GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Professional boxing returns to downtown Grand Rapids on June 14 as undefeated hometown champion Joshua “JJ” Pagan makes the second defense of his WBO NABO Lightweight Championship against Mexico’s Rodolfo Bustamante Salazar at GLC Live at 20 Monroe.
The event marks another major milestone in the resurgence of professional boxing in West Michigan and brings championship boxing back to a city with a rich fighting tradition. For Pagan, a Grand Rapids native and 2019 graduate of Kenowa Hills High School, the opportunity to Co-headline a championship card in front of his hometown supporters carries special meaning.
“It’s truly an honor to bring it back,” Pagan said. “I’m glad to be a part of this, just bringing it back to my city, the city that I love so much. I love Grand Rapids so much. Just being able to bring boxing back, though, is truly, truly special, and it is very, very much a blessing.”
Pagan enters the bout with an undefeated professional record of 15-0 with five knockouts and continues to climb the lightweight rankings. While many rising contenders carefully select opponents, Pagan believes accepting difficult challenges is what separates him from the competition.
The championship fight will be contested against Rodolfo Bustamante Salazar of Santa Rosa, Mexico, a determined challenger looking to capitalize on the biggest opportunity of his career. Salazar understands the significance of competing for a regional title against an undefeated champion on his home turf.
“This fight means a lot,” Salazar said. “It’s important to me because there’s a title on the line. Joshua Pagan is a quality opponent. So this is a good opportunity for me to get the attention of the world and have the spotlight turn toward me.”
Salazar also sent greetings to his supporters back home in Mexico and promised fans an exciting contest.
“I send a greeting to all the people of Culiacán, Sinaloa, boxing fans and the people of Culiacán. Don’t miss my fight. It’s going to be a great war.”
To prepare for the title defense, Pagan completed training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he endured intense summer conditions while sharpening his skills.
“The heat over there is blistering,” Pagan said. “But we still got great sparring over there, 10 rounds of sparring, and that heat will get you ready for anything.”
The event is promoted by Salita Promotions, which has made a commitment to bringing high-level boxing back to Grand Rapids. Promoter Dmitriy Salita believes the city has both the history and fan base necessary to support major professional boxing events.
“The state of Michigan has produced some of the greatest fighters in the sport of boxing,” Salita said. “Grand Rapids is the home of Floyd Mayweather. The last championship boxing event here before the one we staged in February involved Floyd Mayweather. One of the greatest and biggest names in boxing came from Grand Rapids through the Mayweather family.”
Salita emphasized the importance of giving local fighters and gyms a stage to showcase their talent.
“It’s great for the local fans, for the local gyms, and for the local fighters to know that world-class boxing can live here,” he said. “This is our second show here in four months, and it’s very important for us to engage the community and engage the fans.”
As part of that effort, fighters participated in a public workout at PK Boxing Gym in Grand Rapids during fight week, allowing fans to interact with athletes and build excitement for the event.
“We really want to infiltrate the boxing sports culture here,” Salita said. “I truly believe this is going to be one of the best evenings of boxing in the United States in recent months.”
The championship main event is supported by a loaded undercard featuring some of Michigan’s top boxing prospects and amateur standouts. Fans will see fighters representing some of the state’s premier boxing gyms and communities.
Among those scheduled to compete are Jaquan McElroy of Flint’s famed Bristol Field House, the gym associated with undisputed women’s heavyweight champion Claressa Shields. Detroit’s Super Bad Boxing Gym will also be represented by fighters Lance Smith and Jasmine Hampton. Additional Michigan talent includes Robert Sims of Saginaw and several other rising prospects from across the state.
According to Salita, the event is designed to showcase the depth of Michigan boxing while providing fans with a full day of competitive action.
“Boxing fans can expect a great amount of boxing,” Salita said. “Many fighters from different parts of Michigan will be featured in competitive fights. Some of the state’s premier boxing gyms will have their very best athletes competing.”
Doors for the event will open at 1 p.m., with the first bout scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. The opening portion of the card, running from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., will be broadcast on the WIN Network. Beginning at 5 p.m., coverage will transition live to DAZN, allowing boxing fans across the country and around the world to watch the action.
For Grand Rapids, the return of championship boxing represents more than a single night of fights. It symbolizes the continued growth of the sport in a city that has produced some of boxing’s most recognizable names. For Pagan, it is another opportunity to defend his title in front of family, friends, and supporters who have followed his journey from local amateur standout to undefeated champion.
And on June 14, with a title on the line and a determined challenger standing across the ring, Grand Rapids will once again find itself at the center of the boxing world.
Media Works of John Rothwell 