Bam’ aims to become three-weight World ruler as Vargas defends 118lb full green and gold strap

LAS VEGAS, NV  – Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez will challenge Antonio Vargas for the WBC World Bantamweight title at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday June 13, exclusively live worldwide on DAZN.

Rodriguez (23-0 16 KOs) is gunning to become a three-weight World champion in

Arizona and does so in a venue that holds happy memories for the Texas star, with Bam unifying the Flyweight division with a stunning stoppage win over Sunny Edwards in December 2023. The 26 year old had already enjoyed huge success in the state, with his first World title win coming at the Footprint Center in Phoenix in February 2022 when he defeated Carlos Cuadras to become Super-Flyweight king and returned to the same venue in June 2024 to stop Juan Francisco Estrada to become the WBC and The Ring champion at Super-Flyweight.

That win over Estrada was the first of a run of four big wins inside the distance for Bam, destroying Pedro Guevara in Philadelphia to retain the WBC and The Ring titles in November 2024, then stopping Phumelele Cafu in Frisco, Texas in July to add the South African’s WBO title to his collection, before claiming another strap at 115lbs in Saudi Arabia in November with another spectacular win over WBA champion Fernando Martinez.

Vargas (19-1-1 11 KOs) is the man standing in the way of Bam’s quest for more history in the desert, and the 29 year old can catapult himself into the elite if he can become the first man to beat Bam.

The Florida-based Texan has been elevated to full WBA champion for the second time, having previously landed the interim title in December 2024 against Winston Guererra in Florida and being elevated before defending the strap in Japan against Daigo Higa in July, with their back-and-forth humdinger ending in a draw. Vargas became champion in recess after a fight with former champion Seiya Tsutsumi was postponed for a third time, but the Japanese has now been placed into the same position after being unable to face Vargas at the fourth attempt, and Vargas now elevated once again.

“New weight class, same goals – dominate and pick up all the belts,” said Rodriguez. “On June 13, I look forward to becoming a three-division World Champion.”

“Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, and

that’s exactly why I took this fight,” said Vargas. “These are the moments champions live for. I respect his skill, his IQ, everything he brings to the ring. I look forward to defending my WBA World title and I’m ready to prove that I’m one of the best fighters in my weight class.

“I’ve worked my entire life to become a World champion, and I’m going to defend it with everything I have. I’m focused, I’m prepared, and everyone is going to see the best version of myself. But most of all I fight to glorify Jesus Christ”

“This is another fantastic fight for the best schedule in the sport,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “We were delighted to announce earlier the extension to our long-term deal with Jesse, and yet again, he has chosen to reach out for greatness and become a three-weight World champion, which would be an incredible achievement at just 26 years of age.

“Antonio is a very talented fighter and has been waiting for a big fight to prove it – and there are few bigger challenges in the sport than taking on Bam. Every time we do a show in and around Phoenix there’s always fireworks, and fans can expect nothing less on June 13.”

Announcements on the undercard and ticket on sale dates will be made in due course.

OCEANSIDE, CALIF.  – SD Fight Night: Family Business, presented by G2G Promotions and Frontwave Arena, delivered a highly successful debut, setting the tone for a new era of boxing in San Diego. Broadcast live across North America by Integrated Sports Media on major cable providers, DISH, and digital platforms including Bash.tv, PPV.com, TrillerTV, and Fubo, the event marked a historic milestone—drawing the largest attendance for a boxing event in Frontwave Arena history at 5,000 tickets sold.

In the double main event and final fight of the evening, San Diego’s Julius “JuJu” Ballo (3-0) rose to the occasion in the toughest test of his young career, earning a unanimous decision victory over heavy-handed Roman Reyes (6-2, 5 KOs) of Santa Ana, Calif. Drawing from an uber-successful amateur career that included more than 60 bouts, the 2024 Golden Gloves champion showcased his speed, composure, and ring IQ, consistently picking his shots while neutralizing Reyes’ power. Despite Reyes entering the bout with five knockout wins and a reputation as a dangerous finisher, Ballo controlled the tempo throughout, using sharp combinations and disciplined movement to keep his opponent at bay.

Building on back-to-back statement wins to begin his professional career, Ballo once again displayed the maturity of a seasoned fighter, further solidifying his status as one of San Diego’s brightest young prospects. With another dominant performance in front of his hometown crowd, Ballo continued to deliver on the promise that has followed him since his standout amateur days.

“I took this fight minute by minute, punch by punch,” said Ballo. “This is only my third professional fight, but as the fight went on, I felt more and more comfortable. I thank my coaches for the brilliant gameplan. Reyes had a lot of experience, but I studied so hard for this fight. Everything in the ring comes naturally to me. I was born for this; I know boxing is my purpose. It was a great feeling to see 5,000 fans in attendance. I want all the smoke. I’ll fight whoever. I have a big fight coming up pretty soon.” 

In the evening’s first half of the double main event,Ballo’s cousin Jonny Mansour (7-0, 2 KOs) remained unbeaten with a dominant performance over the dangerous William King (6-4-2, 3 KOs). Mansour controlled the fight from start to finish, badly hurting the Perris, Calif., resident  in both the opening and final rounds. Displaying sharp footwork, speed, and composed aggression, Mansour dictated the pace throughout, leaving King unable to mount a consistent response. Attention turned to the judges following the action-packed eight round fight with Mansour registering a landslide decision victory. In an emotional moment before his walkout alongside the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard, Mansour also shared a heartfelt tribute honoring his late mother, who passed away last year.

“It’s a blessing to share the card with my cousin JuJu,” said Mansour. “San Diego doesn’t have a world champion. Imagine if JuJu and I became world champions on the same night. This event marked a huge milestone for us. I asked everyone to put on a fight in San Diego, and no one wanted to do it. I bet on myself and chose to put my promoter hat on. SD Fight Night: Family Business was a major investment, and it paid off. King was an extremely tough opponent, and I was trying to get him out of there. I couldn’t have done this without God, my family, and my fans.”

In a clash between two highly touted undefeated welterweights, Daniel Morales (9-0, 5 KOs) protected his perfect professional record against Alejandro Quintana (7-1-1, 5 KOs). Morales became the aggressor early in round one and forced Tijuana, Mexico’s Quintana onto his back foot throughout the six round battle. Nearly ending the contest in the final minute of the last round, Morales preserved his undefeated record.

Fighting out of Oceanside, Calif., Angel Munoz (9-2, 5 KOs) delivered a near-perfect performance against Cruz Becerra (3-2, 1 KO) in a six round super welterweight bout. Successfully out-striking the Mexico native, Munoz scored a second-round knockdown and pushed the pace in the sixth round en route to a unanimous decision victory.

Pedro Angel Cruz (6-6, 4 KOs) from San Jose, Calif., stormed into hostile territory and wasted no time against San Diego veteran Angel Estrada (12-2-1, 9 KOs). Cruz took control immediately, cutting off the ring and pressuring from the opening bell before unloading a sharp three-punch left-hand combination from his southpaw stance that resulted in a devastating first round knockout, handing Estrada his first defeat since 2011.

Undefeated San Diego prospect Richard Fernandez Jr. (5-0, 3 KOs) displayed incredible durability and grit in his super bantamweight outing against Wild Card Boxing Gym’s Sugary Montales (6-3, 4 KOs). With both pugilists pushed to their limits and each scoring a knockdown in round two, Fernandez Jr. bullishly claimed a unanimous decision victory after six rounds.

Competing for the first time in his hometown of Oceanside, Calif., Kyle Erwin (11-3, 5 KOs) saw his hand raised following a back-and-forth brawl against Phoenix’s Jose Marruffo (15-20-2, 2 KOs). With the raucous Frontwave Arena crowd backing him, Erwin strategically countered the aggressive Marruffo before ultimately scoring a fifth-round knockout.

In a bantamweight tilt, Pomona, Calif.’s Isaac Anguiano (11-1-1, 5 KOs) quickly found his rhythm, pitching a shutout against Jose Negrete (4-3, 4 KOs). Chula Vista, Calif.’s John Ornelas (6-2-1, 3 KOs) dominantly inserted himself back in the win column following an overwhelming first round TKO victory over Brandon Mendoza (6-12, 6 KOs). Making a statement in his professional debut in front of his hometown crowd, San Diego’s Angel de la Cruz Ramirez (1-0, 1 KO) made quick work of Mexico City native Antonio Sosa (1-1, 1 KO), earning a first round knockout win. Franklin Garcia (2-0, 2 KOs) of Vista, Calif. kicked off the night of action in spectacular fashion, swarming North Carolina’s Rahmel McKinley (1-3) to secure a first round knockout victory.

See below for the official results and scores:

SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT DOUBLE-MAIN EVENT – 6 ROUNDS

Julius Ballo (3-0) defeated Roman Reyes (6-2, 5 KOs) via unanimous decision

Scorecards: 60-54, 60-54, 60-54

LIGHTWEIGHT DOUBLE-MAIN EVENT – 8 ROUNDS

Jonny Mansour (7-0, 2 KOs) defeated William King (6-4-2, 3 KOs) via unanimous decision

Scorecards: 80-72, 80-72, 80-72

WELTERWEIGHT BOUT – 6 ROUNDS

Daniel Morales (9-0, 5 KOs) defeated Alejandro Quintana (7-1-1, 5 KOs) via unanimous decision victory

Scorecards: 60-54, 60-54, 60-54

SUPER WELTERWEIGHT BOUT – 6 ROUNDS

Angel Munoz (9-2, 5 KOs) defeated Cruz Becerra (3-2, 1 KO) via unanimous decision

Scorecards: 57-56, 57-56, 58-55

SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT- 6 ROUNDS

Pedro Angel Cruz (6-6, 4 KOs) defeated Angel Estrada (12-2-1, 9 KOs) via first round knockout (2:01)

SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT BOUT – 6 ROUNDS

Richard Fernandez Jr. (5-0, 3 KOs) defeated Sugary Montales (6-3, 4 KOs) via unanimous decision

Scorecards: 59-55, 59-55, 59-55

WELTERWEIGHT BOUT – 6 ROUNDS

Kyle Erwin (11-3, 5 KOs) defeated Jose Marruffo (15-20-2, 2 KOs) via fifth round knockout (2:08)

BANTAMWEIGHT BOUT – 6 ROUNDS

Isaac Anguiano (11-1-1, 5 KOs) defeated Jose Negrete (4-3, 4 KOs) via unanimous decision

Scorecards: 60-54, 60-54, 60-54

WELTERWEIGHT BOUT – 4 ROUNDS

John Ornelas (6-2-1, 3 KOs) defeated Brandon Mendoza (6-12, 6 KOs) via first round knockout (2:58)

LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT – 4 ROUNDS

Angel de la Cruz Ramirez (1-0, 1 KO) defeated Antonio Sosa (1-1, 1 KO) via first round knockout (2:30)

WELTERWEIGHT BOUT – 4 ROUNDS

Franklin Garcia (2-0, 2 KOs) defeated Rahmel McKinley (1-3) via first round knockout (2:19)

NEW YORK CITY – Heavy-handed Kristian “KP” Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs) is on a mission to be crowned the greatest Albanian heavyweight professional boxer of all-time. The 34-year-old Prenga’s ultimate goal, however, is to become world champion of boxing’s most celebrated weight class.  

“I don’t only want to be the greatest heavyweight from Albania,” the humble Prenga explained. “What I really want is to be the heavyweight champion of the world. That’s what I’m working on, but it’s not what I talk about as that is not my style. I just work hard in the gym and how I live outside the gym to achieve this goal.”

Prenga, a two-time European kickboxing champion with no amateur boxing background, has clearly transitioned successfully to pro boxing.

“As his manager,” NYC lawyer Keith Sullivan stated, “I can tell you Kristian Prenga isn’t just chasing wins, he is on a mission to become Albania’s top heavyweight and a real force on the world heavyweight stage. We’re building Kristian the right way and make no mistake, the goal is for him to be recognized as Albania’s number one heavyweight while competing with the best globally.”

Now fighting out of Edgewater, New Jersey, Prenga stands 6’ 5”, weighs 260 pounds, and packs lethal punches. “KP” sports a maximum knockout percentage of 100%, 20-for-20. He is riding a 16-fight win streak and is scheduled to fight again in June.

His lone loss was in his fifth pro fight, 9 years ago to Govanni Auriemma, by way of points (77-74) in their 8-round bout in Albania. 

There has never been an Albanian world heavyweight champion of a major sanctioning body in pro boxing. In fact, no Albanian pro boxer has ever won a major world title (WBA, WBO, WBC, IBF). Jurgen Uldedaj did capture the IBO cruiserweight world title last year.

Other leading Albania-born pro boxers include welterweight (and former kickboxer) Florian “The Albanian King” Marku (13-1-1, 8 KOs, 2018-2024), super welterweight Ermal “The Albanian Sniper” Hadribeaj (22-0-1, 8 KOs, 2019-present), middleweight Kreshnik “The Eagle” Qato (30-9, 5 KOs, 2001-2014), and light heavyweight Amarildo Bakaj (14-0, 14 KOs, 2019-present).  

Prenga has rapidly built a dedicated following, particularly among Albanians in New York/New Jersey, in addition to back home in Albania.

Sullivan, a former New York State Athletic Commission Deputy Commissioner, also manages 3-time, 2-division World Champion Miyo Yoshida (18-5), Bronx NYPD officer Nisa Rodriguez (4-1, 2 KOs), and featherweight prospect Brooklyn Barwick (4-1, 4 KOs). Sullivan co-manages IBF Welterweight World title challenger Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-2, 11 KOs) and his cousin, middleweight Jim Donovan (2-0, 1 KO), alongside coach and ex-world champion Andy Lee.

INFORMATION

Facebook: #sullivangalleshaw #KristianPrenga

Instagram: @sullivan_galleshaw @Kristprenga @stronger_sammy

CORK, Ireland – Fighting at home for only the fourth time during his pro career, Irish super middleweight prospect Tommy “The Governor” Hyde (15-0, 10 KOs) kept his undefeated with a third-round knockout last night (Sat.) in the “Revolution” main event. 

“Revolution,” presented by NoWhere2Hyde Promotions,, was streamed live globally via www.trillertv.com from Parochial Hall in Gurranabraher, Cork, Ireland.

The 6’ 4”, 26-year-old Hyde dominated his British challenger Mick “The Hammer” Hall (15-4, 2 KOs), hurting him early and often until the end mercifully came late in round three.

“I’m delighted to get another good win at home in front of a loud Irish crowd,” Hyde said after his fight. “I was happy with my performance and felt like I brought some of the things we have been working on in the gym into the ring on fight night. I have been working hard with my coach, Lee Beard, in Manchester, and feel like I’m improving and showing it in every fight. I’m already looking forward to the next one and I’m excited to see what the next opportunity is.”

“It’s great filling these small halls and at the same building,” commented event promoter and Tommy’s father, Gary Hyde. “Tommy was in with an experienced fighter. Tommy took full control of the right in round 1. He kept Hall on his back foot and as soon as he felt Tommy’s power, he was just trying to survive. Tommy landed a jab to the body, double jab to the head, and followed up with a vicious right uppercut that broke Hall’s nose. He lost any of his earlier ambitions and was counted out.”

Two other decorated Irish amateur boxers from Cork, pro-debuting welterweight Ryan McCarthy (1-0, 0 KOs) and light heavyweight Brian “Bone Breaker” Long (4-0, 2 KOs), also turned in impressive, winning performances on points in front of their joyous hometown fans.

McCarthy, a 2024 Irish Elite Champion, defeated his Brazilian foe Wendall “Para” Da Costa Santos (3-8-4, 0 KOs), 40-35, while Long, a 2024 Irish National Immediate Champion, shutout Londoner Ife Jarrett (0-13-1), 40-36.

Official results below:

MAIN EVENT – SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Tommy Hyde (15-0, 10 KOs), Cork, Ireland

WKO3 (2:54)

Mick Hall (15-4, 2 KOs), Preston, Lancashire, UK

WELTERWEIGHTS

Ryan McCarthy (1-0, 0 KOs), Cork, Ireland

WDEC4 (40-35)

Wendall Da Costa Santos (1-8, 1 KO), Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Brian Long (4-0, 2 KOs), Cork, Ireland

WDEC4 (40-36)

Ife Jarrett (0-13-1, 0 KOs), London, United Kingdom

NORFOLK, Va. (April 21, 2026) — Nearly one year after the lone defeat of his pro career, Kelvin Davis returns home to reassert himself against veteran Peter Dobson in a 10-round welterweight showdown on Saturday, May 16, at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.

Additionally, iron-fisted Dominican contender Yan Santana looks to inch closer to a world title opportunity in a 10-round featherweight battle against Cristian Cruz Chacon.

Davis-Dobson and Santana-Cruz join a card headlined by the Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright 12-round super lightweight rematch.

In the 10-round welterweight co-feature, former world champion Brian Norman Jr. returns against Canada’s Josh Wagner.

Keyshawn-Albright II, Norman-Wagner, Davis-Dobson and Santana-Cruz will be streamed LIVE on DAZN beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with RDR Promotions, tickets are on sale at the Scope Arena box office and via Ticketmaster.com.

Davis (15-1, 8 KOs), the 29-year-old brother of Keyshawn, looks to bounce back after last June’s majority decision loss to Albright. Davis rallied late in a back-and-forth tussle that left one scorecard even. He now moves up to welterweight to take on Dobson (17-3, 10 KOs), a 35-year-old native of the Bronx who has faced the likes of Conor Benn in February 2024 and then-unbeaten Jakil Hacket in July of that year.

Santana (16-0, 13 KOs) looks to become the first man to stop Cruz as he climbs the rankings in a division ruled by proven champions. Santana went 3-0 with one knockout in 2025, including a fifth-round stoppage of Alexis Eduardo Molina in November. Cruz (24-7-2, 12 KOs) is 2-0-1 since his April 2024 decision loss to Ruben Villa, including a points win over Jeremy Hill last September before a split draw against once-beaten Muhammad Yaquobov in November.