LAS VEGAS – July 30, 2026 – Three exciting pay-per-view undercard bouts featuring rising stars and top contenders across the middleweight, super bantamweight and super lightweight divisions will lead up to the Rolly Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez main event on Saturday, August 22 in a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on DAZN and Prime Video from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

In the co-main event, undefeated middleweight star Yoenli Hernandez will duel veteran Argentina contender Francisco Daniel Veron in a 10-round attraction, plus Interim WBA Super Bantamweight Champion Victor Santillan squares off against top contender Antonio Russell and sensational prospect Carlos Utria will make his U.S. debut in a 10-round battle against super lightweight contender Israel Mercado opening the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

The four-fight pay-per-view card is topped by WBA Welterweight World Champion Rolly Romero making the first defense of his world title against two-division world champion Teofimo Lopez in a matchup of two of this generations’ most compelling champions.

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

The event is promoted by TGB Promotions, in association with Takeover Promotions.

**YOENLI HERNANDEZ VS. FRANCISCO DANIEL VERON**

The number one-ranked WBA and WBO, plus number two-ranked WBC contender, Yoenli Hernandez will look to continue to show his star ability in a 10-round showdown against the veteran slugger Francisco Daniel Veron that serves as the co-main event on August 22.

Hernandez (10-0, 9 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 Providence, Rhode Island, Hernandez turned pro in May 2022 with a pair of stoppage victories and continued to dominate his competition as he rose up the rankings. The 29-year-old scored three victories in 2025, including a shutout unanimous decision over top contender Kyrone Davis in May of that year. Most recently, Hernandez turned away his most experienced opponent to date, earning a fourth-round TKO of U.S. Olympian and title challenger Terrell Gausha in March.

“I’m preparing very hard for this fight, because I know that I have an extremely tough opponent in front of me,” said Hernandez. “I have to continue to train that hard fight after fight and prove to everyone what I’m capable of. You can expect to see more of the same from me on August 22 in Las Vegas.”

The 27-year-old Veron (17-1-1, 10 KOs) enters this fight on an impressive three-fight winning streak, including most recently besting Raul Garcia via unanimous decision in April of this year. Prior to that Veron had turned away tough veteran contenders Roiman Villa and Vladimir Hernandez in 2025, beating both by unanimous decision. A native of Villa Libertador, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Veron also owns a draw against middleweight contender Jahi Tucker. He will be making his Las Vegas debut on August 22, with the only other blemish on his record coming via a close decision loss to longtime top contender Brandon Adams in 2024.

“This is one of the toughest fights of my career, but we’re well prepared for anything he bring,” said Veron. “I’m here to face the best and I’m not ducking anyone. We’re going to give people a lot to talk about when this fight is over. I’m coming to represent my Argentine people on August 22.”

**VICTOR SANTILLAN VS. ANTONIO RUSSELL**

In a matchup of two top contenders at 122 pounds, Victor Santillan and Antonio Russell will look to show their championship mettle in a 12-round matchup as Santillan defends his Interim WBA Super Bantamweight Title for the first time.

A native of La Romana, Dominican Republic, Santillan (16-2, 7 KOs) picked up his interim title in February by stopped Noel Reyes Cepeda in the third round. The triumph made it back-to-back wins for Santillan, who’s only two defeats have come via decision on the road against top Japanese contenders. A pro since 2018, Santillan won the bronze medal at the 2015 Pan American Games, amongst his amateur accolades. The 30-year-old began his career with 13-straight wins and will return to fight stateside for the third time as a pro.

“It is an honor for me to be defending my title against Antonio Russell,” said Santillan. “He is a good boxer who comes from a family of good fighters. I love this fight because the real winners are going to be the fans. We’re gonna put on a show.”

Part of one of the sport’s most renowned fighting families, Russell (21-1, 13 KOs) will look to pick up his first belt at 122 pounds and join his brothers as champions alongside Gary Antuanne (WBA Super Lightweight World Champion) and his lead trainer Gary Jr. (former WBC Featherweight World Champion). The 33-year-old previously fought to the top of the 118-pound division, but came up short in his most notable fight, an October 2022 matchup against former champion Emmanuel Rodriguez. The Capitol Heights, Maryland-native does own a technical decision victory over former world champion Juan Carlos Payano in December 2020 and has won back-to-back fights at 122-pounds, including most recently besting Dervin Rodriguez by unanimous decision last August.

“I’m excited to be back in the ring and grateful for the opportunity to showcase my talent,” said Russell. “Me and my brothers have been putting in the work every day in the gym, staying focused. It’s almost that time to compete. I’m ready to bring another title home.”

**CARLOS UTRIA VS. ISRAEL MERCADO**

One of boxing’s most acclaimed prospects the undefeated Carlos Utria will look to make his U.S. debut in style, as he takes on tough contender Israel Mercado in the 10-round super lightweight opening attraction.

The 22-year-old Utria (14-0, 11 KOs) most recently emerged victorious in the WBC Boxing Grand Prix and earning a top 10 ranking at 140-pounds, and more. The five-victory run culminated in a unanimous decision over Mujimillo Tursunov in December, with his championship-winning run leading to him being named Boxing Scene’s 2025 Prospect of the Year. A native of Soplaviento, Colombia, Utria has fought professionally since 2023 and will look to continue his momentum stateside.

“I’m facing a strong opponent who’s coming to win,” said Utria. “That’s the perfect opponent for my U.S. debut. We’re prepared for whatever comes and ready to put on a dominating performance for everyone watching.”

A native of Pomona, California, Mercado (13-1-2, 7 KOs) is unbeaten in last six outings, with four wins a two draws in that span. Mercado has faced four unbeaten fighters in his career, with two wins, a draw and a decision to defeat to Arthur Biyarslanov in 2024 amongst that run. Mercado was won each of his last two outings, with decision victories over Jonathan Jose Eniz in April 2025 and Branden Pizarro in June 2025.

“I’ve been patient, I’ve put in the work, and now I’m ready to show the fight fans what these hands can do,” said Mercado. “I’m built for this stage. I can’t wait to give everyone a great show and deliver a fight they won’t forget.”

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Santo Domingo becomes the heartbeat of Caribbean boxing this Saturday, February 21, as Noel Reyes Cepeda and Víctor Santillán collide in an all-Dominican showdown for the WBA interim super bantamweight world title. It’s a high-stakes, fratricidal clash that could define the next major contender in the 122-pound division.

At 39 years old, Reyes Cepeda (19-4, 15 KOs) stands at the defining moment of his career. The La Vega native has enjoyed a late-career resurgence over the past two years, stacking up emphatic wins that propelled him to No. 6 in the WBA world rankings. His calling card is power—backed by an imposing knockout ratio that makes him especially dangerous in the early frames. For Reyes, this represents the chance to crown a lifetime of work with his first world title.

Santillán (15-2, 6 KOs), meanwhile, embodies the new guard. The La Romana native is known for polished technique and fluid footwork that tends to frustrate heavy-handed opponents. He’s no stranger to big stages, having faced Tenshin Nasukawa in Japan. Built on volume punching and tactical intelligence, Santillán’s style is designed to defuse power and bank rounds.

Stylistically, it’s the classic puncher-versus-boxer matchup. Reyes will look to impose his strength from the opening bell, hunting for damage early. Santillán’s path likely runs through discipline and distance, stretching the fight into the later rounds and trusting his craft to sway the scorecards.

(April 18, 2025) — The world’s two best bantamweights are set to battle with two world title belts on the line. WBC champion Junto Nakatani will fight IBF king Ryosuke Nishida in a title unification tilt on Sunday, June 8, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Nakatani-Nishida headlines a bantamweight tripleheader streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S.

Unbeaten former kickboxing prodigy Tenshin Nasukawa (6-0, 2 KOs) takes on Victor Santillan (14-1, 5 KOs) in a 10-rounder, while 2021 World Championships gold medalist Tomoya Tsuboi (1-0, 1 KO) steps up against Vietnam’s Van Thao Tran (18-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-rounder for the WBO Asia Pacific strap.

Nakatani (30-0, 23 KOs) is a three-weight world champion and a consensus top 10-rated pound-for-pound fighter. Following a two-fight championship run at junior bantamweight that included the 2023 Knockout of the Year over Andrew Moloney, Nakatani made a splash in his bantamweight debut with his February 2024 knockout over Alexandro Santiago to win the WBC title. He stopped Vincent Astrolabio and Petch Sor Chitpattana to close out a banner 2024 before making his 2025 debut in February with a devastating third-round knockout over then-unbeaten Mexican standout David Cuellar.

Nishida (10-0, 2 KOs), a one-time high school amateur standout in Japan, turned pro in October 2019 with a first-round knockout. In his fourth pro fight, he won the WBO Asia Pacific regional title with a decision over former world champion Daigo Higa. Last May, he dethroned two-time champion Emmanuel Rodriguez by unanimous decision to capture the IBF title. Nishida made his first title defense in December with a seventh-round TKO over Thailand’s Anuchai Donsua.

Edgar Berlanga remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Alexis Angulo in a super middleweight bout at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.

Berlanga, 167.6 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won by scores of 99-91 and 98-92 and is now 20-0. Angulo, 160.6 lbs of Pitai, COL is 27-3.

Henry Lebron Decisions Luis Lebron

Henry Lebron won a eight-round unanimous decision over Luis Lebron in a junior lightweight fight.

In round seven, Luis Lebron began to bleed from his mouth.

Henry Lebron, 130 lbs of Aguadilla, PR won by scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74 and is now 16-0. Luis Lebron, 129.8 lbs of San Juan, PR is 18-4-1.

Victor Santillan won a eight-round unanimous decision over Carlos Caraballo in a junior featherweight bout,

In round two, Santillan was cut on his right eyelid from a headbutt.

Santillan, 119.6 of La Romana, DR won by scores of 78-74 twice and 77-75 and is now 12-0. Caraballo, 120.4 lbs of Guayanilla, PR is 15-2.

Dakota Linger shocked Josue Vargas with a second round stoppage in a scheduled eight-round junior welterweight bout.

Linger landed a hard combination that had Vargas in serious . Linger knocked Vargas between the ropes for a knockdown. Linger was relentless until the bout was stopped at 2:06.

Linger, 142.6 lbs of Buckhamon, WV is 13-5-2 with nine knockouts. Vargas, 142.6 lbs Aguadila, PR is 20-3,

Armani Almestica remained undefeated by stopping Eliseo Villalobos in the final round of their six-round lightweight bout.

In round one Almestica dropped Villalobos with a straight left.

In round six, Almestica continued to land clean shots, and the fight was stopped at 1:47.

Almestica, 134.2 lbs of Orlando, FL is 6-0 with six knockouts. Villalobos, 134.4 lbs of Simi Valley, CA is 2-3.

Orlando Gonzalez stopped Pablo Cruz in round five of their six-round featherweight bout.

In round five, Gonzalez landed a flurry in the corner that forced referee Danny Schivone to stop the bout at 1:00.

Gonzalez, 128 lbs of Agudilla, PR is now 18-1 with 11 knockouts. Cruz, 127.8 lbs of Houston, TX is 22-5-1.

Omar Rosario remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Julio Rosa in a junior welterweight bout.

Rosario, 140.6 lbs of Caguas, PR won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 and is now 7-0. Rosa, 139.6 lbs of Bayamon, PR is 4-1.

Frevian Gonzalez won a four-round unanimous decision over Refugio Montellano in a lightweight bout.

Gonzalez, 134.6 lbs of Cidra, PR won by scores of 40-36 on all cards, and is now 5-1. Montellano, 134.8 lbs of Dallas, TX is 2-1.

Christina Cruz won remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Maryguenn Vellinga in a flyweight bout.

In round four, Vellinga was cut badly on here forehead from a headbutt.

Cruz, 111.8 lbs of New York won by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37 and is now 3-0. Vellinga, 110.6 lbs of Park City, UT is 3-3-2.