Joshua Pagan Now to Face Haskell Rhodes on October 18th DAZN Show in San Juan
Joshua Pagan. Photo courtesy of MLive.com
James Pagan has a new opponent in his sights.
The undefeated lightweight will face goalkeeper Haskell Rhodes on October 18, promoter Dmitriy Salita confirmed. The 10-round fight will take place at the Coca-Cola Music Hall in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Salita also announced that Da’Velle Smith who will be part of the ‘Big Time Boxing USA’ card will be part of the middleweight division. Both fights will air live on DAZN (9 pm ET/ 6 pm PT).
Pagan (10-0, 4 knockouts) was originally scheduled to face Canadian Trevor Thonson in a compelling contest of undefeated lightweights. It is reported that Thonson has faced travel problems which forced him to withdraw from the fight.
The DAZN headliner will mark Pagan’s first scheduled 10-round fight of his young professional career. The 24-year-old Grand Rapids, Michigan native has already had success against above-average opposition.
Pagan defeated Roger Hilley by unanimous decision in his last fight on May 23. Both Pagan and Hilley entered the fight undefeated. Pagan’s return to the ring was delayed after he suffered a severe cut over his left eye from an accidental clash of heads in the opening round.
In his last fight last October 21, Pagan defeated Braulio Rodriguez in six rounds to one side. He also defeated another undefeated fighter, Ronnell Burnett, to win a stoppage last June 3.
Rhodes (31-6-1, 16 KOs), originally from Oklahoma City and now living in Las Vegas, last fought on August 31. The veteran, 36, knocked out Jonathan Perez in the opening round for his fourth win. starts the last six.
Between the two losses during that time was a one-shot loss to the undefeated Floyd Schofield on July 8 of last year.
Smith (9-0, 7 KOs) is coming off his last win on Sept. 12. The 24-year-old product of Taylor, Mich. He stops Esau Herrera de la Cruz in the third round. He has stopped four of his last five opponents.
Both Pagan and Smith are promoted by Salita and managed by Aaron Samson.
In the main event, undefeated light heavyweight Juan Carrillo (12-0, 9 KOs) of Barranquilla, Colombia will take on Gilbert Castillo Rivera (25-5-1, 9 KOs) of the Dominican Republic in a round -10 bouts.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has handled boxing in Southern California and internationally since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. They can be reached at [email protected]
