Mirco Cuello and Christian Olivo will star in a World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight eliminator fight on February 1 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

The bout will be part of the evening in which David Morrell and David Benavidez will fight for the WBA light heavyweight title in the main event and will feature big names in the first big event of the year in Las Vegas. 

Cuello, a former member of the Argentine national team, has been a professional since 2020 and has been making the adjustment to professional boxing to become a hard puncher with great hand speed and good technique, making him a championship contender for the future. 

The South American is 24 years old and has faced tough opponents whom he has managed to beat to earn this opportunity at 126 pounds and try to put his name in the elite. 

His opponent will be Olivo, a 25-year-old Mexican known for his grit and strength. The Hermosillo native has only one loss in his career and that was to undefeated Luis Reynaldo Nunez in a unanimous decision. He has accumulated good experience so far and is in a good sporting moment, so the fight looks very interesting. 

Cuello has 14 wins, no losses and 11 knockouts, while Olivo has 22 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw and 9 knockouts.

LAS VEGAS – January 7, 2025 – A pair of exciting showdowns featuring a bevy of up-and-coming talent will highlight a two-fight PBC on Prime Video lineup on Saturday, February 1 leading up to the PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video headlined by a clash between light heavyweight superstars David “El Monstro” Benavidez and David Morrell Jr. from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The live-streaming of prelims action will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT and be available via free access to all fans, regardless of Prime membership or purchase of the PPV card it leads into.

The streaming presentation will feature undefeated Argentine Olympian Mirco Cuello taking on Mexican contender Christian Olivo in a 10-round featherweight matchup, plus WBA No. 1-ranked middleweight contender Yoenli Feliciano Hernandez stepping in against all-action contender Angel Ruiz in a 10-round duel that opens up the live stream.

These two fights lead into a stacked PBC Pay-Per-View available on Prime Video as Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez and WBA Light Heavyweight Champion David Morrell Jr. meet in a battle of unbeatens in the main event. The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and also features WBC Featherweight World Champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa defending his title against former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. in a rematch of one of 2021’s best fights.

The pay-per-view will also see Mexican star and former world champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz dueling the hard-charging contender Angel Fierro in an all-Mexican super lightweight duel, plus rising Mexican star Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. steps in against former unified champion Jeison Rosario in a 10-round middleweight fight that opens the pay-per-view.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com.

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.

“Saturday, February 1 is a boxing fan’s dream with a card that promises high-stakes action all night long leading into a main event between David Benavidez and David Morrell Jr. that is sure to produce a dramatic conclusion,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “These four fighters appearing on Prime Video prelims have a golden opportunity to make a name for themselves with a signature victory on what will be one of the best cards of the year, all happening from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.”

**MIRCO CUELLO VS. CHRISTIAN OLIVO**

Topping the prelims lineup will be the fast-rising Argentinian contender Mirco Cuello taking on a young but experienced opponent in Christian Olivo as the two 126-pounders look to make a statement in their 10-round clash.

Representing his native Arroyo Seco, Argentina, Cuello (14-0, 11 KOs) turned pro in 2020 after a stellar amateur career that included an appearance in the 2020 Olympic Games and a bronze medal at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics. The 24-year-old has shown impressive power to match his well-regarded skillset since turning pro, including knockouts in 11 of his first 12 fights, earning his number three ranking in the WBA. After dispatching of the previously unbeaten Rudy Garcia via unanimous decision in September 2023, Cuello returned last March to best the always-tough veteran Sulaiman Segawa with another unanimous decision triumph.

“I’m excited to have the chance to show what I’m capable of in front of a large audience against a very skilled opponent,” said Cuello. “I will win this fight because I know what it takes to win at the highest levels. This is the most important fight of my professional career so far and I will be coming into the ring ready to make a name for myself and put the featherweight division on notice.”

“Mirco Cuello already beat a top featherweight contender in the world by defeating Sulaiman Segawa, who beat the then No. 1 contender Ruben Villa last July and then lost a very controversial decision against the new No. 1 Bruce Carrington, in his last fight in September,” said Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing. “After Mirco wins, he will be putting out a challenge to any other featherweight in the world. Mirco Cuello’s time has come.”

The 25-year-old Olivo (22-1-1, 8 KOs) has fought professionally since turning pro as a teenager in 2017, and went undefeated in his first 21 pro fights, with just one draw during that run. A native of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, he now fights out of San Diego as he steps into the ring stateside for the second time on February 1. His previous U.S. outing saw him drop a decision to undefeated top contender Luis Nunez in April 2023. Olivo bounced back in his last two fights, defeating the previously unbeaten Kevin Barron Crespo by decision in September 2023, before most recently stopping Javier Carrillo Montes in September 2024.

“I know that I’m in a tough fight against an accomplished opponent, but every great fighter becomes known by stepping up to their greatest challenges,” said Olivo. “I will be returning to fight in the U.S. as an all-new fighter in the best shape of my life and ready to do whatever it takes to have my hand raised.”

**YOENLI FELICIANO HERNANDEZ VS. ANGEL RUIZ**

Opening up the prelims will be the highly-touted WBA No. 1-ranked middleweight contender Yoenli Feliciano Hernandez, who looks to keep his perfect knockout rate intact against the hard-hitting action fighter Angel Ruiz in this 10-round middleweight affair.

Hernandez (6-0, 6 KOs) is yet another in a long line of sensational amateur fighters to come from the Cuban program, with his long resume before turning pro featuring a 2021 gold medal at AIBA World Boxing Championships. Originally from Camaguey, Cuba and now fighting out of Miami, Hernandez turned pro in May 2022 with a pair of stoppage victories and continued to dominate his competition on his way to earning his WBA ranking. The 27-year-old returned in 2024 with four U.S. fights, including a stoppage of the veteran contender Alejandro Barrera in June and a TKO over the previously unbeaten Bryce Henry in October.

“I’m very thankful for this great opportunity to showcase my skills on the big stage on this great card with my Cuban brother David Morrell Jr. headlining,” said Hernandez. “I’m working hard in the gym every day to be at my best and show the world why I’m the future of the middleweight division.”

The 27-year-old Ruiz (18-3-1, 13 KOs) has faced either an unbeaten fighter or a former world champion in five of his last six outings, including an April 2023 sixth-round knockout of the former champion Luis Collazo, for a 2-2-1 record with 1 no contest during that stretch. A native of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico who now fights out of Los Angeles, Ruiz has fought professionally since 2015. He made a successful U.S. debut in 2017 and has gone on to compete stateside in nine of his last 10 bouts.

“I’m very motivated by this opportunity to compete and display my talent on such a great card with so many of the best fighters in boxing,” said Ruiz. “Everyone who’s seen me in the ring knows that my fights are never boring, and I’ll be aiming to bring fans non-stop action once again on February 1.”

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ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. MORRELL

Benavidez vs. Morrell will see Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez and WBA Light Heavyweight Champion David Morrell Jr. meet in a battle of unbeatens that pits two of the sport’s most exciting fighters against each other in the primes of their careers headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video taking place Saturday, Feb. 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The co-main event will see WBC Featherweight World Champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa defend his title against former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. in a rematch of one of 2021’s best fights.

The pay-per-view will also feature Mexican star and former world champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz facing the hard-charging contender Angel Fierro in an all-Mexican super lightweight duel, plus rising Mexican star Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. battles former unified champion Jeison Rosario in a 10-round middleweight fight that opens the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com.

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.

For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #BenavidezMorrell, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, on Instagram @PremierBoxing or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions

Ramon Cardenas stopped previously undefeated Rafael Pedroza in round two of their 10-round syper bantamweight bout at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas.

In round two, Cardenas dropped Pedroza with a left hook. Seconds later, Cardenas landed a perfect left to the jaw that dropped Pedroza again and the fight was stopped at 1:22.

Cardenas, 121.8 lbs. of San Antonio, Texas is 23-1 with 12 knockouts. Pedroza, 122 lbs. of Panama City, PAN is 15-1.

Mirco Cuello remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Rudy Garcia in a featherweight bout.

In round one, Cuello was cut over the right eye. In round two, Garcia was cut over the left eye. In round five, Cuello was credited with a knockdown after landing a shot on the inside.

Cuello, 125.2 lbs. of Arroyo Seco, Santa Fe, ARG won by scores of 99-90 on all cards and is now 12-0. Garcia, 125.3 lbs. of Los Angeles is 13-1-1.

Freudis Rojas remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Saul Bustos in a welterweight fight

Rojas landed 150 of 417 punches. Bustos was 54 of 263.

Rojas, 146.8 lbs. of Las Vegas won by scores of 80-72 and 79-73 twice and is now 12-0. Bustos, 146.7 lbs. of Los Angeles is 15-2-1.

August 18, 2023 – Undefeated Panamanian prospect Rafael Pedroza will clash with San Antonio’s own Ramon Cardenas in the 10-round super bantamweight main event of a SHOBOX: The New Generation telecast on Friday, September 15 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT live on SHOWTIME from Boeing Center at Tech Point in San Antonio, Texas. The exciting tripleheader includes fighters with a combined record of 88-2-2 and 54 knockouts all stepping up in competition as they enter the national spotlight.

Just over a month after Alexandro Santiago became the 90^th SHOBOX^® alum to win a world title, SHOBOX will travel to the city of San Antonio for only the second time in its 22-year history for a card promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz’s Sampson Boxing featuring six hungry prospects who will duke it out in quintessential SHOBOX matchups that pit talented prospects looking to become serious contenders. The co-main event will feature hard-hitting undefeated Argentine Mirco Cuello (12-0, 11 KOs) who returns to the U.S. for the first time since 2020 to battle undefeated Los Angeles native Rudy Garcia (13-0-1, 2 KOs). Rounding out the card, undefeated KO artist Freudis Rojas (11-0, 11 KOs), who made his SHOWTIME debut in July, meets once-beaten Californian Saul Bustos (15-1-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight bout to open the telecast. The card is co-promoted by Paco Presents Boxing.

“All three of these matchups promise to be action-packed and epitomize the core mission of the SHOBOX series which is to showcase talented prospects in 50-50 matchups and give them a chance to show what they’ve got on a bigger stage,” said the executive producer of the series, Gordon Hall. “The main event is particularly interesting because the winner of that fight could soon move to contender status in the 122-pound division. It’s going to be a great night.”

Here is more on each of the three bouts:

Pedroza vs. Cardenas – 10-Round Super Bantamweight Main Event

Pedroza, (15-0, 11 KOS), already ranked No. 7 by the WBA at 122 pounds, will fight outside of his native Panama for the first time on September 15. The 26-year-old began his professional career in 2017 following a notable amateur run in which he amassed a 92-14 record, won the silver medal at the 2015 National Pan-American tournament and made it to the finals of the 2016 Olympic qualifiers, losing to current WBO Featherweight Champion Robeisy Ramirez. He kicked off his pro career by stopping seven straight opponents, including three inside the first two rounds. His last three victories have all come by way of unanimous decision, including ten-round victories over previously undefeated Hector Andres Sosa and once-beaten Yerny Betancourt.

“Thank you to SHOBOX for giving me the chance to finally step into the spotlight and take my talent from the shadows to worldwide fame,” said Pedroza. “With every punch, I’ll grab the opportunity and make my mark on U.S. television. Much respect for Ramon Cardenas, a great warrior, no doubt, but once that bell rings, it’s me steering the ship. I’m claiming that victory.”

Cardenas, (22-1, 11 KOs), 27, will benefit from a hometown crowd on September 15. Born and raised in San Antonio, he has won his last 10 bouts dating back to 2017. Cardenas earned a career-best victory at The Alamodome in July 2022, defeating Michel Banquez via unanimous decision in SHOWTIME BOXING^® COUNTDOWN streaming action preceding Mark Magsayo vs. Rey Vargas. Previously ranked as high as No. 5 by the WBA, Cardenas is inching closer to a world title shot. 

“I’ve been watching SHOBOX since I was a kid and to be fighting on it as the main event is a dream come true,” said Cardenas. “I’m going to take full advantage of this golden opportunity.”

Cuello vs. Garcia – 10-Round Featherweight Bout

A 2020 Argentine Olympian, Cuello is one of the most decorated Argentinian amateurs of this generation. He won numerous international elite championships during his 105-fight career in the unpaid ranks before turning pro shortly after the Tokyo Olympic Games. As a professional, Cuello has quickly established himself as a power-punching prospect, knocking out all but one of his 12 opponents. He scored back-to-back first-round KOs over previously undefeated opponents in September 2022 and January 2023, and is coming off of another first-round KO over Antonio Guzman in July. Cuello, currently ranked No. 4 by the WBA, will return to fight in the U.S. for the first time since 2020, when he started his pro career by scoring first-round knockouts in his first two fights.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to the U.S. to fight for the first time in three years,” said Cuello. “This is an opportunity to let the world know who I am and what I can do. I intend to make the most of it. I will be looking for an impressive knockout but will take the victory any way it comes.”

Garcia, born and raised in South-Central Los Angeles, Calif., will face the second undefeated fighter of his career in Cuello on September 15. He fought fellow undefeated prospect Victor Morales to a draw at AT&T Center in San Antonio in December 2021. An accomplished amateur, Garcia faced two-division world champion Shakur Stevenson in the Junior Olympics and was a member of the Mexican national team. A two-time national champion, he finished his amateur career with 156 fights and just 20 losses.

“I am very blessed to be in this position,” said Garcia. “I am fighting for the WBA International title, and I thank God for allowing this opportunity to be in my path. My team and I have been working very hard for this. We intend to take advantage of this moment. This is the next step I need in my career to bring me closer to the world title. I dedicate this fight to the community of South-Central Los Angeles. Let’s do it!”

Rojas vs. Bustos – Eight-Round Welterweight Bout

The 24-year-old Rojas is a top prospect who has already appeared on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^®, previously scoring a seventh-round TKO over Diego Sanchez in the telecast opener on July 15. A six-foot-two southpaw, Rojas has shown incredible power since turning pro in 2021. He has yet to let an opponent see the final bell and prior to his last appearance, he had never gone past four rounds. A Las Vegas native, Rojas, started boxing at the age of 10 under the tutelage of his father, Freudis Rojas-Londres, a former pro from Cuba. He’s won numerous national and international tournaments in the unpaid ranks including a bronze medal at the 2017 World Amateur Championships. During his tenure on USA Boxing’s national team, he defeated highly regarded contender Frank Martin in the 2016 U.S. National tournament finals. He was also the Olympic alternate in 2020. His younger brother Emmanuel Rojas is a pro super lightweight, currently 4-0 with three knockouts.

“I am thrilled and beyond blessed to be given the opportunity to fight on SHOBOX,” said Rojas. “It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. Thanks to God I now have the chance to showcase my skills as a fighter and as a person to the world.”

Bustos, also from Los Angeles, will look to bounce back from his first professional loss in his last outing in October 2022 where he dropped a majority decision to tough veteran Alan Sanchez. Prior to that, Bustos had won 12 straight fights, including a unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Luis Lopez. The 29-year-old trains out of Wild Card Boxing under the tutelage of Hall of Famer Freddie Roach.

“Displaying my skills on a platform like SHOWTIME has been a dream of mine and I know what I’m capable of,” said Bustos. “It’s time to show the boxing world who Saul Bustos is.”

International Boxing Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins calls the blow-by-blow action for SHOBOX with fellow Hall of Famer Steve Farhood joining the team remotely as the unofficial scorer. Former world champion Raul Marquez and veteran combat sports reporter and MORNING KOMBAT co-host Brian Campbell will serve as ringside expert analysts. The executive producer of SHOBOX: The New Generation is Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports

About SHOBOX: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series SHOBOX: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The SHOBOX philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 90 fighters who have appeared on SHOBOX and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more. 

Sampson Boxing proudly announces the signing of undefeated featherweight prospect and former Olympian Mirco Cuello of Santa Fe, Argentina, to a promotional contract.

The most decorated Argentinean amateur boxer of his generation, 21-year-old Cuello, won countless international elite championships during his 105-fight career in the unpaid ranks, before turning professional shortly after competing at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.

As a professional, the power-punching Cuello (8-0, 7 KOs) was last seen picking up the WBA International Featherweight Championship last June by dropping and stopping Venezuela’s Leonardo Padilla in two rounds at the WBAKODrugs event.

“It’s a pleasure for me and my team to sign with Sampson Lewkowicz, a recognized promoter who can help me better develop my boxing and be the next world champion for Argentina,” said a happy Cuello after signing.

Cuello’s team consists of his father, Darío Cuello, as well as Mariano Carrera and Physical Trainer Ruperto Ruiz. He is managed by well-known boxing figure Gardner Payne of Payne Boxing.

“I thank Sampson Boxing for giving us the opportunity to work together for the present and future of Mirco Cuello,” added trainer Carrera. “ I have accompanied him since the beginning of his amateur career and I have no doubt that his time is now coming.”

“We are very excited that Mirco has signed with Sampson Boxing,” said Gardner Payne, President of Payne Boxing, LLC. “Last week, our mutual fighter, Alberto Palmetta, was scheduled to fight on Showtime in San Antonio, Texas, despite a severe back injury. Alberto wanted to proceed, however, Sampson canceled the fight, putting the health and well-being of the boxer over self-interest. It was for this that Payne Boxing encouraged Mirco to sign with Sampson. Sampson will help lead Mirco to a world title while always putting his health and safety first.”

New promoter Lewkowicz says he’s happy to be joining forces again with Gardner Payne and Team Cuello.

“Mirco Cuello will be a great champion from Argentina,” said Lewkowicz. “He has the right schooling in the amateurs to become a contender very quickly. The fans are going to love his punching power and the excitement it brings. I am excited to be joining this great team in guiding the career of the young phenom, Mirco Cuello.”

Lewkowicz says Cuello’s first appearance under the Sampson banner will be announced shortly.

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About Sampson Boxing

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America. Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, ESPN+, DAZN, VS., FOX, Fox Sports and several international networks. For more information, visit sampsonboxing.com.