NEW YORK, NY – August 20, 2024 – MVP today announced that 18-year-old boxing prodigy and actor Javon “Wanna” Walton (1-0-1, 1 KO) will be facing professional boxer Erik Hanley (1-1, 1 KO) over 4 rounds at super featherweight in the co-main event of MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 8. The event will take place on Friday, September 6 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL, available globally as part of the DAZN subscription package with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter. The main card of Most Valuable Prospects 8, presented by CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy and sponsored by Fansly and Event Ticket Center, will be headlined by a 10-round super lightweight showdown between Boxlab Promotions’ rising Cuban star Kevin Brown (5-0, 3 KOs) and seasoned Puerto Rican contender John Bauza (18-1, 8 KOs) for the WBA Super Lightweight Continental Americas title. Joining the main card will be 26-year-old Dominican talent Hendri “La Bazuca” Cedeno (13-0, 10 KOs) vs. Enriko “Gudan” Gogokhia (13-1-2, 8 KOs) in an 8 round super lightweight fight. The 26-year-old rising Cuban standout Yoelvis “La Joya” Gomez (7-1, 6 KOs) will also compete in an 8 round middleweight fight on the main card. Tickets for Most Valuable Prospects 8 are available now at Ticketmaster.com.

Javon “Wanna” Walton (1-0-1, 1 KO) aims for his second professional win on Friday, September 6. Walton signed with MVP in July 2023 and fought to a split draw in his global debut in MVP’s marquee event in March 2024. As the youngest-ever athlete to sign with Nike’s Jordan Brand, Walton has continued to excel as a boxer. Walton began boxing at the age of four, and at age eight became one of America’s youngest amateur prospects. His skill and hard work earned him the title of multi-time Junior Regional Champion and two-time Junior Olympic national silver medalist. The Atlanta native is also a world-renowned actor who captured international attention with his debut role as the beloved drug dealer “Ashtray” in the HBO Max Emmy-winning series Euphoria starring alongside Hollywood icons Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney, and has since continued to co-star in numerous other film and TV titles. He trains under his father and coach, DJ Walton. Walton will now take on 30-year-old professional boxer Erik Hanley (1-1, 1 KO) in the co-main event of Most Valuable Prospects 8. Hanley, a fierce competitor, comes to the ring from Rancho Cordova, California by way of Oceanside, New York, ready to challenge Walton’s rise to professional stardom. Hanley most recently secured a KO victory in the ring in February 2024. 

In an 8-round super lightweight bout on the main card, 26-year-old talent Hendri “La Bazuca” Cedeno (13-0, 10 KOs) will take on Enriko “Gudan” Gogokhia (13-1-2, 8 KOs). Cedeno, from La Romana, Dominican Republic, turned professional in May 2021, collecting an impressive 13 wins in just under three years before joining Team Combat League’s Philly Smoke in April 2024. Cedeno is promoted by Boxlab Promotions and now returns to the professional ranks to take on a true test in Gogokhia. The seasoned Gogokhia, a Georgian-born Ukrainian, began his career in kickboxing in Europe before moving to the United States and taking up boxing in 2016. He fights out of Woodland Hills, California and will look to end Cedeno’s undefeated run at Most Valuable Prospects 8.

Also on the main card will be the 26-year-old rising Cuban standout Yoelvis “La Joya” Gomez (7-1, 6 KOs), who will compete in an 8 round middleweight fight against a to-be-announced opponent. Gomez comes to the ring from Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Havana, Cuba following a strong start to his professional career since his professional debut in 2019. A hopeful future title contender, Gomez will seek to demonstrate his knockout power in the ring on Friday, September 6. He is promoted by Boxlab Promotions and Warriors Boxing.

On the preliminary card, top-10 WBA ranked Bree “Bam Bam” Howling (7-0, 2 KOs) will face Hungary’s Beata Dudek (4-3, 4 KOs) in an 8-round bantamweight bout. The 26-year-old Howling comes to the ring from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Following her professional debut in September 2019, Howling has worked up an impressive undefeated 7-0 record, advancing to #8 on the WBA’s world rankings of top female bantamweight talents. Howling is promoted by Boxlab Promotions and Kings Promotions and now aims to continue her undefeated streak on Friday, September 6. She will take on Beata Dudek, the 31-year-old from Miskolc, Hungary by way of Nové Zámky, Slovakia. Dudek steps into the ring on Friday, September 6 ready to leverage her taller 5’7” stature and knockout power against the smaller 5’4” Howling. 

In a 6 round lightweight bout on the preliminary card, 24-year-old Harley “Dennis the Menace” Mederos (6-0, 5 KOs) will take on Russia’s Nikolai Buzolin (9-9-1, 5 KOs). The young talent Mederos comes to the ring from Brooklyn, NY ready to prove he has what it takes to become a title contender. Buzolin, coming to the ring from Brooklyn, NY by way of Tyumen, Russia, will aim to ruin Mederos’s undefeated streak, leveraging his additional professional experience against the younger Mederos. 

Returning to the Most Valuable Prospects series will be local talent Antraveous Ingram (7-0, 2 KOs), who will take on Cruse “Hitman” Stewart (8-3, 6 KOs) over 6 rounds at junior middleweight on the preliminary card. Ingram, the 25-year-old from Kissimmee, Florida, most recently took home a unanimous decision victory over Luis Solis on Most Valuable Prospects 6 in May 2024. His opponent, Stewart, comes to the ring from Maple Grove, Minnesota by way of Rock Island, Illinois. Stewart will make his Most Valuable Prospects debut as he looks to leverage his power and experience to earn his ninth professional win. 

“Most Valuable Prospects 8 on Friday, September 6 marks the highly anticipated return of Wanna Walton” said Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founders of MVP. “Wanna will be testing himself against a strong fighter in Erik Hanley in the co-main event as he continues to prove his standout star potential and looks to collect his second professional win. We’re proud to feature an incredible women’s fight between Canadian top-ranked WBA contender Bree Howling vs. a relentless athlete in Beata Dudek. As we continue to develop this series and identify the next big names in boxing, we’re excited to welcome back multiple promising talents to the series, including Kevin Hayler Brown in our main event and Antraveous Ingram on our preliminary card. We appreciate Boxlab Promotions, DAZN and CELSIUS for their continued commitment to bringing this incredible night of boxing to Orlando.”

“Caribe Royale is once again excited to be working with MVP to bring this exciting event to Central Florida,” said Amaury Piedra, Managing Director of Caribe Royale Resort and President of Boxlab Promotions. “From top to bottom, this is a stacked card culminating with the WBA title bout featuring a Cuba vs. Puerto Rico battle. In addition, there are great bouts ranging from female prospects to future stars like Yoelvis Gomez, Wanna Walton, and hot local prospect Antraveous Ingram. Caribe Royale prides itself on bringing world class entertainment to Central Florida both for our guests and locals alike, this is just another step in that direction. It’ll be an action packed evening for local attendees and those watching on DAZN as well!”

The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and marketed by MVP with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter and is distributed globally by DAZN. The eighth event in the series will continue the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. All events within Most Valuable Prospects will take place on Friday nights in 2024. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drink, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP and the Most Valuable Prospects series. Fansly and Event Ticket Center have also joined on to sponsor the Most Valuable Prospects as well.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @DAZNBoxing.

About MVP

MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP have produced Jake Paul’s last five global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Diaz match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About DAZN

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app.

For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit?dazngroup.com.

LAS VEGAS – July 3, 2024 – Hard-hitting undefeated prospect Curmel Moton has been added to the stacked “LAST MAN STANDING: DIAZ VS. MASVIDAL” Fanmio PPV event, as he takes on Nikolai Buzolin in a lightweight showdown this Saturday, July 6 from Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

The jam-packed six-fight PPV event is topped by the explosive 10-round light heavyweight clash between combat sports superstars Nate Diaz and Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal, as they look to settle their rivalry in decisive and violent fashion in this July Fourth Weekend blockbuster.

The stacked pay-per-view card begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and also features a lineup of established and rising stars in boxing and beyond. In the co-main event, two-time world champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs battles exciting contender Shane Mosley Jr. in a 10-round super middleweight fight.

The action also includes all-action brawler and Nate Diaz-teammate Chris Avila taking on MMA legend Anthony “Showtime” Pettis in a six-round light heavyweight duel, plus unbeaten prospects from two of the sports top fighting families do battle as Amado “AFV” Vargas, the son of legendary champion Fernando Vargas, takes on Sean Garcia, the younger brother of boxing star Ryan Garcia, in an eight-round lightweight attraction.

Rounding out the lineup is unbeaten Devin Cushing squaring off against lightweight contender Manuel Correa in an eight-round matchup.

Tickets for the live event are on sale starting at only $25 with lower level tickets starting at just $75 (all plus applicable fees and taxes) and are available through Ticketmaster.

The pay-per-view that is available now for pre-order at FANMIO.com/ppv and FANMIO.com/DiazVsMasvidal. The pay-per-view is available at the SRP (suggested retail price) of $49.99, across all available purchasing platforms. Fans can also purchase through the Fanmio App, which is available globally via smart televisions and mobile devices via Apple iOS and tvOS devices, Android Mobile, AndroidTV, Roku, FireTV, Vizio Smart TV, Google TV and Chromecast. Fans who order the event through Fanmio will be able to order a free official fight shirt along with the purchase.

Promoted by all-time great Floyd Mayweather’s Mayweather Promotions, Moton (3-0, 2 KOs) returns to the ring after grabbing the boxing world’s attention in March with a dominant eight-round unanimous decision victory over the previously unbeaten Anthony Cuba. The 18-year-old was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and now trains and resides in Las Vegas, fighting out of the famed Mayweather Boxing Club. Moton turned pro in 2023 with a pair of first-round knockouts over previously unbeaten fighters as he stopped Ezequiel Flores in September and Hunter Turbyfill in November.

Originally from Russia and now fighting out of Brooklyn, Buzolin (9-8-1, 5 KOs) has faced a slew of exciting prospects since debuting stateside in April 2018. That first fight in the U.S. saw him upset the previously undefeated Larry Fryers via sixth-round TKO in Brooklyn. Buzolin has also challenged former title challenger Feargal McCrory along with unbeatens Demler Zamora, George Rincon and Chann Thonson.

#         #         #

ABOUT “LAST MAN STANDING: DIAZ VS. MASVIDAL”

Diaz vs. Masvidal will headline a Fanmio PPV event as combat sports superstars Nate Diaz and Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal square off in a pro boxing grudge match on Saturday, July 6 from Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

“LAST MAN STANDING: DIAZ VS. MASVIDAL” is set to provide July Fourth Weekend fireworks marking the first time two UFC superstars will go toe-to-toe in a pro boxing ring.

The pay-per-view will also feature two-time world champion Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs taking on exciting contender Shane Mosley Jr. in the 10-round super middleweight co-main event, all action brawler Chris Avila dueling MMA legend Anthony “Showtime” Pettis in a six-round light heavyweight fight, sensational prospect Curmel Moton in a lightweight matchup against Nikolai Buzolin, unbeaten prospects Amado “AFV” Vargas and Sean Garcia meeting in an eight-round lightweight attraction and lightweight contenders Devin Cushing and Manuel Correa competing in an eight round battle.

The 10-round 175-pound light heavyweight fight between combat sports rivals Diaz and Masvidal headlines a pay-per-view that is available now for pre-order at FANMIO.com/ppv and FANMIO.com/DiazVsMasvidal. The pay-per-view is available at the SRP (suggested retail price) of $49.99, across all available purchasing platforms. Fans can also purchase through the Fanmio App, which is available globally via smart televisions and mobile devices via Apple iOS and tvOS devices, Android Mobile, AndroidTV, Roku, FireTV, Vizio Smart TV, Google TV and Chromecast. Fans who order the event through Fanmio will be able to order a free official fight shirt along with the purchase.

The event, which is presented by Fanmio in association with Diaz’s Real Fight Inc. and Masvidal’s Gamebred Boxing Promotions is sponsored by the “Make America Great Again, AGAIN” ($MAGAA) token on the Ethereum network.

Follow the conversation leading up to this unique boxing duel on all social media platforms with the hashtag #DiazMasvidal and through @Fanmio,      @NateDiaz209 and @GamebredFighter on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) to stay tuned for more exciting announcements leading up to July 6. 

LAS VEGAS, NV (July 26, 2023) – Undefeated rising star, lightweight Demler “The War Machine” Zamora (11-0, 9 KOs), is ready to take his career to the next level with a signature win against Nikolai Buzolin (9-4-1, 5 KOs). The 8-round bout takes place this Saturday, July 29 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford card.

Zamora, fighting in his hometown of Las Vegas, had an impressive win in his last fight defeating Jesus Abel Ibrarra (15-1, 7 KOs), by way of a third-round knockout, giving him his first loss. After the great performance, Zamora is now fighting in his first 8-round bout as a professional.

“It feels good to be fighting at home on the biggest fight of the year,” said an enthused Zamora. “This is the type of card and atmosphere that all fighters dream about when it comes to fighting on the big stage. I want to be the hidden gem of the event where everyone remembers my name. I have a great team behind me, and I’m ready to shine.”

Zamora turned pro in 2019 and is now looking to make an impression in the super featherweight division. Zamora believes a win here will set him up for a big fall in 2023.

“I have complete faith in my team and the direction my career is going,” continued Zamora. “I simply listen to my coaches and focus on what needs to be done. This will be my first 8-round bout and I’m looking forward to a bright future at 130 pounds. With a good win here, I believe I could have a big fall to finish off the year. I want to be seen as one of the best prospects in the sport of boxing and my goal is to enter that conversation by the end of this year.”

Vergil Ortiz Jr. fough through adversity, but showed he is a legitimate contender to comeback and stop former world title challenger in round eight of their scheduled 12-round welterweight bout at the Star in Frisco, Texas.

In round two, Kavaiauskas hurt Ortz with a right hand, and set off a fiery exchange that looked like it sent Ortiz to the canvas but it was ruled a slip. In round three, Kavaliauskas hurt Ortiz again with a right hand, but this time Ortiz came off the ropes and fired off a left hook that sent Kavaliauskas to the canvas.

In round eight, Ortiz dropped Kavaliauskas three times. The first was a left hook to the body. The next two were from hard left hooks to the head and the fight was stopped at

Ortiz, 147 lbs of Grand Prairie, TX is 18-0 with 18 knockouts. Kavaliauskas, 146.1 lbs of Lithuania is 22-2-1.

Ortiz said, “I feel good. The fight started off slow in my opinion and I just had to adjust. After the second round, I had to adjust and try to find a way to wear him down. I started using my jab more and fought more intelligently. After the third round, I felt more confident because I knew that I could control the fight moving forward. But he is a tough guy, a very strong fighter, and I respect that he came to fight.” 

“I came here to fight, I was sure I would stop him. I prepared myself so hard to be ready for this fight. I was 100% in shape, I was fast, I was strong. But you know, it is what it is, today he was stronger, he is a tremendous fighter. He has good power and good speed, good jab, good technique, he is a good fighter. I was thinking that I was going to end the fight in the second round, but he survived. He is a warrior,” said Kavaliauskas. 

Gutierrez Decisions Alvarado; Retains 130 lb Title

Roger Gutierrez defended the WBA Super Featherweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision from the man he won the belt from Rene Alvarado in their trilogy bout.

Gutierrez, 130 lbs of Venezuela won by scores of 116-112 twice and 115-113 and is now 26-3-1. Alvarado, 129.2 lbs is 32-10.

“I hurt my right hand, it was very inconvenient because I feel like I could have ended the fight earlier. But I want to thank god we were victorious and that is the most important thing. I know Rene is a warrior, but we had a good fight today and we are happy to take on the next challenge, and perhaps fight Leo Santa Cruz,” said Gutierrez. 

Alvarado stated, “I feel like I dominated the majority of the fight. I do not feel like the decision was fair. In the last round, I did get the cut on my left eye and I couldn’t see, but I know that I closed those two rounds.”

Alvarado Destroys Vazquez in 1

Light-Flyweight world champion Felix Alvarado destroyed late-replacement Israel Vazquez in the opening round of their scheduled 10-round non-title bout.

Alvarado landed a hard counter right that sent Vazquez down and out at 2:50.

Alvarado, 107.6 lbs of Managua, NIC is 37-2 with 32 knockouts. Vazquez, 107.6 lbs of Bayamon, PR is 10-5-2.

“I did feel a little unstable with the change of opponents and of course I would love to fight Eric Lopez, but unfortunately that didn’t happen due to the visa issues. Fortunately, we had a good training camp and we were prepared for Israel. Luckily the fight ended early enough where he wasn’t injured and I wasn’t injured,” said Alvarado. 

Rincon Decisions Buzolin

George Rincon remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Nikolai Buzolin in a welterweight bout.

Rincon, 142.2 lbs of Dallas, TX won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 12-0. Buzolin, 143 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 8-4-1.

“He was a shorter fighter with a very awkward style and I had to be careful with those looping hands. There were a few things that I wish that I could have made more clear during the fight, but his style didn’t really help. Just happy that I was able to be here, fight in my hometown, in front of my friends and family. Glad we got the win and I plan to go back to the gym and keep getting better,” said Rincon.

Alex Martin won a 10-round unanimous decision over Josec Ruiz in a super welterweight bout.

Martin, 137 lbs of Chicago is 17-3. Ruiz, 135.4 lbs of Miami, FL is 23-5-3.

Martin said, “I knew that I hurt him with that body shot in the last round and he started to fold over. I still could have followed up with more body shots, but I am happy I got the win. I am ready to come back. I am motivated and just thankful to God for the opportunity.”

Alex Rincon remained undefeated with a eight-round unanimous decision over Sanny Duversonne in a middleweight contest.

Rincon, 153.4 lbs of Dallas, TX win by scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74 and is now 9-0. Duversonne, 154.8 lbs of Avon Park, FL is 11-4-2.

“He was a tough warrior, you have to respect him. I knew he was going to be a durable fighter. I also knew that I needed to use my jab to counter his jab and set up the shot. But I feel good, I think it was about time I got some war wounds so people can believe I am a fighter,” said Rincon.