| |
|
|
Super Featherweight Contender Henry Lebrón To Face Derlyn
Hernández Sept. 26 In San Juan
Newly signed Salita and Universal Promotions undefeated
Puerto Rican super featherweight contender Henry “Moncho”
Lebron will challenge for the WBO Global Championship
against Derlyn Hernandez in the 10-round main event of a
five-fight Wynn Records Network event Saturday, Sept. 26
live from Coliseíto Pedrín Zorrilla in San Juan.
Unbeaten women’s super featherweight sensation Kiria Tapia
will take on Juliana Basualdo in a 10-round bout for the WBO
NABO title as the hometown favorite looks to move one step
closer to a world title opportunity.
In featured undercard fights, top Puerto Rican lightweight
prospect Ángel “El Mensajero” Carranza steps into the ring
riding a five-fight knockout streak against Kevin Piedrahita
in an eight-round bout, while undefeated blue-chip
bantamweight prospect Caleb Tirado returns in a six-rounder
in his second professional fight on the island.
Lebron (21-0, 11 KOs) is a consensus top-15 ranked super
featherweight contender - No. 5 by the IBF, No. by the 12
WBO and No. by the 14 WBA. The 28-year-old holds wins over
then-undefeated Edwin De Los Santos and multi-time former
world title challenger Christopher Diaz. Prior to turning
professional in 2017, the southpaw was an accomplished
amateur, compiling a 153-7 record and winning the Puerto
Rican National Championships from 2013-2016.
Lebron will face Hernandez in his first bout of a long-term
partnership with Salita Promotions, Universal Promotions and
Wynn Records. After dealing with inactivity due to
promotional issues in recent years, LeBron looks to stay
active and secure a world title opportunity in 2027.
“This is the beginning of a new chapter in my professional
career,” Lebron said. “I’m confident that, together with
Universal Promotions, Salita Promotions, Wynn Records, and
Gold Nation Sports, I’m going to become world champion.
First, we have a major test against Derlyn Hernandez, but we
know this will simply be the first step on our journey to
the top of the boxing world.”
The Dominican Republic’s Hernandez (14-5-1, 12 KOs) is
coming off a highlight-reel knockout upset of previously
undefeated Abisael Cotto in March to win the WBO Global
Junior Lightweight Championship. He returns to the site of
his career-best win looking to derail Lebron’s ascension in
the 130-pound division.
“I’m happy to have the opportunity to defend my WBO Global
championship,” Hernandez said. “I know the tough opponent
I’m facing, and I’m prepared for whatever he brings. I’ll
step into the ring as champion and leave as champion. Get
ready for a war.”
Kiria Tapia (10-0, 1 KO) was one of Puerto Rico's most
accomplished amateurs. Since turning professional, she has
established herself as one of the island’s premier female
fighters and a major box office draw. In her last
appearance, Tapia won a shutout decision of Alba Sanchez in
her second consecutive fight at Coliseíto Pedrín Zorrilla
and the debut Wynn Records Network event.
Tapia has climbed the super featherweight rankings since
turning pro in 2023 and is currently The Ring Magazine’s No.
5 ranked fighter at 130 pounds. With a win on Sept. 26,
Tapia will set her sights on Alycia Baumgardner, newly
crowned WBC champion Bernice Ferreira, former champ Caroline
Veyre, and the rest of the divisions’ best.
“This is a dream come true,” Tapia said. “On September 26,
at home and in front of my people, we’re going after the WBO
NABO championship. I’m ready to put on a great show and
leave it all in the ring. I guarantee you’ll see the best
version of me that night.”
Juliana Basualdo (15-7, 3 KOs), of Santa Fe, Argentina, has
been incredibly active since turning professional in 2019.
The southpaw is riding a two-fight winning streak since
dropping a very narrow split decision to undefeated rising
American contender Mikiah Kreps. In 2024, Basualdo faced
former world champion Segolene Lefebvre and was ahead on one
of the scorecards before the bout was halted in fifth due to
an accidental clash of heads. Now she makes her Puerto Rican
debut as she looks to be the spoiler of Tapia’s rapid rise
in the division.
“I’m very excited about this great opportunity,” Basualdo
said. “We’re coming in great condition to face a tremendous
fighter like Tapia. I know we’ll be fighting in her
hometown, but that doesn’t take anything away from us. I’m
coming for that championship.”
Ángel “El Mensajero” Carranza (12-1, 9 KOs) is a top Puerto
Rican lightweight prospect riding a five-fight knockout
streak. A former professional kickboxer, Carranza compiled
an impressive 94-12 amateur record and was a three-time
Puerto Rico National Champion. The 24-year-old stands at
5-foot-10 and will be fighting for the first time since
signing a co-promotional deal with Universal Promotions,
Salita Promotions and Wynn Records.
Undefeated Puerto Rican prospect Caleb Tirado (2-0, 1 KO)
will return in a six-round bantamweight bout. Tirado began
boxing at age 9 and spent nearly two decades building one of
the most decorated amateur careers in Puerto Rican boxing
history. The 24-year-old competed in top international
tournaments as an amateur, winning the 2023 Continental
Championship alongside 12 Puerto Rico National
Championships.
The Sept. 26 Wynn Records Network broadcast is the third
Salita and Universal Promotions nationally televised event
of 2026 in Puerto Rico and the latest of a series of
commitments to the island known for producing some of
boxing’s best talent.
“We are excited to return to Puerto Rico and continue
building the next generation of boxing stars, live on Wynn
Network from this legendary island,” said Dmitriy Salita,
President of Salita Promotions. “We look forward to
showcasing the new era of Puerto Rican stars in the making
to the world.”
Added Javier Bustillo, President of Universal Promotions:
“We’re ready to present, alongside Salita Promotions and
Wynn Records, another great night of boxing from San Juan,
Puerto Rico. We’ll feature two exciting championship bouts
that promise nonstop action from start to finish. In
addition, some of the island’s most talented prospects will
face important challenges in an event that promises an
unforgettable night of boxing.”
The recently announced partnership between Salita Promotions
and Wynn Records Network will expand boxing’s reach to new
audiences while developing the next generation of stars. The
recurring offerings are designed to complement the premier
Salita Promotions events airing on DAZN, the global leader
in boxing. They provide an outlet for Salita Promotions and
Wynn Records to showcase the growing roster of talent signed
by both entities, giving boxing fans a first look at the
future generation of stars as they prepare to take the next
step in their careers.
|
|
|
