Chaldean Cousins Make Detroit Debuts Saturday, Aug. 29 At Fox Theatre In Detroit Live On Wynn Records Network

DETROIT (Aug. 20, 2026) – Undefeated rising prospects and former amateur standouts JuJu Ballo and Jonny Mansour joined local Michigan fighters for a media workout Thursday at former world champion Tony Harrison’s SuperBad Boxing Gym in preparation for their fights next Saturday, Aug. 29 at Fox Theatre in Detroit. Comerica Bank is the exclusive presenting partner of the Fox Theatre.

Fighting out of San Diego, cousins Ballo and Mansour will celebrate the city’s large Chaldean and Middle Eastern communities in their Detroit debuts as part of a stacked card featuring a heavyweight showdown between world-ranked contender Brandon Moore and former world title challenger Bryant Jennings. 

Rising prospects Sardius Simmons, Husam Al Mashhadi, Jasmine Hampton, Richard Fernandez Jr., Lance Smith and Sai Maldonado all competed in Thursday’s event at SuperBad Boxing Gym and will be featured in competitive undercard matchups on Wynn Records Network live at 7 p.m. REGISTER: https://wynnrecordsnetwork.com/

The event is promoted by Salita Promotions and Ballo and Mansour’s G2G Promotions in association with Wynn Records.  Tickets for Aug. 29 are on sale now at 313Presents.com and Ticketmaster.com. 

Here’s what the participants had to say on Thursday:

Jonny Mansour, (7-0, 2 KOs), Undefeated Lightweight:

“Camp has been great.  It started in San Diego and I’ll finish it right here in Detroit.  All the people supporting us motivate me to push hard, so it feels like I’m right at home.

“I wrote a letter to myself two-and-a-half years ago saying that my goal was to fight in San Diego and then in Detroit, and here we are making it a reality.  Detroit is home to the biggest Iraqi community in the country, and it’s always been my dream to fight here.

“I went to Claressa’s (Shields) fight in February and that really inspired me to fight here.  I see what Salita Promotions is building here in Detroit and I wanted to be part of it.  I’m all about bringing the community together, and that’s what this event will do. 

“I know my opponent will be undefeated for nine more days.  After that he’ll have a loss on his record. 

By the Grace of God, hard work, and all the support, we will be victorious.  I fight for family, faith and purpose to fulfill a promise that I made to someone special, my late mother.”

JuJu Ballo (3-0) – Undefeated Super Featherweight:

“This has been the best camp of my career.  Best camp of my life.  Fighting in Detroit is something my fans have been looking forward to, so I’m looking to put on a show.

“I train like I’m facing my best opponent yet.  I’ll be ready.  I just want to give my fans a good show.

“Shout out to all my Middle Eastern and Arab people.  Aug. 29 is for them.”

Sardius Simmons, (8-0, 4 KOs), Flint, Mich., Heavyweight:

“I’m excited to fight any time, I just love fighting.  I don’t feel any pressure.  I don’t go in the ring cautious.  I always go in prepared.

“If the KO comes, it comes, but I won’t force it.  I hear my opponent can take a punch, but I’m my own test.  My test it to make sure I do everything inside and outside the ring to get the win.”

Lance Smith, (7-0, 5 KOs), Detroit Super Lightweight:

“Camp has been great.  Best camp I’ve ever had.  I’m healthy, stronger and smarter.  I have amazing sparring partners and I’m ready to put on a show. 

“My opponent is a tall southpaw.  He’s game, he has experience.  I respect him, but I have a job to go in there and get the win.

“I’m just grateful my fans get to see me fight.  I can’t wait to put on a show.”

Jasmine Hampton – (2-0, 2 KOs), Ann Arbor Flyweight:

“I watched a few videos of my opponent.  She has a pitbull-style, always coming forward.  I just plan to box her to slow that down a little bit and control the fight. 

“I’m home, I’ve been doing this since I was 7 years old.  I just want to show the world I’m meant to be here.

I’ve been told I’m being fast-tracked since I was young.  A lot of fighters aren’t willing to face me so I need to take whoever I can get.  I’m ready to go.  I don’t care who I fight.  I’m ready to challenge for a world title.”

Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions:

“We’re building something truly special in Detroit to once again make it a true hub for world-class professional boxing. We’ve done more than 40 professional boxing events in Michigan the last 10 years, and this will be our fourth nationally streamed event in the state this year. This card delivers an intriguing mix of world-ranked national contenders and rising prospects fighting alongside top local fighters.  Fans at Fox Theatre and watching on Wynn Records Network are in for an entertaining night of boxing.” 

Amanda Serrano returns to the ring Friday night with world championships around her waist and another piece of boxing history within reach.

The seven-division world champion will defend her WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine featherweight titles against Argentina’s Lucrecia Manzur at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California. The 126-pound championship fight will be contested over 12 two-minute rounds and streamed live on TikTok.

For Serrano, the storyline goes beyond another title defense.

The Puerto Rican star enters with 32 career knockouts, tied with Christy Martin for the most in women’s boxing history. A stoppage Friday would give Serrano the record by herself.

Manzur knows exactly what Serrano is chasing.

At Thursday’s press conference, the challenger acknowledged that Serrano is the favorite but made it clear she has no intention of becoming knockout No. 33. Serrano, meanwhile, said she expects Manzur’s aggressive style to produce an entertaining fight.

That gives Friday’s main event a simple question:

Can Serrano continue adding to one of the best careers in women’s boxing, or can Manzur pull off the biggest victory of her career?

Tale of the Tape

MVP lists Serrano at 5-foot-5 with a 65½-inch reach and Manzur at 5-foot-2. Manzur’s reach is not listed by the promoter.

Why Amanda Serrano Wins

Experience is the obvious starting point.

Serrano has competed at the world championship level across seven weight divisions and has spent years facing elite opposition. Manzur has professional experience, but she has never encountered anything close to the level Serrano brings Friday night.

Serrano also remains one of the better offensive fighters in women’s boxing.

She can pressure opponents without simply rushing forward, work to the body and head, and put combinations together when she gets an opponent against the ropes. Her 32 knockouts are evidence that she carries unusual power for the women’s divisions.

Friday’s format could help her.

The fight will be contested over 12 two-minute rounds, giving Serrano more opportunities to gradually break Manzur down while still allowing her to fight at a high pace within each round. It will be the first unified women’s world championship scheduled under that format.

Serrano also appears to welcome Manzur’s approach. She said Thursday that she likes the challenger’s aggressive style because she does not want to be involved in boring fights.

If Manzur comes forward, Serrano probably will not have to search very hard for opportunities to punch.

Keys to Victory for Serrano

1. Attack the body early

Manzur cannot be allowed to pressure comfortably. Body work could slow the challenger as the rounds add up.

2. Use combinations

Serrano is at her best when she is putting punches together rather than waiting for one big shot.

3. Don’t chase the record

Knockout No. 33 would make history, but Serrano cannot become so focused on the stoppage that she abandons what makes her successful.

Why Lucrecia Manzur Wins

Manzur arrives with far less attention and almost none of the expectations surrounding Serrano.

That can also make her dangerous.

The 27-year-old Argentine has won five consecutive fights since suffering a stoppage loss to Daniela Romina Bermudez in 2023. Two of those five victories came by stoppage. Friday will also mark the first time Manzur has fought professionally outside Argentina.

She has little reason to fight cautiously.

Trying to outbox Serrano from the outside for 12 rounds would be an enormous challenge. Manzur’s better opportunity may be to pressure the champion, make the fight physical and force exchanges.

Being ten years younger could help if Manzur can turn the bout into a high-output fight.

She also enters with seven knockouts in 14 victories, giving her enough power that Serrano cannot simply disregard what is coming back at her.

The challenge will be doing something few fighters have managed: maintaining that pressure without continually walking into Serrano’s combinations.

Keys to Victory for Manzur

1. Start quickly

Manzur cannot spend several rounds simply studying Serrano. She needs to establish that she came to compete.

2. Make Serrano work

Pressure, activity and physical exchanges could test the 37-year-old champion’s pace over 12 rounds.

3. Don’t become predictable

Coming straight forward repeatedly will give Serrano exactly the target she wants. Manzur must change angles and vary her attack.

A Record Is Within Reach

The possibility of knockout No. 33 gives this fight an additional historical element.

Serrano tied the women’s professional boxing record when she stopped Cheyenne Hanson in the second round in May. Now she has an opportunity to stand alone.

It would be another accomplishment in a career already filled with them.

Serrano has won world titles in seven divisions, became Puerto Rico’s first undisputed champion regardless of gender and helped bring women’s boxing to some of the biggest stages in the sport.

Manzur would like nothing more than to make everyone wait for the record.

3 Undercard Fighters to Watch

Jahmal Harvey

Jahmal Harvey is one of the prospects Fight Week readers should keep an eye on.

The 2024 U.S. Olympian enters at 3-0 with two knockouts and faces Hammet Keb in a six-round lightweight fight. Harvey is still early in his professional career, but he is already being positioned as one of MVP’s rising fighters.

This is another chance to see how quickly his amateur pedigree translates to the professional game.

Avious Griffin

If you like punchers, Avious Griffin is worth watching.

Griffin enters his welterweight matchup against Jackson Marinez with a 19-1 record and 18 knockouts — a stoppage rate of nearly 95 percent. Marinez brings considerably more experience at 23-4 with 11 knockouts.

That makes this more than a showcase fight. Griffin gets a veteran opponent who should provide a useful measuring stick for where he stands at 147 pounds.

Nelvie Tiafack

Heavyweight Nelvie Tiafack brings an impressive amateur background to the card.

The Olympic bronze medalist is 4-0 with three knockouts as a professional and meets undefeated Salvador Zavala, who enters at 7-0 with five stoppages.

Two unbeaten heavyweights with knockout power usually deserve attention.

Final Word

Amanda Serrano has reached the point in her career where almost every appearance carries some kind of historical significance.

Friday is no exception.

She can defend her featherweight championships, win professional fight No. 50 and potentially become the outright women’s boxing knockout leader on the same night.

But Lucrecia Manzur did not travel from Argentina to participate in someone else’s celebration.

She is younger, confident and entering on a five-fight winning streak. This is easily the biggest opportunity of her career.

Serrano has the experience, championship résumé and power.

Manzur has the opportunity to shock women’s boxing.

Friday night will determine whether Serrano adds another record to her remarkable career — or whether Manzur writes a very different ending to the story.

Photo credit: WOW Television Enterprises, LLC

“Power Shift” Former allies collide as Coach Campanelli and Kandi Krush face off against their very own former teammate Gloria Glitter and her new friend, Keta Rush! Can Keta Rush trust Glitter? And in a rival-fueled clash of ambition, Miami’s Sweet Heat: Lovely Laurie and Luscious Lindsey Carlson, accompanied by The Fabulous Lana Star take on Animal Instinct: Goldie Collins and Katarina Jinx where both teams are desperate to claw their way back into title contention. And in the Main Event, former WOW World Champion Santana Garrett finally gets the opportunity she’s dreamed of, challenging Champion Penelope Pink, lead by The Fabulous Lana Star, for the greatest prize in all of professional wrestling: The WOW World Championship! Will Santana rise to reclaim her legacy, or will Penelope Pink put her right back in her place and keep the gold shining for The Fab 4? By the end of the night, even the smartest in the room won’t have seen what is coming.

Credit: Most Valuable Promotions

TEMECULA, CALIFORNIA – Today at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) hosted the final press conference ahead of the historic Serrano vs. Manzur event, taking place this Friday, August 21, live globally on TikTok. The event will mark the first-ever championship boxing event streamed live on TikTok as MVP continues to expand the sport to new audiences through its groundbreaking collaboration with TikTok LIVE.

Fighters from across the card gathered to share their final thoughts before fight night, including headliners MVP’s unified WBA, WBO, and Ring Magazine featherweight world champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (49-4-1, 32 KOs) and Argentina’s #2 WBO contender Lucrecia Manzur (14-4, 7 KOs). Serrano will seek to make history by breaking Christy Martin’s all-time women’s boxing knockout record as she defends her unified WBA and WBO featherweight world titles at 126lbs against Manzur in the first-ever unified women’s world championship contested over 12 two-minute rounds.

Also participating in the press conference were MVP’s US Olympian Jahmal Harvey (3-0, 2 KOs) and Mexico’s Hammet Keb (7-2-1, 6 KOs), who will meet in a six-round lightweight bout at 135lbs; MVP’s and Mexico’s former world champion Mayelli Flores (13-2-1, 4 KOs) and Denmark’s undefeated contender Melissa Mortensen (9-0, 5 KOs), who will meet in a 10-round championship bout at 122lbs as Flores looks to reclaim the WBA super bantamweight world title; and MVP’s fast-rising contender with a 94% stoppage rate Avious Griffin (19-1, 18 KOs) and the Dominican Republic’s Jackson Marinez (23-4, 11 KOs), who will face off in a 10-round welterweight bout at 147lbs.

Serrano vs. Manzur Fight Week continues on Thursday, August 20, with the public weigh-in from the Pechanga Resort Casino beginning at 6:00pm PT. The event will feature all fighters and will be free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. The weigh-in will stream live on MVP’s TikTok, Jake Paul’s TikTok, MVP’s YouTube channel, and Jake Paul’s YouTube channel.

On Friday, August 21, Serrano vs. Manzur will stream live globally from Pechanga Resort Casino. The first fight will begin at 6:00pm ET / 3:00pm PT live on TikTok, with the main card beginning at 9:00pm ET / 6:00pm PT live on MVP’s TikTok, Jake Paul’s TikTok, MVP’s YouTube channel, and Jake Paul’s YouTube channel. Final tickets for Serrano vs. Manzur are on sale now at Ticketmaster.

Today’s press conference gave fans and media a final look at a history-making night of championship boxing as Serrano pursues another milestone in her legendary career, while MVP prepares to deliver the first-ever championship boxing event live on TikTok. See quotes below and view the full press conference on MVP’s YouTube channel.

AMANDA SERRANO QUOTES:

On being a part of the historic card, live on TikTok:

We are fighting on TikTok LIVE. The first. MVP is doing big things for the sport of women’s boxing, and for women in general. I am so excited to be a part of this. 

On facing Manzur:

She’s going to come to fight. She’s going to come non-stop, throwing punches. And I invite that. I love that.

On Mazur saying Serrano will not knock her out:

I understand that. I mean, no one knows; no one’s going to say, “Oh, yes, I’m gonna be her 33rd victim.” I know she came to fight, so that’s even a better and a sweeter victory when I do get it.

On what viewers should expect during her bout vs. Manzur:

I love to fight. You guys are in for a treat. You guys are in for a war. You know, every time Amanda “The Real Deal” steps into the ring, I fight for you guys, and I give it all I got.

On the card being a career highlight:

This is truly one of the highest moments in my life and my career. 

On working with MVP:

The last five years that I joined with MVP have been truly the best moments in my career and the most fun. Meeting so many great people and introducing these amazing fans to women’s boxing has been the best feeling, and I’m truly honored. 

On being one of the most accomplished female boxers of all time:

We all bring something different to the table. This is women’s boxing. We all need each other for this to make this sport amazing. I believe I’m one of the most accomplished women. Listen, these belts, all the belts, all my accomplishments in me, I sleep good at night. 

On starting TikTok six months ago:

I just started TikTok six months ago, and every day I go on live, and I tell my friends how I really do appreciate them. Because of them, I get up in the morning, and I train as hard as I do. I fight as hard as I do because I want to give them a great performance. I want to give them my all.

On refusing to do boring fights:

I hate boring fights. I hate watching boring fights. So, I would never be in a boring fight.

LUCRECIA MANZUR QUOTES:

**ALL QUOTES HAVE BEEN TRANSLATED FROM SPANISH TO ENGLISH.

On her plan for Friday night’s bout vs. Serrano:

I know what kind of fighter she is, but I’m coming here to fight, and I’m coming here to make my dream come true of becoming a world champion. 

On her preparation to face Serrano:

I know it’s going to be a great fight. I prepared myself very well for this fight, and I’m going to give everything inside the ring.

On Serrano’s goal of breaking Christy Martin’s all-time women’s boxing knockout record and if she’ll be knocked out: 

I’m aware that it’s all about Amanda Serrano. It’s her show, but I’ve trained very hard for this fight. I know she’s looking for that knockout, but she’s going to have to find someone else to knock out because it’s not going to be me.

JAHMAL HARVEY QUOTES:

On being a part of the co-main event:

I get the co-main for one of the greatest, if not the greatest, women fighters that this sport has ever seen with Amanda Serrano. 

On fighting on TikTok LIVE:

It means a lot to pioneer one of the first fights on TikTok. I’m going to make it a great performance.

On what viewers should expect from him:

I’m never going to have a boring fight. I do it all in the ring. I box. I bang. I’m in there to hurt people. The people want to see that.

On what he expects from his opponent during their bout:

I’m expecting him to bring his A game. I really don’t think anybody can really go talent for talent and stick with me. I just look for somebody to bring out the best so I could pull out all my skills so everybody can see everything. 

HAMMET KEB QUOTES:

**ALL QUOTES HAVE BEEN TRANSLATED FROM SPANISH TO ENGLISH.

On how he feels going into his bout vs. Harvey:

I’m a Mexican to my blood. I’m not scared of anything. 

On being a part of the card:

I want to thank MVP for giving me the opportunity. I also want to thank Jahmal Harvey for giving me the opportunity to fight him.

On what he plans to deliver on Friday night:

He has the experience of an Olympic fighter, of an amateur fighter, but he hasn’t lived what I lived. On Friday night, he’s going to live it.

On fighting to a global audience on TikTok LIVE:

All the audience on TikTok and all over Veracruz where I’m from are going to be able to witness this fight, and they’re going to see Friday night who’s the better man.

MAYELLI FLORES QUOTES:

**ALL QUOTES HAVE BEEN TRANSLATED FROM SPANISH TO ENGLISH.

On fighting to reclaim the WBA super bantamweight world title:

The belt is coming back home. I didn’t lose it. I just let them borrow it.

On working with MVP:

The second time on MVP and now next to Amanda Serrano…I’m going to give everything when I get in the ring. I’m coming here to win.

On her opponent Mortensen:

She’s young. She’s got a good record, but she doesn’t have the experience that I have.

MELISSA MORTENSEN QUOTES:

On being on the card:

This is a big honor for me to be here, and I’m really looking forward to fighting with MVP on Friday night.

On preparing to face Flores:

I prepared really well for this fight. I know I’m not so high profile yet, but I have 115 amateur fights. I have traveled around the world. This is not new for me to box on a new stage.

On sparring Dina Thorslund:

Dina is strong, and I know Mayelli [Flores] is also. I got good sparring with Dina. 

AVIOUS GRIFFIN QUOTES:

On facing Marinez:

He’s got experience a little bit, but experience doesn’t make you unbeatable.

On his plan for Friday night:

I’m ready to do whatever he wants to do.

On his upcoming performance:

Every time I step on stage, I’m trying to put on the most dominant performance, the most dominant knockout. You know, that’s what we’re here to do.

On his KO ratio:

You know, I always put on exciting fights, and you can’t blink. You know, at any moment I can put anybody out, as my KO ratio says.

JACKSON MARINEZ QUOTES:

**ALL QUOTES HAVE BEEN TRANSLATED FROM SPANISH TO ENGLISH.

On facing Griffin:

I know he’s got a great plan, but I got an even greater plan.

On his plans for Friday night:

I’ve had the experience, and I’ve been in this position many times. You know, B-side, and this is nothing to me. He’s going to find out.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions, on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions.

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) is a global combat sports and entertainment company built for the next generation of athletes and fans. The company operates across boxing, mixed martial arts, live events, media, content, athlete development, and global distribution, with a fighter-first philosophy centered on equitable compensation, maximum visibility, and long-term brand building.

Led by co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian and Chief Executive Officer John Martin and backed by founding investors 885 Capital & Knighthead, MVP promotes some of the world’s biggest combat sports events and represents a roster of nearly 400 elite athletes, including world champions, titleholders, contenders, and emerging stars. MVP’s portfolio includes MVP, MVPW, and MVP MMA, bringing together premier boxing and mixed martial arts properties under one global brand.

Through partnerships with leading media and distribution platforms including Netflix, ESPN, Sky Sports, and an extensive international network reaching fans across more than 170 countries, MVP delivers world-class competition and entertainment to audiences worldwide. By combining elite athletes, premium live events, compelling storytelling, and global media reach, MVP is building the future of combat sports.

Miami, FL – August 20,2026 – More than three decades after its release on their breakthrough 1992 album ¿Dónde Jugarán los Niños?, Maná becomes the first Latin artist to perform for Apple Music’s Rediscovered series, bringing new life to “Oye Mi Amor” live from Apple Music Studios in Los Angeles. Fronted by Fher Olvera’s unmistakable vocals, the band including drummer Alex Gonzalez, guitarist Sergio Vallín and bassist Juan Calleros, deliver the warm, melodic groove that helped shape the song into a defining anthem of Latin rock. The performance honors one of the genre’s most beloved love songs while marking a historic moment for the series. The session arrives as Maná continues to cement their legacy as one of the most iconic and influential Latin rock bands of all time, with over 50 million albums sold worldwide. They have conquered stages in more than 30 countries, delivering record-breaking performances, including the most arena shows in Los Angeles history. Currently, the band is taking their celebrated Vivir Sin Aire Tour across the U.S. and Latin America, bringing their music to audiences across both regions. With 4 Grammy Awards, 9 Latin Grammy Awards, a historic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, their legacy is unmatched. Beyond music, they are passionate advocates for environmental, social, and human rights causes.

In Apple Music’s Rediscovered series, artists perform new renditions of their most beloved and enduring songs in their catalog. Each session is filmed and recorded in Spatial Audio and released exclusively on Apple Music. Maná’s performance joins recent Rediscovered renditions from the Goo Goo Dolls, Norah Jones, Estelle, Ne-Yo, Billy Idol and Third Eye Blind.

Listen to Maná’s reimagined performance of “Oye Mi Amor” exclusively in Spatial Audio on Apple Music at apple.co/OMA, or watch their performance here.

Miami, FL – Agosto 20, 2026 – Más de tres décadas después de su lanzamiento en su exitoso álbum de 1992 ¿Dónde Jugarán los Niños?, Maná se convierte en el primer artista latino en presentarse para la serie Rediscovered de Apple Music, dando nueva vida a “Oye Mi Amor” en vivo desde Apple Music Studios en Los Ángeles. Liderada por la inconfundible voz de Fher Olvera, la banda, integrada también por el baterista Alex González, el guitarrista Sergio Vallín y el bajista Juan Calleros, ofrece el cálido y melódico groove que ayudó a convertir la canción en un himno emblemático del rock latino.

La presentación rinde homenaje a una de las canciones de amor más queridas del género, al tiempo que marca un momento histórico para la serie. La sesión llega mientras Maná continúa consolidando su legado como una de las bandas de rock latino más icónicas e influyentes de todos los tiempos, con más de 50 millones de álbumes vendidos en todo el mundo. Han conquistado escenarios en más de 30 países, ofreciendo presentaciones que han batido récords, incluyendo la mayor cantidad de conciertos en arenas en la historia de Los Ángeles.

Actualmente, la banda lleva su celebrada gira Vivir Sin Aire Tour por Estados Unidos y Latinoamérica, llevando su música a audiencias de ambas regiones. Con 4 premios Grammy, 9 premios Latin Grammy, una histórica nominación al Rock & Roll Hall of Fame y una estrella en el Hollywood Walk of Fame, su legado es incomparable. Más allá de la música, son apasionados defensores de causas ambientales, sociales y de derechos humanos.

En la serie Rediscovered de Apple Music, los artistas interpretan nuevas versiones de las canciones más queridas y perdurables de su catálogo. Cada sesión es filmada y grabada en Audio Espacial y lanzada exclusivamente en Apple Music. La presentación de Maná se suma a recientes interpretaciones de Rediscovered de Goo Goo Dolls, Norah Jones, Estelle, Ne-Yo, Billy Idol y Third Eye Blind.

Escucha la presentación reimaginada de Maná de “Oye Mi Amor” exclusivamente en Audio Espacial en Apple Music en apple.co/OMA, o mira su presentación aquí.