Boxing returns to North America for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic shut down the sweet science, as Top Rank will host a five-fight card on Tuesday at the MGM Grand Conference Center Grand Ballroom in Las Vegas.
In the main event, featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson (13-0, 7 KOs) will take on Puerto Rican contender Felix Caraballo (13-1-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round non-title junior lightweight bout.
Top Rank has scheduled multiple fight cards each week of June on the ESPN family of networks.
Tuesday’s card will be headlined by the 22-year-old Stevenson. The fast-rising star is an Olympic silver medalist with a high ceiling as one of the top young fighters in the sport. He was originally slated to defend his title on March 14 against Miguel Marriaga. That fight was canceled because of the pandemic.
Caraballo has won five fights in a row but will be fighting for the first time away from Puerto Rico.
Stevenson is hoping to make quick work of Carabello, setting up a bout against a bigger-name opponent. He said he hasn’t decided whether he’ll remain at 126 pounds or move up to 130.
“I think that the champions at 130 are all decent fighters,” Stevenson told reporters on a conference call. “I’ve already pictured myself in the ring with all of them … so I’ve already been thinking about that. I’ve been thinking about being in the ring with Oscar Valdez, with [Gary] Russell, [Leo] Santa Cruz, JoJo [Diaz], even Jamel [Herring], if I have to.”
And that doesn’t even include Josh Warrington, a fellow featherweight champion.
Mikaela Mayer was originally set to compete in the co-main event against Helen Joseph but was removed from the card after testing positive for COVID-19.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Stevenson-Caraballo card.
Shakur Stevenson vs. Felix Caraballo fight date and time
- Date: Tuesday, June 9
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
The five-fight card kicks off at 7 p.m. ET. Stevenson and Caraballo are expected to take their ring walks about 9:30 p.m., although the exact time depends on the length of the earlier fights.
How to watch Stevenson vs. Caraballo: TV channel, live stream
In the United States, the Stevenson vs. Caraballo card will be televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes with a start time of 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
Where is the Stevenson vs. Caraballo fight?
Stevenson vs. Caraballo will take place at the MGM Grand Conference Center Grand Ballroom in Las Vegas. There will not be fans in attendance because of the coronavirus.
Stevenson vs. Caraballo betting odds
According to FanDuel, Stevenson is a massive favorite at -5000, meaning you’d have to bet $5,000 to win $100. Caraballo is a +1900 underdog, meaning if you bet $100, you would net $1900.
Shakur Stevenson record and bio
- Name: Shakur Stevenson
- Nationality: American
- Born: June 28, 1997
- Height: 5 feet, 8 inches (172.7 cm)
- Weight: 126 pounds (57.2 kg)
- Reach: 68 inches (172.7 cm)
- Total fights: 13
- Record: 13-0 (7 KOs)
Felix Caraballo record and bio
- Name: Felix Caraballo
- Nationality: Puerto Rican
- Born: April 4, 1994
- Height: 5-8 (172.7 cm)
- Weight: 126 pounds (57.2 kg)
- Reach: N/A
- Total fights: 16
- Record: 13-1-2 (9 KOs)
Stevenson vs. Caraballo fight card
- Shakur Stevenson vs. Felix Carabello, junior lightweight (10 rounds)
- Jared Anderson vs. Johnnie Langston, heavyweight (6 rounds)
- Guido Vianello vs. Don Haynesworth, heavyweight (6 rounds)
- Robeisy Ramirez vs. Yeuri Andujar, featherweight (6 rounds)
- Quatavious Cash vs. Calvin Metcalf, middleweight (4-6 rounds)
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Felix Caraballo enters fight with Shakur Stevenson as mystery man