Blue-chip lightweight prospect Robert Easter Jr. will take on former
junior lightweight world titleholder Argenis Mendez, the best opponent
of his career, on April 1 at the DC Armory in Washington, D.C., Premier
Boxing Champions announced on Monday.
Easter-Mendez, which will be
either a 10- or 12-round fight, will serve as the co-feature for the
previously announced main event: junior welterweight titleholder Adrien
Broner (31-2, 23 KOs) in his first defense against Ashley Theophane
(39-6-1, 11 KOs).
"I want a world title and this is another big
step on my way towards that goal," Easter said at a Monday news
conference in downtown Washington, D.C., that was run by Mayweather
Promotions boss Floyd Mayweather. "To be able to do it on Adrien
Broner's card just guarantees it's going to be a big night. I'm just
ready to show off my skills and make a name for myself so that I can
continue to grow in this sport."
Easter (16-0, 13 KOs), 25, of Toledo, Ohio, was a 2012 U.S. Olympic alternate and trains with Broner, his good friend.
Mendez
(23-3-1, 12 KOs), 29, who is from the Dominican Republic and fights out
of Brooklyn, New York, has won two fights in a row, including a
decision against former lightweight titleholder Miguel Vazquez in
October, since losing his 130-pound belt by unanimous decision to Rances
Barthelemy in July 2014.
"I really like this matchup and I can't
wait to get into the ring," Mendez said. "I'm a different fighter than
two years ago when I lost to Rances Barthelemy. Easter is long and tall.
He's a good fighter, but he hasn't fought anyone near my caliber and I
think his style sets up well for me.
"It will be a good fight
between two talented fighters. When the fans see Easter get counted out
by the ref, don't think it's an April Fools joke. It will be the real
thing."
The card will also include 21-year-old Baltimore
lightweight prospect Gervonta Davis (14-0, 13 KOs), whom Mayweather
regularly raves about, taking on Guillermo Avila (16-5, 13 KOs), 23, of
Mexico, in a scheduled 10-round fight.
"I'm definitely excited to
fight in D.C. This is where my first professional fight was," Davis said
of a February 2013 fight at the Armory. "I have a great team,
especially Floyd Mayweather, who has taken me in and taught me so much
about boxing but also about everything outside of the ring. I'm blessed
to have his support in my career.
"April 1, it's going to be an action-packed fight. I will be a world champion one day. You don't want to miss this one."
Said
Mayweather: "Gervonta Davis is someone I look at like a son. I met him
in 2014 and they said this is the next big thing. Broner brought him to
my gym to let me see him work. He's a very explosive kid. He's exciting
and he will be fighting for a world title soon after a couple more
bouts."
Lightweight Anthony Peterson (36-1, 24 KOs), the younger
brother of former junior welterweight titleholder Lamont Peterson, will
also appear on the card in a scheduled 10-round fight against an
opponent to be announced.
"This is my 38th fight, going for my
37th victory and fourth knockout in a row," Peterson, 30, of Washington,
D.C., said. "Boxing isn't something you talk about, you just do it.
That's what I'm going to do April 1. It's going down. I made my pro
debut on a Roy Jones card, which was another big stage. So I'm very
ready and blessed.
"I'm coming to give my hometown fans the
knockout. Boxing is like jazz -- the better it is, the less it's
appreciated. A knockout will get you praise. I'm targeting everybody in
the division. I want a belt. The first one to step up, I'm going to take
care of him."
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