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Angelo Leo vs. Ra'eese Aleem Press Conference
Fight week officially began Thursday afternoon as Salita
Promotions, in association with Manny Pacquiao Promotions
and Route 30 Promotions, hosted the official press
conference for this Saturday’s IBF World Featherweight
Championship event at the Sonesta Hotel in College Park,
Georgia.
The event, hosted by Naji Grampus of Cigar Talki marked the
first official face off between reigning IBF Featherweight
World Champion Angelo “El Chinito” Leo (26-1, 12 KO’s) and
mandatory IBF No. 1 challenger Ra'eese “The Beast” Aleem
(23-1, 12 KO’s) ahead of their highly anticipated world
title clash on Saturday, May 9 at Gateway Center Arena in
Atlanta, streaming live globally on DAZN at 8 p.m. ET.
The press conference also featured undefeated rising
contenders Atif “Lord Pretty Calvo” Oberlton (15-0, 12 KO’s)
and Pryce Taylor (10-0, 7KO’s), alongside veterans Carlos
Góngora (22-3, 17 KO’s) and Calvin Barnett (7-4, 4 KO’s), as
Atlanta prepares to host what promoters are positioning as
the beginning of a new era of “BIG TIME BOXING” in the city.
“This is a special moment because this is the first major
professional boxing event in College Park, and that means
something to us,” said Manu of Route 30 Promotions. “We want
this to be a night the city can be proud of and a night fans
will remember. The card is stacked with talent, big
personalities, and meaningful fights from top to bottom.”
Dmitriy Salita spoke about the long-term vision behind
bringing championship boxing to Atlanta.
“My goal has always been to bring big-time boxing to Atlanta
because this is a city with incredible energy, culture, and
passion for entertainment,” said Salita, President of Salita
Promotions. “The main event is exactly what championship
boxing should be — two of the best fighters in the division,
Angelo Leo and Ra’eese Aleem, both risking everything and
both determined to leave with the belt.”
The reigning champion Leo emphasized his respect for Aleem
and his continued pursuit of legacy fights.
“I respect Ra’eese Aleem and everything he’s done to earn
this opportunity,” said Leo. “My whole career, I’ve wanted
to fight the best available competition. I want the
unifications. I want the toughest fights. I want to go
through every level of this sport and prove myself against
all of them. That’s what legacy is to me.”
Aleem, fighting in his first world title opportunity, made
it clear he plans to capitalize on the moment.
“I earned this spot through years of hard work, sacrifice,
setbacks, and staying dedicated to the grind when people
counted me out,” said Aleem. “Now the opportunity is here,
and I’m coming to take that belt.”
One of the event’s most talked-about personalities was
undefeated light heavyweight Atif Oberlton, who delivered a
passionate message about identity, expression, and violence
inside the ring.
“On May 9th, I’m looking to make the most brutal and
destructive statement of my career,” said Oberlton. “When I
step into that ring, you’re getting all of it — the skill,
the violence, the confidence, the presence. That’s Lord
Pretty Calvo.”
Former world champion Carlos Góngora welcomed the challenge
of facing one of boxing’s rising prospects.
“A lot of people are expecting Atif to make a statement, but
on May 9th, I’m coming to upset those plans,” said Góngora.
Heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor discussed the pressure
that comes with fighting in boxing’s glamour division.
“People expect heavyweights to get knockouts,” said Taylor.
“I think I can get the stoppage on May 9th based on my
technique, my timing, and the way I put my punches
together.”
Opponent Calvin Barnett embraced the underdog role entering
the toughest fight of his career.
“I really jumped off the porch and got it out the mud,” said
Barnett. “This is definitely going to be my toughest test so
far, but that’s what excites me about it.”
Saturday’s event represents the Atlanta debut for Salita
Promotions as the company continues expanding its “Big Time
Boxing” platform into new markets following successful
events in Detroit and Puerto Rico.
The BIG TIME BOXING USA event, takes place Saturday, May 9
at Atlanta’s Gateway Center Arena, and will stream live on
the global leader of boxing, DAZN. Doors open at 5:00 P.M.
ET with the first fight scheduled for 5:10 P.M. ET, leading
into the DAZN telecast beginning at 8:00 P.M. ET. The card
is presented by Salita Promotions, with tickets available
now at Ticketmaster.com.
IBF World Featherweight World Champion Angelo “El Chinito”
Leo (26-1, 12 KO’s) makes his second title defense against a
rugged challenger Ra’eese “The Beast” Aleem (23-1, 12 KO’s)
in a 12-round matchup. Undefeated light heavyweight
contender Atif “Lord Pretty Calvo” Oberlton (15-0, 13 KO’s)
is the co-main event appearance against former IBO World
Champion Carlos Góngora (22-3, 17 KO’s).
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