ProBox Promotions thrust two one-time title-holders together in a meeting of relevancy, with Jarrett Hurd (25-3) and Jeison Rosario (24-4-1) colliding at middleweight. It can be viewed live on ProBox TV and Youtube on August 21st from Plant City, Florida.
Both Hurd and Rosario temporarily held world-class honours at super-welterweight during the late 2010’s, but now find themselves contesting against one another without titles at middleweight. Both are also names that largely disappeared after their title losses; Hurd has only fought four times since his loss to Julian Williams (29-4-1) back in 2018, going 2-2 since.
Rosario would overcome Williams for the very WBA, IBF and IBO World Super-Welterweight titles that Hurd had previously held. He, however, would succumb to Jermell Charlo (35-2-1) immediately after. Rosario has similarly struggled since, with fights against Erickson Lubin (26-2) and Brian Mendoza (22-4) resulting in devastating losses.
Certainly, this will be a 50-50 contest on paper – and one that should’ve happened in years gone by. At a higher weight and with their careers on the line, it will be interesting to examine how both men handle the pressure.
In the very same division, undefeated prospect Darrelle Valsaint (11-0) of Florida will be using the opportunity to expand his resume against Mexico’s ‘Relampago’ Angel Ruiz Astorga (18-3-1).
The young American southpaw has only gone the distance on two previous outings and has flourished throughout his short tenure in the professional scene. Astorga, despite being only four years older, has significantly more experience professionally, having built up a resume across Tijuana, Mexico and the United States.
The southpaw versus southpaw conflict will be an intriguing co-main event, particularly in contrast to the experience from the main event.
Fellow Floridian Dominic Valle (9-0) looks to remain undefeated going into the double digits as his 10th super-featherweight fight against Kevin Piedrahita (9-2) is set for the card.
Valle, the winner of the 2018 USA Youth Open Tournament, has found success so far as a professional, with the 23-year-old affixing himself to ProBox Promotions Plant City affairs. The Colombian Piedrahita, however, could upset the developing Valle, having only gone the distance once in his nine wins.
‘Dinamita’ has, however, suffered two losses, including one against Lisandro Barazarte (10-0-1) for the WBA Fedelatin Featherweight title. There is a clear blueprint for the fresh, young Valle to defeat ‘Dinamita’ and, with the backing of ProBox Promotions, will certainly be looking to move beyond Piedrahita and move on to regional and national titles.
The highly-praised but fairly inactive Kazakh heavyweight Ivan Dychko (13-0) appears on the card for the first time since 2023, when he won the WBA Fedecaribe Heavyweight title in Buenos Aires with a second round TKO. A fairly touted prospect, Dychko is certainly a welcome addition to the string of up-and-coming heavyweights.
In the opposite corner is seasoned Detroit native Craig Lewis (15-7-1), who is known much more for his losses than his wins. Dychko, a fighter with high amateur pedigree, will easily dispatch of Lewis; if inactivity isn’t an issue.
Down at super-bantamweight, Michael Angeletti (11-0) will be contesting against Geraldo Valdez (16-1) over 10 rounds. Known for his regional talent at super-flyweight, ‘Rigondiaux’ of the Dominican Republic will be a suitable opponent for the developing American talent.
Given his recent performances, however, it may be easy to suggest that Angeletti will go the distance with his seasoned partner once again.
Floridian super-lightweight Tristan Gallichan (5-0-1) rounds out the card with a six round contest against Cuban adversary Renny Viamonte Mastrapa (3-1). A familiar face at the ProBox Center, Gallichan has cut his teeth on exclusively ProBox cards, as well as the Team Combat League, where he boasts one loss.
Within the professional ranks, however, Callichan remains mostly unblemished; one draw against Ryan Schwartzberg (4-16-3) clouding his resume. Winning four since, Callichan will be engaging in his first six rounder.
Fighting across the United States since his debut, Mastrapa will be eager to cause an upset; durable and consistent, one loss will not deter the Cuban.
Overall, with an influx of former world-titlists, promising young prospects and intriguing amateurs, ProBox Promotions are making major moves within the United States.
