SAN JUAN, P.R. (October 2, 2024) – Undefeated Joshua James Pagan (10-0, 4 KOs) will take on hard-hitting veteran Haskell Rhodes (31-6, 16 KOs) in a newly announced main event in the next edition of “BIG TIME BOXING USA” at the iconic Coca-Cola Music Hall in San Juan, P.R., on Friday, October 18.

The Oklahoma native and Las Vegas-trained Rhodes, 36, steps in for Trevor Thonson, who faced travel issues forcing him to pull out of the scheduled 10-round bout in the lightweight division that will air live globally on DAZN.

The Michigan-born Pagan is of Puerto Rican descent and this weekend will continue his training camp at Ivan Calderon’s renowned gym in San Juan. He goes by the moniker “Double J”, and has impressed fans and pundits through his first 10 professional bouts, especially with his most recent victory in May, a close unanimous decision win over then undefeated prospect Roger Hilley. Pagan currently holds the Junior NABF Super Lightweight title belt and is trained by his father, Victor Pagan.

Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promoations said the experienced Rhodes will offer a stiff challenge to the young and up-and-coming 24-year-old Pagan. “Haskell Rhodes has notable wins and battles against past world champions and top contenders,” Salita said. “He presents a stylistic and seasoned challenge to Joshua Pagan, who has already beaten four undefeated opponents in his first 10 fights. Rhodes is battle-tested and durable, and this bout will be must-see TV on Octobert 18.”

In addition, Salita announced that Da’Velle Smith (9-0, 7 KOs) of Taylor, Mich., will contest a middleweight bout at six rounds with an opponent to be named. Smith is coming off an impressive fourth-round stoppage over Esau Herrera De La Cruz in Flint, Mich., and on DAZN. The televised portion of the night of fights begins at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT and will include local Allen Morales from Catano, Puerto Rico, in the opener making his professional debut in a four-round bantamweight bout against an opponent to be determined.

Rhodes has won both fights he has contested in 2024. In his last outing on August 31, Rhodes took out Jonathan Perez with a first-round knockout, and in April he did the same against Julio Buitrago needing three rounds

In the October 18 co-feature from the Caribbean island’s new marquee arena, Juan Carrillo (12-0, 9 KO) will face Lenin Castillo (25-5-1, 19 KO) in a 10-round light heavyweight bout. The remainer of the fight card, up to eight bouts in all, are to be announced. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketera.com and the venue’s official website: www.cocacolamusichall.com.

The event is promoted by Salita Promotions in collaboration with PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) and 21 Events and is part of Salita Promotions’ burgeoning “Big Time Boxing USA” series, the leading developmental series for promising prospects and young contenders on their journey toward a world championship.

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.

ABOUT PR BEST BOXING:

PR Best Boxing Promotions was founded in February 2001 by Peter and Ivan Rivera with its first boxing show being on May 20 of that same year, broadcasted live internationally on the Telefutura network. PRBBP has worked and developed great Puerto Rican world champions such as Hall of Famers Miguel Cotto and Iván Calderón as well as Román “Rocky” Martínez, Eric Morel and Juan Manuel “Juanma” López among others. Considered the best boxing promotion company in Puerto Rico, PRBBP has presented boxing cards broadcast by the best TV networks such as ESPN, Univision, Showtime, Telefutura, HBO and PPV events. PRBBP presented the first boxing event broadcast live on the ESPN network from Puerto Rico, also the first boxing broadcast by the PPV system from the Island and presented the first sports event at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot.

ABOUT 21 EVENTS:

21 Events, a fully integrated Latino marketing firm with 20 years of experience in producing marketing solutions and events in Sports and Entertainment that drive measurable results for our fortune 500 clients seeking true engagement with Latino consumers.

ABOUT COCA-COLA MUSIC HALL:

The Coca-Cola Music Hall (CCMH) is a property managed by ASM Global, located at 250 Convention Boulevard, San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was developed by PRISA Group and its construction was completed in 2020. Naming rights were sold to The Coca-Cola Company in 2019. This venue is known for being a modern, hip, and state-of-the-art facility, that incorporates artistic and cultural elements characteristic of Puerto Rico. The property features three levels and can accommodate up to 4,000 people seated.

ABOUT PRCCDA:

Puerto Rico Convention Center District Authority (PRCCDA) is a public corporation created under Law Number 351 of September 2nd of 2000, as amended. Its mission is to develop and operate the Convention District, positioning Puerto Rico as a world-class business, tourism, and entertainment destination. PRCCDA’s objectives include efficiently managing prominent venues, revitalizing urban areas, promoting job creation and business opportunities, and acting as a facilitator in partnership with the private sector.

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.