Floyd “Money” Mayweather landed in his home state of Michigan today to help promote this weekend’s Cornelius “K9” Bundrage vs. Ishe Smith world championship fight taking place at Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit live on Showtime beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. Smith is in the Mayweather Promotions family, and so is J’Leon Love, the co-featured fighter. Of course, Money Mayweather is a Michigan native, so he has more than a few reasons to attend the bout in person.
Mayweather is in Detroit to participate in promotional activities leading up to Saturday night’s fights including the official weigh-in at the Masonic Temple Cathedral Theater on Friday at 1:00 p.m., which is open to the public. Fans are encouraged to attend and arrive early.
Bundrage vs. Smith, a 12-round fight for Bundrage’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, February 23 at the Masonic Temple Theatre in Detroit, Michigan. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, sponsored by Corona and MGM Grand Detroit and will be televised live on SHOWTIME. The co-main event will be a 10-round middleweight bout between Detroit’s undefeated rising star J’Leon Love and Derrick Findley of Gary, Indiana.
Mayweather Promotions has more fighters on the card as well, including Sweden-born Las Vegan Badou Jack (12-0, 9 KO’s) continues to turn heads in the boxing world. A 2008 Olympian for Gambia, the 29-year-old Badou has his sights set on professional stardom and he’s on the right track to getting there as part of the Mayweather Promotions stable. On Saturday, he meets Houston, Texas’ Don Mouton (11-5-1, 9 KO’s) in an eight round clash of super middleweight power-punchers.
One of Mayweather Promotions’ most promising up-and-coming prospects, Milwaukee native Luis Arias (2-0, 1 KO) has gotten off to a fast start in his pro career, decisioning Josh Thorpe last November and then stopping unbeaten Joshua Robertson in two rounds earlier this month. The 22-year-old will meet Chicago’s Edgar Perez (5-2 3 KO’s) in a six round super middleweight fight at the Masonic Temple Theatre on the 23rd.
Also on Saturday night, 2012 United States Olympian Terrell Gausha (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Cleveland returns to action as he attempts to keep his perfect record intact in a four round super middleweight bout against Tarrytown, New York’s Lekan Byfield (2-3-2).
In a four round junior middleweight fight, the world-famous Kronk Gym will be represented by debuting Joseph Bonas, who will fight in front of his Detroit fans in a four round matchup against of Coy Witt (2-2, 1 KO) of Pounding, Virginia.
The latest knockout artist to emerge from Puerto Rico, Carolina featherweight Braulio Santos (8-0, 7 KO’s) will seek another knockout victory in a six round bout against Terrance Walker (0-2) of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Twenty-two-year-old light heavyweight Steve Geffrard earned the National Golden Gloves, USA Boxing National and National PAL titles in 2010, but fell just short of making the 2012 United States Olympic team. Instead, he opted to turn to pro under the tutelage of famed trainer Ronnie Shields. The Miami, Florida native will meet Shreveport, Louisiana’s Kentrell Claiborne (2-6, 1 KO) in a four round cruiserweight battle in his professional debut on Saturday.
A stellar amateur competitor, D’Mitrius Ballard won five Ringside World Championship titles, a 2012 National Golden Gloves crown and four National PAL titles among many other accolades. Hailing from Temple Hills, Maryland, the 19-year-old is ready to begin his pro journey this weekend in a four round super middleweight fight against Kelly Henderson (0-1) of Bluefield, West Virginia.
Of course, Mayweather is in the news for a few more notable reasons this week. You may have heard about his move to Showtime, and fight against Robert Guerrero.
