CLEVELAND (May 5, 2026) — Boxing’s youngest world champion is set to make his first defense in front of a hometown crowd on the 250th anniversary of American independence as part of TNT Sports and DAZN’s inaugural The Fight event, a new monthly live boxing series.

Abdullah Mason will defend his WBO lightweight world title against Welsh former world champion Joe Cordina on Saturday, July 4 at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center.

The Fight: Mason vs. Cordina will be broadcast on TNT and DAZN co-exclusively in the US and on DAZN Worldwide.

In the co-feature, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington puts his WBC featherweight world title on the line against Mexico’s Rene Palacios.

Additionally, Cleveland native and U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson takes on fellow unbeaten Christopher Guerrero in a 10-round welterweight battle.

And undefeated lightweight knockout artist Deric “Scooter” Davis (11-0, 10 KOs) returns in an eight-round clash against Carlos Ramos (18-4-1, 10 KOs).

The Mason-Cordina, Carrington-Palacios, Tiger-Guerrero and Davis-Ramos fights will be broadcast LIVE beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Matchroom Boxing, tickets go on sale Friday, May 8, at 12 p.m. ET via Ticketmaster.com.

“This is a major moment for Abdullah Mason as he makes the first defense of his world title in front of his hometown fans,” said Top Rank President Todd duBoef. “Joe Cordina is a proven former world champion with the Olympic and professional experience to take him into deep waters. With Bruce Carrington defending his crown and Cleveland’s Tiger Johnson returning home as well, each against unbeaten contenders, this will be a special Independence Day celebration for the city and a fitting launch of TNT Sports and DAZN’s The Fightseries.”

Mason (20-0, 17 KOs) rose quickly from prospect to world champion. Following an amateur career of roughly 80 bouts, he debuted at 17 in November 2021. Four years later, he captured the WBO crown by dominating unbeaten Sam Noakes last November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. That triumph capped a breakout 2025 that began with a fourth-round stoppage of Manuel Jaimes in February, followed by a sixth-round TKO over Carlos Ornelas in April, and a fifth-round destruction of Namibian veteran Jeremia Nakathila in June.

Mason said, “July 4th is the homecoming that my brothers and I have been anticipating since before we turned pro. I’m ready to experience all of my city’s support in one building, and I have an appetite for smoke. So if you love boxing and you’re ready for some smoke, then the Wolstein on July 4th is the place to be. It’s a cookout at the Wolstein, and the clock is ticking. You’re all invited to your world champion’s first homecoming, and you don’t want to miss it.”

Cordina (19-1, 9 KOs) enters his third lightweight assignment seeking a world title in a second weight class. The 34-year-old scored a highlight reel second-round knockout over Kenichi Ogawa to win the IBF title at 130 pounds in 2022 but was stripped before his first defense due to a hand injury. He regained it with a decision over Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov in 2023 before losing it to Anthony Cacace last May following a controversial knockdown after a punch during the break. The 2016 Olympian has since recorded victories over Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz and Gabriel Flores Jr. in Flores’ hometown.

Cordina said, “This is a massive test for me, but this it’s one that I’m more than capable of coming through with flying colors. Abdullah Mason is a very good fighter, and he’s going to do big things in boxing, but I’m going to mess up the homecoming. I’m looking to come over, rip the title away from him, and take it back to the U.K. It’s a massive fight for boxing, and I’m looking to become a three-time, two-weight world champion.” 

“This is such a great fight,” said Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Sport. “Abdullah is a tremendous talent and a real star for the future, but Joe has been there, done it and got the t-shirt. Joe showed in California that he’s not afraid to fight in hostile territory and that he still has plenty left in the tank at the top level, and this is a massive chance for him to become a two-weight World champion. This is yet another fantastic fight on DAZN made by Top Rank and Matchroom, and this year, the Fourth of July fireworks will be coming from the Welsh Wizard.”

Carrington (17-0, 10 KOs) is Brownsville, Brooklyn’s latest world champion, following a path once traveled by the likes of Mike Tyson and Zab Judah. A four-year pro, his 2025 campaign produced a third-round stoppage of Jose Enrique Vivas in March and a unanimous points verdict over Mateus Heita in July to win the WBC interim title before becoming full champion with a brutal ninth-round stoppage of Carlos Castro in January. Palacios (19-0-1, 10 KOs) is a rugged Mexican contender who earned his first title opportunity with a decision win over common opponent Sulaiman Segawa.

Carrington said, “The Shu Shu Show is coming to Ohio for the first title defense! It’s The Shu World Order!”

Palacios said. “I’m very excited because, thank God, I now have the opportunity to fight for a world title. I’m not going to let this opportunity slip away. I made a promise to my mother that one day I would become a world champion, and I’m going to keep it. I know Carrington is a great fighter, and he’s proven that, but this time he’s facing someone different from what he saw against Sagawa.”

Tiger (17-0, 8 KOs) represented the U.S. at the 2020 Olympics and signed with Top Rank in November 2021. As a super lightweight, he compiled 14 wins before moving up to welterweight last year, where he registered wins over Kendo Castañeda and Tarik Zaina before delivering his most significant result to date, a fourth-round TKO of Nicklaus Flauz in November. Guerrero (16-0, 9 KOs is a Mexican born resident of Montreal, Canada who makes his U.S. debut after going 4-0 with two knockouts in 2025.

Tiger said, “We’re bringing fireworks to the Land of the Heartless. I’ve been waiting to fight at home for years, and I can’t wait to show out on July 4. Cleveland knows what I bring every time I step in the ring, and this is my moment to put my stamp on the city. I’m ready to represent the 216 and let everybody know who the next world champion from Cleveland is going to be.”

Guerrero said, “This is the moment I’ve been waiting for my whole life. It’s long overdue. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not here to collect a paycheck. I’m here to take what’s mine.”

Undercard action will feature two of Mason’s brothers in separate four-round fights, as Abdurrahman Mason(2-0, 2 KOs) sees action in a lightweight contest and Ibrahim Mason (2-0, 2 KOs) competes in a super featherweight bout.
 

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About The Fight
The Fight is a new monthly boxing series from TNT Sports and DAZN, built to deliver the sport’s biggest matchups and rising stars on a consistent national stage. Featuring top fighters from leading global promoters, each event airs live on TNT Sports and DAZN platforms in the U.S. and streams worldwide on DAZN, creating a seamless, multi-platform experience that brings fans closer to the action than ever before. Across TNT Sports’ networks and platforms, including Bleacher Report and House of Highlights, additional original programming and digital content will spotlight the personalities, storylines and stakes driving each event.

Bryan Flores won a 10-round majority decision over Starling Castillo in a super lightweight bout at the Live! Hotel Casino in Hanover, Maryland.

Flores landed 187 of 578 punches. Castillo was 106 of 490.

Flores, 139.6 lbs of Chihuahua, MEX won by scores of 98-92, 96-94 and 95-95 and is now 28-1-1. Castillo, 138.2 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 20-2-1.

Palacios Decisions Segawa

Rene Palacios remained undefeated with a 10-round split decision over Sulaiman Segawa in a featherweight bout.

Segawa landed 180 of 744 punches. Palacios landed 177 of 534.

Palacios, 125.4 lbs of Chihuahua, MEX won by scores of 99-91 and 97-93. Segawa won a scorecard 96-94.

Palacios is 19-0-1. Segawa, 124.7 lbs of Silver Spring, MD is 18-6-1.

Scarboro Jr. Decisions Valdes

Francois Scarboro Jr. won a 10-round unanimous decision over Brandon Valdes in a super featherweight bout.

In round three, Valdes began to bleed around the left eye,

Scarboro landed 213 of 76w punches. Valdes was 219 of 694.

Scarboro, 130.8 lbs of Cheverly, MD won by scores of 99-91 and 96-94 twice and is now 13-0. Valdes, 129.8 lbs of Rosemead, CA is 15-8/

Jordan White Decisions Willie Shaw

Jordan White won a 10-round unanimous decision over Willie Shaw in a lightweight bout.

In round nine, White dropped Saw with a counter right.

White, 135 lbs of Washington, DC won by scores of 99-90, 98-91 and 97-92 and is now 20-2. Shaw, 135 lbs of Vallejo, CA is 15-7.

Thanjhae Teasley won a eight-round split decision over Elijah Flores in a battle of undefeated welterweights.

Teasley landed 130 of 651 punches. Flores was 124 of 455.

Teasley, 148.8 lbs of Allentown, PA won by scores of 78-74 twice while Flores took a card 77-75.

Teasley is now 14-0. Flores, 150 lbs of Redlands, CA is 10-1.

Trayvon Marshall stopped Eduardo Diaz in the sixth and final round of their welterweight bout.

Marshall dominated the fight and late in round six, Marshall landed three shots and the fight was stopped at 2:41.

Marshall, 149.3 lbs of Capitol Heights, MD is now 13-1 with 10 knockouts. Diaz, 149.8 lbs of Inglewood, CA is 9-5.

Benjamin Johnson remained perfect with a third round stoppage over Mario Meza in their six-round welterweight bout,

In round three, Johnson dropped Meza with a left hook to the body. Later in the round, Johnson landed a left hook followed by a right that forced Meza to a knee and the was over at 2:53.

Johnson, 150.2 lbs of Washington, DC s 7-0 with seven knockouts. Meza, 149 lbs of Monterrey, MEX is 4-2.

David Whitmire stopped Jerrod Tennant in round three of their six-round welterweight bout.

In round three, Whitmire dropped Tennant with a right to the head. Whitmore then landed a two-fisted assault that put Tennant on the canvas again and the fight was stopped at 2:59

Whitmire, 149.8 lbs of Washington, DC is 11-0 with eight knockouts. Tennant, 152.2 lbs of Los Angeles is 9-8.

Jordan Roach remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Juan Hinostroza in a super flyweight bout.

In round one, Roach dropped Hinostroza with a counter right uppercut. In roundtwo, Roach put Hinostroza on the canvas with a left to the body.

Roach, 117.6 lbs of Upper Marlboro, MD won by scores of 60-52 on all cards and is now 7-0. Hinostroza, 118 lbs of Miami is 12-13-2.

(January 13, 2026) – On Friday, January 30, at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland in Hanover, Maryland, ProBoxTV will proudly present “Happy Black and Blue Year!” the first broadcast of the year for The Contender Series, featuring another night of ProBox-style 50/50 matchups (live 7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PT).

Presented by Lamont Roach Sr (NoXcuse Promotions), in the 10-round main event, top super lightweights Bryan “Nino Maravilla” Flores (27-1-1, 16 KOs) of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, and hard-punching Dominican southpaw Starling “El Poli” Castillo (20-1-1, 13 KOs) will do battle with a world ranking for the winner on the line.

“I’m excited about starting the year off with a bang,” said ProBoxTV’s founder and CEO, Garry Jonas. “I know Bryan Flores is a high-level 140-lb. fighter. His only loss was a controversial decision to Lindolfo Delgado. If you consider Delgado a top guy, arguably Flores beat him. He’s right there as a top guy. He’s fighting another top guy in Starling Castillo who last time out was dominant over Shinard Bunch. We’re happy they both decided to take this fight, and it will be another typical ProBoxTV fight between two guys who arguably could be ranked in the top ten going at each other in a 50/50 fun fight.”

And in the 10-round co-featured bout, WBC #4-ranked featherweight Sulaiman “The Ruler” Segawa (18-5-1, 7 KOs) of Silver Spring, Maryland, via Kampala, Uganda, will face undefeated Rene “Zurdo” Palacios (18-0-1, 10 KOs) of Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico.

“Segawa was super impressive against Bryan Acosta, a guy who gave Ramon Cardenas a hard time,” continued Jonas. “And before that fight, a lot of people think he beat Shu Shu Carrington. Segawa is a sleeper in the division. Despite having five losses, he might be the most dangerous threat to win a belt in the division. He’s 35, but after his performance against those two guys, I don’t know what he’s eating or drinking, but all fighters wish they could get a hold of it. This guy is a dark horse in the division taking on an undefeated guy who is a tough hombre. It’s going to be another exciting action fight and the epitome of ProBoxTV.”

In the 10-round chief supporting bout, #15-ranked lightweight Jordan White (19-2, 12 KOs) of Washington DC will fight for the WBC International Championship against an opponent that is TBA.

Tickets to attend ProBoxTV’s “The Contender Series” in person at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland start at $72.86 (including fees) and are available from axs.com HERE.

How to Watch from Home: The first and only global sports streaming and media company dedicated exclusively to professional boxing, ProBoxTV is available in 100% of U.S. and Canadian households with broadband access, on a wide range of platforms and media partners, including ProBoxTV’s YouTube and YouTube Espanol Channels, Swerve TV Combat, Swerve Sports, Fubo TV, Fubo Sports YouTube Channel, Amazon, Google TV, LG Channels, Plex, Roku, SLING TV, Samsung, Tubi, Vizio, Xumo Play, DIRECTV, Free Live Sports, Lights Out Sports, Zeam, Pluto TV and TCL TVs.

The owner of Maravilla Boxing Club in his native Ciudad Juarez, 29-year-old Bryan Flores was a Mexican national champion as an amateur in 2010 and 2011 and a bronze medalist in 2012. He fought 90 times in the amateur ranks suffering just eight defeats.

In November 2020 Flores stopped Jorge Arturo Sanchez (then 15-1-1) in three rounds at Studios Televisa in Mexico City and then in December 2022, he won a near-shutout unanimous 10-round decision over Placido Ramirez (then 19-2). In April 2023, he won a 10-round split decision over Shinard Bunch (then 20-1-1) for the IBF USBA Super Lightweight Championship.

In August 2024, Flores suffered his only career loss to undefeated Lindolfo Delgado. In a fight for the WBO Latino Super Lightweight Championship at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque. Flores got off the canvas in round three to give the 2016 Mexican Olympian all he could handle en route to dropping a spirited 10-round split decision.

In his most recent ring appearance, Flores returned in May 2025 to stop Hernan Leandro Carrizo (then 18-2-1) in two rounds. Flores says he considers two-time world title challenger and fellow Juarez boxer Miguel Mickey Roman to be his “role model in and out of the ring.”

“It’s a tough fight for me, I think I have the style that can hurt Castillo but, he also has the style to test me,” said Flores. “It’s personal, not with him, but with myself and it’s definitely my toughest fight, but my biggest opportunity. I’m going to win, that’s for sure.”

Already a two-time ProBox TV veteran, 30-year-old southpaw Starling Castillo of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, comes from a well-respected fighting family, as he is the brother of former IBF World Female Super Bantamweight Champion, Katy Wilson Castillo.

In January of 2022, Castillo suffered his only career loss, an eight-round decision to undefeated Otar Eranosyan at the Caribe Royale Orlando. He has stayed undefeated in five fights since, including a split draw against fellow Dominican prospect Kenny De Leon (14-0) in October 2022, a 10-round unanimous decision over Esteuri Suero (then 12-0) at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in May 2023, a 10-round split decision over Jesus Saracho in his ProBox TV debut in March 2024, and his most recent ring appearance, a 10-round unanimous decision over Shinard Bunch (21-2-1), also on ProBox TV in August 2025 at the ProBox TV Events Center.

Promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz, Castillo is trained by world-renowned coach Bob Santos in Las Vegas. This partnership has not only refined Castillo’s boxing craft and conditioning but has also been central to his strategic push toward top 10 rankings among major sanctioning bodies, a goal he publicly embraces. Castillo also knocked out previously undefeated (11-0) Californian Miguel “Caveman” Contreras in two rounds in July. That win, a one-punch KO of another hot prospect, was shown on highlight reels around the world it was so devastating.

“I respect Bryan Flores, but he is in my way to a world championship,” said Castillo. “I have worked too hard to be stopped now. With my new trainer, Bob Santos, I am better than ever and ready to put on a show of my power and toughness. I will win because I feel that no one can beat me with all my hard training and the team I now have in place.”

After a reported 240 amateur fights, Sulaiman Segawa made his professional debut on in April 2013 at the age of 21 and won his first 10 fights. A heavy-handed fighter with an awkward style, all the 34-year-old southpaw’s professional losses have come to fighters with combined records of 57-0.

Segawa started 2024 by dropping an eight-round decision to current world champion Mirco Cuello in March but rebounded with a surprise upset 10-round decision victory over then WBC #1-ranked contender Ruben Villa to win the WBC Silver Featherweight Championship at the Palms Casino and Resort in Las Vegas. After dropping a close majority decision to top contender Bruce Carrington in September 2024 in a unification bout for the WBC Silver Featherweight, WBO Inter-Continental Featherweight and North American Boxing Federation Featherweight Championships at Madison Square Garden, Segawa returned to stop (then 20-1) Bryan Acosta in seven rounds at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington DC. The victory over Acosta, broadcast live on ProBox TV, was his most recent ring appearance.

“Training is going good,” said Segawa. “I’m always in the gym and active. Palacios is a young, tough prospect who has a clean record and he’s technical with the way he moves and sets up opponents, but I fight to win not to lose. That’s why I have to win the fight. I have the will to win and a winner’s mentality!”

24-year-old Rene Palacios started boxing at 12 years old and accumulated 109 amateur fights with only eight losses. Along the way, he was a three-time national medalist including two golds and a silver, a five-time Golden Gloves Champion and was on the Mexican National Amateur Team.

The newlywed Palacios, who says his style depends on the opponent, but he is normally a fast and aggressive fighter, trains at Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico, with trainers Franco Gabaldon and José Cereceres. Palacios has fought only once outside his native Mexico.

In his most recent ring appearance in August of this year, Palacios stopped countryman Rafael Rosas Ramirez in three rounds. An elusive southpaw with good power and fast hands, Palacios before turning professional in 2019.

“I’ve been training hard. I was helping Lamont Roach at his camp in Tampa Florida earlier in my camp,” said Palacios. “I know Segawa is a warrior and he likes to fight fighters. That’s why I want to fight him. Losing this fight is not an option. I’ve been boxing for a long time and it’s time to prove what I can do.”

Also scheduled for televised action are one-punch KO artist Francois “The Franchise” Scarboro Jr (12-0, 9 KOs) from Cheverly, Maryland, taking on Brandon Valdes (15-7, 7 KOs) from Rosemead, California, via Barranquilla, Colombia, in a super featherweight 10-rounder. Elijah “2 Tec” Flores (10-0, 4 KOs) of Redlands, California, via The Bronx will face also undefeated Thanjhae “The Tiger” Teasley (13-0, 6 KOs) of Allentown, Pennsylvania.

“Francois Scarboro is on a run,” said Garry Jonas. “His fight against Valdes is set up to be a really entertaining fight. One of those fun ones I like making. Scarboro is never in a bad fight and Brandon Valdes is a fire starter.

‘EJ Flores is one of the top young talents in the sport getting into a rhythm fighting on ProBoxTV, and he’s in tough,” continued Jonas. “Teasley is a high-level opponent for him to fight. I applaud EJ for taking on fights like this. It’s what the fans want to see. EJ is a phenomenal talent and I’m excited about the fight. Teasley is a dangerous guy to put him in with. It could be a 50/50 fight but anything can happen. EJ is dangerous and might dominate. If he does? Watch out. He’s the real deal. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention our young crop of DC fighters on the show. Don’t miss it. A great night of fights!”

Opening the action will be welterweight Ben Johnson (6-0, 6 KOs) of Washington, DC, taking on southpaw Andre Sherard (5-4, 4 KOs) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and super flyweight Jordan Roach (6-0, 2 KOs) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, putting his 0 on the line against an opponent that is TBA.

On fight night, the action starts at 5:00 pm. Live! Casino Hotel Maryland is located at 7002 Arundel Mills Circle in Hanover, Maryland. Free Parking for All Events. All Ages to Enter, Must Be 21+ To Drink.

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ABOUT PROBOX TV

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