Elijah Pierce has officially moved into the featherweight category for his upcoming main event battle against Michael Dasmarines, taking place on Friday at The Tabernacle in Atlanta. Both fighters successfully made weight, with Pierce tipping the scales at 125.2 lbs and Dasmarines at 125.6 lbs. This marks a significant step for Pierce, who is riding an impressive 11-fight winning streak. The event also features a compelling co-main event, as Oshae Jones prepares to defend her IBF junior middleweight title against Elia Carranza, in what promises to be a night of intense boxing action, all available for streaming on DAZN.
Hailing from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and now based in Lawrenceville, Georgia, the 28-year-old Pierce boasts a professional record of 20 wins and 2 losses, with 16 victories coming by knockout. His recent success includes three consecutive wins in the junior featherweight division. In his last outing in August, Pierce secured a unanimous decision victory over Jose Sanmartin. Although he previously competed twice at featherweight in 2019, this fight represents a full-fledged return to the division, showcasing his versatility and ambition.
His opponent, Michael Dasmarines, a 32-year-old fighter from Bangar, La Union, Philippines, holds a record of 36 wins, 4 losses, and 2 draws, with 25 knockouts. Dasmarines is perhaps best recognized for his 2021 junior featherweight clash against Naoya Inoue, which ended in a knockout defeat, breaking his previous seven-fight unbeaten run. More recently, in March, Dasmarines suffered a sixth-round technical knockout against Kyosuke Okamoto, despite having won six consecutive fights prior to that loss.
The co-feature will highlight Oshae Jones, a 2020 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist, as she makes her inaugural defense of the IBF junior middleweight championship. Jones, with an undefeated record of 8 wins and 3 knockouts, weighed in at 153.4 lbs. Her challenger, Elia Carranza, came in at 153.0 lbs, just under the championship weight limit. Jones, originally from Toledo, Ohio, and now residing in New Jersey, claimed the title last November with a split decision victory over Femke Hermans. Before securing her title, Jones had achieved three consecutive knockout wins, demonstrating her power and skill.
Carranza, 34, from Miami, enters the fight with a record of 11 wins and 1 loss, including 3 knockouts. After an initial professional record of 1 win and 1 loss, she went on an impressive streak of 10 consecutive victories. Her most recent triumph was a unanimous decision win against Natasha Spence in April, underscoring her readiness for this championship challenge. The entire fight card, featuring several other exciting matchups across various weight classes, is set to be broadcast live on DAZN, promising an evening of high-stakes boxing entertainment.
This Friday's event in Atlanta brings together a blend of rising talent and experienced contenders, setting the stage for a compelling night of professional boxing. With key fighters stepping up in weight classes and defending titles, the stakes are exceptionally high, promising thrilling performances for boxing enthusiasts. The meticulously planned matchups and live streaming availability ensure that fans worldwide can witness every punch and strategic move, contributing to the sport's growing global appeal.