, not repeat, on March 29, and Sandy will be crowned a two-time world champion.”
 
“We are thrilled to welcome back Top Rank for what is set to be one of the most anticipated matches of 2025,” says Fontainebleau Las Vegas Senior Vice President of Entertainment, Fedor Banuchi. “The Mayer-Ryan title rematch brings a level of excitement and anticipation to the resort and further highlights the resort’s commitment to delivering can’t-miss experiences.”
 
??Mayer (20-2, 5 KOs), a 2016 Olympian, debuted in 2017 and tore through the junior lightweight ranks before capturing the IBF and WBO world titles. She came up short in a disputed October 2022 split decision against WBC champion Alycia Baumgardner but moved up to lightweight the following April to claim the WBC interim crown with a win over Lucy Wildheart. After outpointing Silvia Bortot that September, Mayer returned four months later to challenge Natasha Jonas for the IBF strap, losing a close split decision in a toe-to-toe classic. Undeterred, Mayer set her sights on Ryan for the WBO belt and became a two-division ruler.
 
“I’ve never been one to shy away from challenges. I could have taken my belt and moved on, but it was a highly entertaining fight, and if this is what the fans want, then that’s what I’ll give them,” Mayer said. “I have stayed in the gym and am getting better every day. It will be worse for Sandy this time, but regardless, expect another action-packed fight.”

Ryan (7-2-1, 3 KOs), the fighting pride of Derby, England, turned pro in 2021 after capturing gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and silver at the 2014 World Championships. She avenged her first pro loss to Erica Farias with a decisive unanimous verdict and claimed the vacant WBO welterweight title in April 2023 by outpointing Marie-Pier Houle. A contentious draw with former undisputed champion Jessica McCaskill stalled her hopes at unifying the division, but Ryan rebounded last March with a career-best knockout of Terri Harper. Her championship reign came to a halt last September against Mayer in a Fight of The Year candidate.
 
“As crazy as this sounds after what happened last time in New York, I am actually looking forward to returning to the U.S.,” Ryan said. “I’ve had some remarkable, history-making fights here already, so the opportunity to come back and showcase my talent while headlining in the fight capital of the world is amazing. 
 
“This time, I will be fully prepared for whatever comes my way. I’m not making any excuses, but after what happened before the fight last time, I did fight in anger, and it clearly affected my performance. But it was a great fight and did great numbers for ESPN, so that’s why Mayer had to take this rematch. It’s the biggest fight for both of us, and everyone wants to see it again. On March 29, the world will see a focused, determined, and talented fighter in the shape of her life, and I will reclaim my world title. 
 
“I want to thank my promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, my manager Brian Peters, and Bob Arum for getting the rematch done. It will be another amazing fight for women’s boxing and boxing in general, and I look forward to reclaiming my title.”
 
Norman (26-0, 20 KOs) turned pro in January 2018 and went 11-0 in his first year. He garnered national attention in 2020 with a gritty technical decision over Flavio Rodriguez. He followed it up with a dominant 2021 campaign that saw him register four brutal stoppages. After a year-long layoff, Norman signed a promotional contract with Top Rank and went 3-0 in 2023 with decisions over Rodrigo Coria, Jesus Perez, and Quinton Randall. He secured the WBO interim welterweight title with a 10th-round knockout of previously undefeated Giovani Santillan last May. Norman became the organization’s full champion after Terence Crawford vacated the belt later that year. 
 
Norman said, “Fighting for a championship belt is every fighter’s dream, so I know Cuevas is training as hard as possible for this fight. He is a tough competitor who brings everything he has to win this fight. That said, as the WBO champion, I can guarantee a spectacular performance come March 29.”
 
Cuevas (27-1-1, 19 KOs) enters his first world title opportunity riding a four-fight knockout streak that began in December 2022 with a second-round demolition of Esneiker Correa. In 2023, he fought three times in Panama, closing out the year with a sixth-round TKO against once-beaten Marlon Aguas in December. The 30-year-old standout will make his eighth appearance on U.S. soil. 
 
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to fight in Las Vegas for a world title,” Cuevas said, “That’s the dream of every fighter. I respect Norman, but on March 29, a new champion will be crowned.”
 
Carrington (14-0, 8 KOs), a 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials champion, rose swiftly to claim the WBO’s number one contender spot after turning pro in October 2021. The 27-year-old native of Brownsville, Brooklyn, secured four victories in 2024, starting with a highlight-reel fourth-round knockout of Bernard Torres in February, a finish that went viral and was featured on SportsCenter’s Top 10. In May, he stopped Brayan De Gracia in the eighth round and returned in September to overcome a stern challenge from Sulaiman Segawa and a majority decision. He capped the year in November with a one-sided unanimous decision over Dana Coolwell on the undercard of the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson event in Arlington, Texas. 
 
Vivas (23-3, 12 KOs), a rugged 30-year-old from Mexico, began his career with a sensational 17-0 run before suffering his first defeat to Ruben Villa in September 2019. He rebounded with four straight wins, highlighted by a 10-round decision over unbeaten Carlos Jackson in July 2020 and an eight-round victory against Louie Coria in May 2021. Although he dropped a close decision to eventual world title challenger Eduardo Baez the following March and lost a unanimous decision to Joet Gonzalez in April 2023, Vivas regained his momentum last February with a first-round TKO over Jonathan Aguilar.
 

# # #

 
 
About Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Fontainebleau Las Vegas is a 67-story, vertically integrated luxury resort that brings a legacy of timeless elegance and unparalleled service to the Strip. Certified by the Green Building Initiative with three Green Globes, the resort’s thoughtful design allows guests to move effortlessly among 3,644 luxury hotel rooms and suites, 550,000 square feet of customizable meeting and convention space, 150,000 square feet of gaming space, a collection of world-class restaurants and shops, exquisite pools, vibrant nightlife, and vitality-enhancing spa and wellness offerings. Located at 2777 S. Las Vegas Blvd., adjacent to the acclaimed Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall expansion, Fontainebleau Las Vegas is created by Fontainebleau Development in partnership with Koch Real Estate Investments.

LAS VEGAS (May 31, 2024) — Featherweight contender Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington is on the brink of a world title opportunity. But first, he’ll need to overcome a tough Mexican veteran who has never been stopped.

Carrington will face Jose Enrique Vivas in a 10-rounder on Saturday, June 8, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Carrington-Vivas will serve as the co-feature to the junior middleweight showdown between Puerto Rican sensation Xander Zayas and Brazilian former world champion Patrick Teixeira.

Zayas-Teixeira and Carrington-Vivas will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT. Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK & Ireland.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.com.

Carrington (11-0, 7 KOs), a 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials champion, has quickly risen through the rankings since turning pro in October 2021. The 27-year-old notched five wins in 2023, including a second-round TKO against former world title challenger Jason Sanchez. In his last fight, he knocked out Bernard Torres with a right hook at The Theater in February, a finish that went viral and landed on SportsCenter’s Top 10. Vivas (23-3, 12 KOs) bounced back from his loss to Joet Gonzalez last April with a first-round TKO over Jonathan Aguilar in February.

Following a recent training session in Las Vegas, this is what Carrington had to say:

“This is a big step up for me. I will finally be in the co-main event of a big show. It’s the best thing for my career right now, so I can let everyone know who I am. This fight will help me grow and get comfortable with this type of atmosphere. This opportunity will allow me to show I’m made for this.”

“Jose Enrique Vivas is a great dance partner. He’s never been stopped. He’s a really tough guy, but I like fighting tough guys. I get to show how not tough they are when it comes to facing me.”

“I will be the first person to stop him. And it’s because of the way I’ve been training, how hard I’ve been training, and what I know I’m going to bring to the table. It’s just like in my last two fights. It’s about how I have been feeling.”

“I’m an old-school fighter. I go in there to hurt. I go in there to dominate in dramatic fashion. I have that mentality. And I feel that’s what separates the boys from the men. That’s what separates the champions from the greats.”

NEW YORK (April 17, 2024) – Junior middleweight phenom Xander Zayas is poised to kick off Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend by facing his stiffest challenge yet.
 
Zayas will take on Brazilian former world champion Patrick Teixeira in a 10-round clash on Saturday, June 8 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Zayas will look to secure his 19th pro win 19 years after Top Rank initiated its parade weekend tradition when Miguel Cotto defended his junior welterweight crown against Muhammad Abdullaev.
 
In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, the latest fistic prodigy from Brownsville, Brooklyn, aims to extend his knockout streak against Mexico’s Jose Enrique Vivas.
 
Zayas-Teixeira and Carrington-Vivas will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT.

Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK & Ireland.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 24 at 12 p.m. ET via Ticketmaster.com.
 
“This is a great New York City card featuring two young men, Xander Zayas and Bruce Carrington, who are poised to become two of the sport’s biggest stars,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “Our Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend cards are always special, and I can’t wait for another raucous atmosphere.”
 
Zayas (18-0, 12 KOs) has been on the path to stardom after signing with Top Rank at 16 and debuting as a pro in October 2019. He captured his first regional title with a TKO win against Elias Espadas in August 2022 and followed up with an eight-round decision against Alexis Salazar that December. In 2023, he decisioned Ronald Cruz during Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend and stopped Roberto Valenzuela Jr. in September. The 21-year-old concluded the year in December with a scintillating fifth-round TKO against Spanish contender Jorge Fortea as the co-feature to the Robeisy Ramirez-Rafael Espinoza main event.

Zayas said, “Representing Puerto Rico on a date in which Boricua culture is celebrated and honored represents a sacred commitment that I have with my people. On June 8, I won’t just be fighting for myself. I’ll be fighting for each and every Puerto Rican who always perseveres when the going gets tough. This is my first main event and my first fight against a former world champion. And I plan on carrying my flag and making it shine on one of the world’s biggest stages, ‘The Mecca of Boxing.’”
 
Teixeira (34-4, 25 KOs) stunned the boxing world by upsetting Carlos Adames to capture the interim WBO junior middleweight world title in November 2019. After being elevated to full champion, the 33-year-old southpaw faced multiple setbacks, losing the title to Argentine powerhouse Brian Castaño in February 2021. In his subsequent bouts, he was controversially disqualified against Paul Valenzuela in April 2022 and suffered a decision loss against then-unbeaten Russian Magomed Kurbanov that July. Undeterred, Teixeira bounced back with a first-round knockout win against Adrian Perez in November 2022, a second-round stoppage over Carlos Rivero last August and a fourth-round TKO against Edisson Saltarin in March.

Teixeira said, “It took longer than expected, but this fight is finally here. I can’t wait to get in the ring and put the division on notice. I did it once before when I won my world title against Adames on a Top Rank show, and I’m going to do it again with one of their rising stars. Zayas is a great talent, and everyone there will be supporting him during that important weekend. But my experience will make the difference, and I’ll show that on June 8.”
 
Carrington (11-0, 7 KOs), a 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials champion, has rapidly ascended the ranks since turning pro in October 2021. The 27-year-old secured five victories in 2023, including a second-round TKO against former world title challenger Jason Sanchez. In his last outing, he blasted out Bernard Torres with a right hook at The Theater in February. The stoppage went viral and was a SportsCenter Top 10 highlight.
 
Carrington said, “Vivas should be my toughest opponent to date, but as I do every time I fight in Shu York City, I’m going to put on a crowd-pleasing performance. It’s special to fight in front of the great Puerto Rican fans. I can’t wait for June 8.”
 
Vivas (23-3, 12 KOs), a tenacious 29-year-old Mexican, enjoyed an undefeated 17-0 run before encountering his first pro defeat at the hands of Ruben Villa in September 2019. He bounced back with a four-fight winning spree, including a 10-round decision over then-unbeaten Carlos Jackson in July 2020 and an eight-round triumph against Louie Coria the following May. Despite a majority points loss to eventual title challenger Eduardo Baez in March 2022, Vivas rebounded with a win over Edy Valencia before losing to Joet Gonzalez last April. In February, he scored a first-round TKO against Jonathan Aguilar.
 
The ESPN+-streamed undercard will showcase a selection of some of the best rising talents from the East Coast.
 
Junior middleweight Jahi Tucker (10-1-1, 5 KOs), from Deer Park, New York, looks to respond following a string of setbacks in an eight-rounder versus Quincy LaVallais (17-4-1, 12 KOs). Tucker overcame a tough out in Nikoloz Sekhniashvili last April, dropped a decision to Nicklaus Flaz in July, and fought to a majority draw against Francisco Daniel Veron in December.
 
U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson (12-0, 6 KOs) will see action in an eight-rounder against once-beaten Tarik Zaina (13-1-1, 8 KOs). After going 4-0 in 2023, the Cleveland native made his 2024 debut with a first-round stoppage victory against Paulo Galdino in February. 
 
Unbeaten welterweight Elijah Flores (8-0, 3 KOs) will lock horns against Derrick Whitley Jr. (7-4-1) in a six-rounder. Flores, a Bronx native, returns following a fourth-round TKO against Alejandro Munera in March.
 
Junior lightweight prospect Ofacio Falcon (10-0, 6 KOs) heads to The Theater for a third time to take on Antonio Dunton El Jr. (5-2-2, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder. Falcon, also a Bronx native, decisioned Edward Ceballos in February.
 
Team USA heavyweight hopeful Ali Feliz (1-0, 1 KO), from Danbury, Connecticut, makes his second appearance in the paid ranks in a four-round tilt versus Lemir Isom-Riley (4-2, 2 KOs). Feliz dispatched Anthony Woodson III in only two rounds last Saturday in Corpus Christi, Texas. Isom-Riley last fought on the Teofimo Lopez-Jamaine Ortiz bill in February, stopping Antonio Zepeda in three rounds.
 
Nisa Rodriguez (1-0), a Golden Gloves champion and NYPD officer, will square off against Jordanne Garcia ( 4-3-3) in a four-round middleweight fight.

Rising flyweight Andy Dominguez (10-1, 6 KOs), who was born in Mexico and raised in The Bronx, will face Cristopher Rios (10-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
 

Two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner Robeisy Ramirez can add the WBO Featherweight world title to hos trophy case as he won the title with a 12-rounds unanimous decision over former champion Isaac Dogboe at The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Ramirez landed 160 of 495 punches; Dogboe was 113 of 619.

Ramirez, 125.6 lbs of Cuba won by scores of 117-110, 118-109, 119-108 and is now 12-1. Dogboe, 124.2 lbs of Ghana is 24-3.

Ramirez said, “I’m living a new stage in my life. This is a new history that I’m writing, and I did everything I had to do. As an Olympian, I won two Olympic gold medals, and now I can call myself a champion.”

“All the respect to a warrior like Isaac Dogboe. He has my admiration, and all it took was me listening to this genius, Ismael Salas, because I did that, and he led me to victory.

“I believe things happened for a reason. If it wasn’t for that loss in my pro debut, I would have never ended up with Ismael Salas. Yordenis Ugas never would’ve told me, ‘You have to move to Vegas, you have to change your life,’ and I never would have gotten this team together to be where I am today.”

Dogboe said, “Let’s run it back. That’s all I have to say. He’s a great fighter.”

In round 12, Ramirez scored a knockdown when he landed a left hand while Dogboe was coming in and Dogboe hit the canvas.

Former world title challenger Joet Gonzalez won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jose Enrique Vivas in a featherweight bout.

Gonzalez landed 271 of 646 punches; Vivas was 207 of 930.

Gonzalez, 126.2 lbs of Glendora, CA won by scores of 99-91 and 98-92 twice and is now 26-3. Vivas, 126.2 ls of Texcoco, MEX is 22-3.

Jahi Tucker remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Nikloz Sekhnishvili in a junior middleweight bout.

In round four, Tucker was deducted a point for hitting on the break.

In round six, Sekhniashvili was cut on his face.

Tucker, 151.8 lbs of Deer Park, NY won by scores of 77-74 on all cards and is now 10-0. Sekhnishvili, 150.2 lbs of Gori, Georgia Republic is 8-2.

Jeremiah Milton remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Fabio Maldonado in a heavyweight bout.

In round four, Milton was cut over his right eye from a headbutt.

Milton, 255.8 lbs of Tulsa, OK won by scores of 80-70 twice and 78-72 and is now 9-0, Maldonado 215.8 lbs of Sai Paulo, BRA is 29-7.

Tiger Johnson remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Alfonso Olvera in a junior welterweight bout.

Johnson, 142.8 lbs of Cleveland won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 8-0. Olvera, 142.8 lbs of Tucson, AZ is 12-8-2.

Dante Benjamin Jr. remained undefeated with second round stoppage of Jasper McCargo III in a scheduled six-round light heavyweight bout.

In round one, Benjamin dropped McCargo with a hard right uppercut to the jaw. Early in round two, Benjamin sent McCargo to the canvas with a left hook. Benjamin dropped McCargo for a third time as he landed a body shot while being held. Benjamin ended things by sending McCargo down again from a right to the top of the head at 2:58.

Benjamin, 175 lbs of Cleveland, OH is 6-0 with four knockouts. McCargo, 174.4 lbs of Richmond, CA is 4-4-2.

Emiliano Fernando Vargas stopped Edgar Livalle in round two of their four-round lightweight fight.

In round two, Vargas landed a right to the body that put Livalle down and the fight was over at 1:21

Vargas, 133 lbs of Las Vegas is 4-0 with three knockouts. Livalle, 132.2 lbs of Des Moines, IA is 2-4-2.

Good looking 18 year-old prospect Abdullah Mason stopped Erick Garcia Benitez in the opening round of their six-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Mason dropped Benitez with a counter right hand and the fight was over at 1:32.

Mason, 135.2 lbs of Cleveland, OH is 7-0 with six knockouts. Benitez, 135.4 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 4-2.

Rohan Polanco remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Ricardo Quiroz in a junior welterweight fight.

Polanco, 142.4 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR won by scores of 60-54 on all cards and is now 7-0. Quiroz, 142.6 lbs of Oxnard, CA is 12-2.

Former Undisputed Lightweight World Champion, Teofimo Lopez christened the 140-pound division with a seventh round stoppage over Pedro Campa at Resorts World Las Vegas.

That fight capped a perfect weekend for Split-T Management.

Lopez was dominant from the onset of the contest as he boxed and started to land some solid power punches as early as the second. With each ensuing round, Lopez begam to land more and more as he started to break down the Mexican warrior.  

As the second half of the fight commenced, Lopez stepped on the gas and started to hurt Campa in round six. In round seven, Lopez dropped Campa with a hard right that was followed by a left. Lopez started to emphatically beat Campa until the bout was stopped at 2:14.

Lopez moves his impressive resume to 17-1 with 13 knockouts. Campa is 34-2-1.

Lopez said, “I was at 135 pounds for nine years. It was killing my body, since I was a teenage kid, man. We want Josh Taylor. We want these guys. We want {Regis} Prograis. We want {Jose} Zepeda. We want all the belts. We want to become two-time undisputed champion.”

“If Josh Taylor is too busy with his wedding and there’s nobody else around because the WBA belt is taken and the WBC is going to be fought with Zepeda and Prograis, then so fuc*ng be it,” Lopez said.

Zayas Stops Espadas in 5

Xander Zayas remained undefeated with a fifth round stoppage over Elias Espadas in a junior middleweight bout.

In round one, Zayas dropped Espadas with a left hook

In round five, Zayas landed a beautiful straight right to the head that sent Espadas down and the fight was stopped at 23 seconds.

Zayas, 153 lbs of San Juan, PR is 14-0 with 10 knockouts. Espadas, 153.6 lbsof Merida, MEX is 22-5.

Zayas said, “I feel amazing. I’m glad to be back with a strap around me, a regional title, something amazing. It’s special to me to bring my first belt to the island. It’s a step closer to my goal of becoming world champion.
 
“I promise it wasn’t intentional. I wasn’t trying to hit him low. I guess the punches were just landing there. Referee {Russell Mora}, I want to thank him. He gave me a chance. I just listened to the corner, and they told me, ‘Hey, forget about the body.’ Let’s get these head shots and then we’ll start working the body. And that’s what we did in round four on.” 

Jose Enrique Vivas pounded out an eight-round split decision over Edy Valencia in a featherweight bout.

Vivas landed 280 of 792 punches; Valencia was 257 of 750

Vivas, 127.8 lbs of Texcoco, MEX won by scores of 78-74 and 77-75. Valencia took a card 77-75.

Vivas is 22-2. Valencia, 127.6 lbs of Culican, MEX is 19-8-6.

Andres Cortes won a eight-round unanimous decision over Abraham Montoya in a junior lightweight fight.

Cortes landed 141 of 460 punches. Montoya was 108 of 427.

Cortes, 130.6 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 79-73 on all cards and is now 18-0. Montoya, 131 lbs of Mexicali. MEX is 20-4-1.

Troy Isley remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Victor Toney in a middleweight bout.

Isley, 156 lbs of Alexandria, VA won by scores of 60-54 and 59-55 and is now 7-0. Toney, 156.8 lbs of Youngstown, OH is 6-2-1.

In a battle of undefeated featherweights, Duke Ragan took a six-round unanimous decision over D’Angelo Fuentes.

Ragan, 126.6 lbs of Cincinnati, OH won by scores of 59-55 and 58-56 twice and is now 7-0. Fuentes, 125.6 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL is 7-1.

Omar Rosario won a six-round unanimous decision over Esteban Munoz in a junior welterweight bout.

Rosario, 140.8 lbs of Caguas, PR won by scores of 58-56 on all cards and is now 8-0. Munoz, 140.6 lbs of San Bernadino, CA is 6-2.

In a battle of undefeated lightweights, Charlie Sheehy went the distance for the first time, but still was able to win a four round unanimous decision over Juan Castaneda.

Sheehy, 134.4 lbs of Brisbane, CA won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 4-0. Castaneda, 133.8 lbs of Mexico City, MEX is 2-1-2.

Jeremiah Nakathila scored the biggest win of his career by stopping former world champion Miguel Berchelt in a scheduled 10-round lightweight bout at The Resorts World Casino in Las Vegas.

In round three, Nakathila dropped Berchelt with a jab. Nakathila continued to apply hard pressure with Berchelt offering little to offset the charging Nakathila. In round six, Nakathila landed a blistering right that sent mouthpiece of Berchelt flying. That was enough to force the fight to be stopped.

Nakathila, 133.6 lbs of Winbook, NAM is 23-2 with 19 knockouts. Berchelt, 135 lbs of Cancun, MEX is 38-3.

Nakathila said, “From the first round, my corner told me to take my time. I know what I have. I knew it would be difficult for him to reach the 10^th round. It wasn’t so easy, but I made it look easy.

“He didn’t really bother me, the way he swung. I just got back to my game plan, and I capitalized.

“Luckily, {he couldn’t continue}. I was going to knock him out or put him to sleep in a bad way. Luckily, he saw it coming and decided he couldn’t come back.”

Added Berchelt, “I’m going to get up. I’m going to rise from this. The great champions are not the ones who fall. The great champions are those who rise, and I will go home, spend time with my family, visit with them, get some rest, and I am going to come back stronger than ever.”

Eduardo Baez Decisions Jose Enrique Vivas

Eduardo Baez won a 10-round majority decision over Jose Enrique Vivas in a featherweight bout.

Baez landed 304 of 783 punches; Vivas was 215 of 818.

Baez, 126.6 lbs of Mexicali, MEX won by scores of 98-92, 96-94 and 95-95 and is now 21-2-2. Vivas, 125.8 lbs of Mexico is 21-2.

Carlos Caraballo won a eight-round majority decision over Luis Fernando Saavedra in a junior featherweight bout.

Caraballo, 120 lbs of Puerto Rico won by scores of 79-73, 77-75 and 76-76 and is now 15-1. Saavedra, 120 lbs of Mexico is 9-7.

2021 U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson stopped Sebastian Gabriel Chaves in around four of their six-round welterweight bout.

In round four, Johnson dropped Chaves with a right hand. Later in the round, Johnson dropped Chaves with a massive left hand and the fight was stopped at 1:42.

Johnson, 142 lbs of Cleveland, OH is 3-0 with two knockouts. Chaves, 143.2 lbs of Buenos Aires, ARG is 5-4.

Josue Vargas survived two knockdowns and a bite to win an eight-round unanimous decision over Nicolas Pablo Demario in a junior welterweight bout

In round three, DeNario landed a right against an off-balance Vargas that put Vargas on the canvas.

In round five, DeMario dropped Vargas with a hard left. Later in the round DeMario was deducted a point for biting Vargas on the shoulder.

Vargasm 142 lbs of Bronx, NY won by scores of 76-4 twice and 76-73 and is now 20-2. Demario, 141.6 lbs of Buenos Aires, ARG is 15-6-3.

Haven Brady Jr. stopped Juan Angel in round four of a scheduled six-round featherweight bout.

In round four, Brady landed a hard flurry of punches and was able to put Angel down with a double right. Brady finished off Angel by dropping him with an uppercut and the fight was stopped at 2:05.

Brady, 127 lbs of Albany, GA is 6-0 with four knockouts. Angel, 126.6 lbs of Chile is 8-3.

Dante Benjamin Jr. won a four-round unanimous decision over Kevin Johnson in a battle of undefeated light heavyweights.

Benjamin, 173.6 lbs of Cleveland, OH won by scores of 40-36 on all cards is now 2-0. Johnson, 174.4 lbs of Wichita, KS is 2-1.

Juan Hernandez Martinez and Arturo Cardenas battled to a four-round draw in a junior featherweight bout.

Each fighter won a card 39-37 and a third card read 38-38.

Gomez, 123.6 lbs of Gomez Palacios, MEX is 2-0-1. Cardenas, 122.4 lbs of Mexico is 2-0-1

Estevan Partida and Adrian Serrano battled to a four-round draw in a lightweight bout.

In round two, Serrano had blood from his nose.

Each fighter won a card 39-37 and a third card was 38-38.

Partida, 133.6 lbs of Merced, CA is 0-1-1. Serrano, 134.4 lbs of Salinas, CA was making his pro debut.

LAS VEGAS (March 2, 2022) — Former junior lightweight world champion Miguel “El Alacrán” Berchelt, the fighting pride of Cancun, Mexico, has his sights squarely on the lightweight division’s top names. Berchelt will battle Namibian contender Jeremiah Nakathila in the 10-round main event Saturday, March 26 at the Resorts World Events Center located at Resorts World Las Vegas.

Berchelt-Nakathila marks the debut sporting event at Resorts World Las Vegas, which opened June 2021 as the first integrated resort to be built on The Strip in over a decade.

In the 10-round co-feature, top featherweight contenders Jose Enrique “El Ejecutor” Vivas and Enrique “El Gemelo” Baez will meet in a guaranteed all-action clash with potential world title implications. Berchelt-Nakathila and Vivas-Baez will be televised live on ESPN & ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions, tickets starting at $25 go on sale Thursday, March 3 at noon PST, and can be purchased at www.rwlasvegas.com/experiences/top-rank.

“Miguel Berchelt is motivated to become a two-weight world champion, and he has a formidable test in his lightweight debut against Jeremiah Nakathila,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “It is a great honor to promote the first boxing event at Resorts World Las Vegas, a fantastic new property we hope will host many fight nights in the coming years.”

“As we developed Resorts World Las Vegas, entertainment was always an integral piece of our business strategy, and as part of that, we envisioned having major sporting events take place on our property,” said Scott Sibella, President of Resorts World Las Vegas. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with an industry leader like Top Rank to host this event and look forward to welcoming fans to the first-ever Resorts World Las Vegas fight night experience.”   

Berchelt (38-2, 34 KOs) won the WBC world title in January 2017 and defended that belt six times, becoming one of boxing’s longest-reigning world champions. Five of his title defenses came by knockout, including a ninth-round triumph over Miguel Roman and a fourth-round blitzing of former world champion Jason Sosa. Berchelt’s momentum was halted in February 2021, when he lost his world title in a dramatic showdown against Oscar Valdez. Berchelt was knocked out in the 10^th round by Valdez and soon looked to regain his championship form in another division.

“I am ready to turn the page and show the fans I have what it takes to become a two-division world champion,” Berchelt said. “The Valdez fight is in the past, and my focus is on Nakathila and a lightweight world title in 2022. ‘El Alacran’ is back, and I can’t wait to come to Resorts World Las Vegas to put on a show.”

Nakathila (22-2, 18 KOs) is a former WBO Africa and WBO Global junior lightweight titlist who is one of Namibia’s most decorated fighters. He went undefeated for more than four years, and last June, he made his Las Vegas debut against Shakur Stevenson for the WBO interim junior lightweight world title. Nakathila lost a clear points verdict to the unbeaten phenom, but he returned in fine form last October with a second-round stoppage over Ndodana Ncube. The 32-year-old Nakathila hopes to score the upset and a spot among the lightweight elites.

Nakathila said, “It’s an amazing opportunity to fight Berchelt. Given our styles, it will make for a highly entertaining fight. This is my lightweight debut, and I’m looking forward to my first win against a highly rated former champion.”

Vivas (21-1, 11 KOs), from Texcoco, Mexico, has won four straight fights and emerged as a contender to watch during the “Bubble” in 2020 with standout performances against Carlos Jackson and John Vincent Moralde. Last May, in one of the year’s best toe-to-toe affairs, he recovered from a pair of third-round knockdowns to edge Louie Coria by unanimous decision. Baez (20-2-2, 7 KOs), from Mexicali, Mexico, is a former Mexican junior featherweight champion who is now testing the featherweight waters. Last March, he notched a one-sided decision over the previously undefeated Abimael Ortiz, which came a little more than three months after a near-shutout verdict over Narek Abgaryan. Baez saw his 12-bout unbeaten streak snapped with a razor-thin majority decision loss to Ra’eese Aleem. 

VERONA, N.Y. (Dec. 2, 2021) — Joe Smith Jr., Long Island’s working class hero, will make the long-awaited first defense of his WBO light heavyweight world title against British knockout artist Callum Johnson on Saturday, Jan. 15 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

Smith-Johnson kicks off the Top Rank on ESPN 2022 schedule with a battle between two of the division’s biggest punchers. Smith was supposed to defend his title Oct. 30 in New York City, but a COVID-19 diagnosis delayed his return to 2022.

In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, the undefeated Abraham “El Super” Nova, who hails from Albany, N.Y., will face Mexican action star Jose Enrique Vivas. Smith-Johnson and Nova-Vivas will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT.

The undercard — streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ — will see the long-awaited professional return of Cincinnati-born featherweight Duke Ragan (4-0, 1 KO), who captured a silver medal for the United States at the Tokyo Olympics. Long Island-born welterweight sensation Jahi Tucker (5-0, 2 KOs), Puerto Rican junior welterweight Omar Rosario (5-0, 2 KOs) and rising junior welterweight Kasir “Mazzi” Goldston (4-0, 1 KOs), are scheduled to appear in separate six-round bouts.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, tickets priced from $49 to $89 go on sale Friday, December 3 at 10 a.m. ET and can be purchased at the Turning Stone Resort Box Office, charge by phone by calling 800.771.7711 or online at Ticketmaster.

“Joe Smith Jr. always delivers, and he is in against a tough customer in Callum Johnson. This is a can’t-miss main event to kick off our 2022 Top Rank on ESPN schedule,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Vivas is the ultimate test for a young, undefeated contender like Nova. Like our main event, you’re going to witness a tremendous battle.”

Smith (27-3, 21 KOs) retired the legendary Bernard Hopkins with a storybook knockout in 2015, but it took him nearly six years to capture a world title. He fell short in his first attempt versus Dmitry Bivol in 2019, but in 2020, big-fight opportunities knocked. Smith battered Jesse Hart over 10 rounds in January and then knocked out former world champion Eleider Alvarez through the ropes in August. Nearly eight months after the Alvarez triumph, he edged Maxim Vlasov by majority decision to earn the vacant WBO world title. He became the fourth Long Island-born boxing world champion, joining Buddy McGirt, Chris Algieri, and former WBO junior lightweight world champion Jamel Herring. After a full recovery, Smith returned to training intent on staking his claim as the world’s preeminent 175-pounder.

Smith said, “I am glad to be getting back into the ring as quickly as I am to defend my WBO world championship after having COVID. It is not the fight the fans or I expected, but this will be an explosive fight between two huge punchers. I look forward to facing Johnson and defending my belt in front of my fans, as well as putting on a great show for the ones watching at home.”

“Joe Smith Jr. is always exciting to watch, but this fight could top them all. This is ‘must-see TV’ and a perfect fight to launch ESPN’s 2022 boxing season,” said Joe DeGuardia, President of Star Boxing. “We are looking forward to Joe defending his WBO world title against Callum Johnson. With two of the hardest punchers in boxing fighting each other, it doesn’t get more explosive than this. Don’t miss this fight, and don’t blink!”

Johnson (20-1, 14 KOs) is a former British and Commonwealth light heavyweight champion riding a three-fight winning streak since a 2018 knockout loss to current WBC/IBF unified champion Artur Beterbiev. Johnson knocked Beterbiev down in the second round, but Beterbiev rebounded and knocked out Johnson in the fourth. Johnson, from Boston, England, shared the same bill with Smith at Turning Stone Resort Casino in March 2019. Johnson knocked out Sean Monaghan in three rounds, while Smith lost a decision to Bivol in a bid for the WBA light heavyweight title.

Johnson said, “Joe is a good world champion, and we’re both big punchers. I’m looking forward to it as much as I’m sure he will be. I also would like to thank Frank Warren and the team at Queensberry, who said they would deliver me a world title shot. They’ve done their job, and now it’s time for me to do my job in the ring and become the new WBO light heavyweight champion.”

“I’m delighted to deliver this opportunity for Callum,” said Hall of Fame Promoter Frank Warren. “When he came with us, he said he wanted to get active again and become a world champion. Callum has his chance now to realize his dream, and if he fights like I know he can, there is no reason why Britain won’t crown a new world champion on January 15.”

Nova (20-0, 14 KOs), world-ranked at junior lightweight, is now campaigning at featherweight. In June 2020, he turned away Avery Sparrow by unanimous decision, but in training camp for his next fight, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon. Nova was out of action more than a year and returned in August with an eight-round decision over Filipino veteran Richard Pumicpic. Vivas (21-1, 11 KOs) is a classic Mexican pressure fighter, a 27-year-old native of Texcoco who has won four in a row since a decision defeat to Ruben Villa. In October 2020, he needed only 76 seconds to knock out John Vincent Moralde. He returned in May and rose from a pair of third-round knockdowns to edge Louie Coria by unanimous decision.

About Turning Stone Resort Casino

Host of the January 15^th event, Turning Stone Resort Casino is a Forbes Four-Star Award-winning destination resort, which continues to distinguish itself as a premier venue for fight-of-the-year caliber boxing. Turning Stone features world-class amenities including The Lounge with Caesars Sports, a state-of-the-art sports book in partnership with Caesars Entertainment, five hotels, more than 20 signature dining options, two spas, a 125,000 square foot Las Vegas style gaming floor, multiple entertainment venues, five golf courses, and several bars and lounges offering live entertainment every weekend.  Additionally, Turning Stone is the Official Resort Casino of the International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend. The partnership is a multifaceted initiative to spotlight boxing throughout the entire region. The program includes a series of boxing events at Turning Stone that culminate every year in June with an elaborate and bigger-than-ever International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend celebration.  International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend will be held June 9 – 12, 2022.

As an increasing number of athletes and performers now require ticketholders to be vaccinated, Turning Stone has updated its health and safety protocols for the Event Center, The Showroom and Exit 33 nightlife venues to align with industry health and safety protocols.  All ticketholders 12 years or older are required to provide proof of vaccination to attend any event at the Turning Stone Event Center or The Showroom. Children 11 years or younger who are not vaccinated are required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of the event and will be required to wear face coverings while at Turning Stone. Guests visiting areas other than the Event Center, The Showroom and Exit 33 nightlife venues at Turning Stone are not required to provide proof of vaccination.

Media credential requests for the January 15^th fight should be emailed to Kelly Abdo, Director of PR for Turning Stone, at [email protected].

LAS VEGAS – No dispute.

Josh Taylor made sure of it, knocking down Jose Ramirez twice enroute to winning all of the pieces to the junior-welterweight title with unanimous decision Saturday night in front of a small crowd at Virgin Hotels and an ESPN audience.

 The judges scored it the same way. It was 114-112 — once, twice, three times — all for Taylor. The margin was only two points, a nod perhaps to Ramirez’ toughness. But the difference between the two was clear, indisputable. There was no argument. No need for a rematch.

Taylor moved toward an even bigger date, perhaps with leading pound-for-pound contender Terence Crawford at a heavier weight, welter. But there were no lingering questions Saturday about who he was. There’s not a better 140-pound fighter on this planet or any other.

“I have been waiting for this moment all my life,’’ he said to a crowd of fellow Scots who chanted his name and waved the Scottish flag.

Taylor (18-0, 13 KOs) seized the moment midway through the fight with all of his advertised guile and power. He had promised to knock out Ramirez (26-1, 12 KOs). But that was the only promise he didn’t keep. He knocked put everything else, including some early doubt.  

Ramirez was first to enter the ring, wearing a robe in bright colors and dark shoes. Taylor followed, clad in Scottish tartan and a waistband in gold. It was a clash of culture. A clash of colors. A clash of styles.

After a couple of days marked by escalating trash talk, they had finally arrived at the moment when they would communicate with hands bound in white gloves and loaded with dark intent.  

Ramirez was the first to strike. For three plus rounds, he moved forward throwing right hand leads with his first step toward Taylor. It appeared to surprise Taylor. For few moments, the Scotsman looked uncertain, even dazed. But he would recover, adjust and mount the fight’s second and third strikes.

Late in the fourth and throughout the fifth, Taylor seemed to regain his footing and eventually the momentum. He imposed his will, if not his superior height on Ramirez, moving forward in much the same way that Ramirez had in the earlier rounds.

In the sixth, Taylor caught, a left-handed counter that landed on Ramirez’ chin and dropped him onto the canvas. In the seventh, Taylor struck again, this time in the split second after referee Kenny Bayless separated them. Bayless stepped back from the break and Taylor fired a left uppercut.

Ramirez was back on the canvas, down for a second time. He got up. But the spring in that first forward step was gone.

Suddenly, Taylor looked bigger.

Looked stronger.

Looked to be in control.

He was.

“We used his aggression against him,’’ Taylor said. “No disrespect. I’ve got nothing but love for Ramirez. This week was no disrespect. It was all part of the mind games to get in his head, to make him more eager to jump in at me and be more aggressive, to use his aggression against him.”

Ramirez wasn’t finished after the knockdowns. He never is. He carried on the fight with the resilience that has been a trademark to his career and his character. In the eleventh, an incoming Ramirez appeared to stun Taylor, who fell into him and then hung onto him. But it wasn’t enough and Taylor knew it. He waved a gloved right hand at the crowd, limited to 750 people by COVID protocol, as he walked to his corner after the eleventh.

One more round, and there would be no dispute.  

“I’ve got nothing but love for Ramirez. This week was no disrespect. It was all part of the mind games to get in his head, to make him more eager to jump in at me and be more aggressive, to use his aggression against him.

“I thought the scorecards were a little tight. I thought they were well wider than that. I wasn’t too happy with the selection of the judges, but I wasn’t going to moan. I was confident in winning this fight anyway.”

Ramirez said, “He took advantage of some of those clinches but, hey, I got back up and tried to give it my best and stay smart. I was never hurt. I was aware. I was just disappointed every time it happened. I tried to shake it off and get back to my rhythm. But it was overall a good fight. Hopefully, I get back and I learn from my mistakes. You win some and you lose some. 

“I felt like I landed some clean shots. It came down to the clinches. He would let his hands go as soon as he got his chance and I think I left it to the referee to do his part and it was a lack of experience on my part.”

Zepeda Decisions Lundy

Jose Zepeda didn’t have much time to celebrate. He won with precise punches. Then, he went back to work as a hopeful observer.

Zepeda (34-2, 26 KOs) kept himself in line for a junior-welterweight title with a unanimous decision, 98–92 on all three cards, over Hank Lundy (31-9-1, 14 KOs) Saturday in the Theater at Virgin Hotels.

Then, he took seat, hopeful for a shot at the winner of the next fight, Jose Ramirez-versus-Josh Taylor for all of the pieces to the 140-pound title. Zepeda, of Long Beach, Calif., looked solid against Lundy, a Philadelphia fighter. For 10 rounds, it was all business for Zepeda, who was coming off a wild Fight of the Year in October when he got up from four knockdowns to knock out Ivan Baranchyk. In 2019, he lost a majority decision to Ramirez.     

Sims Upsets Rodriguez via Majority Decision

The show began with an upset. Kenneth Sims Jr. scored it, opening the ESPN telecast for the Jose Ramirez-Josh Taylor bout with a stunner, a majority decision over junior-welterweight prospect Elvis Rodriquez at Las Vegas’ Virgin Hotels. Rodriguez (11-1-1, 10 KOs), of the Dominican Republic, started strong. But he appeared to tire midway through the eight-rounder. Sims (16-2-1, 5 KOs), began to catch up with him, rocking him with repeated blows and staggering him in the closing moments of a bout that ended with him leading on two cards, 78-74 on each. On the third, it was a draw, 76–76.  

Sims remarked, “I got a baby on the way, so that’s all the extra motivation I needed.” 

Mexican featherweight Jose Vivas overcame two knockdowns and a point reduction for a low blow to score a unanimous, yet narrow decision over Louie Coria of Moreno Valley, Calif. Vivas (21-1, 11 KOs) looked beaten in the third when Coria (12-5, 7 KOs) dropped him twice. But Rivas, a Manny Robles-trained fighter, came roaring back with an aggressive inside attack. Over the next five rounds, Vivas rocked him with repeated body blows. The judges noticed. All three scored it, 75-74, for him in the final fight on the ESPN+ portion of the Ramirez-Taylor card. 

Las Vegas junior-lightweight Andres Cortes (14-0, 7 KOs) relied on aggressiveness in a tough fight to stay unbeaten, scoring a 77-75, 78-74, 75-3 decision over Eduardo Garza (15-4-1, 8 KOs), a Texas fighter who kept it close with body punching throughout eight rounds of the fourth fight on Ramirez-Taylor card.  

Cuban featherweight Robeisy Ramirez (7-1, 4 KOs) combined precision and power to score repeatedly over six rounds for a one-sided decision over Ryan Allen (10-5-1, 5 KOs) of Las Vegas. Allen’s hands-down defense left him wide open for repeated blows from Ramirez throughout the third bout on the Jose Ramirez-Josh Taylor card.  

Raymond Muratalia (12-0 10 KOs), a lightweight from Fontana, Calif.,  had all the advantages. His strength, size and power overwhelmed Jose Gallegos (20-11, 15 KOs) midway through the fifth round of a scheduled eight-rounder. It was over, a TKO, at 1:40 of the round during the second fight on card featuring Jose Ramirez-Josh Taylor at Las Vegas’ Virgin Hotels.

Javier Martinez remained undefeated with a fourth round stoppage over Calvin Metcalf in a scheduled six-round middleweight bout.

In round four, Martinez landed a perfect right hook to the head that sent Metcalf down and out at 1:33.

Martinez, 162.5 lbs of Milwaukee, WI is 4-0 with two knockouts. Metcalf, 160.4 lbs of Kansas City, MO is 10-6-1.

LAS VEGAS (May 11, 2021) — Before Jose Ramirez and Josh Taylor clash for the undisputed junior welterweight world title Saturday, May 22 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, two featherweight firefights will get the action going.
 
Mexican contender Jose Enrique Vivas will battle the Robert Garcia-trained Louie Coria in a scheduled eight-rounder.
 
And, in an eight-rounder with a touch of gold, two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez will face Juan Tapia, the fighting pride of Brownsville, Texas.
 
Vivas-Coria and Ramirez-Tapia are among the undercard fights scheduled to stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ at 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT.
 
Ramirez-Taylor headlines a junior welterweight tripleheader starting at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+. The main card will also showcase Jose “Chon” Zepeda in a 10-rounder versus “Hammerin” Hank Lundy and unbeaten sensation Elvis “The Dominican Kid” Rodriguez against former U.S. amateur star Kenneth “Bossman” Sims Jr. in an eight-rounder.
 
Vivas (20-1, 11 KOs) went 2-0 last year inside the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble, outlasting Carlos Jackson in a Fight of the Year contender and knocking out John Vincent Moralde in the opening round. A former Mexican amateur standout, Vivas has won three straight bouts since a points loss to Ruben Villa. Coria (12-4, 7 KOs), from Moreno Valley, California, hopes to break a two-bout losing skid, although both defeats came in brawls that could’ve easily gone his way. Last June, he dropped a majority decision to Adam Lopez, and four months later, he knocked down 2016 Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceicao en route to a disputed unanimous decision verdict.
 
Ramirez (6-1, 4 KOs) turned his career around following a shocking decision defeat to Adan Gonzales in his professional debut. He avenged that loss last July via shutout decision and most recently knocked out Brandon Valdes (13-1 at the time) in the sixth round. Ramirez makes his 2021 debut against Tapia (10-3, 3 KOs), a seven-year pro who has gone the distance against 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Vladimir Nikitin and pound-for-pound standout Shakur Stevenson.
 
In other undercard action:

• Las Vegas native Andres Cortes (13-0, 7 KOs) will make his 11^th consecutive hometown appearance, this time against Eduardo “Thunder” Garza (15-3-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-round junior lightweight tilt. Cortes made a memorable impression inside the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble last July, recovering from a fourth-round knockdown to outpoint Alejandro Salinas.
   
• Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (11-0, 9 KOs), the Robert Garcia-trained lightweight prospect from Fontana, California, will fight Jose Luis Gallegos (20-10, 15 KOs) in an eight-rounder. Muratalla is coming off a third-round stoppage win over Luis Porozo last November on the Terence Crawford-Kell Brook card, his sixth consecutive knockout win.
   
• Middleweight prospect Javier “Milwaukee Made” Martinez (3-0, 1 KO), who was once the top-ranked American amateur at 165 pounds, will fight veteran Calvin Metcalf (10-5-1, 3 KOs) in a six-rounder. Martinez last fought Feb. 20 and knocked out Billy Wagner in the first round.

About Ramirez vs. Taylor

Promoted by Top Rank, Ramirez vs. Taylor is a 12-round showdown for the undisputed junior welterweight world championship, which will take place Saturday, May 22 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. The event will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (and simulcast on ESPN+) at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT. Undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ at 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT.

The telecast will also feature a 10-round junior welterweight battle between Jose “Chon” Zepeda and “Hammerin” Hank Lundy, in addition to an eight-round junior welterweight tilt between knockout artist Elvis “The Dominican Kid” Rodriguez and Kenneth “Bossman” Sims Jr. 

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 12.1 million subscribers.
 
Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $59.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu (ad-supported) — all for just $12.99/month.