Four of the top fighters under the DiBella Entertainment banner see action this weekend while looking to close out their 2018 in style.
At Bowie State University in Bowie, MD, Demond “D’BestAtIt'” Nicholson (19-3-1, 18 KOs), of Laurel, MD, will make the first defense of his WBC-USNBC Super Middleweight Title in front of his hometown fans against Fernando “El Huracan” Castaneda (26-12, 17 KOs), of Aguascalientes, Mexico, in a 10-round clash.
The 25-year-old Nicholson captured the title in his last bout, stopping Isaac Rodrigues in the sixth round in Hanover, MD on August 18. The heavy-handed Castaneda has stopped both of his foes in 2018, Alberto Mercado in the first stanza on September 8, and Alberto Perez in the second round on September 22.
Also fighting at Bowie State University tonight, undefeated top female prospect Tiara Brown (6-0, 4 KOs), of Bladensburg, MD, clashes with former world title challenger Dahiana Santana (36-10, 15 KOs), of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in an eight-round junior lightweight bout.
Fighting for the second straight time at Bowie State University, Brown will be facing the toughest opponent of her career. A police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., she is coming off a fourth-round stoppage of Jasmine Clarkson on September 22, 2018.
Santana has fought a wealth of top talent in women’s boxing including Amanda Serrano, Eva Wahlstrom and Anahi Sanchez.
On the West Coast tonight, 2016 Heavyweight Olympian from Uzbekistan, the 6’7″ Bakhodir Jalolov (3-0, 3 KOs) seeks to end his year in style facing Toledo, Ohio’s Marquise Valentine (5-4, 2 KOs), in a scheduled four-round fight in La Puente, CA. The 24-year-old Jalolov will look to keep his perfect knockout record intact against Valentine, who has never been stopped. He returns to the ring following a fourth-round stoppage of Tyrell Wright on October 27, at Madison Square Garden.
On Friday night, heavyweight prospect Clayton Laurent Jr., a 2016 Olympian for the Virgin Islands, improved to (3-0, 2 KOs), applying pressure and landing combinations against Bayamon, Puerto Rico’s Kenny Cruz Carasquillo en route to a four-round decision victory in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. The stepson of boxing legend Julian “The Hawk” Jackson, Laurent will now celebrate Jackson’s recently announced induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame for the Class of 2019.
Brian Ceballo to make New York Homecoming on Saturday night at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
ndefeated welterweight prospect Brian Ceballo returns home for the 1st time as a professional when he takes on 38-fight veteran, Daniel Calzada this Saturday night at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.
The 24 year-old from New York City has a record of 5-0 with three knockouts.
The scheduled six-round part will be part of the undercard, which will be streamed live beginning at 6 p.m. eastern time on ESPN+.
Ceballo, who was a five-time New York Golden Gloves champion and took home a staggering 17 National titles, is promoted by 360 Promotions, has been kept very active as this will be his 6th fight in nine fights since turning professional in March.
“It’s great to be fighting at home, and especially being able to fight at Madison Square Garden as a professional boxer,” said Ceballo. “I would like to thank my close team for this opportunity including my coaches Colin Morgan & Khuong Chau, Split-T Management, 360 Promotions, and Top Rank! I look forward to Saturday so that the boxing world can see what Brian Ceballo is really about. Thank you to everyone coming to support.”
“The Garden has always been a special for Brian as he won won several Gew York Golden Gloves championships there,” said David McWater of Split-T Management. “He is going to put on a show for his family and friends, and show the boxing world why he is looked at as one of the top prospects in the world.”
Keith “The Bounty” Hunter (8-0, 6 KOs) Makes Weight for Maryland Showdown
Undefeated super-lightweight prospect, Keith “The Bounty” Hunter (8-0, 6 KOs), who is managed by Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing, made weight for his upcoming fight against Siddharth Ravindra Varma (4-2-1, 1 KO). Hunter weighed in at 140 lbs. while his opponent weighed in at 143 lbs.
“It’s go time now,” said Keith Hunter. “I’ve got some really good sparring for this fight and now all the hard work will be on display tomorrow night. I feel I’m the best fighter in the division and I’m going to prove it one fight at a time.”
“Keith Hunter is a tremendous talent and I feel he’s one of the best super lightweights in the world,” said manager Greg Hannley. “I know with a few more fights he’ll be ready to step up in competition and vie for a regional title.”
This fight is being promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) and will take place at Bowie State University, in Bowie, Maryland tomorrow December 8, 2018.
Eros Correa Makes Weight For Mexico Showdown
Undefeated bantamweight prospect and 2012 U.S. Olympic alternate, Eros Correa (3-0, 3 KO), made weight for his upcoming bout in Tijuana, Mexico, taking place this Saturday, December 8, 2017 at the Municipal Auditorium. Correa weighed in at 120 lbs., while his opponent Luis Marin Lopez weighed in at 119 lbs.
Correa, who is managed by Andrew Bocanegra and Jesse Sanchez of Cali Boxing Management, will look to remain undefeated with a knockout out victory.
“I feel strong after today’s weight in and now I’m ready to do some damage,” said Eros Correa who resides in San Jose, Ca. “This will be another four-round fight, so I know I must start fast. I’m envisioning a devastating knockout. My goal will be to get him out of there early.”