Valenzuela to defend 140 title vs. Russell on Tank-Roach undercard
Another world title fight and interim title bout also added to PPV
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Premier Boxing Champions finalized the Gervonta “Tank” Davis-Lamont Roach Jr. pay-per-view undercard on Tuesday, formally announcing two world title fights and an interim title bout.
In the co-feature of the card on March 1 (Prime Video PPV, PPV.COM, 8 p.m. ET) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, WBA junior welterweight titlist Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela will make his first defense against Gary Antuanne Russell, confirming a late November report from Fight Freaks Unite.
Valenzuela (14-2, 9 KOs), 25, a Mexican southpaw now being trained by Robert Garcia, won the title from Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz via upset split decision on Aug. 3.
“I’m here to show the world what it means to be great,” Valenzuela said. “Bring me your most ferocious, and I will bring back their heads. Don’t miss it, because I’m making sure everyone knows where I stand at 140 pounds.”
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Fellow PBC fighter Russell (17-1, 17 KOs), 28, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, who is trained by older brother and former WBC featherweight titlist Gary Russell Jr., is coming off an upset split decision loss challenging Alberto Puello for the vacant WBC interim belt in June. Now he has a chance to win a full title.
“I can’t wait to get back in the ring and display my skills,” said Russell, who was a 2016 U.S. Olympian. “Not everyone can perform when the heat gets turned up in the kitchen, but like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson said, can you smell what we’re cooking? We’re gonna find out if Valenzuela is ready on March 1.”
Also on the PPV, WBC junior welterweight titlist Puello (23-0, 10 KOs), 30, of the Dominican Republic, will make his delayed mandatory defense against fellow southpaw Sandor Martin (42-3, 15 KOs), 31, of Spain, confirming a December report by FFU.
TGB Promotions and PBC, which work with Puello, and Martin co-promoter Top Rank made a deal for the fight in August hours before a purse bid was set to take place. Initially the fight was going to be Dec. 14, when Davis-Roach was originally being planned.
Puello was stripped of the WBA junior welterweight title after he tested positive for the banned substance clomiphene in a random Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test a month before he was scheduled to make his first defense against Rolando Romero in May 2023.
Puello was also suspended for six months and returned in December 2023 for an eight-round decision over unbeaten Ector Maderna.
Then Puello won the vacant WBC interim title via split decision in the upset of Russell on June 15 on the Davis-Frank Martin undercard and found himself unexpectedly elevated to full titlist when Devin Haney vacated. Puello inherited the mandatory obligation to Martin.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment to defend my title and stamp my place in this sport,” Puello said. “Sandor Martin is a great fighter, but come March 1, I’m going to show the world why I’m the WBC champion. This is my time, my stage and I’m ready to put on a show that fans will never forget.
“When we step into that ring, it’s going to be fireworks. I’m going to bring the best version of myself and do whatever it takes to leave with the victory. I’m doing this for the Dominican Republic. This fight is for them and I’m going to make them proud.”
Martin, a southpaw, who scored a big upset against Mikey Garcia in 2021 and sent him into retirement, has won two in a row since a 10-round split decision loss to Teofimo Lopez in December 2022.
“This world title opportunity is a long time coming,” Martin said. “Puello has some experience, but he won’t be prepared for what I bring to the ring in Brooklyn. That beautiful WBC belt is coming home with me to Spain.”
Make sure to check out the 2024 award stories
In the PPV opener, junior middleweight up-and-comer Yoenis Tellez will face former unified junior middleweight champion Julian Williams for the vacant interim WBA belt. Terence Crawford holds the full title but likely will be moving up to super middleweight to challenge unified champion Canelo Alvarez.
Tellez (9-0, 7 KOs), 24, a Cuba native fighting out of Stafford, Texas, where he is trained by Ronnie Shields, is coming off an impressive seventh-round knockout of Johan Gonzalez in October on Prime Video. Fight Freaks Unite ranked him No. 6 on the top prospect list at the end of 2024.
“I’m beyond excited for this showdown against Julian Williams,” Tellez said. “All the hard work I’ve put in since I first put on a pair of gloves at age eight has led to this point. This is my opportunity to prove that I belong with the elites in the division. With that interim WBA title on the line, I’m stepping into the ring with one mission, to win and show the world that I’m ready for the best. I’m going to give the fans a fight they won’t forget. My goal is to take him out before the final bell rings.”
Philadelphia’s Williams (29-4-1, 17 KOs), 34, scored his biggest win in May 2019 when he went to Jarrett Hurd’s home region in Fairfax, Virginia, and won a unanimous decision to claim the IBF/WBA junior middleweight title.
But Williams is just 2-3 since, including losing the belts to Jeison Rosario in his first defense and getting knocked out by Carlos Adames in a WBC interim middleweight title bout. Williams is coming off a second-round knockout of journeyman Gustavo Vittori last January.
“I’m grateful and excited for this opportunity to showcase my pedigree on a big stage,” Williams said. “Tellez is a really good, hungry fighter, but I’m putting in the work to ensure that I come out on top. I’ve never been in a boring fight. I always bring it and this fight night won’t be any different. With both of our styles I think we have a real chance to steal the show.”
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Rayo vs. Gary Antuanne is the only fight on this card that particularly interests me. Makes me feel like slightly less of a mark for buying this PPV.
Should be a good undercard the main event is not much I will buy it for the undercard