Premier Boxing Champions first pay-per-view present below its new cope with Amazon’s Prime Video will function a number of large names.
WBO 154-pound titleholder Tim Tszyu is scheduled to face former 147-pound champ Keith Thurman at a catch weight of 155 in the primary occasion, Premier Boxing Champions introduced on Thursday. The WBO reportedly refused to sanction the matchup as a title combat.
It is going to be the best profile combat within the profession of Tszyu (24-0, 17 KOs), who emerged as a star after victories over Tony Harrison, Carlos Ocampo and Brian Mendoza final yr.
“I’ve been prepared and ready to headline a historic occasion like this within the U.S. for a really very long time and it’s an honor that I don’t take evenly,” mentioned Tszyu, the son of Corridor of Famer Kostya Tszyu.
“My father did it and was on the prime of the world for a decade. Now it’s my flip. Thurman is a superb combat. He’s difficult, robust and he’s combined it with the perfect the game has seen. This can be a new period now. It’s the Tszyu period.
“On March 30, everybody who tunes into this pay-per-view goes to see for themselves.”
Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs) hasn’t fought since February of 2022, when he simply outpointed Mario Barrios. That was his solely combat in four-plus years.
“I’m again in motion and I’m glad to be part of this primary occasion with PBC on Prime Video,” Thurman mentioned. “Tszyu stands out as an distinctive fighter, and I’ve at all times held admiration for his performances.
“His distinctive type offers the proper stage for me to exhibit the relentless dedication I’ve poured into coaching, refining my abilities, and fortifying my psychological sport.”
Additionally on the March 30 card, 140-pound beltholder Rolando Romero (15-1, 13 KOs) will face Isaac Cruz (25-2-1, 17 KOs).
Romero gained the vacant WBA title by stopping Ismael Barroso in 9 rounds final Could. Cruz is finest identified for a robust efficiency in defeat in opposition to 135-pound beltholder Gervonta Davis in 2021. The Mexican has gained three consecutive fights since then.
“That is gonna be Rolly versus the Chihuahua within the ring on March 30. I’m gonna keep world champ and be the primary famous person on Prime Video,” mentioned Romero, who was stopped by Davis in 2022.
Mentioned Cruz: “I’ve labored extraordinarily arduous to earn this shot. I’ve tried to combat different large names, however Rolly was the one one to step up and settle for the problem.
“He’s obtained energy and braveness, and he involves knock you out. That’s going to make this a fantastic combat on March 30.”
Sebastian Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs) and Serhii Bohachuk (23-1, 23 KOs) will face off in a battle of 154-pound contenders.
Fundora, who’s 6-foot-5½, will probably be attempting to bounce again from a seventh-round knockout loss to Mendoza final April. All of Bohachuk’s victories have come by knockout. He was stopped himself by Brandon Adams in 2020, after which he has reeled off 5 straight wins.
And WBA 160-pound champion Erislandy Lara (29-3-3, 17 KOs) will tackle Michael Zerafa (31-4, 19 KOs).
Lara, who has fought solely every year since 2019, was final within the ring in Could of 2022. Zerafa additionally hasn’t been significantly energetic, having final fought in November 2020. He has 4 consecutive victories since he misplaced a call to former 147-pound champ Jeff Horn in 2019.
