Boxing returns to North America for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the sweet science, as Top Rank will host a five-fight card on Tuesday, June 9, at the MGM Grand Conference Center Grand Ballroom in Las Vegas.
In the main event, WBO featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson (13-0, 7 KOs) will take on Puerto Rican contender Felix Caraballo (13-1-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round super featherweight bout.
This will be the start of a series of fights in June as Top Rank plans to stage multiple fight cards each week on the ESPN family of networks.
Tuesday's card will be headlined by the 22-year-old Stevenson. The fast-rising star is an Olympic silver medalist with an extraordinarily high ceiling as one of the top young fighters in the sport. He was originally slated to defend his title on March 14 against Miguel Marriaga. Unfortunately, coronavirus took the world by storm and canceled the fight.
He'll face Caraballo, who has won five fights in a row and will be fighting for the first time away from Puerto Rico, in a super featherweight attraction as Stevenson aims to remain undefeated.
Stevenson is hoping to make quick work of Carabello, setting up a bout against a bigger-name opponent.
"I think that the champions at 130 are all decent fighters," Stevenson told reporters on a conference call. "I've already pictured myself in the ring with all of them already, so I've already been thinking about that. I've been thinking about being in the ring with Oscar Valdez, with (Gary) Russell, (Leo) Santa Cruz, JoJo (Diaz), even Jamel (Herring), if I have to."
And that doesn't even include Josh Warrington, the IBF featherweight champion.
Mikaela Mayer was originally set to compete in the co-main event against Helen Joseph but was removed from Tuesday's card after testing positive for COVID-19.
Here's everything you need to know for the Stevenson-Caraballo card.
Shakur Stevenson vs. Felix Caraballo fight date and time
- Date: Tuesday, June 9
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
The five-fight card kicks off at 7 p.m. ET. Stevenson and Caraballo are expected to take their ring walks about 9:30 p.m., although the exact time depends on the length of the earlier fights.
How to watch Stevenson vs. Caraballo: TV channel, live stream
In the United States, the Stevenson vs. Caraballo card will be simulcast on ESPN and ESPN+ with a start time of 7 p.m. ET.
Where is the Stevenson vs. Caraballo fight?
Stevenson vs. Caraballo will take place in Las Vegas, and will be held at the MGM Grand Conference Center Grand Ballroom. There will not be fans in attendance because of the coronavirus.
Stevenson vs. Caraballo betting odds
According to FanDuel, Stevenson is a massive favorite at -5000, signaling that you'd need to bet $5,000 to win $100. Caraballo is a +1900 underdog, meaning if you'd bet $100, you would net $1900.
Shakur Stevenson record and bio
- Name: Shakur Stevenson
- Nationality: American
- Born: June 28, 1997
- Height: 5-8
- Weight: 126 pounds
- Reach: 68 inches
- Total fights: 13
- Record: 13-0 with 7 knockouts
Felix Caraballo record and bio
- Name: Felix Caraballo
- Nationality: Puerto Rican
- Born: April 4, 1994
- Height: 5-8
- Weight: 126 pounds
- Reach: N/A
- Total fights: 16
- Record: 13-1-2 with 9 knockouts
Stevenson vs. Caraballo fight card
Main card
- Shakur Stevenson vs. Felix Carabello; Super Featherweight (10 rounds)
- Jared Anderson vs. Johnnie Langston; Heavyweight (6 rounds)
- Guido Vianello vs. Don Haynesworth; Heavyweight (6 rounds)
- Robeisy Ramirez vs. Yeuri Andujar; Featherweight (6 rounds)
- Quatavious Cash vs. Calvin Metcalf; Middleweight (4-6 rounds)