ORLANDO, FL – April 26, 2024 – In a stunning display of his championship potential, WBA’s #9 ranked super welterweight Yoenis Tellez (8-0, 6 KOs) brought the crowd to its feet with a spectacular unanimous decision (100-89 x3) victory against Joseph Jackson (19-1, 15 KOs) at MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects VI in his first defense of the WBA Latin America Continental Title. The second installment of the Most Valuable Prospects 2024 series took place at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL, globally on DAZN subscription with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter. Most Valuable Prospects VI, presented by CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, featured thirteen undefeated rising stars and ten fights total in the most-decorated Most Valuable Prospects card to date and the card lived up to its hype.
In the co-main event, Benigno “Tony” Aguilar (12-0-1, 4 KOs) settled the score once and for all against Alexander “La Mole” Rios (8-2, 3 KOs) in the local favorites’ highly-anticipated rematch of their previous Most Valuable Prospects battle, with Aguilar putting Rios’s expectations of a fifth-round bodyshot KO to rest as he won by unanimous decision (78-76, 79-73 x 2). Also on the main card, Cuban Olympian Danier “The Fear” Pero (7-0, 5 KOs) flashed his potential with a devastating TKO win over Jose Mario Tamez (4-4, 1 KO) and Jan Paul Rivera (9-0, 5 KOs) remained undefeated with a win over previously unbeaten David Perez (9-1, 2 KOs). In a clean sweep for the MVP extended family, Amanda Serrano’s newest signee, Alexis “Chop Chop” Chaparro (1-0, 1 KO) took home a first-round KO win over Daniel Augare (2-4, 2 KOs) in his pro debut, Natalie “No Love” Dove (2-0), training partner to MVP’s Wanna Walton, beat Alyssia Lopez (0-1) by unanimous decision (39-37, 40-36 x2), and DeMichael “Trigga Man” Harris (11-0-1, 10 KOs), who trains out of Puerto Rico with Team Jake Paul, beat Blas Ezequiel Caro (11-8, 5 KOs) by ferocious 5th round TKO.
In a thrilling main event, Yoenis “El Bandolero” Tellez (8-0, 6 KOs) vs. Joseph “Action” Jackson (19-1, 15 KOs) took center stage at the Caribe Royale Resort in a 10-round super welterweight headliner in defense of the WBA Continental Latin Americas title. Both fighters put their undefeated records on the line, coming out with intensity in a back and forth first round as each fighter tested the other. Tellez, fighting out of Orlando, FL by way of Santiago, Cuba and promoted by Boxlab Promotions and Warrior’s Boxing, dropped Jackson in the second round with a left hook, and as Jackson took his feet, Tellez moved in again delivering a devastating series of uppercuts, sending Jackson against the ropes. In the fourth round, Jackson landed an illegal punch to the groin just before the bell, sending Tellez to the mat.
Tellez rebounded well and was in control the entire match, displaying the type of tools and control that make him one of the most promising prospects in the sport. Despite Jackson’s ability to make it to the final bell, Tellez successfully retained his WBA Latin America Continental Title with a decisive unanimous decision (100-89 x3) win.
After the bout, a joyful Tellez thanked MVP, Boxlab, and the fans of his new home in Orlando. He also expressed how meaningful it was for him to represent his native Cuba in the ring, and discussed how the new generation of Cuban fighters do not run, but rather stand and fight, and promised that there is a bright future ahead for Cuban boxing. Jackson thanked Tellez for a hard-won battle and promised he’d be back in the ring soon.
In the co-main event, local favorites Benigno “Tony” Aguilar (12-0-1, 4 KOs) vs. Alexander “La Mole” Rios (8-2, 3 KOs) took the ring for an 8-round lightweight fight. The pair came out swinging, with Rios eager to settle the score and avenge his disappointing split decision loss against Aguilar on Most Valuable Prospects III in October 2023. However, Crescent City, Florida’s Aguilar proved too tough, sending the raucous crowd screaming to its feet in support throughout the fight as he took the advantage in the early rounds with a series of powerful combos. Rios fought back, continuing to put the pressure on Aguilar and delivering his own series of devastating body shots, looking to wear down Aguilar and end the fight as he predicted it–with a fifth round body shot knockout–but was unable to deliver on the promise despite his impressive bombardment of body shots throughout the round. Rios battered Aguilar against the ropes throughout the sixth and seventh rounds, while Aguilar showed impressive resilience and energy with selective dodges and well-placed hits, knocking back Rios. Outlasting each other through the eighth round, the bloodsoaked fighters took their rivalry once again to the cards, earning Aguilar the unanimous decision (78-76, 79-73 x 2), determining the results of the pair’s rivalry once and for all.
Following the fight, an emotional Aguilar told Sibley Scoles he was pissed off about the cut on his eye but admitted he knew he was still pretty. He gave love to his team and family for supporting him in quitting his job so that he could dedicate his career to boxing and continue growing in the ring. Rios also shared his thoughts with Scoles after the fight, thanking God for pushing him, saying he’s “just a fat kid from Puerto Rico that loves to eat,” and that he plans to keep going, giving respect to Aguilar for his sportsmanship and giving a good fight in the ring.
Salinas, Puerto Rico featherweight Jan Paul Rivera (9-0, 5 KOs) faced off against fellow undefeated talent David Perez (9-1, 2 KOs) in a six round main card fight. Rivera, the 22-year-old prospect and Puerto Rican national boxing team standout, set out to establish dominance over Perez from the opening bell. Perez proved ready to rise to the challenge, however, continuing to come at Rivera and even smiling as he suffered a series of devastating combos from the Puerto Rican talent. The pair showed off their punching power, precision, and agile footwork, trading relentless blows and tensions ran high before the sixth and final round, as the fighters traded barbs after the bell. After going the distance Rivera earned a hard-fought unanimous decision (60-54 x3) over Perez.
Following the fight, Rivera thanked MVP and Boxlab for the opportunity to fight on Most Valuable Prospects VI, with and shared his pride in fighting for the people of Salinas. Amanda Serrano and her trainer and manager Jordan Maldonado joined Rivera in the ring. Serrano shared that she would be working with Rivera in the gym in the future, calling his performance a perfect fight.
Opening the main card, Orlando, Florida’s Dainier “The Fear” Pero (7-0, 5 KOs) made his return to Most Valuable Prospects in a 6-round heavyweight bout vs. Jose Mario Tamez (4-4, 1 KO) in a battle of Cuba vs. Mexico. Pero, the 24-year-old 6’5” Olympian promoted by Boxlab Promotions, was all business from the moment he stepped into the ring, proving his merit as a fighter on the fast track to heavyweight title contender. Pero came out strong from the first round bell, quickly bloodying Tamez with a series of face shots. The fight was called at 2:00 in the round as Pero relentlessly landed power combos against the overmatched Tamez with a TKO win to stay undefeated.
In a special walkout fight following the main card, Tampa, FL powerhouse Ariel “Golden Hulk” Perez (3-0, 2 KO) faced off with Bessemer, Alabama’s Steven “Big Mot” Motley (1-1, 1 KO) in an action-packed four round light heavyweight fight. Perez boasted a rowdy crowd of supporters in the back-and-forth fight, before surging to a thrilling third round barrage that brought Team Golden Hulk to its feet as Perez knocked down Motley at the bell before ending Motley for good with a TKO in the fourth round.
Headlining the preliminary card, Crescent City, FL’s David Garcia (6-0, 3 KOs) took on fellow undefeated fighter Henry Richard (4-1, 3 KOs) in a six round heavyweight battle. Garcia, the former Junior Olympics national champion, came out swinging from the start and the two powerful hitters battered each other with a thundering series of shots. Garcia sent Richard staggering into the ropes twice in the first round and kept up the momentum through the second round before successfully handing Richard his first professional loss by TKO at 1:41 in the second round. Following the fight, Garcia spoke with ringside reporter Sibley Scoles in-ring, thanking his fans, family, God, and Crescent City, expressing his hopes to return to Most Valuable Prospects VII on Friday, July 26 to continue testing his undefeated streak.
Also in the preliminary rounds, Amanda Serrano’s newest signee, Alexis “Chop Chop” Chaparro (1-0, 1 KO) made his pro debut against Daniel Augare (2-4, 2 KOs). Chaparro proved why he was a 2x Olympic trials qualifier as he demonstrated star qualities against Augare from the opening bell, earning a swift first-round TKO win. DeMichael “Trigga Man” Harris (11-0-1, 10 KOs), who trains out of Puerto Rico with Team Jake Paul, continued his undefeated streak with an impressive 5th-round TKO of Rosario, Argentina fighter Blas Ezequiel Caro (11-8, 5 KOs). Four-time US national champion and 20-year-old Texas native Xavier “X-Man” Bocanegra (4-0, 2 KOs) won by unanimous decision (40-34 x3) against Carlos Andre Dos Santos Rocha (3-4, 2 KOs) of São Paulo, Brazil in a four-round featherweight fight. Opening the night, Natalie “No Love” Dove (2-0), the highly-talented 22-year-old prospect and training partner to MVP’s Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton, stayed true to her nickname as she brought the heat against Cleveland’s 3x Golden Gloves champion Alyssia Lopez (0-1) with a fiery barrage from the opening bell, ultimately resulting in a unanimous decision (39-37, 40-36 x2) victory for 15x national amateur champion Dove.
The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and marketed by MVP with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter and is distributed globally by DAZN. The sixth event in the series continued the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. All events within Most Valuable Prospects will take place on Friday nights in 2024. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drink, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP and the Most Valuable Prospects series.
Photos courtesy of Ryan Lolo/MVP.
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