Flint, Mi –
On Thursday December 12th, it was one of the first truly cold days of Winter, but The Dort Financial Center was on fire as Flint’s own Ardreal “The Bossman” Holmes Jr. (17-0, 6 KOs) took on Edwin Junior Jimenez (9-1, 7 KOs) in the main event of Big Time Boxing USA’s December PPV. Holmes demonstrated his superior striking, and agility emerging victorious with a unanimous decision.
Holmes faced a tough opponent in Jimenez, but his performance was almost flawless. The judges scored the fight 97-93 across the board, marking a decisive win for Holmes Jr. While Jimenez by no means made the evening easy, Holmes was able to take command of the fight early and he never let up.
We’re just taking it step by step. This fight just got me more prepared for the next fight. Every time we step into the ring, we get better. So, when we get Lubin, we’ll be that much better. Just prepared to be surprised. I am going to shock the world. Sink or swim. I’ll get in there with anybody. – Ardreal Holmes Jr.
This victory locks him into his next fight, a clash with Erickson Lubin, the No. 3-ranked super welterweight. If Holmes Jr were to defeat Erickson Lubin, then he is guaranteed the No. 1 contender position and a guaranteed a shot at the IBF 154-pound world title.
In the co-main event, Linden’s Joseph “Small Town Soldier” Spencer (19-1, 11 KOs) secured a majority decision win against Texas’ Miguel Angel Hernandez (9-1, 7 KOs). Spencer’s ability to avoid taking heavy damage, while tactfully picking his shots handed Hernandez his first career defeat, in an extremely close fight.
Hernandez is a very tough opponent. Tougher than expected. I am very grateful to have a very tough warrior in there with me tonight to perform. I felt like this was a close fight. Obviously, I can’t judge it when I’m inside the ring. Based on how I felt, I think the rounds that he won, he won pretty convincingly. The rounds that I won might’ve been a little closer. I think I landed the cleaner shots and the ring generalship and defense I displayed in the rounds that I won is what separated us. – Joey Spencer
Detroit’s Da’Velle Smith (11-0, 8 KOs) battled William Townsel (8-2, 6 KOs) in another closely contested fight of the evening. Smith’s heavy hands and determination paid off as he secured a majority decision win, maintaining his unbeaten record.
William was a tough opponent. There were some things that I couldn’t stop that he was doing. I couldn’t time his left hand the way I wanted to counter it. But he was a great fighter coming forward and I just need to go back to the drawing board, make some adjustments and come back better. This was my first tough opponent and step up in competition. He was 8-1 and he came out to put on a great fight and he did. – Da’Velle Smith
Samantha “The Heat” Worthington (10-0, 7 KOs) from Folsom, California, continued her ascent in the Women’s Super Lightweight division by defeating New York’s Jaica Pavilus (4-7-1, 1 KO).
I’m very happy with my win. I’m now 10-0 and ending the year on a high note. I know what I was created to do. I showed about 60% of the fighter I am tonight. There’s so much more left in the tank and we’re just getting started. Each fight I learn something. I was able to learn from this fight and now look forward to the future. I’ll be back in the ring very soon and I’m excited to show more of who ‘The Heat’ truly is. – Samantha Worthington
The night also featured a major announcement: The #GWOAT herself, Claressa Shields will return to action on February 2nd IN FLINT! Shields will defend her WBC and WBO World Champion titles and compete for the WBA Heavyweight World title against undefeated contender Danielle Perkins. The event, aptly named “Super Brawl Sunday”, will be held at The Dort Financial Center and air live on DAZN.
Preliminary fights saw New York’s Pryce Taylor making a strong showing in his Salita Promotion’s debut with a third-round TKO over KeShawn Jackson. Other impressive knockouts included Byron Rojas (round five), Hunter Lee (round one), and Kahmel Makled (round one). Caroline Veyre of Canada also clinched a unanimous decision win against Uruguay’s Gabriela Bouvier for the Women’s WBC International Featherweight Title.
It is clear to see, even to an untrained eye the wealth of true boxing talent the City of Flint has been blessed with. The last two events that Salita Promotions have put together in Flint have truly been world class events, but hindsight being 20/20, and knowing what lies ahead, I think we are only scratching the surface. The past two events have been building to something bigger, and that something bigger is on February 2nd. I cannot understate how major a card with Claressa Shields in a World Title match potentially alongside Ardreal Holmes Jr. vs Erickson Lubin would be.
I honestly CANNOT wait to see how the rest of the card will shape out for February 2nd.
Be sure to follow Rob & Landon on Instagram for more pictures from the event.
