DETROIT – February 15, 2024 – Undefeated top light heavyweight contender Ali Izmailov plans to make a statement on his championship intentions when defends his USBA Light Heavyweight Title against Britton Norwood in the co-main event of “Big Time Boxing USA” on Tuesday, February 20 from Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit and streamed live on DAZN.

“You’re going to see the next light heavyweight champion on February 20,” said Izmailov. “There’s a lot of activity around the light heavyweight division and it’s motivated me even more during training camp. I know that I have to make a big statement and I’m ready to do it.”

Izmailov (11-0, 7 KOs) resides in Detroit but is trained in Florida by the renowned John David Jackson, who Izmailov credits with getting him this far in the pros.

“Coach Jackson has helped me a lot because he brings so much experience as both a fighter and a trainer,” said Izmailov. “It makes training much more fun. I really enjoy getting in there every day because I’m always learning and improving.”

The 30-year-old turned in a career best victory in his last outing, besting the previously undefeated Charles Foster via unanimous decision in a nationally televised bout on SHOWTIME. Three of Izmailov’s last four opponents entered the ring with unbeaten records, reflecting the kind of challenges Izmailov seeks in his career.

“I have shown that I want to fight the best as soon as possible and earn my world title shot,” said Izmailov. “My goal is to beat the best fighters in the division, no matter who it is. I’ll be ready for anyone.”

On February 20 he will face Norwood (13-4-1, 10 KOs), a veteran who’s competed since 2016 and who has won his last three bouts, all by knockout. For Izmailov, he hopes that Norwood will provide a stiff test and therefore give the fans a better fight to enjoy.

“On my end, I always prepare diligently, so the better Norwood is, the better show the fans will get,” said Izmailov. “If I get the opportunity for the knockout, I’ll definitely take it. But I’ve prepared hard for whatever happens in the fight. In the end, I want everyone to say that I’m the next exciting light heavyweight fighter.”

With a potential undisputed showdown between titleholders Dmitriy Bivol and Artur Beterbiev looking likely for the first half of the year, Izmailov plans to watch the fight closely with an eye on facing the winner as soon as possible.

“That’s a great fight and I’m very excited about it,” said Izmailov. “It’s too hard for me to pick a winner right now, but I’m all about the best fighting the best. This will be my first time fighting on DAZN on Tuesday and I can’t wait to show the boxing world what I’m all about and that I deserve to be next in line fighting for the belts.”

Tickets for the live event are available through ETix.com.

#         #         #

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action. 

Lester Martinez remained undefeated by stopping Isaiah Steen in round eight of their 10-round super middleweight bout at The Westgate Hotel in Las Vegas.

In round three, Martinez dropped Steen with a left hook.

Martinez continued to dominate the action, and in round eight, Martinez landed some hard right hands on the ropes that forced a referee stoppage at 1:15.

Martinez of Guatemala City, Guatemala is 15-0 with 13 knockouts. Steen of Toledo, Ohio is 16-2.

Britton Norwood stopped Nicolas Masseroni in the opening round of their eight-round cruiserweight bout.

Norwood dropped Masseroni hard on his back with a straight left and the fight was over at 1:20.

Norwood of Las Vegas is 13-4-1 with 10 knockouts. Mssseroni of Buenos Aries, ARG is 20-2.

David Alaverdian won a six-round majority decision over Ernesto Irias in a super flyweight bout.

Alaverdian of Las Vegas via Israel won by scores of 59-55 twice and 57-57 is now 8-0-1. Irias of Baton Rouge, LA is 15-7-1.

Henry Rivera stopped Tyre Rivera in round three of their four-round junior middleweight bout.

The bout was stopped at 1:29 of round three for Henry Rivera of Las Vegas who is now 2-0 with one knockout. Tyre Rivera is 0-2.

Vasilily Lomachenko won a 12-round unanimous decision over Richard Commey in a battle of former world champions at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.

In round seven, Lomachenko dropped Commey with a left hand.

Lomachenko, 134.4 lbs of Ukraine won by scores of 119-108 twice and 117-110, and is now 16-2. Commey, 134.2 lbs of Accra, GHA is 30-4/

Anderson Takes Out Teslenko in 2

Jared Anderson remained perfect by taking out Oleksandr Teslenko in round two of a scheduled eight-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Anderson landed a crunching right and left hook to the head that sent Teslenko dropping down to the canvas. Teslenko got to his feet, but the fight was called off at 1:33.

Anderson, 240 lbs of Toledo, OH is 11-0 with 11 KO’s. Teslenko, 213.8 lbs of Chevisi, UKR is 17-2.

Keyshawn Davis Shines in Top Rank Debut

Prized Olympic prospect, Keyshawn Davis sizzled in his Top Rank debut by stopping Jose Zaragoza in round two of a scheduled six-round lightweight bout.

Davis landed a big uppercut that put Zaragoza down for the 10-count at 2:51.

Davis, 157.8 lbs of Roanoke, VA is 4-0 with three knockouts. Zaragoza, 136.2 lbs of Jackson, MS is 6-4-2

Nico Ali Walsh Decisions Sanchez

Nico Ali Walsh remained undefeated with a four-round majority decision over Reyes Sanchez in a middleweight bout.

Ali Walsh, 159.2 lbs of Las Vegas won by scores of 40-36, 39-37 and 38-38 and is now 3-0. Sanchez, 162.8 lbs of Topeka, KS is 6-1.

Xander Zayas stopped Alesio Mastronunzio in round one of a six round junior welterweight boyt.

Zayas decked Mastronunzio with the first punch which was a perfect counter right just 10 seconds into the fight. Zayas battered Mastronunzio throughout the round until it was stopped at 2:52.

Fan-favorite Pablo Valdez remained undefeated with a 4th round stoppage over Julio Cesar Sanchez in a scheduled six-round welterweight fight.

Valdez dropped Sanchez four timed in the fourth round before the fight was halted.

Valdez, 146 lbs of New York is 6-0 with five knockouts. Sanchez, 149.6 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 11-4.

In a battle of undefeated junior welterweights, John Bauza took apart Michael Williams Jr, by scoring a 4th round stoppage in a scheduled eight-round bout,

In round two, Bauza clocked Williams with an overhand left that sent him to the deck. Williams kneeling on the canvas in an effort to slow down Bauza’s attack. In round four, Bauza dropped Williams three times. The first came from a combination on the ropes. The 2nd came from a perfect left. Williams finished the fight with a perfect straight left to the face and the fight was stopped at 2:18.

Bauza, 140.2 lbs of Puerto Rico is now 16-0 with seven knockouts. Williams, 138.9 lbs of Fayetteville, NC is 19-1.

James Wilkins won a eight-round unanimous decision over Juan Tapia in a junior lightweight fight.

In round four, Wilkins dropped Tapia with a strong jab.

Wilkins, 127.2 lbs of Staten Island, NY won by scores of 77-74, 77-75 and 76-75 and is now 10-2. Tapia, 128.4 lbs of Brownsville, TX is 10-4.

Kelvin Davis remained undefeated with a 2nd round stoppage over Ryan Schwartzberg in a welterweight fight.

Schwartzberg could not see and the fight was stopped in the corner.

Davis, 144 lbs of Norfolk, VA is 3-0 with two knockouts, Schwartzberg, 144.8 lbs of Davie, FL is 1-4-1.

Joe Ward stopped Britton Norwood in round one of a scheduled six-round light heavyweight bout.

In round one, Ward dropped Norwood with a combination to the chin. With Norwood hurt, Ward was all over Norwood and the fight was stopped at 1:35.

Ward, 175.2 lbs of Athlone, IRL is 6-1 with three knockouts. Norwood, 176.4 lbs of Jackson, MS is 10-3-1.