Professional boxing made an exciting return to Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Tuesday night as Salita Promotions brought championship action to GLC Live at 20 Monroe. Fight fans packed the arena to watch hometown hero Joshua “JJ” Pagan defend his title and see Caroline Veyre capture a world championship. The event streamed live on DAZN as part of the BIG TIME BOXING USA series.
Grand Rapids native Joshua Pagan (15-0, 5 KOs) stepped into the ring for the first defense of his NABO Lightweight title. Facing Bryan Jimenez (18-3, 10 KOs), Pagan fought in front of an energized crowd that cheered loudly from the opening bell.
Pagan controlled the fight early with a strong jab and smart footwork. He stayed calm and focused while Jimenez tried to apply pressure. In the middle rounds, Jimenez found some success by landing body shots, but Pagan stayed in control by using his speed and ring awareness.
The fourth round was a turning point. Pagan landed sharp left hooks and clean combinations that shifted the momentum in his favor. He continued to use angles and quick movement to keep Jimenez off balance. In the sixth round, Jimenez rallied and landed several hard punches that caused bruising under Pagan’s left eye. Despite the damage, Pagan stayed composed and finished strong.
With the crowd on its feet in the final round, Pagan closed out the competitive fight with confidence. After 10 rounds, the judges scored the bout 99-91, 99-91, and 100-90, giving Pagan a unanimous decision victory.
“I want to give all glory to God,” Pagan said after the fight. “He was a tough opponent, and we expected and prepared for what he brought tonight. We got the job done. I want to fight everyone in the division, and I welcome all challenges.”
Salita Promotions President Dmitriy Salita praised Pagan’s performance and the strong support from Michigan fans.
“The state of Michigan has produced some of the greatest fighters in the sport, and JJ is one of those guys,” Salita said. “He continues to progress, and I believe he’s ready to face the top names in the division.”
In the co-main event, Caroline Veyre (11-1) delivered a determined performance to win the vacant WBC Women’s Super Featherweight World Championship. Moving up in weight, Veyre faced veteran Delfine Persoon (50-4, 20 KOs), known for her aggressive style.
From the start, Persoon pressured Veyre and used her experience to make the fight tough. However, Veyre stayed calm and responded with effective counterpunches. She also worked the body to slow Persoon down. Veyre’s left hook became one of her most important weapons during the fight.
The match included several point deductions. Persoon lost two points for punches to the back of the head, while Veyre was deducted two points for holding. Swelling developed around Veyre’s left eye in the fourth round, but she continued to box smartly and control the center of the ring.
After 10 hard-fought rounds, the judges scored the fight 95-91, 94-92, and 98-88 in favor of Veyre, awarding her a unanimous decision victory and the world title.
“I worked extremely hard for this moment,” Veyre said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity. I’m willing to fight anyone.”
The undercard also featured strong performances from Michigan fighters. Flint heavyweight Sardius Simmons (6-0, 3 KOs) earned a unanimous decision over Jonathan Rice. Simmons improved as the fight went on, using his size and strength to control the action.
Garrett Rice Jr. (2-0, 1 KO) won a four-round unanimous decision over Charles Scott Jr., showing impressive hand speed and steady pressure.
In non-televised bouts, Ulysses Campos improved to 5-0 with five knockouts after a second-round TKO victory. Middleweight Joseph Hicks (13-1, 8 KOs) earned a six-round unanimous decision, while Justin Lacey-Pierce and Jose Sanchez fought to a split draw in a competitive contest.
With a hometown champion defending his title, a new world champion crowned, and rising prospects on display, the night proved that championship boxing is alive and thriving in Michigan once again.
Media Works of John Rothwell 