Salita Promotions is set to close out its 2026 boxing calendar with an ambitious double-header of world championship events, taking the sport’s top narratives to two distinct boxing strongholds: Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
The year-end push features two primary storylines: the remarkable homecoming defense of an undefeated champion who survived a near-fatal accident, and a high-stakes clash between two elite contenders fighting for world titles vacated by legend Katie Taylor.
The promotional schedule begins on November 7 at the Kiva Auditorium in Albuquerque, where native flyweight contender Abraham Perez puts his unbeaten record and regional championship momentum on the line. Just four weeks later, on December 5, the action moves to the historic Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez in Bayamón for a major women’s super lightweight championship showdown between Mexico’s Litzy Vazquez and Puerto Rico’s Stephanie Piñeiro.
Together, the two cards showcase promoter Dmitriy Salita’s strategy of combining inspirational human-interest stories, traditional regional rivalries, and top-tier prospect development on global broadcast platforms.
Perez Faces Rivera in High-Stakes Albuquerque Homecoming
The November 7 card at the Kiva Auditorium marks a triumphant local return for unbeaten flyweight champion Abraham Perez (15-0, 7 KOs), who heads the main event of Big Time Boxing against dangerous Puerto Rican challenger Yankiel Rivera (8-1-1, 4 KOs). For Perez, stepping into the ring in front of his hometown crowd represents far more than a standard title defense—it is the culmination of a extraordinary personal comeback.
In August 2024, Perez’s boxing career and life were thrown into jeopardy following a near-fatal drowning accident. The incident left the young fighter in a medically induced coma, casting serious doubt on whether he would ever walk again, let alone return to elite professional athletics.
Through an intensive rehabilitation process, Perez defied initial medical expectations. He gradually rebuilt his physical conditioning, returned to full-contact training, and made a triumphant return to the ring.
By June 2026, Perez proved that his ring skills remained intact, capturing the WBA interim flyweight championship in a hard-fought victory over experienced contender Jonathan Gonzalez. Now carrying a perfect 15-fight record, Perez brings his world title belt back to New Mexico, putting his hard-earned championship on the line against Rivera in what promises to be an emotional evening for Albuquerque fight fans.
Rivera, a skilled opponent hailing from Puerto Rico, enters the 10-round contest looking to spoil the homecoming narrative. Boasting an 8-1-1 record with 4 knockouts, Rivera brings international experience and slick tactical skill, presenting a stern test for Perez’s first defense of his interim title.
Light Heavyweight Prospect Atif Oberlton Featured on Stacked Undercard
The Albuquerque event also serves as a critical stepping stone for one of the premier light heavyweight talents in American boxing. Undefeated Philadelphia prospect Atif Oberlton (17-0, 14 KOs) takes on seasoned veteran Deon Nicholson in a scheduled 10-round co-feature fight designed to test Oberlton’s readiness for world-level competition.
Oberlton, who has built a reputation as a powerful southpaw with knockout capability, views the fight against Nicholson as a necessary step forward in his career trajectory. Speaking exclusively to World Boxing News ahead of the bout, Oberlton expressed confidence in his preparation and recognized the quality of his opponent.
“Nicholson is a good opponent—a good dance partner,” Oberlton said. “We’re getting closer to the level of opponents that allow for a standout performance because the challenge keeps stepping up.”
Promoter Dmitriy Salita has made no secret of his long-term plans for Oberlton, emphasizing that the light heavyweight division is ripe for a new American star to emerge. Speaking to WBN about Oberlton’s trajectory, Salita highlighted the fighter’s potential to reach the top of the 175-pound ranks.
“We know how talented Atif is and we want to position him as the best light heavyweight coming out of the U.S.,” Salita stated.
The supporting card in Albuquerque features additional compelling matchups. In the heavyweight division, power-punching prospect Pryce Taylor meets Tsotne Rogava in an explosive collision of rising big men, while Sardius Simmons meets Cesar Navarro in a regional showdown.
Event organizers have confirmed that the doors and early undercard fights at the Kiva Auditorium will begin at 5 p.m. ET, with the main card broadcast streaming live internationally on DAZN starting at 8 p.m. ET.
Mexico vs. Puerto Rico Rivalry Takes Center Stage for Vacant World Titles
Four weeks after the Albuquerque show, Salita Promotions shifts its operations to the Caribbean for a major women’s championship event on December 5 at the iconic Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
The main event features a clash between Mexico’s undefeated Litzy Vazquez (9-0, 6 KOs) and Puerto Rico’s Stephanie Piñeiro, with the vacant WBA and WBC super lightweight world titles on the line.
The two belts were previously held by former undisputed champion Katie Taylor, whose legendary reign at super lightweight reshaped modern women’s boxing. With Taylor relinquishing her titles to pursue other career opportunities, the division’s top contenders now have a rare opportunity to capture two major sanctioning body belts in a single bout.
Vazquez enters the bout as the reigning WBA interim champion, carrying an unblemished record of nine victories, including six inside the distance. Despite her momentum, the Mexican contender faces a tough assignment as she travels into hostile territory to meet Piñeiro in front of her home fans in Bayamón.
For Piñeiro, fighting in Puerto Rico provides a passionate hometown backdrop. Supported by the partisan crowd at the Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Piñeiro aims to add another chapter to the storied rivalry between Mexican and Puerto Rican fighters—a tradition that has produced some of the most memorable battles in boxing history.
Salita Reaffirms Commitment to Puerto Rican Boxing Development
The December 5 event highlights Salita Promotions’ broader strategy of expanding its international footprint and tapping into historic boxing markets. Speaking in a recent interview with World Boxing News, Dmitriy Salita emphasized the importance of Puerto Rico as a fundamental pillar of the global boxing ecosystem.
“Puerto Rico is one of the greatest boxing islands in the world, and we are committed to developing its next generation of superstars,” Salita explained.
By staging a multi-belt world championship fight in Bayamón, Salita Promotions aims to showcase local talent while giving international fight fans a high-stakes championship main event.
The December 5 fight card will be broadcast live via the Wynn Records Network, with the main telecast scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET. Additional undercard bouts supporting the main event are expected to be officially confirmed by the promotion in the coming weeks.
With these two late-year events in Albuquerque and Bayamón, Salita Promotions reinforces its position in the boxing industry, delivering major championship cards while providing a platform for emerging talent across North America and the Caribbean.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
