THREE TITLE SHOWDOWNS ADDED TO LOADED GERVONTA DAVIS VS. LAMONT ROACH PBC PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT ON PRIME VIDEO SATURDAY, MARCH 1
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 22 Jan 2025
WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela Battles Hard-Hitting Top Contender Gary Antuanne Russell in Co-Main Event from Barclays Center in Brooklyn
WBC Super Lightweight World Champion Alberto Puello Duels Top-Rated Mandatory Challenger Sandor Martin
&
Rising Star Yoenis Tellez Duels Former Unified Champion Julian Williams for Interim WBA Super Welterweight Title in Pay-Per-View Opener at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT
BROOKLYN – January 21, 2025 – Three title bouts, including two explosive 140-pound world championship showdowns and a 154-pound crossroads matchup between a rising star and former unified champion, will round out a loaded PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video taking place Saturday, March 1 headlined by a lightweight title showdown between boxing superstar and reigning WBA Lightweight World Champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis and WBA Super Featherweight World Champion Lamont Roach from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela will take on hard-hitting top contender Gary Antuanne Russell in the co-main event, plus WBC Super Lightweight World Champion Alberto Puello defends his title against top-rated mandatory challenger Sandor Martin in a pay-per-view attraction. Kicking off the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, rising star Yoenis Tellez will take on former unified world champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams for the Interim WBA Super Welterweight Title.
In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now and through ticketmaster.com. The event is promoted by GTD Promotions and TGB Promotions.
“Saturday, March 1 will feature four title fights on a stacked PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video with rising stars, knockout artists and established champions and contenders all looking to steal the show,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “In addition to the ‘Tank’ Davis vs. Lamont Roach main event, two 140-pound world titles will be on the line as ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela defends his belt against the always dangerous Gary Antuanne Russell, plus Alberto Puello begins his second reign as a super lightweight world champion against the top-rated mandatory challenger Sandor Martin. With fast-ascending contender Yoenis Tellez battling the established former champion Julian Williams to open the action, this card is teed up to deliver nonstop drama once again at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.”
**JOSE VALENZUELA VS. GARY ANTUANNE RUSSELL**
The co-main event will pit two of the brightest young stars in the 140-pound division against each other as WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela makes the first defense of his world title against the hard-hitting U.S. Olympian Gary Antuanne Russell in a fight scheduled for 12 rounds.
The 25-year-old Valenzuela (14-2, 9 KOs) became a world champion in his last outing, upsetting Mexican star Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz by decision in August of last year by showing off the tremendous boxing acumen he’s honed with his famed trainer Robert Garcia. Originally from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, Valenzuela had earned the world title fight following a pair of exciting contests against top contender Chris Colbert. After losing a debated decision to Colbert in March 2023, Valenzuela bounced back to blast out Colbert in round six of their December 2023 rematch, delivering one of the year’s top knockouts. Valenzuela burst onto the scene in 2018, quickly racking up 12 wins and a first round knockout of former world champion Francisco Vargas, before dropping a 2022 bout against top contender Edwin De Los Santos.
“I’m here to show the world what it means to be great,” said Valenzuela. “Bring me your most ferocious, and I will bring back their heads. On March 1 I will achieve victory against Gary Antuanne Russell and cement my legacy in the super lightweight division. Don’t miss it, because I’m making sure everyone knows where I stand at 140 pounds.”
Fighting out of his native Capitol Heights, Md., Russell (17-1, 17 KOs) has carried on the legacy left by his late father Gary Sr. A member of one of the sport’s preeminent fighting families, Russell trains alongside his older brothers, former WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Jr. and bantamweight contender Gary Antonio. The 28-year-old will look to capture a world title in his second attempt, after dropping a competitive decision to Alberto Puello in their June 2024 clash for the WBC 140-pound title. Going into that fight, Russell had not allowed an opponent to make it to the final bell since turning pro in 2017 following his run representing the U.S. at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. On his way to title contention Russell became the first fighter to knock out former world champion Viktor Postol and two-division champion Rances Barthelemy.
“I can’t wait to get back in the ring and display my skills,” said Russell. “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.”
**ALBERTO PUELLO VS. SANDOR MARTIN**
The pay-per-view action will also feature a second 140-pound world title attraction, as WBC Super Lightweight World Champion Alberto Puello puts his belt on the line against the WBC’s top-rated mandatory challenger Sandor Martin in another 12-round showdown. Puello vs. Martin is promoted in association with Top Rank and OPI Since 82.
Now a two-time world champion, Puello (22-0, 10 KOs) returned to titleholder status last June as he bested Gary Antuanne Russell by decision for what was then the WBC’s interim title, before being elevated shortly after fight night. Originally from San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic, Puello now fights out of Las Vegas, where he’s trained by top trainer Ismael Salas. The 30-year-old first became a world champion in August 2022, as he captured the WBA Super Lightweight World Championship with a decision victory over Batyr Akhmedov. Puello first shot up the rankings in July 2019, when he bested the previously unbeaten Jonathan Alonso via unanimous decision to capture an interim title.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment to defend my title and stamp my place in this sport,” said Puello. “Sandor Martin is a great fighter, but come March 1, I’m going to show the world why I’m the WBC Super Lightweight World 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.”
A native of Barcelona, Spain, Martin (42-3, 15 KOs) was long established as one of the best current fighters from Spain before making his U.S. debut in 2021, when he sprung the 2021 Upset of the Year on four-division world champion Mikey Garcia. The 31-year-old has never been stopped in his career, and nearly earned another upset in 2022 as he narrowly lost a debated decision against two-division champion Teofimo Lopez. Most recently, Martin has earned back-to-back knockout victories as he stopped Arblin Kaba in six-rounds in July 2023 and Mohamed El Marcouchi in three rounds in December 2023.
“This world title opportunity is a long time coming,” said Martin. “A new super lightweight king will be crowned on March 1. Alberto 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.”
**YOENIS TELLEZ VS. JULIAN WILLIAMS**
Opening up the pay-per-view will be the rising Cuban star Yoenis Tellez taking on established contender and former unified 154-pound world champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams in a 12-round battle for the vacant Interim WBA Super Welterweight Title.
Trained by the legendary Ronnie Shields in Stafford, Texas, the 24-year-old Téllez (9-0, 7 KOs) made a big statement in action on Prime Video last October as he dominated veteran contender Johan Gonzalez before stopping him in round seven. Previously Tellez made his first big splash in the sport when he stepped in on short notice in July 2023 to blast out contender Sergio Garcia and earn a third-round TKO on the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford undercard. Originally from Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, Téllez continued to rise in two subsequent bouts after the Garcia triumph, closing the show in style with a 10th-round TKO of Livan Navarro in December 2023 before earning a unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Joseph Jackson in April 2024.
“I’m beyond excited for this showdown against Julian Williams on March 1,” said Tellez. “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 super welterweight 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) became a unified world champion at 154-pounds in May 2019 when he upset Jarrett Hurd in one of the year’s best fights, winning a close-quarters brawl by unanimous decision. After losing the titles to Jeison Rosario in his first defense, Williams moved up to 160 pounds and made a run at championship gold there, earning a shot against current WBC Middleweight World Champion Carlos Adames that he dropped via ninth-round TKO in a competitive affair. Williams stepped back into the ring in January 2024, stopping Gustavo David Vittori in round two and will now return to the 154-pound division looking to regain his titleholder status.
“I’m grateful and excited for this opportunity to showcase my pedigree on a big stage,” said Williams. “Tellez is a really good, hungry fighter, but I’m putting in the work to ensure that I come out on top come March 1. 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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