Salita Promotions returns to Flint, MI on Dec. 12 with the next edition of “Big Time Boxing USA” headlined by Flint‘s Ardreal Holmes Jr. and some of Michigan’s top prospects.
After successfully defending his USBA Junior Middleweight title in September, Flint native Holmes (16-0, 6 KOs) returns to his hometown to put his title on the line once again in the main event against an experienced challenger, French veteran Ahmed El Mousaoui (35-6-1, 9 KOs).
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Joey Spencer (18-1, 11 KOs) from nearby Fenton, MI, will fight in a 10-round bout at 160 pounds. Spencer has rebounded with two wins since suffering his lone defeat to undefeated, highly rated Jesus Ramos in March 2023.
Spencer will fight for the second time as a professional in his home state of Michigan.
“It was the best experience to fight in front of fans and friends from all over the state,” Spencer said. “I grew up fighting alongside Ardreal Holmes and Leon Lawson – training and traveling together to tournaments and even sparring one another as we grew into the same weight class.
Da’Velle Smith, who has been touted as Detroit’s finest, undefeated middleweight prospect since Tommy Hearns, is coming off an impressive victory over Gilberto Pereira dos Santos in Puerto Rico last month.
Smith is 10-0 with 8 knockouts and looks to build on his momentum when he returns to the ring against William Townsel (8-1, 6 KOs) from Virginia Beach. This matchup represents the first big test for Smith, who is regarded as the second coming of the legendary Hearns for his combination of speed, power and physique.
Townsel previously upset Nadim Salloum, who was 12-1 coming into the bout, on the March edition of “Big Time Boxing USA.”
Flint native Lawson (16-1, 9 KOs), cousin of Anthony and Andre Dirrell, is back after an impressive performance in September when he dominated Argentinian Luis Alberto Veron to earn his second-straight TKO. Lawson’s super welterweight opponent is to be determined.
Rising talent Samantha Worthington (9-0, 7 KOs) from Lexington, KY, will compete for the third time in 2024 as she defends her undefeated record in a women’s super lightweight bout. Worthington is ranked No. 2 in the IBF, No. 4 in the WBO and No. 6 in the WBC and WBA at 140 pounds. Worthington is promoted by unified women’s world champion and Flint native Claressa Shields and T-Rex Promotions. Shields and Worthington were U.S. Olympic teammates in 2016.
Shields says that Worthington is a fighter Flint fans won’t want to miss.
“Samantha is going to showcase the relentless work ethic and tremendous skill that first caught my eye and are pushing her up the rankings,” Shields said. “Samantha is on a path to challenge the sport’s top fighters, with future world title bouts against the likes of Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano well within her reach. Michigan fans, get ready to watch a rising star in women’s boxing right in your own backyard.”
Shields attended the latest “Big Time Boxing USA” event that was held in Flint on Sep. 12 in support of another fighter signed to ‘T-Rex Promotions, Flint native Jaquan McElroy.
This will be the sixth “Big Time Boxing USA” card since the series launched in February and is inarguably the series’ strongest lineup to date from top to bottom.
All the action takes place at Dort Financial Center in Flint, with the top four bouts airing live on DAZN.
Tickets for the event go on sale on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 11 a.m. and can be purchased online or in-person at the Dort Financial Center Box Office.