From featherweights to middleweight, Las Vegas is preparing for a blockbuster couple of months in the ring and is set to host title fights across multiple venues.
Recently, Las Vegas played host to Canelo Alvarez. The PPV superstar added another win to his record, defending his undisputed super middleweight status against fellow Mexican Jaime Munguia, and handing the young prospect his first professional defeat.
Looking ahead at the coming months, Vegas is set for another summer of entertainment with a variety of exciting match-ups scheduled to take place throughout the city.
Rafael Espinoza vs Sergio Chirino
WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza (24-0 20 KOs) is set to share the ring with Sergio Chirino (22-1, 13 KOs) on June 21, as he aims to make his first title defence.
The bout will be held at the Fontainebleau Theatre, Las Vegas.
Espinoza won the WBO strap last December after a close-fought battle over 12 rounds against Cuban southpaw Robeisy Ramirez.
The fight of the year contender saw Espinoza survive a knockdown and return the favour, sending Ramires to the canvas in the final round, sealing his upset victory.
Elsewhere on the card, fans’ favourite Abraham Nova (23-2, 16 KOs) will take on Andres Cortes (21-0, 12 KOs). Nova will hope to bounce back to winning ways after suffering his second career defeat in February after a close split decision loss to O’Shaquie Foster.
Speaking about the upcoming event, Top Rank Promoter Bob Arum appears excited by the prospects of the card.
“From top to bottom, this is a truly great card that promises action, and we’re thrilled to be doing our first show at the beautiful Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Espinoza can be Mexico’s next great champion, but he has a tough assignment in Chirino,” Arum told the press.
“Andres Cortes and Abraham Nova is a great grudge match, and the winner will be in a great position to challenge for a world title.”
Janibek Alimkhanuly vs Andrei Mikhailovich
On July 13 unified middleweight star Janibek Alimkhanuly (15-0, 10 KOs) will take on Andrei Mikhailovich (21-0 13 KOs) at the Las Vegas Palms Casino Resort, ESPN reporter Mike Coppinger revealed.
The outing is Alimkhanuly’s first fight of 2024. The southpaw last fought in October, winning a sixth-round stoppage over German fighter Vincenzo Gualtieri.
A win for Alimkhanuly could set up a highly-anticipated unification battle against WBC champion Carlos Adames.
Adames faces Terrell Guasha on June 15 at the MGM Grand.
Assuming both fighters are victorious in their respective bouts, a clash would prove just who is the top dog at 160 lbs, leaving the winner within touching distance of an undisputed showdown against WBA champion Erislandy Lara.
Co-featuring the event, lightweight prospect Raymond Muratalla (20-0, 16 KOs) will face former super featherweight champion Tevin Farmer (33-5-1, 8 KOs).
The 33-year-old veteran took a three-year layoff after losing the IBF super featherweight strap to Joseph Diaz in 2020.
‘American Idol’ has racked up three wins since returning from retirement in June last year, however Muratalla will prove a real challenge for Farmer as he hopes to continue his rise back up the rankings.
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