World Fighting Championships presents a trio of top boxing talent this Saturday at the Belle of Baton Rouge, topping a six fight, expected sell-out card. Boxing fans in the capital city will be treated to a stellar main event, featuring local fan favorite Justin Thomas (16-1, 6KO) in an eight-round bout at super middleweight against experienced David Thomas (10-5-2, 8KO) of Indiana, who has a habit of winning bouts on the road, and upsetting hometown fighters. Justin Thomas, who credits a 2008 encounter with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. as a turning point in his boxing career, will be reunited with his former coach, Floyd Mayweather Sr. trainer of blue chip prospect Devin Haney, who will make his first appearance on a WFC card. After beginning his boxing career in Las Vegas, and then Houston, Justin Thomas returned home to take care of his mother after an accident. WFC 54 marks his 15th appearance at the Belle of Baton Rouge.
In the co-main event, Eric Walker (12-0, 6KO) makes his triumphant return to his hometown after an upset decision over formerly undefeated banger Chris Pearson in Las Vegas late last year. He will face Josue Ovando (14-9-1, 11KO) for the WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight Championship. Ovando, who went the distance with Matt Korobov in his last bout, is a tough foe for Walker, having knocked out Ronald Hearns in a bout two weight classes above his normal fighting weight before facing Korobov and Hugo Centeno. While many fighters began their careers in structured amateur programs, Walker, dubbed the “Babyface Assassin,” took a tougher road to the ring, joining the prison boxing team while incarcerated at Dixon Correctional Institute. Over an eleven year period, Walker amassed a 61-1 record, and became the captain of the prison boxing team. Now a father and role model to youth in his community, Walker’s arrival on the radar of boxing scribes and fans came with a hard-fought, eight round unanimous decision win over the southpaw in what many felt was the PBC fight of the year.
Devin “The Dream” Haney (6-0, 4KO), one of only a handful of fighters under the age of 18 to be granted a boxing license in Nevada, will face Clay Burns (4-1-2, 4KO) in a special feature bout. Haney isn’t matched easy in the bout against Burns, who is coming off a second round knockout win in May. A highly-touted prospect, Haney was a 7-time National Champion as an amateur. The prospect made his pro debut just after his 17th birthday, securing a first round TKO victory over Gonzalo Lopez in Mexico in December.
“This is one of the most exciting cards we’ve put on at the Belle,” said Matt McGovern, World Fighting Championships Founder and Promoter. “The WFC brand is becoming synonymous with high-quality, high-energy shows. To have Thomas, Walker and Haney all on one card is going to make for an explosive night.”
The up-and-coming promotional company, which promotes both boxing and MMA events, is coming off a sell-out event last weekend at The Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Pittsburgh. “We do these events with a small, dedicated staff. We have loyal and gracious casino clients, and the Belle has been a very strong partner over the years.”
Tickets are priced at $100, $50, and $25, and are available along with VIP tables via the WFC website at www.worldfightingchampionships.com.
