Showing posts with label Most Valuable Promotions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Most Valuable Promotions. Show all posts

Thursday, August 13, 2026

Boxlab Promotions’ Rising Middleweight Sweeps Every Round on All Three Scorecards at MVPW-05

Credit: Harry Aaron/ Most Valuable Promotions 

 


Press Release: A By Mario Serrano/Boxlab Promotions  - ORLANDO, FL (August 13, 2026)

 – The record will show another victory for 

Sebastian Juarez

. Another six rounds in the bank. Another step forward for an undefeated young fighter with bigger goals ahead of him. But for Juarez, Saturday night was about more than adding another win to his record. It was about showing that the work being done when nobody is watching is beginning to show when everybody is.

Boxlab Promotions’

 undefeated middleweight prospect Sebastian Juarez (12-0, 8 KOs), of Brownsville, Texas, continued his rise through the division with a dominant six-round unanimous decision over 

Rance Ward 

(9-7-1, 2 KOs), of Houma, Louisiana, this past Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 

Caribe Royale Resort

 in Orlando, Florida.


The bout was presented by Most Valuable Promotions in association with Boxlab Promotions as part of MVPW-05.

From the opening bell, Juarez took control and never gave it back. He dictated the pace, stayed disciplined and consistently got the better of the exchanges against a more experienced opponent. By the time the final bell sounded, there was little doubt about the outcome. All three judges scored the fight 60-54, giving Juarez every round.

For a young fighter accustomed to ending nights early, eight of his 12 professional victories have come by knockout, the opportunity to control a fight for the full six rounds offered another kind of satisfaction.



“I felt like I was in control from the beginning, and that was important to me,” said Juarez. “Of course, as a fighter you always want to get the knockout, but you can’t go looking for it and get away from what you’ve worked on in the gym. I stayed patient, listened to my corner and kept winning rounds. Going six rounds and winning every one of them against a tough opponent tells me I’m moving in the right direction.”

The performance was another sign of Juarez’s continued development. At 12-0, the conversation is gradually changing. The goal is no longer simply to remain undefeated. With each fight, the level of opposition will increase, the rounds will become more meaningful and the expectations will grow. That progression is something Juarez and respected trainer 

Bob Santos

 have been preparing for in the gym.



Juarez credits Santos with helping him understand that becoming a complete fighter requires more than power. It takes patience, discipline and the ability to make adjustments when a fight doesn’t unfold exactly as expected.

“Working with Bob has made a big difference in my development,” Juarez said. “He pushes me every day and makes sure I understand why we’re doing certain things, not just how to do them. We’ve put in a lot of hard work together, and I could feel that work paying off in this fight. I was seeing things better, staying composed and not forcing anything. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I feel myself becoming a better fighter every time I step into the ring.”



Those improvements have not gone unnoticed by Boxlab Promotions President 

Amaury Piedra

. Piedra has watched Juarez develop from a promising young puncher into a more patient and polished professional. Saturday’s performance, he believes, was another example of a fighter beginning to put all the pieces together.

“Sebastian continues to show us something new every time he fights,” said Piedra. “We already knew he could punch, but now you’re seeing the other parts of his game continue to develop. He’s becoming more comfortable, more disciplined and more mature in the ring. He didn’t need to chase a knockout Saturday night. He boxed, controlled the fight and won every round. That’s growth.”



For Piedra, there is no reason to rush that growth. Juarez is still developing, but his perfect record and steady improvement have created optimism about how far he can eventually go.



“The exciting thing is that Sebastian is 12-0 and we still haven’t seen the finished product,” Piedra continued. “He listens to his team, he works hard and he wants to get better. Those are qualities you can build around. Our job is to keep putting him in the right fights at the right time and allow him to earn his way toward bigger opportunities. As he continues progressing the way he has, I believe he has a very bright future in this division.”



Juarez has no intention of standing still. The Brownsville native has set an ambitious target for the next phase of his career: within the next 12 months, he wants his name among the top 10 middleweights in the world. He understands that getting there will require more difficult fights and stronger opposition. That is exactly what he wants.


“My goal is to break into the top 10 within the next year,” Juarez concluded. “I know nobody is going to give me that position. I have to earn it. That means continuing to fight better opponents, continuing to improve and being ready every time my name is called. I believe in myself, I believe in my team, and I believe I can compete with the best fighters in this division. Now it’s about proving it one fight at a time.”





Material Courtesy of: Mario Serrano/Boxlab Promotions/Photo Courtesy of: Harry Aaron Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission 




The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.


Thursday, July 30, 2026

MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS AND PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE MERGE TO CREATE A NEW GLOBAL COMBAT SPORTS PLATFORM POWERHOUSE

 

Press Release: July 30, 2026 By Most Valuable Promotions - he combined company will operate under the MVP banner, bringing together world-class boxing, MMA, live events, athlete development, and worldwide content distribution under one fighter-first organization, creating a combat sports company for the new era. 

The new company will be led by Co-Founders and Board Members Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, with John Martin serving as CEO and Board Member. Bidarian will continue to oversee MVP's boxing business and blockbuster live events (BLE), with the company backed by Founding Investors 885 Capital and Knighthead Capital Management

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and the Professional Fighters League (PFL) today announced a landmark merger, creating a new home of combat sports under the MVP banner. The transaction accelerates MVP’s expansion into mixed martial arts following the record-setting success of MVP MMA 1 and creates a global sports and entertainment company that brings together boxing, MMA, media, blockbuster live events, athlete development, and worldwide content distribution. MVP will continue operating with a fighter-first philosophy focused on equitable compensation, maximum visibility, and opportunities for athletes to build their brands both inside and outside of competition. 

PFL CEO John Martin will serve as CEO and board member, and lead the overall business of the combined company. Martin is one of the most accomplished media, sports, and entertainment executives in the industry, having previously served as Chairman and CEO of Turner, where he oversaw a portfolio including TNT, TBS, CNN, and Turner Sports, and as Chief Financial Officer of Time Warner. Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian will be co-founders and board members and continue to play active leadership roles across the business. Bidarian will continue to drive MVP’s boxing verticals and BLEs, and work closely with Martin and the executi

ve team. Paul, the world’s most-followed combat sports promoter, will continue leveraging his platform, audience, and cultural influence to drive audience growth, fighter development, brand expansion, and fan engagement across all areas of the business. 

As part of the transaction, existing PFL shareholders 885 Capital and affiliated entities of Knighthead Capital Management, LLC ("Knighthead Capital") are becoming Founding Investors of the new entity, committing new capital and ensuring the combined company launches with the strongest balance sheet in its history. 885 Capital’s Sudeep Ramnani and Jai Mahtani are global technology and sports entrepreneurs and investors, bringing their cutting-edge, international operating insight to the business. Ara Cohen is a co-founder of Knighthead Capital, a diversified institutional investment firm with extensive experience partnering with management teams to build and scale businesses over the long term, providing strategic capital and operational support across complex industries, including in sport. 

MVP will be the master brand for all combat sports properties of the new entity. MVP and MVPW will continue as BLE and boxing cornerstones of the company.

PFL has an elite MMA fighter roster, global league operations and infrastructure, media assets and proven ability to stage world class MMA events across the world. This will form the foundation of MVP MMA with the migration being fully completed in the coming mont

hs. The combined company will host five premium live events across boxing and MMA in August, demonstrating the scale and capabilities of th

e new platform. 

Together, MVP will feature nearly 400 elite athletes, including world champions, title contenders, and many of the biggest names across combat sports.  The company intends to invest aggressively in both boxing and MMA.

MVP and PFL will maintain relationships with many of the world's leading media and distribution partners, including Netflix, ESPN, Sky Sports, and PFL's extensive network of 34 partners across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and other key territories, including Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand. Together, these relationships form one of the most comprehensive distribution platforms in combat sports.

Since launching in 2021, MVP has become one of the fastest-growing and most influential brands in sports, staging some of the most-watched events the sport has ever seen and reaching hundreds of millions of fans around the world, with particular strength among hard-to-reach Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and women's sports fans. The company has delivered the most-streamed sporting event of all time, the most-viewed professional women's sporting match in U.S. history, the most-streamed MMA event in U.S. history, and record-setting compensation for female athletes across all sports. Through partnerships with Netflix, ESPN, Sky Sports, DAZN, and other leading media companies, MVP has built an internationally recognized brand and established itself as a leader in athlete-first promotion, content creation, and fan engagement.

PFL has built one of the most expansive global platforms in MMA, with a world-class roster of more than 300 fighters representing over 40 countries and a live event footprint spanning four continents. In just over seven years, PFL has staged more than 100 premium live events across 14 countries and was the first organization to hold major MMA events in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Spain and across Africa. In 2026 alone, PFL will produce 24 events across 11 countries, delivering approximately 150 hours of live content to fans. This global infrastructure, combined with PFL's deep fighter roster, premium live event expertise and worldwide distribution, provides a powerful platform to accelerate the growth of MVP MMA and expand the combined company's reach and impact around the world.

Nakisa Bidarian, Co-founder and Board Member of Most Valuable Promotions, said:

“Since launching MVP, our goal has always been bigger than just building a boxing promotion. It has been to build the future of combat sports. In less than five years, MVP has become one of the most influential and culturally relevant brands in the industry, producing some of the biggest events in combat sports history, elevating women’s boxing to unprecedented heights, and bringing millions of new fans into the fight game. The success of MVP MMA’s first event confirmed our belief that there is enormous demand for a modern, fighter-first approach to MMA. This merger accelerates our MMA ambitions while strengthening our ability to continue investing in boxing and MVPW. By combining MVP’s audience-building engine, storytelling capabilities, and brand with PFL’s roster, infrastructure, and international footprint, we are creating a new global home for combat sports. Under the leadership of John Martin, a world-class media executive with deep MMA knowledge, and investment from leading financiers 885 Capital and Knighthead Capital, MVP is going to achieve great things for fighters, fans, and partners.”

John Martin, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of the new company, said:

“Over the past seven years, PFL has built the world’s No. 2 global MMA company, assembling one of the sport’s most elite fighter rosters while creating a world-class global business with premier media distribution across 34 broadcast and streaming partners, reaching fans in more than 170 countries. At the same time, MVP has redefined how combat sports connects with a new generation of fans,

creating events that become cultural moments and proving that athletes, sports, entertainment and creators can all thrive together.  This merger brings scale - in operations, in distribution and media rights, in sponsorship, in fighter development and in fan engagement. 

We're not just combining companies, we're bringing an entire combat sports community together and creating a more powerful platform to accelerate growth. One company, one global stage, millions of fans and we're only just getting started. I'm excited to work with Jake and Nakisa as we build the future of combat sports together, and I'm deeply grateful for the continued confidence and support of our lead investors, 885 Capital and Knighthead Capital Management.”

Jake Paul, Co-founder and Board Member

of Most Valuable Promotions

, said:

"W

e started MVP to disrupt a broken model. We wanted to give fighters fair pay and a bigger, modernized s

tage to become global superstars. Joining forces with PFL accelerates that vision by a decade. We now have a scaled platform to give today's fans what they want: elite talent mixed with culture, lifestyle, and massive social velocity. MVP was always bigger than me and bigger than any one fighter. MVP is an inevitable movement that needs to happen for the athletes, and now we have all the resources we need to build something that changes this sport forever. I have more conviction in MVP than ever, driven by the proliferation of AI, which will only increase the value of real, live experiences and the sports properties that can bring fans closer to the athletes they love. I look forward to putting my entire promotional muscle into our new company, returning to the boxing ring and making my MVP MMA debut. To all current MVP and PFL fighters, things just got bigger. To fighters fighting in other organizations, we are open for business when you are contractually free. The time for change is now. Welcome to MVP."


Sudeep Ramnani, co-founder of 885 Capital, said:

“We’ve spent our careers building and backing businesses across global markets and few things travel across every border, language, and generation like combat sports. Partnering with Jake Paul, Nakisa Bidarian, and John Martin to bring PFL’s international infrastructure and roster together with MVP’s audience engine builds a business with the scale, talent, and distribution to lead the category. It reaches fans from the most established markets to the fastest-growing regions in the world, with a fighter-first model built for how audiences consume sport today. At 885 Capital, we back founders and leaders who are building industries from first principles, and we believe this platform will do exactly that, while redefining the future of combat sports. As founding investors, we’re proud to commit new capital to help John Martin and the team build the premier global platform for fighters and fans.”


Ara Cohen, Co-Founder and Managing Member of Knighthead Capital said:

“This transaction brings together highly complementary assets to create a scaled global combat sports platform with significant long-term growth potential. MVP has demonstrated an exceptional ability to build audiences, create cultural relevance, and elevate athletes, while PFL has built world-class MMA operations, international reach, and a deep roster of talent. We are pleased to deepen Knighthead Capital’s investment and support John Martin, Jake Paul, Nakisa Bidarian, and the broader leadership team as they build what we believe can become one of the premier global sports media and entertainment platforms.”

Goodwin Procter LLP served as legal counsel to Most Valuable Promotions, with MVP’s Rick Torres leading the transaction. Cooley LLP served as legal counsel to the Professional Fighters League, with PFL’s Jim Bramson leading the transaction. 

Additional leadership, organizational, and operational details will be announced at a later date. For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions.

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) is a global combat sports and entertainment company built for the next generation of athletes and fans. The company operates across boxing, mixed martial arts, live events, media, content, athlete development, and global distribution, with a fighter-first philosophy centered on equitable compensation, maximum visibility, and long-term brand building.

Led by co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian and Chief Executive Officer John Martin and backed by founding investors 885 Capital & Knighthead, MVP promotes some of the world's biggest combat sports events and represents a roster of nearly 400 elite athletes, including world champions, titleholders, contenders, and emerging stars. MVP's portfolio includes MVP, MVPW, and MVP MMA, bringing together premier boxing and mixed martial arts properties under one global brand.

Through partnerships with leading media and distribution platforms including Netflix, ESPN, Sky Sports, and an extensive international network reaching fans across more than 170 countries, MVP delivers world-class competition and entertainment to audiences worldwide. By combining elite athletes, premium live events, compelling storytelling, and global media reach, MVP is building the future of combat sports.


About 885 Capital

885 Capital is a UAE-based investment firm founded by Sudeep Ramnani and Jai Mahtani. The firm focuses on innovative, founder-led businesses shaping the global sports and technology industries, in addition to diversifying into cutting-edge real estate projects and other future-defining sectors. In sports, 885 Capital has backed innovative sports properties including Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) / Professional Fighters League (PFL) in combat sports and Baller League in six-a-side football, and is the

owner of Madrid-based football club C.D. Leganés. The firm is guided by a long-term, conviction-driven approach.

About Knighthead Capital Management, LLC (Knighthead Capital)

Knighthead Capital Management, LLC (Knighthead Capital) was co-founded in 2008 by Tom Wagner and Ara Cohen and has grown to become a diversified asset management platform with an experienced team of investment professionals, specializing in fundamental analysis, operational and financial turnarounds and risk management. Knighthead Capital’s long-term objective is to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for its clients while emphasizing the preservation of capital. Knighthead Capital manages assets across a variety of investment vehicles including insurance asset management, real estate lending, and closed and open-ended vehicles.

In sports,

Knighthead Capital’s

holdings include investments in English football club Birmingham City, NASCAR franchise Legacy Motor Club and cricket’s Birmingham Phoenix competing in The Hundred



Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission. 


The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved. 



Follow Beau Denison on the following Social Media Platforms:



X: (Formerly Twitter) www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison  



Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeauDenison1  



Threads: www.threads.net/@BeauDenison1  



Instagram: www.Instagram.com/BeauDenison1     



BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/beaudenison1.bsky.social 





Tuesday, June 23, 2026

MVP Signs Top-Ranked Title Contender Tysie Gallagher



Press Release: June 26, 2026 By Most Valuable Promotions - NEW YORK, NY – June 22, 2026

— MVP today announced the signing of 

Tysie "The First Lady" Gallagher

(10-2), the first-ever female British super bantamweight champion, reigning Commonwealth, BBBoC British, and WBO International champion, and #5 IBF contender at 122lbs. Gallagher becomes the latest elite athlete to join MVP following the launch of MVPW, the year-round global home of women's boxing, which continues to assemble the deepest roster of world champions and contenders in the sport. Gallagher joins fellow MVP UK standouts including Ellie Scotney, Caroline Dubois, Chantelle Cameron, Savannah Marshall, Terri Harper, Ramla Ali and Shannon Courtenay, among others.


A native of Luton, Bedfordshire, England, Gallagher has established herself as one of the United Kingdom's most accomplished female fighters. She began boxing at age 10 and enjoyed a decorated amateur career spanning 35 bouts, winning two national titles, twice reaching the ABA Senior Elite Championship finals, and representing England on the international stage. Since turning professional, Gallagher has continued to break barriers, becoming the first-ever female British super bantamweight champion while also capturing the Commonwealth and WBO International titles at 122lbs.


Now ranked the IBF’s #5 contender in the world, Gallagher has emerged as one of the leading contenders in the super bantamweight division. In November 2023, she challenged Segolene Lefebvre for the WBO world title in just her eighth pro fight, further cementing her status among the division's elite. Known for her toughness, relentless work ethic, and willingness to take on the biggest challenges, Gallagher enters the next chapter of her career with her sights firmly set on becoming a world champion. Outside the ring, she is a proud mother to her seven-year-old daughter, balancing elite-level competition with family life while serving as an inspiration to women and young athletes across the UK. Gallagher most recently earned a unanimous decision win over challenger Ellie Hellewell in defense of her Commonwealth, BBBoC British, and WBO International titles in September 2025. She was initially scheduled to compete on MVP’s UK debut event, MVPW-01, in April 2026, but was forced to withdraw due to injury.


“Signing a multi-year deal with Most Valuable Promotions is a huge moment in my career, and I want to thank Nakisa Bidarian, Jake Paul, and Mike Leanardi for this opportunity,”

said Tysie Gallagher.

“I’m excited to represent Britain on the global stage and become world champion!”


"Few fighters have done more to push British women's boxing forward than Tysie Gallagher, a fighter who has consistently proven herself against top competition and built one of the strongest resumes in the country,"

said Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions.

"From becoming the first-ever female British super bantamweight champion to earning top-five world rankings and challenging for a world title, she has demonstrated the skill, toughness, and determination that embody everything MVP looks for in its athletes. As we continue to strengthen MVPW's global roster and deepen our roster within the 122lb division, we're excited to welcome another elite UK fighter and provide the platform for Tysie to pursue her world title ambitions."


For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @TysieGallagher, or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @tysiegallagher.


About MVP

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) was founded in August 2021 by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian with a fighter first ethos. Since inception, MVP has produced 30 live boxing events, currently promotes over 60 fighters, 18 world champions, and 26 top contenders.


MVP has led boxing’s evolution in the streaming era through partnerships with the world’s leading platforms. In November 2024, MVP’s Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2 was the first-ever live professional sports event streamed on Netflix. Paul vs. Tyson shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event of all time with 125 million live viewers worldwide. MVP went on to partner with Netflix twice in 2025 for MVP’s Taylor vs. Serrano 3 and Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day.


Today, MVP is the global home of women’s boxing. MVP’s Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano in 2022 was the first female fight to headline Madison Square Garden, while Taylor vs. Serrano 2 in 2024 saw 74 million viewers globally on Netflix and became the most-watched professional women’s sports event in US history with 47 million AMA in the US. Their 2025 trilogy on Netflix topped an all-women’s megacard that set the official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most world championship belts ever contested on a single fight card, male or female, with 17 world titles, earning nearly 6 million viewers globally. 


Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission.


The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.


Sunday, May 31, 2026

Han Defeats Holm In Rematch: MVPW-03 Results From El Paso, TX



Credit: Cooper Neill/Most Valuable Promotions


Press Release: May 31, 2026 By Most Valuable Promotions-  EL PASO, TEXAS – MAY 30, 2026 – Tonight at the El Paso County Coliseum in her hometown of El Paso, TX, live on ESPN, Most Valuable Promotions’ (MVP) WBA lightweight world champion Stephanie Han (14-0, 3 KOs) successfully defended her world title and preserved her undefeated record with a razor-thin majority decision victory (95-95, 96-94 x2) over Albuquerque, NM native and the greatest two-sport athlete of all time, Holly Holm (34-4-3, 9 KOs), in the highly anticipated main event of MVPW-03. 


In a fiercely competitive rematch over ten three-minute rounds at 135 lbs, Han opened strongly, stunning Holm in the second round and building an early lead with sharp left and right hands while fighting through a cut beneath her eye. Holm adjusted well in the middle rounds, increasing her output and becoming the aggressor behind steady combination punching and movement. She outworked Han over stretches of the fight, ultimately outlanding her 107-70 in total punches while throwing 437 punches to Han’s 358. Despite Holm’s late pressure and higher output, Han’s fast start and control of key early exchanges proved enough to edge the close rounds on the scorecards, earning a majority decision victory and another successful title defense.


MVPW-03 also marked a historic milestone for women’s boxing, drawing more than 7,000 fans and surpassing every previous combat sports gate in the storied history of the El Paso County Coliseum to become the venue’s highest-grossing combat sports event of all time. The event streamed live on ESPN and the ESPN App.




In a historic moment for women’s boxing, MVP’s unified featherweight world champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (49-4-1, 32 KOs) delivered another career-defining performance in the double main event, stopping mandatory challenger Cheyenne “Pepper” Hanson (17-3, 13 KOs) with a ferocious second-round TKO to retain her WBA, WBO, and Ring Magazine featherweight world titles at 126lbs. After a measured opening round contested under equal rules with three-minute rounds, Serrano found her rhythm and overwhelmed Hanson with a relentless barrage of combinations, trapping the challenger in the corner and forcing referee Robert Hoyle to halt the contest at 2:25 of round two. Serrano landed an astonishing 55% of her punches throughout the bout and, with the victory, tied Christy Martin’s all-time women’s boxing KO record with 32 career KOs while further defining her legacy as one of the greatest fighters in the sport’s history.




Also on the main card, MVP’s unified IBF and WBO middleweight world champion Desley Robinson (12-3, 4 KOs) of Logan City, Australia, successfully defended her world titles with a dominant unanimous decision victory (100-90 x2, 99-91) over former world champion Mary Spencer (10-4, 6 KOs) of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Robinson established control early, hurting Spencer late in the opening round before consistently landing the cleaner, harder combinations throughout the 10-round championship bout at 160 lbs. Spencer showed her veteran toughness and attempted to disrupt Robinson’s rhythm, but Robinson’s superior pressure proved decisive, further cementing her place atop the middleweight division. Robinson’s performance earned her MVP’s Performance of the Night Bonus of $20,000.




Opening the main card, Mexico’s WBC junior flyweight world champion Lourdes Juarez (40-4, 5 KOs) successfully defended her WBC junior flyweight world title with a hard-fought split decision victory (95-94, 94-95, 98-91) over MVP’s three-division champion Yokasta Valle (34-4, 10 KOs) in a 10-round bout at 108 lbs. The bout featured closely contested opening rounds before Juarez began to separate herself with cleaner, sharper punching, including badly wobbling Valle in the second round. The action intensified in the tenth round when an accidental head clash left Valle cut near her eye, before Juarez punctuated her performance by dropping the Costa Rican star in the closing moments of the fight, proving why she remains one of the division's elite champions. 




In the preliminary card headliner, MVP’s and Mexico’s #4 WBC, #6 WBO, and #6 WBA contender Yesica Nery Plata (31-3, 3 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico delivered a composed and technical performance to earn a unanimous decision victory (78-74, 79-73 x2) over Coachella, California's Brook Sibrian (8-6, 3 KOs) in their eight-round light flyweight bout at 108 lbs. Plata controlled the action with her trademark pressure and sharp combinations, consistently outlanding Sibrian and dictating the pace across all eight rounds. Sibrian pressed forward throughout and invested in the body early, but Plata’s sharper combinations and accurate counters off the back foot carried the rounds and proved to be the difference to secure her the win.




MVP’s Miranda Reyes (9-3-1, 3 KOs) thrilled the hometown El Paso crowd with a standout performance vs. Italy’s Camilla Panatta (8-4-1, 1 KO) in an eight-round super featherweight bout at 130 lbs. Reyes took command early, dropping Panatta with a clean right hand in the second round before showcasing sharp combinations and punishing body work throughout the contest. Panatta pressed the action and displayed tremendous toughness over eight competitive rounds, but Reyes’ cleaner, more effective offense ultimately secured a unanimous decision win (79-72, 77-74 x2). 




Also on the card, MVP’s two-time U.S. national amateur champion and rising prospect Alexander “The Alley Cat” Gueche (12-0, 7 KOs) of Long Beach, California, remained undefeated with a hard-earned unanimous decision victory over San Antonio’s Joshua Montoya (7-5-2) in an eight-round junior featherweight bout at 122 lbs. In a closely contested matchup, Montoya’s speed and high-volume offense kept the action competitive throughout, but Gueche’s relentless pressure and sharper power punches proved to be the difference as he secured an unanimous decision win (77-75, 78-74 x2) over Montoya, further cementing his status as one of boxing’s brightest young prospects.




Additionally, WBA #3 and WBC #5 contender Nazarena Romero (15-1-2, 8 KOs), delivered a polished and technical performance against Maria Salinas (27-15-6, 7 KOs), earning a dominant unanimous decision victory (80-72 x3) in their 8-round junior featherweight bout at 122 lbs. Opening the card, MVP’s undefeated prospect Elise Soto (11-0, 9 KOs) passed the toughest test of her young career, using relentless pressure and a punishing body attack to earn a hard-fought unanimous decision victory (39-37 x3) over Thalia Joseline Limon (4-2, 3 KOs) in their four-round featherweight bout at 126 lbs.




For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions.






About MVP


Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) was founded in August 2021 by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian with a fighter-first ethos. Since its inception, MVP has produced 30 live boxing events, currently promotes nearly 60 fighters, 16 world champions, and 26 top contenders.




MVP has led boxing’s evolution in the streaming era through partnerships with the world’s leading platforms. In November 2024, MVP’s Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2 was the first-ever live professional sports event streamed on Netflix. Paul vs. Tyson shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event of all time with 125 million live viewers worldwide. MVP went on to partner with Netflix twice in 2025 for MVP’s Taylor vs. Serrano 3 and Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day.




Today, MVP is the global home of women’s boxing. MVP’s Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano in 2022 was the first female fight to headline Madison Square Garden, while Taylor vs. Serrano 2 in 2024 saw 74 million viewers globally on Netflix and became the most-watched professional women’s sports event in US history with 47 million AMA in the US. Their 2025 trilogy on Netflix topped an all-women’s megacard that set the official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most world championship belts ever contested on a single fight card, male or female, with 17 world titles, earning nearly 6 million viewers globally. 



Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions/Photo Courtesy of: Cooper Neill/Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission.


The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.


Thursday, May 21, 2026

MVPW 04 Set For June 13 In Orlando On ESPN Unlimited

Credit: Most Valuable Promotions 



Press Release: May 21, 2026 By Most Valuable Promotions-  NEW YORK, NY – May 20, 2026 – Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced final bouts for MVPW-04, taking place live on ESPN+ on Saturday, June 13 at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. On the main card, MVP’s and Tampa’s WBA super flyweight world champion Jasmine “Animal” Artiga (15-0-1, 7 KOs) will make her third world title defense against WBA Interim champion and mandatory challenger Nataly Delgado (20-7-2, 5 KOs) over 10 rounds at 115lbs. On the preliminary card will be a clash of professional debuts with MVP’s undefeated Brazilian boxer and influencer Jully Poca, the most-followed active female boxer in the world, set to rematch Monica Medina in a professionally sanctioned super lightweight bout over 4 rounds at 140lbs. Joining them will be MVP’s WBA #1 super flyweight contender at 115lbs LeAnna Cruz (11-0, 1 KO) vs. Rubi Gutierrez (8-3-1, 1 KO) in an 8-round super flyweight bout at 115lbs, MVP’s #1 WBA contender Brittany Sims (9-3, 5 KOs), making her promotional debut vs. top contender Naomy Cardenas (10-1, 2 KOs) in an 8-round bantamweight bout at 118lbs, MVP’s 19-time US national champion Sa'Rai Brown El making her pro debut, and Jordan Orozco Hernandez (16-0, 16 KOs) vs. Fernando Diaz (16-7-1) in a 10-round bantamweight bout at 118lbs. Orlando’s Jayson Martinez will also join the card for his pro debut.



MVPW on ESPN showcases the sport’s most elite female fighters with championship bouts on every card and will always feature a main card composed entirely of female fighters, with an undercard including a mix of female and male bouts. The fourth installment of MVPW-04, the new year-round global platform for women’s boxing from MVP, will be headlined by MVP’s IBF super welterweight world champion Oshae Jones (9-0, 3 KOs) vs. mandatory challenger and #1 IBF contender Elia Carranza (11-2, 3 KOs) in a 10-round world title rematch at 154lbs following the pair’s tightly-contested first world title clash in 2025. In the co-main event, MVP’s WBC featherweight world champion Tiara Brown (20-0, 11 KOs) will make a 10-round 126lbs defense of her title against top-ranked contender Hannah Rapp (8-0-1, 5 KOs). Also on the main card, MVP’s and Argentina’s unified WBO, WBA, and IBF light flyweight champion Evelin Bermudez (22-1-1, 8 KOs) makes her promotional debut in a 10-round defense vs. Mexico’s IBF #1 contender Estefany Alegria (14-1-0, 4 KOs) at 108lbs. The preliminary card will also feature MVP’s two-time Brazilian Olympian Keno Marley (1-0) and  Boxlab Promotions’ undefeated Gabriela Tellez (7-0, 3 KOs) against TBA opponents. Tickets for MVPW-04 are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com. All media wishing to be credentialed for MVPW-04 must apply here.



WBA super flyweight world champion and Tampa, Florida’s first native-born world champion Jasmine “Animal” Artiga transitioned from playing gridiron in the Legends Football League to boxing at age 21, quickly carving out an impressive resume. After 13 unbeaten bouts, including a first round TKO win on MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects series in February 2024, she stormed into the spotlight on March 22, 2025, winning the vacant WBA female super flyweight title via majority decision over Mexico’s Regina Chávez. Artiga, Tampa’s first native world champion, was recently honored with a city proclamation from Mayor Jane Castor, honoring her athletic achievements and commitment to community mentorship. Standing 5′4″ with a 64″ reach, the 33-year-old Artiga continues to build momentum as one of women's boxing’s hungriest new champions. She made her first successful world title defense with a TKO win on MVP Fight Night in August 2025, and defended her title again against challenger Stephanie Silva in December 2025.



“Nataly Delgado has perfected her craft and has earned being a mandatory challenger,“ said Jasmine Artiga. “The world will see two top females in their weight class contest their skills, strength, power, and will.”



Nataly Estefany Delgado Hernández is a 31-year-old pro boxer from Santiago de Veraguas, Panama, Republic of Panama, holding a record of 20 wins, 7 losses, and 2 draws across 29 fights. She has faced top competition throughout her career, including bouts against now-undisputed world champion Gabriela Fundora, former world champions Clara Lescurat and Maribel Ramírez, and Johana Zúñiga for the WBA Fedelatin Championship. Delgado won the Interim WBA super flyweight world title at 115lbs in July 2025 and has since made two successful defenses. She is now the mandatory challenger for Jasmine Artiga’s WBA world title.



"God's plans are perfect and always designed for our own good. I'm grateful to MVP for this opportunity, honored, and very much motivated,” said Nataly Delgado. “We have earned this via very hard work, and I will deliver. I'm ready to fight in this Champion vs. Champion showdown. I hope Artiga is also ready. Let's give boxing fans around the world a fight to remember."



“MVPW-04 once again delivers four back to back world title fights and features seven promotional debuts from some of our most exciting new signees at MVP, from Oshae Jones, Tiara Brown and Evelin Bermudez to our stacked undercard with Brazil’s Jully Poca, the most followed active boxer in the world, #1 contenders LeAnna Cruz and Brittany Sims, and one of the best talents out of Team USA in the last few years with 19x national champion Sa’Rai Brown-El, ” said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions. “Anchored by a back-to-back-to-back-to-back championship main card from MVP’s defending champions, MVPW only gets bigger and better on Saturday, June 13 in Orlando, live on ESPN+.”



Hailing from São Paulo, Brazil, Jully Poca is a powerhouse athlete who has dominated the crossover boxing scene with an undefeated record. Originally Brazil’s premier female fitness influencer, her life took a sharp turn in 2023 when she was invited to compete in the UK alongside megastar Whindersson Nunes. Despite only training for three months prior to her debut, she discovered a profound passion for the sport and has spent the last three years training exclusively as a full-time boxer. Under the tutelage of renowned coach Antonio Filho, the mentor behind former WBO champion Rose Volante, Poca has solidified her status by going undefeated to date and is now set to make her fully sanctioned professional debut with Most Valuable Promotions. Beyond her technical prowess, Jully possesses a magnetic public profile built on genuine courage. She first captured the Brazilian public's heart when she intervened in a violent road-rage incident, physically subduing a man who was attacking two women until police arrived. This act of heroism, combined with her athletic transition, has earned her a massive digital footprint. With 3 million Instagram followers, Poca is set to become the most-followed female professional boxer in the world the moment she makes her pro debut, bridging the gap between social media stardom and elite combat sports.



“She asked for a rematch, I said let’s do it,” said Jully Poca. “Some stories need to have a definite ending, that’s what I’m coming to do. I’m excited to make my debut in Orlando and hope to see the local Brazilian community come out to support on Saturday, June 13!” 



Monica Medina comes to the ring from Vardaman, Mississippi. She will make her pro debut following her career so far bare knuckle boxing, dirty boxing and crossover boxing. Medina previously faced off with Poca in 2025, and now the pair will face off in a professionally sanctioned rematch.



“Jully this time when you go  down you’re staying down, said Medina. “You truly didn’t beat me last time, and this time I’ll show everyone who the better boxer is”



Gabriela “Sosa” Tellez is an undefeated rising prospect in the lightweight division, holding a 7-0 record with 3 knockouts. At just 19 years old, the orthodox fighter has already built a strong foundation with over 90 amateur bouts, showcasing maturity and ring IQ well beyond her years. Born in Vero Beach, Florida, and now fighting out of San Antonio, Texas, Tellez began boxing at the age of six and has quickly developed into one of the sport’s most promising young talents. Standing 5’3” and competing at 135 pounds, she is known for her sharp jab, her favorite punch, and disciplined style. Inspired by legends like Andre Ward and current pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford, Tellez has set ambitious goals to become the youngest women’s world champion, unify the division, and serve as an inspiration to the next generation of fighters. She is currently ranked WBA #3 contender in the world at 130lbs.



LeAnna Cruz is a 28-year-old Puerto Rican-American professional boxer competing at 115lbs who Cruz has built her career on consistency, discipline, and a deep respect for the craft of boxing. Of proud Puerto Rican heritage, Cruz brings grit and heart into every training camp and every fight. Her style blends sharp fundamentals with intelligent pressure, allowing her to control distance, dictate pace, and adapt to any opponent placed in front of her. Inside the ring, she is focused and methodical; outside the ring, she is respected for her humility, professionalism, and commitment to growth. Signing with Most Valuable Promotions represents a major milestone for Cruz, who holds ambitions for placing her on a global stage and firmly. She is the WBA #1 contender at super flyweight, 115lbs.



“Rubi Gutierrez is a great opponent to step back in the ring with,” said LeAnna Cruz. “She has a SD loss against a future world champion and is not afraid to lose or for a challenge. I have a ton of respect for her coming up two  weight classes to share the ring with me, but on Saturday, June 13th she’ll learn that was a huge mistake.”



Rubi “La Panterita” Gutierrez is a 20-year-old rising contender from Saltillo, Mexico. She is currently on a three-fight winning streak, most recently earning a unanimous decision victory in April 2026.



WBA #1 contender at 118lbs Brittany “Eagle Flex” Sims has engineered one of the most impressive turnarounds in women’s boxing, having transformed her career from a 1–3 start into a formidable 9–3 record, highlighted by her current eight-fight winning streak. A well-rounded athlete, Sims brings a diverse background in MMA and track and field, tools that have helped shape her explosiveness, conditioning, and ring IQ. She also dominated in the TCL league, where she put together an incredible 16-fight winning streak. During her rise, Sims captured the WBA Americas Continental title, the NABF title, and the WBA International title, achievements that positioned her as the WBA’s #1 contender and mandatory challenger for the world championship against Cherneka Johnson. Trained by Lemuel Rodriguez and managed by Dave Dubinsky of DKO and fighting out of Bethlehem, Sims now looks ahead to the next chapter of her career with Most Valuable Promotions.



“Cardenas is not someone to overlook. She is a great boxer, and I have a lot of respect for her and her team. That being said, my team and I have been working extremely hard every day. I’m prepared, focused, and ready for the moment,” said Brittany Sims. “May I be swift like an eagle, strong like a lion, and fight with the strength of ten men. It’s almost time to fly.”



Naomy Cardenas is a 26-year-old boxer from Chihuahua, Mexico. Cardenas made her international debut in June 2025 as part of MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 13, winning by split decision. Following the bout, she stepped up to contend for the WBO super flyweight world title, losing by decision to reigning champion Mizuki Hiruta. She most recently rebounded with a UD win in March 2026.



“I’m very happy for the opportunity MVP is once again giving me,” said Cardenas. “I know I have a strong and intelligent opponent in front of me, which will make for an even better fight because of the contrast in styles. I have had great preparation behind me and I’m coming in with the hunger for victory.”



19-time US national champion Sa’Rai Brown-El comes from a proud lineage of fighters and was born into boxing royalty, but her rise wasn’t guaranteed. Her mother first saw her spark, despite early resistance from her father and coach, who didn’t believe boxing was a sport for women. Everything changed during a family trip to her birthplace in Albany, NY when a visit to her uncle’s boxing gym flipped the script. Once Brown-El stepped into the ring, her natural talent spoke louder than tradition ever could, and her father never looked back. She began boxing at the age of 10. What followed was a journey defined by relentless discipline, a powerful work ethic, and a fierce hunger to master the craft of boxing. That fire drove her to the top of the amateur ranks, where she became the first female boxer from Georgia to win both the Junior Olympics and the National Silver Gloves. Within a year, she had become a national champion, marking the beginning of her dominance. By age 14, she had cemented her name in history as one of the most decorated young female boxers in the country, ranked #1 in her age and weight class by USA Boxing and holding the most wins across all female divisions at the time. In 2019, she earned a coveted spot on Team USA after winning the USA Boxing National Championships, becoming the first female boxer from Georgia to achieve those honors. A five-time international medalist and seven-time Georgia Female Boxer of the Year, Brown-El’s excellence has not gone unnoticed. USA Boxing named her the future of women’s boxing—a title that carries weight, and one she’s ready to live up to. With her amateur legacy cemented, the 19-year-old now joins MVP’s elite roster of women’s fighters ahead of her professional debut this year, entering into the professional ranks with one goal: to take over women’s boxing.



WBA and WBO #12 ranked contender Jordan Orozco Hernandez will also join the undercard. He boasts a fearsome 100% KO ratio on his 16-0 record, with 16 knockouts. The 21-year-old Nicaraguan bantamweight most recently earned a second round TKO win over Daniel Olea in March. Orozco will face Fernando Diaz. Diaz is a 26-year-old prospect from Riverside, California. 



Jayson Martinez will make his pro debut on MVW-04. Born in Cayey, Puerto Rico, raised in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, and currently residing in Orlando, Florida, Martinez completed a 30-fight amateur career earning a top six national ranking. The 22-year-old has built a reputation for his skill, discipline, and exciting style as he prepares for his professional debut. 



MVPW-04 is produced and marketed by MVP and promoted by MVP and Boxlab Promotions.



For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions, on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions.




About MVP


Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) was founded in August 2021 by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian with a fighter first ethos. Since inception, MVP has produced 30 live boxing events, currently promotes nearly 60 fighters, 16 world champions, and 26 top contenders.



MVP has led boxing’s evolution in the streaming era through partnerships with the world’s leading platforms. In November 2024, MVP’s Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2 was the first-ever live professional sports event streamed on Netflix. Paul vs. Tyson shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event of all time with 125 million live viewers worldwide. MVP went on to partner with Netflix twice in 2025 for MVP’s Taylor vs. Serrano 3 and Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day.



Today, MVP is the global home of women’s boxing. MVP’s Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano in 2022 was the first female fight to headline Madison Square Garden, while Taylor vs. Serrano 2 in 2024 saw 74 million viewers globally on Netflix and became the most-watched professional women’s sports event in US history with 47 million AMA in the US. Their 2025 trilogy on Netflix topped an all-women’s megacard that set the official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most world championship belts ever contested on a single fight card, male or female, with 17 world titles, earning nearly 6 million viewers globally. 



About ESPN


ESPN offers its full suite of networks and services directly to fans on the ESPN App, providing more choice, flexibility and access to all of ESPN, including more than 47,000 live events per year, on-demand replays, industry-leading studio shows and original programming, and more. The ESPN App gives fans a unique viewing experience that includes multiview and synchronized two-screen viewing options, swipe-able vertical video and a personalized SportsCenter For You, as well as integrated game stats, ESPN Fantasy sports, betting odds and information from DraftKings, sports merchandise, and more. These features are available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices, whether they subscribe directly or through a pay TV package. Bundling options available for fans include a limited time offer for the ESPN DTC Unlimited plan with Disney+ and Hulu for $29.99/month for the first 12 months. For more visit stream.espn.com.



Material  and Photo Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission.


The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.


The Latest:

Garcia-Benn Preview

  On August 22nd, Teofimo Lopez emerged victorious in becoming a three-division world champion when he scored a lopsided twelve round unani...