(Aug. 6, 2024)— A new chapter in boxing’s Mexico vs. Philippines saga will unfold to crown a new flyweight champion.
Mexican upstart Angel Ayala will face Filipino contender Dave Apolinario for the vacant IBF world title this Friday, Aug. 9, at Restaurante Arroyo in Mexico City, Mexico. This duel of unbeatens pits the No. 1 and No. 3 IBF contenders for the title vacated by Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez in March.
Promoted by Zanfer Promotions, Ayala-Apolinario and undercard fights will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Ayala (17-0, 7 KOs) started his pro career in March 2019 and earned his first regional strap with a 10-round decision over then-unbeaten Jeovani Gonzalez in January 2021. Since then, he’s remained unbeaten in tough bouts against former flyweight world champion Cristofer Rosales in April 2022 and a title eliminator victory over former light flyweight world champion Felix Alvarado last October. Apolinario (20-0, 14 KOs) is a seven-year pro coming off consecutive victories in Japan. After decisioning Brian Mosinos across eight last August, he stopped Tanes Ongjunta in four rounds in February.
In other streaming action from Mexico City:
Argi Cortes (26-4-2, 10 KOs) vs. Salvador Juarez (19-8-2, 4 KOs), 10 Rounds, Junior Bantamweights
Angel Alvarado Soto (9-1, 6 KOs) vs. Jose Angel Perez Diaz (13-4-2, 10 KOs), 8 Rounds, Flyweights
Silvia Torres (21-3-3, 7 KOs) vs. Arlenn Sanchez (5-6-4, 1 KO), 8 Rounds, Minimumweights
Adrian Campos (1-0) vs. Dario Hernandez (1-2, 1 KO), 4 Rounds, Featherweights
