On Friday, April 25, Paco Presents and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Cotto Promotions and H2 Entertainment will proudly present the first installment of their “LA Friday Night Fights” professional boxing series from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, CA, and streamed live on global sports giant DAZN (9:00 pm ET/6:00 pm PT).
In the 10-round light heavyweight main event, undefeated Yair ‘Manotas’ Gallardo (9-0, 8 KOs) of Chihuahua, Mexico, will face his toughest test to date in Reading, Pennsylvania’s David “Dynamite” Stevens (14-2, 10 KOs).
And in the eight-round co-featured super featherweight attraction, Justin Viloria (8-0, 6 KOs) of Whittier, CA, will take on Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico’s Alejandro Yung Wong (12-1, 6 KOs).
Also scheduled for action in separate bouts are undefeated super featherweight Leonardo Rubalcava (9-0-1, 3 KOs) of Jurupa Valley, CA, in a six-round showcase, and super featherweight Manuel Avila (25-2-1, 9 KOs) of Fairfield, CA, in an eight-round battle. Both super featherweights will face opponents who will be announced shortly.
Tickets for “LA Friday Night Fights” are available at events.thunderstudios.com.
With more than 100 fights on his amateur resume, Yair Gallardo won three Mexican National Championships, the US Silver Gloves and took silver at the prestigious Junior Pan American Games in Colombia in 2021. Gallardo was also awarded ‘Sportsman of the Year’ in Mexican boxing for the year 2021 and was a top member of the Mexican National Team.
The power-punching 21-year-old turned professional in late 2022 and has had to go the scheduled distance just once in his nine fights. Currently on a four-fight knockout streak, Gallardo has never fought beyond six completed rounds. He was last seen brutalizing opponent Carlos Fidel Guiti Miranda in less than a round in February of this year.
“I’m very grateful for this great opportunity to return to the ring.” Said Gallardo. “Thank you to my companies, Miguel Cotto Promotions and H2 Entertainment, for believing in me. Thank you to Golden Boy for giving me this great opportunity. I’m ready to continue demonstrating my talent, fight after fight. Regarding Stevens, I can say he’s a great boxer, and on April 26 in Los Angeles, we’ll see who’s the best in the ring. I hope to see you all in Los Angeles. I dedicate this fight to my city of Delicias in Chihuahua and all of Mexico.”
David Stevens was also an accomplished amateur before turning professional in 2018, having won two Junior Olympic Gold Medals, a Silver Gloves Championship, a Ringside World Championship, and the 2017 USA Boxing Youth National title.
The 24-year-old Stevens was last seen fighting to a respectable and close split decision loss against international top prospect Bektemir Melikuziev of Uzbekistan in November of last year. Before that, Stevens impressively took the undefeated 0 from the formidable Sean Hemphill (then 14-0) by eighth-round knockout in January 2023.
“I am a man of few words, and I will show Yair and the boxing world that I am here to stay with my fists,” said David Stevens. “I want to thank everyone who has been with me since the beginning, and I can’t wait for fight night to give everyone a good show.”
I’m very excited to announce this series of boxing events at Thunder Studios in beautiful Long Beach,” said Paco Damian. “I have enjoyed a great relationship with Golden Boy Promotions for many years and I am delighted to promote shows with them again. It brings back many great memories of my days working with the great Don Chargin. These shows will open opportunities for all local fighters here in Los Angeles, where there has always been great talent. I am a huge boxing fan and l love great competitive fights like these. Do not miss it!”
“Both Yair Gallardo of Chihuahua, Mexico, and David Stevens of Reading, Pennsylvania, are top prospects with immense potential,” said Oscar De La Hoya. “The winner of this fight will earn greater opportunities in the light heavyweight division. We are grateful to Paco Presents for their longstanding partnership and look forward to continuing our collaboration.”
On fight night, doors open at 5:00 pm PT and the fights start at 6:00 pm PT. Thunder Studios is located at 20434 S Santa Fe Ave., in Long Beach. For more information, visit their web site at thunderstudios.com or call (310) 762-1360.
