Joseph Hicks, Joshua Pagan fight on September 8 at Motor City Casino

Two promising fighters from Salita Promotions, Joseph Hicks Jr. and Joshua Pagan, are poised to make their comeback to the boxing ring on Friday, September 8th. Hailing from Michigan, these two rising stars will compete in separate bouts at the Motor City Casino in Detroit.

Dmitriy Salita, the President of Salita Promotions, expressed his confidence in the talents of Joseph Hicks and Joshua Pagan, describing them as among the top prospects in their respective weight divisions. Salita highlighted their impressive amateur backgrounds and the continuous improvement they've shown as professionals. He emphasized that staying active in the ring is crucial for their journey toward contending for a world title. Casino Fieber

Joseph Hicks Jr., aged 29, with a record of 8 wins, including 5 knockouts, will engage in a six-round middleweight clash against Brazil's Gilberto Pereira dos Santos, who boasts a record of 16 wins with 12 knockouts. Hicks, originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, comes off a dominant unanimous decision victory over Ramses Agaton in July. Hicks had a stellar amateur career and was initially set to lead the U.S. Olympic Team at the 2020 Summer Games. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the International Olympic Committee's selection process, he missed that opportunity. Nonetheless, Hicks has shone in the professional ranks and is eager to showcase his improvements under the guidance of renowned trainer Kay Koroma.

"I'm eager to demonstrate the progress I've made during this training camp," said Hicks. "Coach Kay Koroma has welcomed me into his team, and we're diligently working on refining the finer points of my game. I expect a tough challenge from my opponent, who is experienced and might aim to test me physically. However, my focus is on securing more significant fights and opportunities. I understand that an impressive win is the key to achieving that."

Meanwhile, super lightweight Joshua Pagan, also from Grand Rapids, holds an unblemished record of 8 wins, with 4 victories by knockout. Pagan will partake in a six-round battle against Braulio Rodriguez from the Dominican Republic, who has 20 wins, 17 of which came by knockout. Pagan's recent achievements include an eye-catching win over the previously undefeated Ronnell Burnett in June and a first-round stoppage of Gabriel Smith in July. Pagan clinched the 2021 U.S. Amateur Welterweight National Championship with a unanimous decision over Keon Davis. Transitioning to the professional arena in January 2022, he secured four wins that year, aspiring to move from prospect to contender.

"My training camp for this fight has been exceptional," stated Pagan. "I'm eagerly anticipating my bout on September 8th. Rodriguez is expected to present a stern challenge, and I'm preparing for all possible scenarios. This fight marks another step forward in my pursuit of bigger opportunities in the future, and I'm determined to make the most of it."

The event on September 8th is promoted by CLIP Promotions.