Boxing
Matias-Paro set for June 15 in Puerto Rico
Subriel Matías makes a homecoming return to Puerto Rico when he defends his IBF World Jr. Welterweight title against Liam Paro at the Coliseo Juan Aubín Cruz Abreu in Manatí on Saturday June 15(DAZN).
Matías (20-1 20 KOs) landed the vacant IBF Jr. Welterweight title last February, forcing Jeremias Ponce to retire after five rounds of their clash in Minnesota, and successfully defended his title against mandatory challenger Shohjahon Ergashev in November, forcing another retirement, this time after six rounds in Las Vegas, continuing his incredible record of finishing all of his victories inside the distance.
The 31 year old puts the title on the line for the second time in a hotly anticipated clash that marks his return to fighting in his homeland for the first time since November 2019, a 12th fight at home and the most important so far for the fearsome puncher who is eager to put on a show and move towards unification battles.
“I am super excited to be able to be in front of my people defending the title that we had such a hard time getting,” said Matías. “The mentality will always be the same and in front of my people I don’t even have to say it, they know me. The Pride of Maternillo.”
Paro (24-0 15 KOs) is looking to spoil the party and the Australian challenger has no fear in entering enemy territory to do so in his first World title fight. The 27 year old was at his spiteful best in his last outing, flooring Montana Love twice in a six-round bludgeoning in San Francisco in December. The unbeaten southpaw was previously ruled out of a first World title fight with Regis Prograis through injury, but now lands the chance to rip the title from one of the most feared champions in the sport, and Paro is champing at the bit for his opportunity.
“I’ve waited my whole life for this opportunity,” said Paro. “Fighter’s fight and I can’t wait to fight the boogeyman in his backyard.”
June 15 represents Matchroom’s first event in Puerto Rico, and it’s the first fight with Matías after he signed a co-promotional deal with Matchroom and Fresh Productions.
“Puerto Rico is preparing for a world-class event with the expected second defense of champion Subriel Matias,” said Juan Orengo, Fresh Productions. “We expect a night full of action and excitement for boxing fans. I thank the Mayor of Manatí, Honorable José Sanchez for his commitment and collaboration to make this event at the home of the Osos de Manatí.”
“I am so excited to be bringing Subriel back home for his second World title defense,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “It’s an honor for Matchroom to be heading to Puerto Rico for the first time and there’s no doubt that Subriel and Liam will produce an epic battle to mark the occasion.”
Wilson: ‘I’m really looking forward to March 29’
Liam Wilson is eager to claim his spot among the top fighters in the junior lightweight division.
The Australian former world title challenger will take on former two-division world champion Oscar Valdez in a special 12-round attraction this Friday, March 29 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
In the co-feature, WBC/WBA/Ring Magazine champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada and WBO/IBF ruler Yokasta Valle will collide in a highly anticipated showdown for the undisputed minimumweight crown.
Valdez-Wilson & Estrada-Valle headline a stacked card streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.
Wilson (13-2, 7 KOs) is a five-year pro who made his U.S. debut by nearly upsetting Emanuel Navarrete in a bid for the vacant WBO junior lightweight title at Desert Diamond Arena last February. The 28-year-old stunned Navarrete with a left hook before flooring him with a flurry of punches in the fourth. Wilson was eventually stopped in the ninth round, but he bounced back with victories over Carlos Alanis in August and Jackson Jon England in December. Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs), a two-time Mexican Olympian, returns following an August defeat against Navarrete at the same venue.
Following a recent training session in Henderson, Nevada, this is what Wilson had to say:
“I’ve had two fights since the Navarrete fight. I feel much more prepared this time around. I’m going back to the same place. I’m much more familiar with the whole atmosphere there. I’m really looking forward to March 29.”
“I think he’s going to want to prove himself in this fight. He wants to show that he still has what it takes to be a world champion. So, while I’m not sure what to expect, I know he is well rounded. You don’t become a two-division world champion by being one-dimensional.”
“It’s hard to predict what’s going to happen with him. In the past, he’s shown that he likes to go in there and brawl. But he’s also been boxing and moving more in his last couple fights. So, I’m not too sure what to expect from him, but I’m ready for anything.”
“He has been in a lot of wars. I have that tendency as well. If a fight gets rough, I get dragged into it. So, I’m ready for anything. I’m going to use my abilities. I’m going to stick to my game plan. But I’m also ready for a war.”
Photo: Top Rank Boxing
PBC on Prime Video announces broadcast team
On Monday, PBC on Prime Video announced the on-air talent set to call the inaugural PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video on Saturday, March 30. The event will be headlined by the Tim Tszyu against Sebastian Fundora and Rolando Romero vs. Isaac Cruz world championship showdowns live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Mauro Ranallo will provide blow-by-blow for this event, with former three-division world champion Abner Mares and legendary Hall of Fame trainer Joe Goossen on fight analysis. In the host, position will be veteran announcer, Brian Custer, while Claudia Trejos and Jordan Plant will each provide ringside reporting.
For the Spanish language pay-per-view, acclaimed play-by-play voice Alejandro Luna will deliver the blow-by-blow.
Ranallo was the longtime voice of boxing on SHOWTIME and also did play-by-play duties for entities including WWE SmackDown, NXT, Bellator MMA, and more.
A Mexican Olympian and a four-time world champion throughout a career that saw him become one of Southern California’s most popular fighters, Mares worked as an analyst for SHOWTIME from 2020 through 2023.
One of boxing’s most celebrated trainers, Goossen has operated the Ten Goose Boxing Gym for many years, training top fighters, including Shane Mosley, Amir Khan, Riddick Bowe, Diego Corrales, and many more. Behind the mic, Goossen was acclaimed for his commentating with FOX Sports from 2018 through 2022.
Custer won two Emmy awards while working at SNY-TV and currently is a featured ESPN talent appearing on SportsCenter and more. He’s also experienced in the fight game as a longtime host of SHOWTIME Championship Boxing. Trejos is a veteran of ESPN and ESPN Deportes broadcasts and is a member of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame, while Plant was a fixture ringside reporting for FOX Sports boxing events.
Luna is a two-time Emmy nominee and has handled Spanish blow-by-blow for SHOWTIME, FOX Sports, and Univision.
The announcer teams will also be on the call for the two preliminary PBC on Prime Video fights that stream live and for free, regardless of Prime Video membership, beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.
The pay-per-view begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT/
The pay-per-view will also see Cuban star and reigning WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara defend his belt against No. 1 rated mandatory challenger Michael Zerafa, plus WBC Flyweight World Champion Julio César Martínez defends his world title against unbeaten contender Angelino Cordova in the pay-per-view opener.
Alvarez, Munguia faceoff in Los Angeles
Undisputed 168-pound champion Canelo Álvarez will battle Mexican super middleweight contender and undefeated former world champion Jaime Munguía on Saturday, May 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas(PBC Prime Video PPV/DAZN PPV).
Canelo-Munguía is the first four-belt undisputed title fight between Mexican combatants, and according to Alvarez, he takes a lot of pride in this fight.
“This fight is a great source of pride for me, because it’s all about Mexico,” Alvarez said on Tuesday at a press conference in Los Angeles. “I’m proud to have my country featured this way in front of the whole world. The fans are going to be the biggest winners on May 4 and we invite everyone to what’s gonna be a big party for Mexico.
“Defending my undisputed title is very important for me. This is all about making history. I want my legacy to be that I made history again and again. That’s what motivates me to keep defending my belts and giving great fights to the fans.”
The 27-year-old Munguia(43-0, 34 KOs) wants an opportunity to be on top of the sport like the 33-year-old Alvarez(60-2-2, 39 KOs).
“I’m very thankful to Canelo and everyone who made this fight happen and brought us to this special day,” Munguia said. “We’ve been working really, really hard for this fight because it’s going to be such a big fight for Mexico.
“Canelo has always been a source of pride and motivation for me. I used to say when I was coming up in the sport that I want to be like him, and now we get a chance to face him and hopefully be where he is soon.”
Recently, both Alvarez and Munguia shared the ring with John Ryder. Alvarez defeated Ryder by unanimous decision while Munguia stopped him. None of that matters, according to Munguia.
“Both our fights with John Ryder are two completely different fights,” he said. “We just took advantage of the opportunity we saw. We know every fight is different so we won’t take too much from Canelo’s fight against Ryder.”
Alvarez believes Munguia will be a “hungry” fighter on May 4.
“Munguia is a disciplined fighter who hits hard,” Alvarez said. “He’s a power puncher and I like a challenge. I want to face fighters who are hungry like I am. He’s a fighter who can give the fans the show they deserve.”
Munguia thinks the best is yet to come for him.
“This is just the beginning of the best part of my career,” he said. “I’ve done a lot in my career so far, but I believe I’m just reaching my peak now.
It will be a “Mexican party” in Las Vegas, and Alvarez can’t wait for the world to see it.
“I’m really proud of how amazing fight week is going to be. The fans will be showing their pride everywhere. I can’t wait to show the world what kind of party Mexicans can throw inside and outside of the ring.”
Navarrete-Berinchyk set for May 18 in San Diego
Emanuel “El Vaquero” Navarrete hopes to join an elite circle of his Mexican countrymen, but he’ll have to venture into a new weight class against one of its top contenders.
Navarrete will take on Ukraine’s Denys Berinchyk for the vacant WBO lightweight world championship on Saturday, May 18 at Pechanga Arena San Diego. The fighting pride of San Juan Zitlaltepec will attempt to join Mexican-born warriors Erik Morales, Jorge Arce, Juan Manuel Marquez, Leo Santa Cruz, and Canelo Alvarez in becoming a four-weight world champion.
In the welterweight co-feature, San Diego’s Giovani Santillan, the WBO No. 1 contender, returns in front of the hometown fans against an opponent to be named.
Navarrete-Berinchyk and Santillan’s return will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Navarrete (38-1-1, 31 KOs) captured his first world title by upsetting Isaac Dogboe for the WBO junior featherweight crown in December 2018. After five defenses, he moved up to featherweight, where he handed Ruben Villa his first pro defeat to become a two-weight champion. The 29-year-old defended his belt three times before climbing up to junior lightweight to stop Liam Wilson in the ninth round to secure the WBO strap. Navarrete made two defenses in this third weight class, decisioning former two-division world champion Oscar Valdez in an all-Mexican showdown in August and dropping Brazilian Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceição twice en route to a majority draw in November.
“Capturing a world title is a unique challenge, but the possibility of doing it four weight classes is a goal that fills me with motivation and gratitude,” Navarrete said. “It will be an honor to join that select group of Mexican warriors who have made their mark in boxing history. And to be able to do it in front of fans in San Diego and from Tijuana will be an unforgettable experience. Feeling their support and energy in the ring will propel me to do my best and secure this victory for Mexico.”
Berinchyk (18-0, 9 KOs), a 2012 Olympic silver medalist on the same team as Vasiliy Lomachenko and Oleksandr Usyk, began his professional career in 2015. Berinchyk overcame stiff tests on his ascent up the lightweight ladder. In 2021, he vanquished Jose Sanchez via third-round TKO in March and decisioned Isa Chaniev across 12 rounds in December. After a one-year break, he defeated Yvan Mendy to win European honors. He followed up the Mendy win last August with a convincing decision over former world title challenger Anthony Yigit in Poland. The 35-year-old will have his first world title opportunity as he makes his U.S. debut.
Santillan (32-0, 17 KOs), who turned pro in May 2012, has steadily ascended the welterweight rankings. In 2022, he stopped Jeovanis Barraza in the seventh round before making his second Pechanga Arena appearance by giving Julio Luna his first pro loss on the undercard of Navarrete’s featherweight title defense against Eduardo Baez. He returned in July 2023 to best Erick Bone via 10-round decision. In his last outing, he stunned the boxing world with a one-sided, six-round demolition of number one contender Alexis Rocha at Kia Forum in Los Angeles. Santillan is on the precipice of becoming the second San Diego-born world champion, following Paul Vaden, who captured the IBF junior middleweight world title in 1995.
“After my last win, I’m excited to keep the ball rolling. I showed everyone what I could do and earned the WBO No. 1 ranking. I am looking forward to continuing with those types of performances and showing why I deserve a title shot,” Santillan said. “I want to gain more fans in San Diego, grow the fan base in my hometown, and pave the way for other fighters from my city. There hasn’t been a San Diego-born champion in a long time, and I want to be the next one.”
Tim Tszyu will face Sebastian Fundora after Keith Thurman withdraws due to injury
Undefeated Tim Tszyu will take on all-action contender Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora for Tszyu’s WBO title (pending approval), and the vacant WBC 154-pound world title, headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on Prime Video Saturday, March 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Tszyu had originally been scheduled to face two-time world champion Keith Thurman, who was forced to withdraw after suffering a bicep injury in training. Fundora had already been preparing to compete in the pay-per-view opener before being moved up to the main event.
The pay-per-view will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and also features WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero taking on Mexican star Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz in the co-main event, plus WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara duels Australia’s Michael Zerafa in a 12-round attraction. The pay-per-view opener will now see WBC Flyweight World Champion Julio César Martínez defending his world title against unbeaten contender Angelino Cordova. Martinez vs. Cordova had originally been scheduled to appear in prelims action\
TSZYU-FUNDORA
The son of International Boxing Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, the 29-year-old Tszyu (24-0, 17 KOs) comes off a red-hot 2023 campaign that saw him elevated to world champion at 154-pounds while defeating former world champion Tony Harrison, top contender Brian Mendoza and former title challenger Carlos Ocampo. A native of Sydney, Australia, Tszyu made his U.S debut against U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in March 2022, earning a unanimous decision. Tszyu grew up playing soccer, but soon gravitated toward boxing. The decision led to him following in the legendary footsteps of his father, Kostya, who was an undisputed 140-pound champion.
Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs) rocketed to the top of the super welterweight division with a fan-friendly style and bruising toughness in the ring. His unbeaten streak came to an end in his last outing, as he got caught and was defeated by Brian Mendoza in April of last year. At nearly 6-foot-6, the 26-year-old southpaw from Coachella, Calif., towers over his opponents, but has displayed an appetite for toe-to-toe combat from short range. Fundora showed his mettle in April 2022, battling the hard-hitting Erickson Lubin in an instant 2022 Fight of the Year contender. Despite both men hitting the canvas, Fundora stood tall in the end, prompting Lubin’s corner to stop the fight at the end of the ninth round. Fundora represents a boxing family, as he is trained by his father Freddy alongside his younger sister, IBF Flyweight World Champion Gabriela.
Yokasta Valle wants to make history on March 29
WBO/IBF minimumweight world champion Yokasta Valle wants to make history for Costa Rica, but standing in her way is a fellow pound-for-pound queen for whom this rivalry has become personal.
Valle will face WBC/WBA/Ring Magazine world champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada in a highly anticipated undisputed minimumweight showdown on Friday, March 29 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Estrada-Valle will serve as the co-feature to the 12-round junior lightweight main event between former two-weight world champion Oscar Valdez and one-time world title challenger Liam Wilson.
Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) claimed the vacant IBF atomweight world title by defeating Ana Victoria Polo in December 2016. Nearly three years later, she moved up and snatched the IBF minimumweight world title from Joana Pastrana in August 2019. Valle added the WBO title to her collection with a victory over Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen in September 2022. Since then, she has successfully defended her unified crown four times, including a decision win over Anabel Ortiz in November. Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs), a 13-year pro and two-weight world champion, looks to end a longstanding rivalry by fully unifying the division.
Following a recent training session at Wild Card Boxing Club, this is what Valle had to say:
“This fight is very important because becoming undisputed champion is a dream of mine and because I’d be making history for Costa Rica and for all Latinos. It’s also important because of the many years of effort in putting women’s boxing where it is now.”
“If she’s not concentrated on this fight and is thinking about other things that have nothing to do with it, then it can be to my advantage. If when she steps into the ring she’s thinking about my trainer or about something else, then I feel she will be distracted.”
“You will see the best version of me in this fight. I’m aggressive, and I’m a warrior. When the bell rings, I like to throw lots of punches. So you will see a Yokasta who is very aggressive and who will throw lots of punches, to the point where she won’t know where they are coming from!”
“My coach {Gloria Alvarado} knows her really well. But aside from that, I have an advantage because she is also an excellent trainer. It’s because of that and not because she’s known her since she was a kid. She knows how to work with me. We have a great connection.”
Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Zepeda: ‘I am ready for Shakur(Stevenson), Gervonta (Davis)’
On Saturday night at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, undefeated 135-pound contender William Zepeda was impressive when he stopped Maxi Hughes by TKO as Hughes retired in the corner after the fourth round.
Zepeda (30-0, 26 KOs) threw 408 punches in only four rounds of work; he just overwhelmed Hughes in the fourth round.
In that round, Zepeda threw 116 punches and landed 58 times. Forty-five of those punches were power shots.
Overall, Zepeda landed 161 punches.
Photo: Golden Boy / Cris Esqueda
According to the 27-year-old Zepeda, this is just a typical night for him.
“This was another day in the office,” said William Zepeda. “Thirty different camps and thirty different wins, and all I can do is thank my team. Early on, I knew I had him; the strategy was to work the body and finish at the top. It is not confidence that I feel, but the weight of responsibility to keep giving this level of performances.”
Zepada is ranked number one by the WBC and WBA at 135 pounds, which means he’s in line to face WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis and WBC 135-pound champion Shakur Stevenson, and Zepeda says he is ready for both of them.
“The rivals who are at my doorstep are much stronger and have a lot more experience, and we must continue to work,” he said. “I will be the next champion from Mexico! I am ready for Shakur, Gervonta – whoever is ready to face me. I want to be a world champion.”
Zepeda can compete with Davis and Stevenson, and based on his fighting style, win or lose, Zepeda will be fun to watch!
Schoefield wins again
In the co-main event, undefeated Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield (17-0, 12 KOs) successfully defended his WBA International Lightweight Title against Las Vegas’ Esteuri “El Puma” Suero (13-2, 10 KOs). Scheduled for 10 rounds, “Kid Austin” suffered an accidental headbutt in the first round. The match featured a slew of non-sportsmanlike antics from Suero including holding, two low blows, and picking up Schofield twice in the fourth round. The referee stopped the fight at 2:07 of the fifth round, disqualifying Suero and awarding the victory to Floyd Schofield.
Representing Kansas City, Eric Priest (13-0, 8 KOs) went the distance against Jose “Matador” Sanchez (21-5-1, 12 KOs) of Reynosa, Mexico, in a 10-round middleweight fight. Priest was aggressive throughout the fight, with the judges awarding him the unanimous decision victory with scores of 99-91, 99-91, and 100-90.
Also on the DAZN Broadcast, Las Vegas’ Tristan “Sweet T” Kalkreuth (13-1, 10 KOs) participated in an eight-round heavyweight fight against Seattle, Washington’s Marquice Weston (15-3-1, 8 KOs). The fight only made it to 1:33 of the second round, with Kalkreuth utilizing the left hook to send Weston to the mat.
Opening fight night and the DAZN broadcast with a spectacular professional debut, 17-time national amateur champion and former Team USA member Joel Iriarte (1-0, 1 KO) of Bakersfield, California, dazzled the crowd with a second-round TKO of Bryan Carguacundo (3-6-2) of Ecuador. The bout was scheduled for four rounds of welterweight action.
Cuadras-Moloney, Hughes-Johnson added to Loma-Kambosos undercard
Two world title fights featuring Australian challengers have been added to the super card headlined by the vacant IBF lightweight world title showdown between Vasiliy Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr. on Sunday, May 12 at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.
Mexican standout Carlos Cuadras will defend his WBC Interim junior bantamweight world title against former world champion Andrew Moloney.
And, in a bantamweight world title tilt, WBA champion Nina Hughes looks to turn back the challenge of one-time world champion Cherneka “Sugar Neekz” Johnson.
Promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Top Rank, Ferocious Promotions, TEG Sport and Duco Events, Lomachenko-Kambosos, Cuadras-Moloney and Hughes-Johnson will be broadcast in prime time in the United States on Saturday, May 11 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+. Cuadras vs. Moloney is presented in association with Teiken Promotions.
“Not only is this historic event a first for Australia, with three world championship fights on the same bill, it is truly a fight fan’s card with compelling matchups in each of the featured attractions, promising plenty of action. Both Aussies, Andrew Moloney and Cherneka Johnson, will be extra motivated to reclaim past glory in front of their compatriots. Mexican great Carlos Cuadras is never in a bad fight, and it’s impossible not to root for Nina Hughes, a single mom who continues to defy the odds,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment.
“I can’t wait to arrive in the beautiful city of Perth for this historic event,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “Andrew Moloney is in a fantastic fight against one of Mexico’s great champions, and I expect the Hughes-Johnson title fight to be a competitive, dramatic bantamweight battle.”
Cuadras (42-5-1, 28 KOs), a 16-year-pro and one of the leading lighter weight fighters of this generation, made six defenses of the WBC 115-pound world title from 2014-2016. Since being dethroned by pound-for-pound great Roman Gonzalez in September 2016, he is 7-4, including decision defeats to Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez and Juan Francisco Estrada in bids to regain his WBC world title. Cuadras has won three consecutive fights, most recently traveling to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and edging countryman Pedro Guevara by split decision to win the Interim world title.
“I look forward to the challenge of fighting Andrew Moloney in Australia, and I am coming to prove I am still a force at 115 pounds,” Cuadras said. “There are many great champions in my division, but I can’t overlook Moloney, a hungry fighter who will be encouraged by the Australian fans.”
Moloney (26-3, 16 KOs) briefly held the WBA junior bantamweight world title before going 0-2 with a no contest in an eventful trilogy against Joshua Franco from 2020-2021. He then reeled off four consecutive victories, including three on Australian soil, to earn a shot at the vacant WBO junior bantamweight world title last May against Japanese superstar Junto Nakatani. Moloney hung tough, but in the 12th round, Nakatani landed a crunching left hand that ended the fight. He returned to the win column last December, securing a decision over Judy Flores to pick up a regional title.
“I’m absolutely pumped to have this fight locked in. Carlos Cuadras has been in with the best of the best at junior bantamweight, and he is the biggest name available in the division,” Moloney said. “I was there live to watch him fight Juan Francisco Estrada nearly seven years ago, and to be fighting him for the Interim world title in Australia is a huge opportunity. To have both Lomachenko and Cuadras fighting in Australia shows how much Australian boxing is flying now, and I’m thrilled to be part of it all. Bring on May 12!”
Hughes (6-0, 2 KOs) turned pro in December 2021 at 39 years old. She had a decorated amateur career with more than 70 fights and four national titles. Hughes, a single mother of two, set her sights on a professional career during the COVID-19 pandemic. She won the Commonwealth bantamweight title in her third outing and upset Jamie Mitchell by unanimous decision in November 2022 to capture the WBA bantamweight world title. She made her lone title defense last June, turning away Katie Healy via decision. The ageless Hughes now turns her attention to Johnson, the home country favorite.
“I am looking forward to showing the world why I am the WBA bantamweight world champion, and I’m thrilled to be fighting on such a prestigious event in Perth, Western Australia,” Smith said. “Cherneka Johnson is a former world champion, and while it will be a tough assignment, I will not be denied victory. Thank you to DiBella Entertainment and Leon Sudbury at Takeover Sports Management for getting this fight made.”
Johnson (15-2, 6 KOs) was born in New Zealand but moved to Australia as a pre-teen, and she soon established herself as one of Australia’s standout amateurs. In April 2022, six years after turning pro, she snatched the vacant IBF junior featherweight world title with a majority decision over Melissa Esquivel in Melbourne, Australia. She defended the title six months later on the Devin Haney-Kambosos II undercard in Melbourne, overcoming a brutal cut to beat Susie Ramadan. Johnson lost her title last June in London, where she lost a unanimous decision to Ellie Scotney. Nearly a year later, she returns to bantamweight, motivated to become a two-weight queen.
“I am excited to fight for a second world title on this great event alongside boxing legends here in Perth, Western Australia,” Johnson said. “It has been a long journey for me, full of hard work and dedication, and I am determined to become a two-time world champion. It is an honor to fight Nina Hughes, but I am here to win. On fight night, I will show the world what I am made of.”