Two rising talents under Salita Promotions, Joseph Hicks Jr. and Joshua Pagan, are all set to step back into the ring for what promises to be an great of boxing. The action unfolds on September 8 at Detroit’s Motor City Casino, where both Michigan natives aim to extend their unbeaten streaks in separate fights.
Middleweight Joseph Hicks Jr., unbeaten at 8-0 with 5 KOs, is gearing up for a face-off against Brazil’s Gilberto Pereira dos Santos, a fighter with a 16-13 record and 12 KOs. Once earmarked as the U.S. Olympic Team captain for the 2020 games that got postponed due to the pandemic, Hicks is now channeling his energy into his professional career. With the well-regarded trainer Kay Koroma in his corner, Hicks is hungrier than ever.
“I can’t wait to show off the new tricks up my sleeve, thanks to Coach Kay,” said Hicks. “Dos Santos is a savvy vet, but I’m not just looking for a win here—I want to dazzle and open doors for bigger fights down the line.”
Not to be overshadowed, super lightweight Joshua Pagan is also raring to go. Boasting an 8-0 record with 4 KOs, Pagan is set to square off with the Dominican Republic’s Braulio Rodriguez, who has a 20-7 record with 17 KOs. Fresh off a win in the 2021 U.S. Amateur Welterweight National Championship, Pagan aims to solidify his standing as a rising star in the boxing world.
“I’ve had an excellent training camp, and I’m just itching to get back in the ring,” Pagan stated. “Rodriguez won’t be an easy opponent, but I see this as another step towards the major fights that I know are in my future.”
Salita Promotions’ president, Dmitriy Salita, has high hopes for both boxers. “Both Hicks and Pagan are top-notch prospects. They had brilliant amateur careers, and they’re making waves as pros. It’s just a matter of time before they’re in the running for world titles,” he asserted.