The city of Oaxaca, Mexico, rolls out the red carpet for Matchroom’s debut, setting the stage for a night packed with top-tier boxing on Friday, February 16 – and it’s all happening live on DAZN.
Tucked away amidst jaw-dropping, hill-clinging scenery, the awe-inspiring open-air Auditorium Guelaguetza is where local hero Adrien Curiel will put his IBF World Light-Flyweight crown on the line.
In the co-headliner, Featherweight sensation Mauricio Lara gears up to launch his 2024 odyssey, squaring off against compatriot Daniel Lugo in a clash that’s sure to set fireworks off.
Lara (26-3-1, 19 KOs), who famously halted ex-World champ Josh Warrington back in 2021, clinched the world title with a jaw-dropping seventh-round stoppage of Leigh Wood last year. Yet, a hiccup at the weigh-in saw him stripped of the title before even stepping into the ring for a rematch with Wood in Manchester, where he faced a stinging defeat by unanimous decision.
Fast forward nine months, and Lara’s back with a vengeance, ready to climb the ranks once more in a 10-rounder against a ravenous Lugo (27-2, 18 KOs), eyeing to reclaim his throne at the top of the boxing world.
Stay tuned for the full fight lineup, with Curiel’s first IBF title defense taking center stage.
Last year, Curiel turned heads with one of the most electrifying knockouts, snatching the title from his South African adversary in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment in Monaco.
The Mexican dynamo (24-4-1, 5 KOs) threw the rulebook out the window, delivering a thunderous one-punch KO to the then-champ Nontshinga (12-1, 9 KOs) in their much-talked-about brawl. Now, Curiel is all set to dazzle his home crowd, eager to prove his knockout masterpiece was no fluke.
Nontshinga, tasting defeat for the first time, is hell-bent on reclaiming his title – the very belt he secured against Hector Flores in Hermosillo, Mexico, in 2022 – and keeping his unification dreams alive in the pulsating heart of Oaxaca, a city brimming with history, culture, and culinary delights.
Nestled 500km from Mexico City, cradled by rugged mountains, Oaxaca stands as a beacon of indigenous heritage and a city that proudly wears its UNESCO World Heritage accolade.
Eddie Hearn, the big boss at Matchroom Sport, couldn’t hide his excitement: “Mexico has churned out a slew of boxing legends, and we’re over the moon to bring our show to this fantastic country, promising an unforgettable night of fights in the enchanting Oaxaca.”
Adrian Curiel is all set to guard his IBF World Light-Flyweight title in a second go-around with Sivenathi Nontshinga. “Excited to be here and thrilled for the chance to keep my title safe,” he says. “We’ve prepped like the champs we are but stepping into the ring with the heart of a contender. Defending my title on my turf is special. And let me clear the air—it wasn’t a fluke win. Heard the chatter, Nontshinga doubting my punch and calling me a walk in the park. Well, come Friday, we’ll see who’s just talk.”
Sivenathi Nontshinga is eyeing Curiel’s belt, “Looks good on him, but it’s mine for the taking! Excited and ready, after putting in the grind, I’m snatching this chance. Expect an electric vibe come fight night, thanks to the warm folks here. Been here before, fought for the title, wore the belt. I’m telling you, I’m climbing back to the top. Life’s about the comeback, not the setback.”
Mauricio Lara is gearing up for a ten-round showdown with Daniel Lugo at Super-Featherweight. “Took a beat to step back and reassess my game,” he shares. “Feeling cool and collected. I’ve duked it out worldwide, but the focus remains unchanged. Thrilled to be in Oaxaca, ready to leave the fans buzzing.”
Daniel Lugo, facing Lara, sees a golden chance. “Facing a former champ is huge. We’ve been in Oaxaca for three weeks, getting acclimatized to bring our A-game on fight night. Hungry for victory and to make a mark in the ring, we’ve trained hard and I’m feeling unstoppable.”