Former world champion Emmanuel Rodriguez (21-2, 13 KOs) takes on streaking contender Melvin Lopez (29-1, 19 KOs) for the vacant IBF Bantamweight World Championship at The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Maryland, broadcasted live on Showtime.
Puerto Rican bantamweight Emmanuel Rodriguez is no stranger to the limelight, having claimed the IBF Bantamweight World Title in 2018. Now, he looks to return to championship status against Melvin Lopez, who is riding a wave of eight straight victories. Both fighters are eager to demonstrate their skills and claim the title, setting up a high-stakes clash.
The co-main event presents a showdown between unbeaten Gary Antuanne Russell (16-0, 16 KOs) and Kent Cruz (16-0-3, 10 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight bout. This is set to be an engaging contest with both fighters boasting impressive undefeated records. Meanwhile, in the undercard top prospect Travon Marshall (8-0, 7 KOs) and two-time Olympian Gabriel Maestre (5-0-1, 4 KOs) will lock horns in a welterweight clash.
Russell is keen to further the boxing legacy of his family, while Cruz, sporting an undefeated record, seeks to deliver an upset. In the welterweight bout, young prospect Marshall aims to prove his worth against the experienced Maestre, making for an evening filled with anticipation and unpredictability.
In the undercard, Michael Angeletti (8-0, 7 KOs) will face Puerto Rico's Jonathan Lopez (8-0-2, 4 KOs) in the 8-round bantamweight clash, as well as Phoenix's own Jose Benavidez Jr. (27-2-1, 18 KOs), the older brother of the undefeated two-time world champion, David Benavídez, is going to meet a 32-year-old Sladan Janjanin (36-15, 26 KOs) in the 10 round bout.
Main card:
▪️Emmanuel Rodriguez vs. Melvin Lopez, 12 rounds, for the vacant IBF bantamweight title ▪️Gary Antuanne Russell vs. Kent Cruz, 10 rounds, super lightweight ▪️Travon Marshall vs. Gabriel Maestre, 10 rounds, welterweight
Prelims: (live on YouTube, begins at 6:30 pm ET)
▪️Michael Angeletti vs. Jonathan Lopez Marcano, 8 rounds, bantamweight ▪️Jose Benavidez Jr. vs. Sladan Janjanin, 10 rounds, middleweight ▪️Damien Vazquez vs. Jeronil Borres, 8 rounds, bantamweight
Non-televised prelims:
▪️Jesse Hart vs. Elio Heraldo Trosch, 10 rounds, light heavyweight ▪️Daniel Blancas vs. Devaun Lee, 6 rounds, super middleweight ▪️David A. Whitmire vs. Jordy Tientcheu, 4 rounds, junior middleweight
