Tszyu-Thurman and Romero-Cruz headline PBCs debut on Amazon on March 30

Two-time welterweight titleholder Keith Thurman takes on reigning WBO 154-pound titlist Tim Tszyu in the principle occasion, whereas 140-pound WBA beltholder Rolando Romero and Ring’s No. 3-rated light-weight Isaac Cruz meet within the co-main occasion on March 30 within the inaugural PBC Pay-Per-View on Prime Video from T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas.

The cardboard marks the debut occasion for PBC Pay-Per-View out there by means of Prime Video because the events introduced a multiyear rights settlement in December. Along with the PPV being out there for buy on Prime Video, no matter Prime membership, followers may even be capable of proceed to entry the telecast by means of conventional cable and satellite tv for pc retailers.

The pay-per-view may even see The Ring’s No. 3-rated middleweight Erislandy Lara defend his WBA belt towards Michael Zerafa, and The Ring’s No. 3-rated junior middleweight Sebastian Fundora will meet the No. 10 contender Serhii Bohachuk within the pay-per-view opener.
 
The principle occasion will see Thurman, a long-time stalwart at welterweight, take his first crack on the junior middleweight division as he faces the undefeated Tszyu in a 12-round non-title showdown.

“I’m again in motion and I’m joyful to be part of this primary occasion with PBC on Prime Video,” stated Thurman. “Tszyu stands out as an distinctive fighter, and I’ve at all times held admiration for his performances. His distinctive fashion gives the right stage for me to exhibit the relentless dedication I’ve poured into coaching, refining my expertise, and fortifying my psychological recreation. This struggle guarantees a spectacular showdown between two of essentially the most electrifying fighters within the sport, an occasion that calls for consideration. Good issues come to people who wait. Them days are over, brilliant lights and motion are up forward. Let’s shake up the world of boxing yet one more time on Prime Video.”

Romero had his moments towards Davis. Picture by Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

Clearwater, Florida’s Thurman (30-1, 22 KOs) earned his “One Time” moniker by speaking the speak and delivering with highlight-reel KOs. He has assembled one of the spectacular resumes among the many high welterweights of this era, having defeated former champions Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Robert Guerrero. That showdown with Garcia noticed him develop into a unified world champion in a uncommon unification bout between undefeated welterweight world champions. Thurman’s solely blemish got here in a 2019 Battle of the Yr towards boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, with Thurman ending up on the mistaken facet of a slim split-decision. Most lately, Thurman bested former world champion and present extremely ranked welterweight Mario Barrios by unanimous choice in February 2022.

“I’ve been prepared and ready to headline a historic occasion like this within the U.S. for a really very long time and it’s an honor that I don’t take calmly,” stated Tszyu. “My father did it and was on the high of the world for a decade, now it’s my flip. Thurman is a superb struggle, he’s tough, robust and he’s combined it with the perfect the game has seen. It is a new period now. It’s the Tszyu period. On March 30, everybody who tunes into this pay-per-view goes to see for themselves.”

The son of Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Famer Kostya Tszyu, the 29-year-old Tszyu (24-0, 17 KOs) comes off a red-hot 2023 marketing campaign that noticed him elevated to world champion at 154-pounds whereas defeating former world titleholder Tony Harrison, high contender Brian Mendoza and former title challenger Carlos Ocampo. A local of Sydney, Australia, Tszyu made his U.S debut towards U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in March 2022, incomes a unanimous choice. Tszyu grew up taking part in soccer, however quickly gravitated towards boxing. The choice led to him following within the legendary footsteps of his father, Kostya, who was an undisputed 140-pound champion.

Romero will make the primary protection of his world title in a 12-round matchup towards the highest light-weight contender Cruz, who will look to debut at 140-pounds with a championship-winning efficiency within the night time’s co-main occasion.

A part of the Mayweather Promotions secure, Romero (15-1, 13 KOs) is thought for his brash speak that he backs up with energy in each fingers in addition to an thrilling, distinctive fashion that makes him a must-see each time he steps between the ropes. The 28-year-old rose to the ranks of world champion in his final outing, stopping Ismael Barroso in spherical 9 to win the title in Might. It was Romero’s first return to the ring since a Might 2022 defeat towards three-division champion Gervonta Davis. Previous to the Davis struggle, the Las Vegas resident Romero received an interim title in August 2020 by incomes an in depth however unanimous choice over then unbeaten Jackson Marinez.

“That is gonna be Rolly versus the Chihuahua within the ring on March 30,” stated Romero. “I’m gonna keep world champ and be the primary famous person on Prime Video. Simply ensure you purchase your tickets or tune in on pay-per-view, don’t miss this one.”

Probably the most thrilling fighters in boxing, the 25-year-old Cruz (25-2-1, 17 KOs) has racked up three consecutive victories since dropping a aggressive and entertaining choice towards undefeated famous person Gervonta Davis in December 2021. A local of Mexico Metropolis, Cruz shot up the light-weight rankings in 2020, saying his presence with an electrifying first-round knockout over veteran Diego Magdaleno in October earlier than including dominant selections over Francisco Vargas and Jose Matias Romero. After stopping former champion Yuriorkis Gamboa in April 2022 and veteran contender Eduardo Ramirez in September 2022, Cruz returned this previous July to show away the beforehand unbeaten Giovanni Cabrera by choice.

“I’m very joyful and very motivated to have this chance to struggle for the world title,” stated Cruz. “I’ve labored extraordinarily onerous to earn this shot. I’ve tried to struggle different massive names, however ‘Rolly’ was the one one to step up and settle for the problem. He’s bought energy and braveness, and he involves knock you out. That’s going to make this an excellent struggle on March 30. I’m grateful to my promoter Manny Pacquiao and my complete workforce for serving to safe this struggle for me. I’ll go away the ring as world champion on March 30.”

Erislandy Lara demolished an obese and overmatched Ramon Alvarez, knocking him out in Spherical 2 in Minnesota. (Picture by Stephanie Trapp)

Unbeaten in two fights at middleweight, Lara will tackle Zerafa in a 12-round attraction on the pay-per-view lineup.

Lara (29-3-3, 17 KOs) was the longest reigning 154-pound world champion earlier than he misplaced a tricky split-decision to Jarrett Hurd in a 2018 title unification match that earned “Battle of the Yr” from the BWAA. Lara returned from that struggle and battled former 154-pound world titleholder Brian Castaño to an thrilling attract one other slim struggle that might have gone Lara’s approach. Lara most lately moved as much as middleweight, capturing his WBA title with a primary spherical knockout of Thomas LaManna in Might 2021, earlier than KO’ing Gary O’Sullivan in Might 2022. Lara confronted a slew of the highest 154-pounders within the sport, together with Canelo Alvarez, forward of his middleweight debut.

“I’m wanting ahead to getting again within the ring and defending my title, particularly on this primary occasion with PBC on Prime Video,” stated Lara. “I really feel like I’m the modern-day Bernard Hopkins and that I can preserve doing this for years. I do know that Zerafa has been ready patiently for this chance, so he’s going to be hungry on struggle night time. However he’s going to appreciate that he’s now on the world class degree going through the most effective fighter within the division. It’s an honor to be on this nice card that’s going to be motion packed from begin to end.”

Melbourne, Australia’s Zerafa (31-4, 19 KOs) is lengthy established as considered one of his nation’s high contenders and has received four-straight to earn the title struggle on March 30. Zerafa has break up a pair of matchups towards former champion and Australian rival Jeff Horn along with a primary spherical knockout of longtime contender Anthony Mundine. The 31-year-old beforehand fought stateside in 2015, as he dropped a contest to former middleweight champion Peter Quillin. The veteran has additionally challenged former champion Kell Brook and defeated beforehand unbeaten fighters Danilo Creati and Isaac Hardman in his final two fights.

“That is lengthy overdue ever since I grew to become the obligatory,” stated Zerafa. “I’m very grateful to everybody who made this struggle occur. Come struggle night time, the world will see why I deserve this chance and Australia may have a brand new world champion.”

Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs) will return to face streaking junior middleweight Bohachuk in a 12-round struggle to kick off the pay-per-view telecast.

Fundora’s unbeaten streak got here to an finish in his final outing, as he bought caught and was defeated by Brian Mendoza in April of final 12 months. At almost 6-foot-6, the 26-year-old southpaw from Coachella, Calif., towers over his opponents, however has displayed an urge for food for toe-to-toe fight from brief vary. Fundora confirmed his mettle in April 2022, battling the hard-hitting Erickson Lubin immediately 2022 Battle of the Yr contender. Regardless of each males hitting the canvas, Fundora stood tall ultimately, prompting Lubin’s nook to cease the struggle on the finish of the ninth spherical. Fundora represents a boxing household, as he’s skilled by his father Freddy alongside his youthful sister, IBF Flyweight World Champion Gabriela.

“Coaching camp goes nice and I’ve been working onerous to prepare for this struggle,” stated Fundora. “I practice 100% for each struggle, so it’s been getting again to work as typical for me. I do know I’ll win as a result of my goal remains to be the identical as earlier than, to develop into world champion within the tremendous welterweight division.”

A 28-year-old from Ukraine, Bohachuk (23-1, 23 KOs) now resides in Los Angeles, the place he’s fought out of since turning professional. The 28-year-old has received five-straight outings, together with 2023 stoppages of Nathaniel Gallimore and Patrick Allotey. This run has come after a defeat to Brandon Adams in March 2021 and has seen him rise again up the 154-pound rankings. He received his first 18 fights after turning professional in 2017 following an intensive novice profession.

“I can’t look ahead to this chance to struggle for the title,” stated Bohachuk. “I’ve labored my whole profession for the possibility to succeed in my dream on this sport. I’ll give every little thing to win this struggle, as a result of I’m not simply combating for myself, but in addition for my war-torn nation of Ukraine.”

A press launch by Premier Boxing Champions was used on this article.