ORLANDO, FL – September 6, 2024 – Kevin Brown (6-0, 3 KOs) successfully defended his WBA Super Lightweight Continental Americas title with a thrilling UD victory (96-93, 98-91, 97-92) over John Bauza (18-2, 8 KOs) at MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 8 tonight at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL. The undefeated rising star and WBA’s #14 ranked contender from Camaguey, Cuba, showcased his power and skill, dominating the bout from start to finish. Despite the vast difference in professional experience, Brown controlled the pace with sharp combinations and relentless pressure, knocking Bauza down with a hard body shot late in the first round. As the fight wore on, his confidence and power became more evident as Brown delivered some vicious shots throughout the bout. With this impressive win, Brown maintains his unbeaten record and continues his rise as a formidable force in the super lightweight division. MVP’s fourth installment of the 2024 Most Valuable Prospects series, presented by CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, took place at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL, available globally on DAZN subscription with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter.
Dominican prospect Hendri “La Bazuca” Cedeno (14-0, 11 KOs) maintained his unbeaten streak with a decisive TKO win over Enriko “Gudan” Gogokhia (13-2-2, 8 KOs) in their 8-round super lightweight bout on the main card. Cedeno, a 26-year-old rising talent from La Romana, Dominican Republic, displayed impressive speed, footwork, and precise punching against the seasoned Gogokhia. Cedeno remained in control, while Gogokhia showed grit and promise with unorthodox style and well-placed shots. Despite showing intent to continue at the end of the fourth round, Gogokhia suffered a shoulder dislocation, leading to a TKO victory for La Bazuca before the start of the fifth round.
In a main card matchup, 26-year-old Yoelvis “La Joya” Gomez (8-1, 7 KOs) showcased his knockout power with a thrilling TKO victory over Diego Ferreira (11-3-1, 7 KOs) in their 8-round middleweight fight. Gomez, the rising Cuban standout, made his mark from the opening bell with his aggressive style and relentless pressure. As the fight progressed, Gomez continued to find openings, landing a series of massive right hands throughout the fourth round, ultimately wearing down Gomez and leading him to retire at the end of the fourth round.
In the main card opener, Orlando, Florida’s 19-year-old talent Carlos “Pretty Boy” Lebron (3-1-1, 3 KOs) went the distance against Cidra, Puerto Rico’s Luis Quiles (2-0-1, 1 KO) in a four-round bantamweight fight. Lebron, who entered the bout with all his wins by knockout, methodically broke down Quiles with powerful combinations in the opening two rounds. Quiles made a strong showing late in the bout, coming to life in the third round and mounting a steady attack against Lebron’s power and precision through the end of the bout, resulting in a majority draw (39-37, 38-38 x2).
Kissimmee, Florida’s promising prospect Antraveous Ingram (8-0, 3 KOs) kept his undefeated record intact with a fifth-round TKO victory over Cruse “Hitman” Stewart (8-4, 6 KOs) in a super welterweight bout on the preliminary card. Ingram, fighting in front of his enthusiastic home fans, used his speed and footwork to neutralize Stewart’s power from the opening bell. Stewart pressed the action, but Ingram’s defense and heavy counterattacks knocked Stewart down in the fourth round before ultimately landing a vicious body shot at 1:31 in the fifth round, sending Stewart to the mat for good.
26-year-old Bree “Bam Bam” Howling (8-0, 2 KOs) continued her undefeated streak with a commanding performance, defeating Hungary’s Beata Dudek (4-4, 4 KOs) by unanimous decision (80-72 x3) in an 8-round bantamweight bout on the preliminary card. Howling, ranked in the top 10 by the WBA, proved her future contender potential with technical skill and speed. Despite Dudek’s height and reach advantage, Howling controlled the pace and distance, earning the unanimous victory.
Nat “No Love” Dove (3-0) put on a commanding performance against Wendy Villegas (2-3, 2 KOs) in their four-round bantamweight bout, securing a unanimous decision (40-36 x3) victory. Dove, a training partner to MVP’s own Javon “Wanna” Walton, dominated from the opening bell with superior speed, footwork, and striking power. Throughout all the rounds, Dove’s relentless pressure and impressive combinations left Villegas unable to mount a significant offense. The judges awarded Dove a unanimous decision, keeping her perfect record intact and further highlighting her potential as a rising talent in the ring.
In a thrilling 4-round lightweight bout on the preliminary card, Harley “Dennis the Menace” Mederos (7-0, 6 KOs) delivered an impressive TKO win against Russia’s Nikolai Buzolin (9-10-1, 5 KOs). Mederos knocked down Buzolin in the first round with a series of devastating blows to the head and body, and repeated the feat in the second round. In the third round, Mederos unleashed a relentless barrage, knocking Buzolin down three times before the referee stepped in to stop the fight, awarding Mederos a TKO victory.
In the final fight of the night, Christian Rivera (1-0) defeated Rommel Toran (1-2-1, 1 KO) by unanimous decision in a 4 round welterweight fight
The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and marketed by MVP with Boxlab Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter and is distributed globally by DAZN. The eighth event in the series continued the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. All events within Most Valuable Prospects will take place on Friday nights in 2024. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drink, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP and the Most Valuable Prospects series. Fansly and Event Ticket Center have joined on to sponsor Most Valuable Prospects as well.
For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @DAZNBoxing.
