The gloves are off and the countdown begins for the second installment of "Big Time Boxing USA" at Detroit's Wayne State Fieldhouse on March 28. The fight series, promoted by Dmitriy Salita's outfit, is ready to deliver another knockout evening, pairing some of the brightest burgeoning boxing stars against battle-hardened ring veterans.
Headlining the event is the undefeated Colombian sensation, Juan Carrillo, sporting a record of 11 wins and no losses, with eight of those victories coming by way of knockout. Carrillo, a 2016 Olympian making waves in the light heavyweight division, is set to aggressively face American Quinton Rankin in what's expected to be a bruising 10-round bout. "Big Time Boxing USA's" return was first reported by ClickOnDetroit, where they also noted Rankin's credentials of 21 wins and eight losses, aiming to come back strong from a unanimous decision loss suffered in September 2023.
The co-main event tantalizes IBF No. 2 super middleweight contender Vladimir Shishkin, currently boasting a perfect record of 15-0 with 9 KOs. Ring Magazine's No. 6-ranked super middleweight, Shishkin is in pursuit of a title shot against the famed Canelo Alvarez. "March 28 is going to feature two fighters on their way to a world title in talent-packed divisions," Salita told The Detroit News while discussing the upcoming matchups. Shishkin trains under the renowned Detroit-based coach Sugar Hill Steward, and he will be scrapping it out with Mike Guy, a former American Boxing Federation champ.
Those looking to catch the action live can snag tickets ranging from $25 to $150, which are up for grabs online and at the Wayne State Fieldhouse box office. The event promises to continue the venue's emerging fight tradition, after its successful debut a month prior. The series not only features local and national prospects but also draws an international audience via its streaming partner, DAZN. The first event at the Fieldhouse back in February drew about 1,500 attendees, and the promoters surely aim to build on that momentum to establish "Big Time Boxing USA" as a Detroit staple.
Salita's initiative is part of a larger effort to re-establish boxing as a mainstay in American sports culture. "Big Time Boxing USA" is part of his blueprint to bring elite boxing back into the domestic spotlight, an effort that has seen a recent uptick with events in places as diverse as Saudi Arabia and the U.K. According to remarks by Salita, obtained by Hoodline, he views these international matches as opportunities for promoters to collaboratively push the sport forward. The real battle begins at the bell on March 28, with fighters ready to punch above their weight in pursuit of glory, and the fans eager to see who will emerge as the alpha in the ring.
