Trailblazing promoters Top Rank continue to lead boxing out of the shadow of Covid-19 by announcing three more shows for next week.
On June 16, bantamweight contender Joshua ‘Don’t Blink’ Greer Jr. (22-1-1, 12 KOs) faces Filipino Mike Plania (23-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-round attraction at the MGM Grand Conference Center – Grand Ballroom in Las Vegas.
The action resumes at the MGM Grand on June 18 and when two-weight world champion Jose Pedraza (26-3, 13 KOs) faces Mikkel LesPierre (22-1-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-rounder at 140lbs.
Then, on June 20 at TV Azteca Studios in Mexico City, WBO 122lbs champion Emanuel Navarrete faces Uriel ‘Yuca’ Lopez in a 10-round non-title bout at featherweight. Navarrete-Lopez will headline one of two June cards from TV Azteca Studios, which will be promoted by Top Rank in association with Zanfer Promotions.
All three events will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (in Spanish), with start times to be announced shortly.
“It is exciting to see these great fighters back in action and in fights that promise to be action-packed,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Greer and Pedraza have tough opponents in front of them, but if they are victorious, we could see them in world title fights before the end of the year. Navarrete is the king of the 122-pounders, a throwback fighter who wants to stay as active as possible.”
“Whoever the opponent is, it doesn’t matter. I prepare the same,” said Joshua Greer Jr. “Every fight is a world title fight for me. I’m ranked number one in the world, so I have to take advantage of this opportunity. ‘Mr. ESPN’ is back!”
Pedraza added: “I am very excited to finally return to the ring after this long break. During quarantine, I made adjustments and trained hard from home. Despite everything that is happening in the world, my team and I have had a great training camp. I have done many runs up the mountains in Cidra, Puerto Rico. I am now focused on giving the fans a great show on June 18 against Mikkel LesPierre. We know he is a world-class fighter, but I am, too, and I am determined to return to the top once again.”
Top Rank successfully brought back top flight boxing with Shakur Stevenson’s sixth round KO of Felix Caraballo in Las Vegas on Tuesday night.