Evento Principal: IBF Jr. Welterweight World Title Eliminator
Subriel Matías vs. Gabriel Valenzuela
Sábado, Marzo 1 * Fajardo, Puerto Rico * Live on DAZN
Tickets on sale now atTicketera.com
DETROIT(Febrero 13, 2025)- Promociones Salita yFresh Productions have announced the addition of several surging contenders, including two pivotal jr. welterweight title bouts added to the event headlined by Puerto Rican knockout specialistSubriel Matías(21-2, 21 KOs) and Mexico’s hard-hittingGabriel Valenzuela(30-3, 17 KOs) in an IBF Junior Welterweight World Title Eliminator.
Puerto Rico resident and WBO No. 3 clasificado contendienteAlfredo Santiago (16-2, 7 KOs) y el invictoNéstor Bravo (23-0, 16 KOs), No se ha clasificado. 6 en la AMB, will both be in action in separate bouts onSábado, Marzo 1, vivirDAZN. The winner of each 140-pound bout will position himself for a world title shot, none more significantly than in the main event, where the winner will earn the mandatory position to face reigning IBF Champ, Richardson Hitchins.
Also announced today, making his anticipated professional debut is Puerto Rico’sYandiel Lozano and Salita Promotions promising heavyweight prospectPryce Taylor (6-0, 4 KOs) desde Brooklyn, N.Y.
Returning to Puerto Rico for the second time in five months, Salita Promotions has continued to explore the rich boxing talent residing on the island, much like the company has done the past two years in the state of Michigan. With a proven track record of discovering talent throughout the greater Detroit and Flint, Mich., region, Salita Promotions PresidentDmitriy Salitacontinues to give up-and-coming and rising talent a global platform to perform.
“We provided a path and platform for many fighters to earn recognition and achieve their dreams,"Said Dmitriy Salita. “From solidified world champions like Claressa Shields to budding stars like Ardreal Holmes Jr., Salita Promotions continues to mine for the next super stars of boxing throughout Michigan and now we are doing the same in Puerto Rico. Stars from the Caribbean Island such asMiguel Cotto, Félix Trinidad, yJuan ‘John John’ Molina have all paved the way for the prospects we will be showcasing on March 1.”
The co-main event will see the WBO NABO Jr. Welterweight Title on the line as Santiago, who hails from the Dominican Republic, meets fellow countrymanJavier Fortuna(39-5, 28 KOs). Santiago, 30, returns to the ring on the heels of a statement first-round TKO victory over Mexico’s Pedro Campa in November 2024. Currently on the strength of three straight victories, Santiago captured the WBO NABO Jr. Welterweight Title last June when he defeated Angel Fierro via unanimous decision, y en marzo 1, Santiago will attempt to defend his title for the third time. Starting his impressive career off with an undefeated record of 12-0, Santiago earned a shot against former Undisputed Lightweight World Champion Devin Haney for the WBC Lightweight World Championship in November 2019. While coming up short, Santiago has proven that he belongs in the upper echelon of the Jr. Welterweight Division.
“This is a great opportunity to showcase the level I am at,"Dijo Santiago. “I have worked hard, I’m in my best shape, y en marzo 1 en Fajardo, I’m going to give it my all in the ring. I respect Javier Fortuna, but he will find out that he’s facing a true warrior. I’m ready for any version of him that shows up in front of my people in Fajardo. I’m going to go to war and take the victory.”
Entering his second bout in just over two months, the 35-year-old Fortuna will compete in Puerto Rico for the first time. Al igual que su oponente, Fortuna is coming off an impressive TKO victory defeating Jonatan Mariano in December 2024. Boasting a staggering 28 con piezas de sujeción a su nombre, Fortuna held the WBC Continental Americas Lightweight Title in 2019 and challenged former IBF Super Featherweight World Champion Joseph Diaz in 2021 for the WBC Interim Lightweight World Title.
Adicionalmente, undefeated Nestor Bravoand South Africa’sA su red(32-6, 19 KOs) will collide for the vacant WBA Intercontinental Jr. Welterweight Title. Hailing from Arecibo, P.R., Bravo will return to action after nearly a year away from the ring. En su última pelea, Bravo scored a second-round knockout victory over Carlos Manuel Portillo. Following a decorated amateur career with numerous national and international tournament wins, Bravo turned professional in 2015 when he defeated Nestor Ortiz via knockout. Previously holding the WBC Latino Lightweight Title and the WBO NABO Super Lightweight Title, Bravo pursues another belt when he faces his toughest test to date in Ndongeni.
Recently challenging for the vacant WBO Latino Lightweight Title, Ndongeni looks to insert himself back into the win column against Bravo. A tenured competitor, Ndongeni has held the WBF International Featherweight Title, IBO International Lightweight Title, and WBF Lightweight Title. With ample experience against undefeated prospects, Ndongeni aims to give the rising Bravo his first defeat.
Kicking off the night live on DAZN and in a quick turnaround, Brooklyn, N.Y.’s Pryce Taylor returns to action against Arizona’sTrevor Kotara(4-3-1, 1 KO) following his second-round knockout victory over Jerell Nettles on February 2. A promising heavyweight prospect, Taylor signed with Salita Promotions in November 2024, and has since gone 2-0 under the banner, both victories coming by way of knockout. Standing at 6-foot-4, Taylor is a former collegiate basketball player and has won two New York Golden Gloves title.
Finalmente, Puerto Rico’s own Yandiel Lozano will make his much-anticipated professional debut. The silver medalist at the World Youth Championships, a four-time champion of the Bert Sugar Tournament, Florida Junior Silver Gloves champion, and two-time Puerto Rican National Champion, Lozano steps into the star-studded featherweight division after a solid amateur career.
“Fajardo is filled with pride as it welcomes home two of its greatest warriors of the ring,” said José Aníbal Meléndez, Mayor Autonomous Municipality of Fajardo. “Subriel Matías, born and raised in our town, returns to the ring to once again prove why he is one of the most outstanding figures in world boxing. Alongside him, another great champion from Fajardo, Alfredo ‘Ojo’ Santiago, will be defending his title, proudly representing our city. For Fajardo, this event is not just a sporting spectacle but a celebration of the determination, disciplina, and talent that define our athletes.”
ACERCA DE LAS PROMOCIONES DE SALITA:
Promociones Salita fue fundada en 2010 por Dmitriy Salita, un boxeador y campeón mundial profesional que vio la necesidad de una entidad de promoción para ofrecer mejores jóvenes prospectos del boxeo y contendientes establecidos en América del Norte y en todo el mundo. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Red deportiva universal, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN + y MSG han disfrutado de la lucha de Salita Promotions en los últimos años. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.
