CO-PROMOTER OF TONIGHT’S ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’ SAYS FIRST EVENT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING
LONG BEACH, CA – Friday, April 25, 2025 – Promoter Paco Damian of Paco Presents says the debut show of tonight’s ‘LA Friday Night Fights’ series is just the beginning of a new prospect development staple for West Coast boxing.
Damian and his Paco Presents, along with partners Golden Boy Promotions, will present the first installment tonight from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, CA, and streamed live on DAZN (9:00 pm ET/6:00 pm PT),
In the night’s main event, Fort Lauderdale, Florida’s once-beaten Eric Tudor (12-1, 7 KOs) will take on the always tough Kevin “Thunderstorm” Johnson (12-5, 8 KOs) of Las Vegas. In the eight-round co-feature, super featherweight Justin Viloria (8-0, 6 KOs) of Whittier, CA, faces Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico’s Alejandro Yung Wong (12-1, 6 KOs).
Here’s what Paco Damian had to say:
How did the LA Friday Night Fights Series evolve?
I was talking to Eric Gomez from Golden Boy, we go a long way back, and we both said we saw a good opportunity to showcase local talent in this area with a series of fights that would get people excited. So, we contacted Thunder Studios, and they have been so incredibly accommodating. It’s a beautiful venue. It all just worked out.
What is your goal with the series?
My goal is to grow this series into something special. More than a show, I want LA Friday Night Fights to become known for competitive and exciting fights. I have passion for the sport and for giving local talent opportunities to showcase their skills. I love collaborating with Golden Boy and other promoters to make the best shows possible.
You’ve been around a long time. How did you get started as a promoter?
I met the great Don “War a Week” Chargin and his wife Lorraine. We got to know each other, and I started helping them out with their shows. Eventually, I told them I wanted to become a promoter, so they showed me the ropes. When Lorraine passed, Don asked me to be his partner and that lasted a little over 10 years. I’ve had two of the best teachers and mentors possible, working closely with Don and my dear friend and partner Sampson Lewkowicz.
You’re becoming known as a cool customer in boxing, no matter what chaos has erupted, as it often does. Where does that relaxed demeanor come from?
I remember how collected Don was. I’ve learned from him and Sampson to always keep your composure. Instead of complaining and dwelling on whatever is going wrong, just think ‘how can we solve this?’ Let’s find a solution. No blame. Let’s solve it the best possible way and look for options instead of pointing fingers.
Also scheduled for action that night is super lightweight Ricardo Sonny Robledo (10-0, 3 KOs) of Mission Hills, CA, taking on Dante Ettore (11-1-2, 7 KOs) of Las Vegas in an eight-round battle; plus super lightweight Javier Meza (2-0, 2 KOs) of Amarillo, TX, facing Buenos Aires, Argentina’s Luciano Ramos (2-9) over four rounds; bantamweight Roy Cano making his four-round professional debut against LA’s Larry Serrano Romero (3-4-1); and Miami super lightweight Danilo Diez (2-0) facing Venezuela’s Giovanny Gonzalez (2-6, 2 KOs) in a four-rounder.
On fight night, doors open at 5:00 pm PT and the fights start at 6:00 pm PT. Thunder Studios is located at 20434 S Santa Fe Ave., in Long Beach. For more information, visit their web site at thunderstudios.com or call(310) 762-1360.
For more information on Paco Presents, visit their social media:
‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’ MAIN EVENT CHANGED TO WELTERWEIGHT DUEL BETWEEN ERIC TUDOR & KEVIN JOHNSON ON FRIDAY, APRIL 25, FROM THUNDER STUDIOS & STREAMED LIVE ON DAZN
LONG BEACH, CA – April 14, 2025 – The headlining bout of the ‘LA Friday Night Fights’ event onFriday, April 25, from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, CA, and streamed live on DAZN (9:00 pm ET/6:00 pm PT), has been changed to a welterweight duel between Fort Lauderdale, Florida’s once-beaten Eric Tudor (12-1, 7 KOs) and the always tough Kevin “Thunderstorm” Johnson (12-5, 8 KOs) of Las Vegas.
The original main event, a light heavyweight showdown between Yair Gallardo and David Stephens had to be postponed after a sparring injury to Gallardo.
Presented by Paco Presents and Golden Boy Promotions,the eight-round co-featured bout will see undefeated super featherweight Justin Viloria (8-0, 6 KOs) of Whittier, CA, taking on Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico’s Alejandro Yung Wong (12-1, 6 KOs).
With an impressive amateur pedigree of over 200 bouts Eric Tudor captured many top amateur accolades including winning the Silver Gloves and National PAL Boxing Championships and earning a place on the Romanian National Team before turning professional in February 2022.
Raised in Fort Lauderdale, FL, 23-year-old Tudor has become known for his ability to adapt, switching seamlessly between boxing and power punching with ease. Tudor rebounded from his only professional loss, a shock eight-round decision defeat in late 2023, by looking better than ever in his last three consecutive victories. Tudor was last seen defeating the then 28-1 Harold Calderon by eye-catching near-shutout unanimous decision in November of last year.
“I am so excited to be headlining for the first time on DAZN,” said Eric Tudor. “I have been working hard in the gym, and I am going to prove that I have what it takes to be the best. Thank you to my entire team for making this happen!”
Originally from Detroit, Kevin Johnson turned professional in late 2016 and rattled off five consecutive wins before suffering his first career loss. And, while Johnson has gone on to suffer four more career losses, they have all come against top-flight competition with combined records of 53-2, including a close decision loss to current IBF Super Lightweight World Champion, Richardson Hitchins.
Along the way, Johnson has collected several impressive victories and taken the undefeated “0” from no less than five opponents. He also holds a stoppage victory over former world title challenger Vicente Martin Rodriguez.
“They call me ‘Thunderstorm.’ Just tell my opponent there is a severe weather alert coming to Long Beach, California, on fight night,” said Johnson. “Be ready, because you won’t be able to find any cover from this storm!”
Also scheduled for action that night is super lightweight Ricardo Sonny Robledo (10-0, 3 KOs) of Mission Hills, CA, taking on Dante Ettore (11-1-2, 7 KOs) of Las Vegas in an eight-round battle; plus super lightweight Javier Meza (2-0, 2 KOs) of Amarillo, TX, facing Buenos Aires, Argentina’s Luciano Ramos (2-9) over four rounds; bantamweight Roy Cano making his four-round professional debut against LA’s Larry Serrano Romero (3-4-1); and Miami super lightweight Danilo Diez (2-0) facing Venezuela’s Giovanny Gonzalez (2-6, 2 KOs) in a four-rounder.
On fight night, doors open at 5:00 pm PT and the fights start at 6:00 pm PT. Thunder Studios is located at 20434 S Santa Fe Ave., in Long Beach. For more information, visit their web site at thunderstudios.com or call(310) 762-1360.
For more information on Paco Presents, visit their social media:
By Norm Frauenheim —Tank Davis looked vulnerable. The sign was there in an ugly bruise, going from red to crimson, beneath his right eye.
But the bruise might as well have been a mask.
For a while, it hid what has always been there. Davis’ quick-strike power is a dynamic that never stays hidden for long.
It struck all over again, this time dropping a gutsy Frank Martin onto his back alongside the ropes Saturday night in a devastating eighth-round knockout at MGM’s Grand Garden Arena in an Amazon Prime fight for the lightweight title.
Questions, however, were lurking after about 14-month stretch of no bouts and time in jail at home in Baltimore.
Martin hoped he had the ability to exploit them. And, for a while, it looked as if he might. He danced away. He moved inside, he moved outside with enough agility and courage to bruise Davis.
“But I knew, I knew, he’d tire out,’’ Davis said.
He did. Martin’s quick feet began to slow, round-after-round absorbing Tank’s wicked combinations.
At 1:29 of the eighth, it was finally over. Davis rocked Martin (19-1, 12 KOs) with a succession of punches. It looked as if Martin was ready to fall. Davis made sure of it with a left-handed shot that began at his hip and traveled like a menacing meteor in a direct strike on Martin’s exposed chin.
It was over, an exclamation point, a reminder of Davis’ pound-for-pound credentials and perhaps an even bigger opportunity to prove himself on a bigger stage against Vasiliy Lomachenko later this year.
Benavidez scores unanimous decision in 175-pound debut
It was a debut that demanded a difference.
A different David Benavidez.
That’s what he delivered in his first fight at a heavier weight against an experienced and toughened light-heavyweight.
Oleksandr Gvozydk, a former 175-pound champion, endured Benavidez’ whirlwind arsenal early and tested him with his own fundamental power later.
In losing a unanimous decision to Benavidez Saturday night at the MGM’s Grand Garden Arena, the Ukrainian didn’t tame The Monster in a fighter feared at super-middleweight.
But he did counter his evident mean streak with a durability Benavidez has never really encountered.
“I felt like I had a great fight against a great fighter,’’ said Benavidez, who also said he came into the fight with two injuries – a cut over his right eyelid and a torn tendon in his right hand – suffered two weeks ago. “It was a new weight, a different weight.’’
Benavidez left the ring with two things unchanged. He’s still unbeaten (29-0, 24 KOs). And he still intends to pursue a title at super-middleweight. That means Canelo Alvarez, of course.
“We’re going to go back to 168 and go after the title as a mandatory challenger or maybe if the title becomes vacant,’’ Benavidez said.
That of course, depends on what Canelo decides. But it’s safe to assume he was watching.
Early on, what he and a roaring crowd saw was the Benavidez they witnessed at super-middle.
He came out in the first round, shuffling, side
to-side while displaying some newfound head movement.
His father and trainer, Jose Benavidez Sr. had promised a renewed emphasis on defense and his son didn’t disappoint, at least not through the first three minutes.
In the second and third, there were moments when the 27-year-old Benavidez made the 37-year-old Gvozdyk (20-2, 16 KOs) look stiff, if not awkward.
The Ukrainian wasn’t exactly a stationary target. But he was there, in front of Benavidez, and open to a wide variety of punches thrown at alternating angles and speeds.
Gvozdyk couldn’t dodge them all. Benavidez’ punches are like debris in a tornado. They’re coming from everywhere. Example: In the sixth round, it looked as if Gvozdyk had begun to find his range with straight-handed shots.
They were beginning to slow down Benavidez. But in a momentary switch of momentum, Benavidez unleashed a triple shot – three right hands, each from a different angle and all three travelling at a blinding velocity.
From round-to-later round, however, Gvozdyk was there, an edifice impossible to bring down. Benavidez tried in an apparent attempt to fulfill his promised knockout.
Instead of a KO, however, there was only fatigue to go along with another victory in his introduction to a bout that also provided a reminder: There’s a reason for weight classes.
Puello scores SD over Russell/Tank-Martin card
Alberto Puello survived.
He survived a penalty for holding.
He survived a scorecard that suggested he never had a chance.
Turns out, survival was sweet.
Puello scored a split decision over a stronger, quicker Gary Russell (17-1, 17 KOs) for an interim junior-welterweight belt Saturday on the Amazon Prime card featuring David Benavidez-OleksansdrGvodzykand Tank Davis-Frank Martin Saturday at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.
Puello (23-0, 10 KOs), of The Dominican Republic, won on two cards, 114-113 and 115-113. It was a close fight from almost every perspective but one. Judge David Hudson scored it for Russell, 118-109
It was a hard fight to watch. A hard fight to score, too.
But Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KOs) did what he had to, keeping the World Boxing Council’s version of the middleweight title with a unanimous decision over Terrell Gausha Saturday on the Amazon Prime card featuring David Benavidez-Oleksandr Gvozdyk and Tank Davis-Frank Martin.
One-sided scorecards — 118-110, 119-109, 118-110 — make it sound as if Adames, of The Dominican Republic, had an easy day at the office. He didn’t. Gausha (24-4-1, 12 KOs) tested him repeatedly in the later rounds. But it was never quite enough for the middleweight from Encino CA to sore an upset.
Kyrone Davis scores split-decision over Elijah Garcia
Elijah Garcia made the weight.
But lost the fight.
Kyrone Davis (19-3-1, 6 KOs) took some of the promise out of Garcia’s ambitious career Saturday with a careful, yet effective pace Saturday, scoring a split decision over the Phoenix middleweight in a bout that was preceded by controversy.
Late Friday, there were doubts about whether the bout, already postponed once, would even happen.
Garcia missed weight, coming in at 165.4 pounds and then 163. Davis was at 160.4.
Davis trainer Stephen Breadman Edwards demanded that Garcia weigh-in again Saturday morning, a few hours before opening bell at MGM’s Grand Garden Arena.
Breadman threatened to cancel the bout if Gracia was heavier than 173 pounds in the morning weigh-in. He wasn’t. According to the official bout sheet, he was at 163.2. The fight was on, but the early pace belonged to Davis.
He came into the ring looking angry, perhaps anxious to take out some frustration on Garcia (16-1, 13 KOs). At opening bell, however, he exhibited only poise. He patiently measured the distance between him and Gracia with a jab. Then, he followed with repeated rights.
For four or five rounds, Gracia looked tentative, perhaps because of the weight controversy or maybe because of Davis’ tactical patience.
Whatever it was, the slow start proved costly. Davis won on two cards, both by 97-93 scores. On the third card, it was 98-92 for Garcia, who stepped up the pace and his level of aggression, especially from the seventh through the 10th rounds. The Arizona southpaw moved forward, trying to walk down Davis while also landing a succession of head-rocking combos.
But, in the end, it wasn’t enough to save Garcia from his first pro defeat, a loss and perhaps a lesson for a young fighter
Magsayo wins one-sided decision
Mark Magsayo (26-2, 17 KOs), a Filipino junior-lightweight, scored a third-round knockdown and then scored repeatedly over the next seven rounds for a decision — as thorough as it was unanimous — over Mexican Eduardo Ramirez (28-4-3,13 KOs) in the sixth bout on the Tank-Martin card Saturday.
After Magsayo rocked Ramirez with an uppercut and then dropped him with a straight hand, Los Mochis fighter continued, but never with much purpose or energy in what what turned into a dull bout.
Justin Viloria stays unbeaten, scores fifth-round TKO
Justin Villoria (6-0, 4 KOs), a 19-year-old junior-lightweight from Whittier CA, had all of the energy and most of the punches in overwhelming Mexican Angel Contreras Saturday on the Tank Davis-Frank Martin card.
Villoria knocked down Contreras (15-9, 9 KOs) in the fourth and again the fifth, both times with body punches. Seconds after the second knockdown, an exhausted Contreras took a knee, a TKO surrender at 2:02 of the fifth round.
Phoenix junior-featherweight impressive in pro debut
Hello, Brayan Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, a junior-featherweight from Phoenix, was impressive in his professional debut, scoring a first-round knockdown and staggering James Mulder again in the fourth in an afternoon bout hours before the Tank Davis-Frank Martin main event..
Mulder (0-2), of Antioch CA, never had a chance. Never scored a point either. It was 40-35 on all three cards, all for Gonzalez (1-0).
Benavidez-trained Blancas stays unbeaten with first-round stoppage
David Benavidez’ stable is 2-0 through the early fights on a card that will feature its star attraction Saturday night in a light-heavyweight debut against Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
Daniel Blancas (10-0, 5 KOs), a super-middleweight from Milwaukee, didn’t waste any time, flashing Benavidez-like power with a sweeping hook for a first-round stoppage of German Aro Schwartz (23-8-1, 15 KOs).
Ohio junior lightweight does enough to win majority decision
It was a hard fight to score. Neither fighter did much, but Peggy Whitmore (3-0), a junior-lightweight from Ohio, did more, winning a majority decision (39–37, 39-37, 38-38) over Mia Ellis (7-3, 6 KOs), of Baltimore, in the second bout on the Tank Davis-Frank Martin card
First Bell: Benavidez-trained featherweight opens marathon show with unanimous decision
First bell sounded like a morning alarm.
It echoed through an empty arena, signaling a noon-time start to a card that eventually will feature David Benavidez-versus-Oleksandr Gvozydk in a light-heavyweight fight and Tank Davis-versus-Frank Martin for the lightweight title Saturday at the MGM’s Grand Garden Arena.
Reina Tellez (8-0-1, 5 KOs), a San Antonio featherweight and a fighter in the Benavidez stable, got the marathon started, winning a four-round, unanimous decision over a taller, yet slower Beta Dudek ((4-2, 4 KOs) of Slovakia.
UNBEATEN PROSPECT JUSTIN VILORIA BATTLES MEXICO’S ANGEL CONTRERAS TO KICK OFF THREE-FIGHT PBC ON PRIME VIDEO STREAM THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 15 AT 5:30 PM ET/2:30 PM PT
LAS VEGAS.- June 14, 2024 – Sensational undefeated teenage prospect Justin Viloria will battle Mexico’s Angel Contreras in an eight-round super featherweight contest that will open up a three-fight PBC on Prime Video stream this Saturday, June 15 in the 100th championship fight night at the historic MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. These three preliminary matchups will be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card.
Roiman Villa, who was originally scheduled to face Ricardo Salas in the opening bout, was forced to withdraw due to illness.
The live streaming presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT and is topped by rising middleweight Elijah García taking on contender Kyrone “Shut It Down” Davis in a 10-round attraction and former world champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo facing Mexican contender Eduardo Ramirez in a 10-round super featherweight clash.
These bouts will lead into a stacked pay-per-view lineup topped by undefeated three-division champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis defending his WBA Lightweight World Championship against unbeaten top contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin, plus David “El Monstro” Benavídez makes his 175-pound debut against former light heavyweight world champion Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk in a matchup for the Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Title.
The pay-per-view will also see undefeated rising star Gary Antuanne Russell take on unbeaten former world champion Alberto Puello for the vacant Interim WBC Super Lightweight Title, while WBC Middleweight World Champion Carlos Adames battles veteran contender and U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in the pay-per-view opener at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now and are available through www.axs.com.
The event is promoted by GTD Promotions, Sampson Boxing, TGB Promotions and Man Down Promotions.
In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com.
The nephew of four-time world champion Brian Viloria, Viloria (5-0, 3 KOs) has impressed while making his own name in the sport since turning pro in 2023. The 19-year-old debuted in April of last year and picked up three consecutive knockout victories to begin his pro run. Most recently the Whittier, California native scored a unanimous decision over Erick Garcia Benitez in March. He’ll be opposed by the 30-year-old Contreras (15-8-2, 9 KOs), who will look to bounce back after consecutive decision defeats to top prospects Michael Angeletti and Bruce Carrington. A native of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, Contreras won seven of his first eight fights after turning pro in 2016 and put together a three-fight winning streak in 2022, before losing three contests by decision last year.
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ABOUT DAVIS VS. MARTIN & BENAVIDEZ VS. GVOZDYK
Davis vs. Martin and Benavidez vs. Gvozdyk will see popular superstars Gervonta “Tank” Davis and David “El Monstro” Benavidez co-headline a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video on Saturday, June 15 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Headlining the show is the undefeated three-division champion Davis defending his WBA Lightweight World Championship against unbeaten top contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin, while Benavídez is set to make his 175-pound debut against former light heavyweight world champion Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk in a matchup for the Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Title.
The pay-per-view will also see undefeated rising star Gary Antuanne Russell take on unbeaten former world champion Alberto Puello for the vacant Interim WBC Super Lightweight Title, while WBC Middleweight World Champion Carlos Adames battles veteran contender and U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in the pay-per-view opener at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
The MGM Grand Garden Arena hosted its premiere boxing event in January 1994 and, over its 30-year history, the venue has become synonymous with the sport’s biggest fight nights. Fight fans have watched champions ranging from George Foreman and Julio Cesar Chavez to Roy Jones and Shane Mosley step in the ring and put on a championship display of skill. Epic battles including Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, Holyfield vs. Tyson II, Pacquiao vs. Marquez IV, multiple Barrera vs. Morales title fights, and Mayweather vs. Canelo, among others, led all boxers to want to fight at the legendary Grand Garden Arena. The June 15 event will mark a celebration of the venue’s storied history as boxing’s next chapter unfolds with these two high-stakes showdowns.
Rolly Romero Gets Controversial Stoppage over Barroso
Rolando Romero won the WBA Super Lightweight Title with a controversial ninth round stoppage over late-replacement Ismael Barroso at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.
In round three, Barroso landed a straight left that sent Romero into the ropes and his gloved touched the canvas for a knockdown.
In round nine, Romero landed a right that staggered Barroso and then put him down with a cuffing right. Later in the round, the two were exchanging in the corner, and referee Tony Weeks for reasons beyond comprehension, stopped the fight at 2:41.
Romero, 139.5 lbs of Las Vegas is now 15-1 with 13 knockouts. Barroso, 139.5 lbs of Miami was a later replacement for reigning champion Alberto Puello, is now 24-4-2.
Puello failed a PED test several weeks ago.
“I’ll be honest, he’s a warrior and he should have been allowed to continue,” said Romero, who improved to 15-1 with 13 KOs and became the 89th fighter to perform on SHOBOX: The New Generation to go onto capture a world title. “He wanted to keep going and I wanted him to keep going as well.”
“The first punch was when I had him hurt to begin with,” Romero said. “It was right on the nose, it was a little clip.”
“I think it was an injustice to stop the fight,” said Barroso, a late replacement after Alberto Puello,who previously held the WBA 140-pound title, had been stripped of his title because of a failed VADA test. “I was landing the better shots. It was a push on the first knockdown. It wasn’t a big blow or anything. The referee just stopped the fight, and he didn’t say anything. You can see it clearly. I’m the one who’s hitting him. There was nothing clear that he hit me with. I don’t understand why they stopped the fight.”
“I boxed the entire time,” said Romero, who became the second Las Vegas native to win a world title along with Ishe Smith. “I came in a little cold. I got cracked and I got up like a champion and kept going.”
Romero was clear about his future intentions after the fight. “There’s only two fights I want,” he said. “There’s the rematch with Tank Davis. But I think there’s a much bigger option. I want to go after Ryan Garcia. We can do it on Showtime PPV.”
Rances Barthelemy Decisions Omar Juarez
Rances Barthelemy won a 10-round majority decision over Omar Juarez in a junior welterweight bout.
Barthelemy landed 96 of 448 punches. Juarez was 101 of 428.
Barthelemy, 142.5 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 95-95 and is now 30-2-1. Juarez, 142.25 lbs of rownsville, TX is 14-2.
The crowd at The Chelsea rained down boos after the decision was read as many thought that Juarez had done enough to win the fight. “I understand that most of the fans are Mexican here and they were going for Juarez,” Barthelemy said. “But I also had my Cuban fans and they were cheering.”
Barthelemy said he would love nothing more than a rematch with Russell. “I want a rematch even more than a title shot,” he said. “I want that rematch with Gary Antuanne Russell. I want it badly.”
The 23-year-old Juarez had his three-fight winning streak halted. “It is what it is,” he said. “I honestly thought I did enough to win, but all That’s left is keep working hard for next time. My one mistake was not staying on top of him. I should have been more aggressive.”
Sims Jr. Decisions Akhmedov in Thrilling Fight
Kenneth Sims Jr. outlasted former world title challenger Batyr Akhmedov by taking a 12-round majority decision in a junior welterweight Elimination bout.
The two traded hard shots throughout the high-punch count affair. Sims fought that few rounds with a closed right eye.
Sims landed 309 of 832 punches. Akhmedov landed 331 of 933.
Sims, 139.25 lbs of Chicago won by scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 114-114 and is now 20-2-1. Akhmedov, 138.75 lbs of Las Angeles is 9-3.
“This is what I’ve been waiting on for years,” said Sims, who won for the seventh straight fight. “I’m not supposed to be here right now. That’s what they say. Ain’t nobody thought I would be here right now. And I know that I’m the best so at 140 it’s whatever. I’m ready for anyone.”
“I want the winner of the main event. I want that title. That’s it. Whoever wins the main event that’s who I want.”
Akhmedov thought he won the fight after suffering another close loss on the judges’ cards. His previous two losses were also narrow defeats on points. “It’s like every time I don’t stop my opponent it’s like they win,” he said. “It seems like it’s a goal against me. If they reach the 12th round it’s like they already won and they’re already celebrating because the judges give it to them. Look at the punch stats. It’s the third time in a row. I won again. I’m winning rounds, I’m throwing more, I’m hurting him more. He’s surviving seven rounds out of 12.”
Starling Castillo took a hard fought 10-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Esteuri Suero in a super lightweight fight.
In round nine, Suero was deducted a point for holding. In round 10, Suero was cited for the same infraction.
That was the difference as Castillo won by scores of 95-92 twice and 94-93 and is now 18-1-1. Suero, 139.2 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR os 12-1.
Michael Angeletti stopped Michell Bonquez in round eight of their eight-round bantamweight bout.
In round eight, Angeletti dropped Boxquez when he landed a two rights that was followed by a left. With Bonquez hurt, Angeletti followed up with a hard combination and the fight end the fight was stopped.
Angeletti, 118.2 lbs of Spring, TX 8-0 with seven Bonquez, 118.8 lbs of Fort Lauderdale, FL is 20-4.
18 year-old Justin Viloria stopped Pedro Pinillo in round four of their six-round super featherweight bout.
Viloria pounded Pinillo until the bout was stopped in round four.
Viloria, 127.6 lbs of Whittier, CA is the nephew of former world champion Brian Viloria. Viloria is 2-0 with two knockouts. Pinillo, 129.2 lbs of Cali, COL is 5-2.
UNDEFEATED PROSPECTS STEP INTO THE RING ON THREE-FIGHT SHOWTIME BOXING® COUNTDOWN SHOW THIS SATURDAY, MAY 13 AT 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT
LAS VEGAS – May 11, 2023 – Three matchups featuring undefeated fighters looking to keep perfect records intact will highlight the SHOWTIME BOXING COUNTDOWN live streaming presentation this Saturday, May 13 from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in a Premier Boxing Champions event.
Action live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT and is topped by unbeaten super lightweight Esteuri “El Puma” Suero dueling Starling Castillo in a 10-round attraction. Also featured is sensational bantamweight Michael Angeletti in an eight-round bout against Michell Banquez, while super featherweight Justin Viloria will take on Pedro Pinillo in a six-round fight. The live stream is hosted by award-winning MORNING KOMBAT live digital talk show hosts Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell.
These fights precede a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader headlined by top contenders Rolando “Rolly” Romero and Ismael Barroso facing off for the vacant WBA Super Lightweight World Championship. That telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT will also see former two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy dueling the all-action Omar “El Relámpago” Juarez in the co-main event, plus super lightweight contenders Batyr Akhmedov and Kenneth Sims Jr. meet in a WBA Super Lightweight World Title Eliminator opening up the telecast.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale now and available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com.
Representing Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Suero (12-0, 9 KOs) will make his U.S. debut on Saturday night, having turned pro in 2019 with a first-round knockout over Elieser Torres. The 23-year-old jump started his professional record with knockouts in nine of his first 10 fights and by winning 10-round unanimous decisions in each of his last two fights – most recently besting Jose Fajardo Galvez in December. He will be opposed by the 27-year-old Castillo (17-1-1, 13 KOs), who most recently fought fellow unbeaten Kenny de Leon to a draw last October. Also, a native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Castillo’s only career defeat came via decision against the unbeaten Otar Eranosyan.
A highly skilled technician with blazing speed and surprising power, Angeletti (7-0, 6 KOs) scored the most impressive victory of his young career last time out, as he dominated the previously unbeaten Jeremy Adorno on his way to a fifth-round stoppage last October. Originally from New Orleans and now training in Spring, Texas, Angeletti carries a five-fight knockout streak into Saturday night. He will face the 32-year-old Banquez (20-3, 14 KOs), a native of Venezuela who fights out of Florida. Banquez owns impressive victories over then-unbeaten opponents Prince Patel and Joahnys Argilagos, and most recently dropped decisions to Ramon Cardenas last July and Antonio Vargas in February.
With a large contingent of supporters in attendance, Viloria (1-0, 1 KO) turned pro in April and delighted his fans with a sensational first round knockout over Sirdarious Smith. The 18-year-old from Whittier, California will step up in competition when he faces Colombia’s Pinillo (5-1, 5 KOs) on Saturday. Pinillo turned pro in December 2019 and scored five-straight stoppages before losing a majority decision to Alejandro Nicasio Garcia in April 2022.
The non-televised undercard lineup will feature highly touted twin super bantamweight prospects in six-round fights as Chavez Barrientes (6-0, 5 KOs) meets Juan Centeno (8-7-3, 1 KO), while his twin brother Angel Barrientes (9-1, 6 KOs) battles Sharone Carter (13-6, 3 KOs). Rounding out the card is Washington, D.C. prospect David Whitmire (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-round super welterweight matchup against Texas’ Javier Vargas (3-1, 3 KOs), and the pro debut of super middleweight Yojanler Martinez in a four-round bout taking on California’s Dario Guerrero-Meneses (3-5-1, 1 KO).
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ABOUT ROMERO VS. BARROSO
Romero vs. Barroso will see hard-hitting Rolando “Rolly’’ Romero battle No. 1 Contender Ismael Barroso for the vacant WBA Super Lightweight World Title on Saturday, May 13 live on SHOWTIME from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features two additional super lightweight bouts with former two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy dueling the all-action Omar “El Relámpago” Juarez in the 10-round super lightweight co-main event, plus top super lightweight contenders Batyr Akhmedov and Kenneth Sims Jr. meet in a 12-round WBA Super Lightweight World Title Eliminator opening up the telecast.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromoand @TGBPromotions, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @MayweatherPromotionsand @TGBPromotionss or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing.