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Jones vs. Gualtieri Final Press Conference
Golden Boy Promotions made a splash in San Jose today with a
press conference kicking off fight week for the highly
anticipated DAZN headlining debut of undefeated knockout
artist Amari "The Reaper" Jones (16-0, 14 KOs), who will
perform in front of his hometown Bay Area fans against
former world champion Vincenzo "Il Capo" Gualtieri (25-1-1)
of Germany on Friday, May 22, in a 12-round middleweight IBF
eliminator at SAP Center. The event will stream live
worldwide on DAZN.
Tickets for Jones vs. Gualtieri are still available and are
priced at $150, $100, $75, $50, and $30, plus applicable
fees. A limited number of Golden Boy VIP Experience packages
will also be available and include exclusive merchandise and
premium fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets can
be purchased at Ticketmaster or Golden Boy Promotions.
In the co-main event, undefeated cruiserweight Robin Safar
(19-0, 13 KOs) will challenge for the WBC Silver
cruiserweight title against Buenos Aires, Argentina’s Yamil
Peralta (18-1-1, 10 KOs) in a 12-round showdown. Peralta
will be making his U.S. debut after capturing multiple
regional titles and previously challenging for the WBC
interim cruiserweight title.
Also featured on the televised DAZN card, rising super
middleweight contender Darius Fulghum (14-1-1, 12 KOs) will
compete in a 10-round bout against Miami-based Yoanki
Urrutia (17-2, 7 KOs). Opening the card, Las Vegas’ Tristan
Kalkreuth (16-1, 11 KOs) returns in a 10-round cruiserweight
clash against Michoacán, Mexico’s Marco Canedo (8-3-1, 5
KOs).
On the preliminary card, Fresno, California’s Jordan Fuentes
(6-0, 2 KOs) will compete in a six-round super flyweight
bout against an opponent to be announced. Salinas,
California’s Jose Medrano (2-0, 1 KO) will take on Aurora,
Colorado’s Anel Dudo (4-8-1, 1 KO) in a four-round super
featherweight fight. Jordan Panthen, known as “The Patriot,”
will fight for the WBA Intercontinental middleweight title
in a 10-round bout against Jean Rivera (10-2, 1 KO) of San
Juan, Puerto Rico. Los Angeles’ John "Scrappy" Ramirez
(16-1, 9 KOs) will face Rosario, Argentina’s Lucas Fernandez
(14-4-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round super flyweight contest.
Opening the evening, Los Angeles’ Enkhmandakh Kharkhuu (7-0,
3 KOs) will square off against Jalisco, Mexico’s Adrian
Herrera (10-4, 8 KOs) in an eight-round flyweight matchup.
Here is what the fighters had to say:
AMARI JONES:
“I train every fight like I’m fighting for a world title. I
don’t cut corners. Vincenzo has experience, but that’s all
he has over me. I don’t feel like he’s better than me or
more skilled than me. Friday night, I’m going to prove
that.”
“There’s no better way to prove myself than against a former
world champion. People already believe in me, but now it’s
time to solidify myself in this division and show that I
deserve a world title shot.”
“It’s a blessing to headline in the Bay Area. I’ve been
putting in all the work, coming off back-to-back knockouts,
and I feel like I earned this opportunity.”
“Friday night, I’m going to show everybody why Golden Boy is
so high on me and why they’re backing me like this.”
VINCENZO GUALTIERI:
“It’s a great opportunity for me to move forward and become
a world champion again.”
“I’ve fought a lot of champions and been in big fights
before. Friday night, Amari is fighting someone who has
already been there.”
ROBIN SAFAR:
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. That’s
one of the biggest reasons I signed with Golden Boy because
I knew they could push me into these opportunities.”
“I’ve been doing this for 15 years. I sacrificed being away
from my family overseas for this sport. This is what God put
me on Earth to do, and on Friday night I’m going to make a
statement.”
“That belt is motivation. I came here to take that belt.”
“I always come to fight. I show my boxing skills, my speed,
my power, and usually I get the knockout. Maybe we get
another one Friday night.”
YAMIL PERALTA:
“Thank you everyone for being here. I took this fight
because I’ve prepared for this moment for a long time. I’m
ready to show people who I am on my path toward becoming a
world champion.”
DARIUS FULGHUM:
“I had a rough stretch in 2025 and 2026, and I knew I needed
to reevaluate things. I told Golden Boy I want to bring a
belt back to them. The 168-pound division is wide open, and
I need to give myself the best opportunity possible.”
“Being in California surrounded by great talent and great
coaches has been huge for me. This year, I’m here to make
statements.”
“That fight with Bektemir Melikuziev was a fight I still
feel like I won, but I’m still learning and gaining
experience. I know I’m capable of becoming a world champion,
and we’re going to make that happen.”
TRISTAN KALKREUTH:
“I’m feeling good. Everything I’ve gone through in my career
and everything my team and I have been working on — now it’s
time to put it all together.”
“I believe in myself, and Golden Boy believes in me, too. It
feels great to be back. I appreciate Golden Boy giving me
the time to be with my wife and newborn daughter, but now
it’s time to show people I’m one of the best cruiserweights
in the world.”
“They grow up fast. At the end of the day, you still have to
go in there and put on a show.”
“By going in there and being myself. I’ve gone through a lot
these past few months with my daughter being born and
balancing training, but I’m ready.”
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