On Wednesday, PBC announced three bouts that will be on the pay-per-view(PBC PRIME/DAZN PPV) undercard of Rolly Romero-Teofimo Lopez’s big fight on August 22 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for Romero’s 147-pound WBA belt.
In the co-main event, undefeated middleweight Yoenli Hernandez will duel veteran Argentine contender Francisco Daniel Veron in a 10-round attraction, plus 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.
HERNANDEZ-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.”
SANTILLAN-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.
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.”
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.
UTRIA-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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