Eduardo ‘Sugar’ Nunez will face Miguel Marriaga to lead the undercard on Saturday August 31, where Diego Pacheco headlines against Maciej Sulecki at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles, live worldwide on DAZN.
Nunez (27-1 27 KOs) extended his 100 per cent record of wins inside the distance with a career-best performance in February, entering enemy territory in Tajikistan to take out former world ruler Shavkhatdzon Rakhimov in the 11th round of their final eliminator for the IBF junior lightweight title. ‘Sugar’ is sitting pretty as the #1 contender for the crown that is held by Anthony Cacace, and the 27-year-old will be looking to keep his KO run going to prove he’s ready to fight for the title.Marriaga (31-7 26 KOs) is out to derail those plans, and in doing so, the Colombian can stake his own claim for a fourth world title shot, having previously faced Nicholas Walters, Oscar Valdez and Vasiliy Lomachenko for world honors at 126 and 130lbs.
"I am happy and motivated by our commitment at the door, against the former contender for the world title on three occasions and adding that we will make our debut in the United States,” said Nunez.
“I know he is a strong fighter with a lot of experience but that motivates me even more to arrive in the best condition. We will be ready to go out with our hands raised on August 31.”
“This is a huge opportunity for me to put myself back into position amongst the elite of the division,” said Marriaga. “Sugar is a very good and strong fighter, but I feel great, and I am going to give it everything I have come August 31.”
Nunez’s clash with Marriaga completes the card in Carson, where an all-Mexican war stands out, as Arturo Cardenas takes on Jesus Arechiga. Cardenas (14-0-1 8 KOs) defends his Continental Americas super-bantamweight title for the second time in LA, having edged out Danny Flores via majority decision in Phoenix in June to defend the strap for the first time, having beaten Ernesto Flores in February to land the belt.
Arechiga (21-1 15 KOs) is the next man to try to take the title from Cardenas and the Sinaloa man will be desperate to get back to winning ways having narrowly lost in his last outing. That was in another crossroads clash with Jose Ramirez Maciel for the NABF title in Xochitepec in March, and the 24-year-old is excited to be able to set the record straight straight away with another strap on the line.
“I’m delighted to be back again with Matchroom,” said Cardenas. “I want to thank both God and Eddie Hearn for this opportunity. I’ve been keeping in shape in the gym with my team at RGBA and with the support of family, I’ve been training hard like I always do. We will be more than ready on August 31 to put on a good fight and come away with my hand raised.”
“I’m very motivated and grateful with this opportunity,” said Arechiga. “I’m having a great camp to help me reach my full potential in the ring. It will be a brilliant fight since the rival is a great fighter and we will leave everything in the ring. It is the opportunity that I have been waiting for a long time, today it presents itself, thank God, and I am going to make the most of it. I am also very excited that it is for a title, that motivates me twice.”
There’s an American debut on the card for Britain’s Chev ‘C4’ Clarke, who faces Efetobor Apochi for the IBF International and WBA Inter-Continental cruiserweight titles. Clarke (9-0 7 KOs) is riding high after recording a pair of impressive domestic victories in the first half of 2024, stopping Tommy McCarthy in Belfast in January to land the WBA belt he defends in LA, and then knocking out Ellis Zorro in Leeds to to bag the British title.
His US debut pits him against Apochi (12-2 12 KOs) the Texas-based Nigerian who has landed all of his victories to date inside the distance, and the experienced campaigner, who landed bronze in the 2014 Commonwealth Games after beating Jai Opetaia in the quarter-finals in Glasgow, returned to action after a near-two year layoff in February in Florida.
“I'm delighted to be making my US debut on August 31, especially in LA,” said Clarke. “Thanks to the team for making this possible. The UK fans already know what I bring to the ring. Now it's time for America to get in on the action. Team C4 incoming.”
“I am the most dangerous cruiserweight in the world,” said Apochi. “I am the most avoided, and nobody can beat me.”
The action on DAZN begins with an interim world title clash, as Adelaida Ruiz defends her WBC super-flyweight title against Ginny Fuchs. Ruiz (16-0-1 8 KOs) defends the belt for the first time after picking it up at the second attempt against Sonia Osorio in September 2022, with their first battle for the belt March 2021 ending abruptly after an accidental head clash in the second round. Los Angelina Ruiz has won on four occasions since landing the belt, including a KO triumph over former world champion Maria Cecilia Roman.
Fuchs (3-0 1 KOs) fights for for a world title in just her fourth pro fight but does so on the back of a storied amateur career, that includes bronze in the 2018 world championships, silver in the 2019 Pan American games and captaining Team USA at the 2020 Olympics. The Houston native last appeared on the undercard of Regis Prograis world title defense in New Orleans in June 2023.
“Thank you to DAZN, Matchroom for allowing me to be part of this amazing card in my hometown of Los Angeles,” said Ruiz. “I am very grateful for Sheer Sports Management for making this possible for me and my team. It’s always a pleasure to be able to fight in my city, in front of my fans, friends and my family. Everything comes to you at the right time, and this is my time, vamos con todo!”
“I’m excited to be a part of another Matchroom card to show my skills and prove that I belong amongst the top ranked boxers,” said Fuchs. “I appreciate the opportunity to challenge for the WBC Interim belt. This is going to be a great fight but know I will have my hand raised as the new champion. I plan on taking this world title and look forward to bigger belts.”
Matchroom recently announced the signing of big-punching welterweight Fabian ‘Zurdo’ Rojo, and the Phoenix talent returns quickly after an explosive second round KO win in his backyard in June over Daniel Gonzalez.
“I'm truly honored to be a part of the Matchroom Boxing team and can't wait to step into the ring on August 31 in LA,” said Rojo, who meets Alejandro Frias (15-10-2 7 KOs) over six rounds. “This opportunity is a dream come true for me, and I'm eager to give it my all. Thank you to everyone who's supported me on this journey – let's make it a night to remember!”
Rojo headlines the Before the Bell section of the card, which also features Criztec Bazaldua (5-0 1 KOs) facing Kyle Erwin (7-2 3 KOs) over six rounds at super-lightweight, and Alex Gueche (5-0 5 KOs) kicking off the night over six rounds at bantamweight against David Vargas (8-4-2 5 KOs).