The first televised boxing card of the year airs later this week as Ortiz vs Lawson headlines a show from Golden Boy.
American Vergil Ortiz Jr is competing for the first time since 2022 in the main event having missed 3 different dates in 2023 through injury. His opponent is Fredrick Lawson (30-3), who currently holds a two fight winstreak.
In the co-main event, Brit Ohara Davies takes on Ismael Barroso for the WBA Interim Super Lightweight title. Davies vs Barroso was scheduled for 02 December 2023, but visa issues delayed the bout. Ohara Davies has now obtained a visa, and the fight is going ahead with a 5 week delay.
The winner of Davies vs Barroso will be granted a shot at WBA Super Lightweight champion Rolly Romero, who has shown little interest in retaining his title and may just vacate it. Romero captured the title by controversially stopping Ismael Barroso, and has failed to defend the belt since.
Arnold Barboza Jr (28-0) puts his unbeaten record on the line against Xolisani Ndongeni (31-3), who is coming off a loss. Also in the Super Lightweight division, success for Barboza Jr. may lead to him challenging the winner of Davies vs Barroso, particularly if either of them get elevated to WBA World champion.
Raul Curiel vs Elias Diaz rounds off the TV card, with two preliminary bouts likely to air on Golden Boy’s YouTube channel.
🥊Undercard🥊
Vergil Ortiz vs Fredrick Lawson
Ohara Davies vs Ismael Barroso
Raul Curiel vs Elias Diaz
Arnold Barboza Jr vs Xolisani Ndongeni
Emiliano Gandara vs Isaac Matamoros
Jonathan Canas vs Jameel Hooper
❌Cancellations❌
Sergiy Derevyanchenko vs TBA was cancelled due to an injury suffered in training camp by Derevyanchenko.