On January 4th, 2024, Toro Promotions and Whitfield Haydon Boxing are set to light the fuse on the year’s international pro boxing scene. They’re serving up the “Pit Stop on Road to Greatness” card, a showcase of six heavyweight bruisers ready to throw down at the legendary Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.
For fans not in the ringside seats, the “Pit Stop on the Road to Greatness” is coming to you live and direct on bxngtv.com for the modest sum of $19.99. That’s less than the cost of a couple of pizzas, but with way more excitement.
Whit Haydon, one half of the promotional dynamic duo, quips, “This card is like fine wine; it’ll only get better with time. We’ve got fighters who are just warming up, but mark my words, they’re heading for the big leagues.”
The main spectacle? A 10-round heavyweight clash featuring 25-year-old Armenian powerhouse Gurgen “Big Gug” Hovhannisyan (4-0, 4 KOs) squaring off against the menacing Colby Madison (11-6-2, 7 KOs). The 6′ 7”, 275-pound “Big Gug,” now calling Los Angeles home and trained by none other than Joe Goossen, is back after a year-long hiatus following a stunning sixth-round KO of Michael Polite Coffie.
Kicking off the streamed brawls, we’ve got an eight-rounder that’s anyone’s guess. Dante Stone (14-1, 10 KOs) from Chandler, Arizona, is pitted against Alexander “The Great” Flores (18-3-1, 16 KOs). Stone’s on a 14-fight hot streak since his debut hiccup in 2018, but Flores, having only lost to world champs, is set to give him a run for his money.
Also on the card, 30-year-old Ukrainian Olympian and former kickboxing champ Tsotne Rogava (3-0, 3 KOs), now a Los Angeles local trained by Goossen, will trade leather with the undefeated Dante Williams (4-0, 4 KOs) in a six-round co-feature.
The Nicaraguan Guerrero brothers are making their U.S. debut. Nilo (6-0, 5 KOs) is squaring up with Chancellor Battenberg (4-3, 4 KOs) in a six-rounder, while Nelson steps into his first pro fight against Gilberto Duran (4-7, 4 KOs).
Elijah Seawright (9-0, 7 KOs), a Tiko Tok sensation from South Carolina, is set to duke it out with Henry Rivera (2-2, 1 KO) in a six-round super welterweight bout.
And don’t miss the undercard action, featuring Seattle’s own Agustin Tovar (0-1) against the debutant Nathan “Superman” Stolen, plus Auburn (WA) super lightweight Agustin Tovar versus Oakland’s Ezra Rabin (1-4, 1 KO).
Catch a sneak peek of the action here, but remember, the card’s as stable as a boxer on his tenth round, so it might change.
Tickets are up for grabs starting at $45. Snag ’em at Ticketmaster or dial (253) 594-7777. Score up to a 20% discount with no extra fees at the Emerald Queen Shop. Just remember, you gotta be 21 or over to join the party.
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS
MAIN EVENT – HEAVYWEIGHTS – 10 ROUNDS
Gurgen Hovhannisyan (4-0, 4 KOs), Los Angeles, CA by way of Armenia 278.6 lbs.
Colby Madison (11-6-2, 7 KOs), Baltimore, MD 244.9 lbs.
CO-FEATURE – HEAVYWEIGHTS – 6 ROUNDS
Tsotne Rogava (3-0, 3 KOs), Los Angeles, CA by way of Ukraine and Georgia 265 lbs.
Dante Williams (4-0, 4 KOs), Hawkinsville, GA 201 lbs.
SPECIAL HEAVYWEIGHT ATTRACTION – 8 ROUNDS
Dante Stone (14-1, 10 KOs), Chandler, AZ 267.6 lbs.
Alexander Flores (18-3-1, 16 KOs), Rowland Heights, CA 271.5 lbs.
SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS – 6 ROUNDS
Nilo Guerrero (6-0 5 KOs), Coachella, CA by way of Nicaragua 129.2 lbs.
Chancellor Battenberg (4-3, 4 KOs), Kingwood, TX 128.7 lbs.
SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS – 6 ROUNDS
Elijah Seawright (9-0, 7 KOs), Colombia, SC 153.2 lbs.
Henry Rivera (2-2, 1 KO), Las Vegas, NV 154.5 lbs.
SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
Dazjhante Frazier (0-1), Seattle, WA 153.2 lbs.
Nathan Stolen (pro debut), Aberdeen, WA 154.5 lbs.
LIGHTWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
Agustin Tovar (pro debut), Auburn, WA 133.5 lbs.
Ezra Rabin (1-4, 1 KO), Oakland, CA 135 lbs.
BANTAMWEIGHTS – 4 ROUNDS
Nelson Guerrero (1-0, 1 KO), Coachella, CA by way of Nicaragua 121.6 lbs.
Gilberto Duran (4-7, 4 KOs), Yakima, WA 122.2 lbs.
Doors swing open at 6 p.m. PT with the first bell at 7 p.m. PT. Be there or be square!