Before future Hall of Famer Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins steps into the ring to defend his WBC and Ring Magazine light heavyweight titles against “Bad” Chad Dawson this Saturday, April 28 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, fans will be treated to a full slate of undercard action that includes a heavyweight showdown between Seth “Mayhem” Mitchell and “The Gentleman” Chazz Witherspoon in the co-main event, and appearances by young talents Shawn “Showtime” Porter, Michael “Baby Face” Faragon, Lavarn Harvell, Michael Perez, Julian Williams and Phil “The Italian Sensation” Lo Greco.
Returning to the ring for the first time since a February 2011 win over Agnes Adjaho, Akron, Ohio’s Shawn “Showtime” Porter (18-0, 13 KO’s) is a former National Golden Gloves champion and 2008 U.S. Olympic alternate whose speed and power have made him a top candidate for world title honors. A former NABF and NABO champion, the 24-year-old Porter will meet veteran Patrick Thompson (18-17-1, 8 KO’s) in an eight-round welterweight bout.
Another 24-year old sailing to the top of the boxing world is Syracuse, New York native Michael “Baby Face” Faragon (17-0, 8 KO’s). A well-schooled boxer with solid power puncher, Faragon won 85 amateur bouts before entering the pro game in 2007. Coming off of a third round technical knockout win over of Andres Ledesma in January, Faragon takes on Huatabampo, Mexico’s Sergio Rivera (16-9-2, 10 KOs) in a lightweight matchup scheduled for eight rounds.
Atlantic City’s own Lavarn Harvell (9-0, 4 KO’s) will look to impress his hometown fans when he engages in a border battle with Sharon, Pennsylania’s Anthony Pietrantonio (7-8, 6 KO’s) in a four-round light heavyweight bout.
Newark, New Jersey’s Michael “The Artist” Perez (15-1, 9 KO’s) will look to bounce back from the first loss of his pro career to fellow prospect Omar Figueroa when he squares off against seasoned veteran Julian Rodriguez (17-20-4, 11 KO’s) of Juarez, Mexico in a scheduled eight-round fight in the lightweight division.
An eight-round battle of junior middleweight prospects is sure to get the Atlantic City crowd on their feet when Philadelphia’s Julian Williams (8-0-1, 4 KO’s) steps into the ring to face Guaynabo, Puerto Rico native Hector Rosario (7-1-2, 5 KO’s), who is unbeaten in his last seven fights.
Opening the show is one of the newest members of the Golden Boy Promotions roster, unbeaten welterweight Phil “The Italian Sensation” Lo Greco (22-0, 12 KO’s), a favorite in Canada and Italy, but who is now hoping to win over fans in the United States, will see action in a six round bout against an opponent to be determined. A WBC international champion with impressive power and an exciting style, Lo Greco is amped up for his U.S. debut on April 28.
