Golden Boy Promotions has officially unveiled the highly anticipated fight card set for August 2nd, headlined by Oscar Duarte and Kenneth Sims Jnr. This event features a crucial co-main event with Regis Prograis facing Joseph Diaz Jnr, alongside a compelling lineup of undercard bouts designed to deliver an evening of intense boxing action. The card, brimming with returning champions and emerging contenders, is poised to offer significant moments for several fighters aiming to redefine their careers.
Anticipated Showdown: Prograis vs. Diaz Jnr Leads Stellar Chicago Boxing Card
On a significant Wednesday, Golden Boy Promotions announced the full fight details for their upcoming August 2nd boxing spectacle, scheduled to electrify the Credit Union 1 Arena in the vibrant city of Chicago. The main event features a compelling clash between Oscar Duarte and Kenneth Sims Jnr.
The spotlight, however, shines brightly on the co-featured bout: a pivotal encounter between former two-time junior welterweight titleholder Regis Prograis and the formidable Joseph Diaz Jnr. This matchup is more than just a fight; it's a crossroads for both athletes. Prograis, boasting a record of 29 wins with 3 losses and 24 knockouts, is eager to revitalise his career following recent defeats to Devin Haney and Jack Catterall. Conversely, Diaz, with 34 victories, 7 losses, and 15 knockouts, seeks to build momentum after breaking a three-fight losing streak with an impressive decision win last month in Tijuana.
The evening's excitement will continue with a thrilling cruiserweight contest, as Tristan Kalkreuth, holding a record of 15-1 with 10 knockouts, goes head-to-head against Kareem Hackett, who stands at 12-1 with 6 knockouts, in a ten-round battle. Adding to the star power, U.S. Olympian Joshua Edwards, perfect with 3 wins and 3 knockouts, will step into the ring for a six-round heavyweight showdown against Cayman Audie, whose record is 4-1 with 2 knockouts.
The live broadcast on DAZN will kick off with an eight-round light heavyweight confrontation featuring Yair Gallardo of Mexico City, undefeated with 9 wins and 8 knockouts, facing North Carolina's Quinton Rankin, whose record is 21-9-2 with 16 knockouts. The preliminary card promises further action, including Gael Cabrera, 8-0 with 5 knockouts, in a super bantamweight fight against an as-yet-unnamed opponent. Local favorite Deontae Pettigrew, maintaining an undefeated record of 15 wins and 11 knockouts, will challenge Skylar Lacy, 8-1-2 with 6 knockouts, in an eight-round heavyweight bout. The opening fight of the night will see Mekhi Phillips, with a flawless record of 6 wins and 6 knockouts, competing against an opponent to be announced.
The upcoming boxing event in Chicago encapsulates the very essence of the sport: resilience, the pursuit of redemption, and the emergence of new talent. For fighters like Prograis and Diaz, this card offers a critical platform to either reassert their dominance or forge a new path forward. For fans, it's a testament to the enduring appeal of boxing, providing a mix of established names and promising newcomers. The careful curation of these matchups ensures a night of dynamic and unpredictable contests, underscoring the relentless drive and passion inherent in professional boxing.