Unbeaten super welterweight and Olympic Bronze medalist Kanat Islam (20-0, 17 KOs) will take on Colombian brawler Juan De Angel (18-3-1, 17 KOs) in the 10-round main event of Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round on Bounce TV taking place Sunday, May 8 from Lakeland Events Center in Lakeland, Florida.
Televised coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT and features a pair of exciting undercard battles as unbeaten prospects Miguel Cruz (12-0, 11 KOs) and Samuel Figueroa (10-0, 4 KOs) compete in an eight-round super welterweight showdown while featherweight prospect Dennis Galarza (12-1, 8 KOs) faces Mexico’s Yardley Suarez (15-3, 9 KOs) in an eight-round bout.
“I am very happy about this fight and I’m training very hard for the opportunity,” said Islam. “I am ready to fight. He is a good opponent but I have everything I need to win. I’ve waited a long time for this chance and I’m going to put on a show. The people of Kazakhstan will get a great performance from me.”
“I’m looking to com win and win this fight” said De Angel. “I know my opponent is tough and I have trained very hard for this fight. I am going to give him his first loss and make a big statement. I’m thankful for the opportunity and I will take advantage of it.”
“We are excited to bring this terrific show to Lakeland, Florida,” said Marshall Kauffman of King’s Promotions. “The main event should be an explosive one as the two fighters have a combined 34 knockouts in their 38 wins. It will be an early night for someone. The fans in Lakeland and watching on Bounce TV will see some of the best future contenders in the world.”
A Chinese born boxer representing Kazakhstan, Islam now fights out of Pahokee, Florida and made his U.S. debut in Miami in November 2015 with a first round knockout of Jonathan Batista. The two-time Olympian won a Bronze medal in 2008 and eventually made his pro debut in 2012 with a knockout of Daniel Beato. The 31-year-old owns victories over Francisco Cordero, Fidel Monterrosa Munoz and Emilio Julio.
Fighting out of Baranquilla, Colombia De Angel will make his U.S. debut on May 8 in the main event. The 28-year-old has won his last nine fights including eight by way of stoppage. He’s won 16 of his last 17 fights overall and most notably picked up a regional middleweight belt with a victory over Jose Pinzon in 2014.
Born in Aguada, Puerto Rico and now residing in Lake Mary, Florida, the 25-year-old Cruz was a member of the Puerto Rico National Team as an amateur. He turned pro in 2012 and picked up five victories in 2015 as he ended fights with Virgil Green, Daniel Rodriguez, Eli Addison, Juan Rodriguez, Travis Hartman and Anthony Abbruzzese inside the distance.
A powerful Puerto Rican southpaw, Figueroa defeated fellow unbeaten Javontae Starks on Bounce TV in October 2015. The 25-year-old turned pro in 2011 and will have another opportunity to take down an undefeated opponent on May 8.
Galarza is looking for his fourth straight victory in the state of Florida when he enters the ring on May 8. The 23-year-old has fought professionally since 2013 and racked up five wins in 2015 before kicking off 2016 with a decision over Samuel Amoako in January.
A pro since 2013, the 21-year-old Suarez is coming off of a knockout victory over Charly Soto. The Sinaloa, Mexico-native will fight for the third time in the U.S. on May 8. Suarez picked up 11 victories between 2014 and 2015 including seven by knockout.
