NEW YORK, NY – January 31, 2025 – Today, Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) announced its expansion into Canada for the 11th installment of its Most Valuable Prospects series, set to take place in Toronto, Canada at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto on Friday, March 7, available globally for free on both DAZN.com and the DAZN app, with no subscription required. United Boxing Promotions will serve as the official licensed promoter. Most Valuable Prospects 11 marks a significant milestone for MVP’s up-and-coming talent showcase series in collaboration with Caribe Royale Orlando as it now comes to Canadian soil for the first time. This international expansion follows MVP’s late 2024 signings of two standout Canadian prospects. MVP’s undefeated #8-ranked WBA lightweight contender with the most-awarded knockout of 2024, “Prince” Lucas Bahdi (18-0, 15 KOs), will headline Most Valuable Prospects 11 against fellow undefeated fighter Ryan “The Untouchable” Racaza (15-0, 11 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight bout. Canada’s own WBA light flyweight world champion Sara Bailey (5-0) will make a world title defense in the co-main event.
This landmark event highlights MVP’s expanding presence in Canada, showcasing the country’s wealth of boxing talent and opening doors for the next generation of stars. MVP’s two-time Canadian Olympian, amateur world champion, and the #8-ranked WBA middleweight contender Tamm Thibeault (1-0) will also join the main card to face American Sonya Dreiling (6-7, 2 KOs), making a statement for equality in women’s boxing by fighting six, three-minute rounds. Barrie, Ontario’s “Marvelous” Mark Smither (13-1) will round out the main card in a super lightweight bout. Tickets for Most Valuable Prospects 11 will go on sale Monday, February 3 at 12pm ET on Ticketmaster.com.
In the main event, Most Valuable Prospects 11 will feature the highly anticipated homecoming of “Prince” Lucas Bahdi (18-0, 15 KOs) in a 10 round lightweight bout vs. fellow undefeated fighter Ryan “The Untouchable” Racaza (15-0, 11 KOs). Coming to the ring by way of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Bahdi, the 31-year-old top contender has gone undefeated since making his professional debut in mid-2019, winning his first 11 fights by knockout. Bahdi had unanimous decision wins against Diego Fabian Eligio and Diego Andrade Chavez in 2022 before resuming his knockout streak. In May 2023, Bahdi defeated Jesus Amparan to claim the IBF North American Lightweight title. Bahdi is a top-ranked lightweight by both the IBF and WBA. Bahdi proved himself among the best title contenders in the lightweight division when he scored a sensational knockout win over H2O Sylve on the main card of Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry in July 2024. The finish earned Bahdi 2024 Knockout of the Year recognitions from Boxing Scene, Talksport, Dan Rafael, Yahoo! Uncrowned, and NY Fights. Bahdi most recently earned a decision win over Armando Casamonica on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson in November 2024. Bahdi now aims to cement his name as an up-and-coming powerhouse within the sport in front of his home fans in Ontario, Canada. His opponent, Ryan “The Untouchable” Racaza (15-0, 11 KOs) comes to the ring from Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Caloocan City, Philippines. The 28-year-old southpaw has finished his last five opponents by knockout.
“Headlining MVP’s first event in Canada, free to watch on DAZN globally, is a huge moment for me and the exceptional boxing talent emerging from my country,” said “Prince” Lucas Bahdi. “Thank you to Jake Paul, Nakisa Bidarian, and everyone at Most Valuable Promotions for making this opportunity possible. I’m excited to kick off the new year alongside some of Canada’s brightest boxing talents at Most Valuable Prospects 11, add another highlight reel KO to my collection, and set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable journey ahead.”
The co-main event will feature a world title defense from Canada’s WBA light flyweight world champion Sara Bailey (5-0). Bailey made history in April 2024, when she dethroned Maria Bautista and became the fastest Canadian to ever win a World Championship. The Etobicoke, Ontario resident trains out of the West End Athletic Club, and has wasted no time taking the professional ranks by storm after a decorated amateur career. She enjoys a strong following both in the arena on fight night and on social media, and is backed by the passionate Iranian community. She is promoted by United Boxing Promotions.
“Thank you to United Boxing Promotions and Most Valuable Promotions for giving me the opportunity to defend my world title on such a big stage,” said Sara Bailey. “Bringing this level of boxing to Toronto is huge for the sport, and I’m grateful to MVP for putting a spotlight on women’s boxing and rising athletes with this event. Canada has a deep pool of talent and I’m looking forward to representing on Friday, March 7.”
MVP’s newest signee, Tamm Thibeault (1-0) will also join the main card of Most Valuable Prospects 11 vs. Sonya Dreiling (6-7, 2 KOs) in a middleweight bout contested over six, three-minute rounds. Originally from Shawinigan, Quebec, Canada, Thibeault began her boxing journey at the age of nine, inspired by seeing her father, a former CFL player, knock out an opponent during a Provincial boxing tournament. Following in his footsteps, she took up boxing at age 12 and was inspired to compete for Canada while watching the first women’s Olympic boxing competition during the 2012 London Olympics. The 28-year-old middleweight, a southpaw standing 6 feet tall, forged an outstanding career in the amateur ranks. A two-time Olympian, Thibeault made her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, where she advanced to the quarterfinals of the women’s 75kg (165lb) event, matching Canada’s best-ever Olympic result in any women’s boxing event. She went undefeated until she returned to the Paris Olympics in 2024, earning gold medals at the 2022 IBA Amateur World Championship, the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and the 2023 Pan Am Games. Thibeault, who speaks French, English, and Spanish, recently completed a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from Concordia University in 2023, which she earned over seven years while competing. She currently lives in Sheffield, England, where she is earning a one-year Master’s degree in urban design and urban planning while training at the renowned Steel City Gym. Thibeault made her pro debut while competing under men’s rules, three-minute rounds, on the main card of MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 10 in December 2024, defeating Natasha “The Nightmare” Spence. She is currently the #8-ranked WBA middleweight contender. Her opponent, Sonya Dreiling (6-7, 2 KOs), is the #13-ranked middleweight by the WBC and a former US National Golden Gloves champion. She comes to the ring from Albertville, Alabama. Thibeault will make her next statement for equality in the sport alongside Dreiling as they compete over three-minute rounds on Friday, March 7.
“It is an honor to make history with MVP as part of the company’s first event in Canada on Friday, March 7,” said Tamm Thibeault. “Jake Paul, Nakisa Bidarian, and Most Valuable Promotions have been incredible advocates for me since I signed with MVP, and I can’t wait to fight in front of our home fans and alongside so many talented Canadian athletes in my second pro fight.”
Also on the main card will be a super lightweight bout featuring Barrie, Ontario’s “Marvelous” Mark Smither (13-1). Smither has contested for regional titles in his last three bouts, most recently defeating Helmand Meran Alekozai for the Canadian Super Lightweight title in October 2024. He is represented by United Boxing Promotions.
The Most Valuable Prospects 11 preliminary card will feature MVP’s three-time US national boxing champion and high-fashion model Alexis “Chop Chop” Chaparro (3-0, 3 KOs). The 24-year-old Chaparro, raised in Ridgewood, New York, competed at both the 2020 and 2024 USA Boxing Olympic trials. The gifted Puerto Rican athlete is also a high fashion model, having worked for Versace, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, and Polo Ralph Lauren, among others. Chaparro landed a sensational first-round KO win in his pro debut on Most Valuable Prospects 6 in April 2024, before scoring a stunning second round knockout win on the preliminary card of MVP’s Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry in July 2024. He most recently earned a first-round TKO victory on MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 9 in Puerto Rico in October 2024.
Joining Chaparro on the preliminary card will be standout 29-year old prospect Doni Foreman (1-0, 1 KO) from Brampton, Ontario, who will compete in a 4-round heavyweight bout. Also featured will be 22-year old Angel Barrientes (12-1, 7 KOs) in an 8-round super bantamweight bout and his twin, Chavez Barrientes (10-0, 6 KOs), also set to compete in an 8-round super bantamweight bout. The Barrientes brothers are promoted by Boxlab Promotions and come to the ring from Las Vegas, Nevada.
“MVP’s expansion into Canada marks a significant new chapter for MVP and underscores our commitment to discovering and promoting boxing talent from every corner of the globe,” said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions. “Lucas Bahdi had a remarkable year in 2024, and he’s earned the opportunity to headline his first event, joined by our latest signee, Tamm Thibeault, alongside fellow standout Canadian talents like Sara Bailey, on Friday, March 7. Given Nakisa’s Toronto roots, this event is particularly meaningful, demonstrating our commitment to bringing world-class Canadian talent to the forefront and igniting a new era for boxing in Canada. Thank you to DAZN for making the event available globally for free, no subscription required, on both DAZN.com and the DAZN app.”
The Most Valuable Prospects series is produced and marketed by MVP. United Boxing Promotions serves as the official licensed promoter of Most Valuable Prospects 11. The 11th event in the series will continue 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 2025. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drink, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP and the Most Valuable Prospects series. Event Ticket Center has also joined on to sponsor the Most Valuable Prospects series.
For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @DAZNBoxing.
About MVP
MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP have produced Jake Paul’s last five global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Diaz match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.
About DAZN
DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app.
For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit dazngroup.com.
About Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto
Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, Canada’s newest and largest casino resort, and one of the largest in North America, opened in June 2023. The $1 billion dollar landmark entertainment destination features 328,000 sq. ft. of gaming space including High Limit Table and Slot rooms, 400-room hotel, wellness and fitness area, multiple dining options, private event and flexible meeting space, and 5,000-person The Theatre, its live entertainment venue in association with Live Nation, which plays host to the best in live music, comedy, and special events.
Consistent with Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto’s commitment to responsible gambling, the property also features two PlaySmart Centres on the gaming floor, filled with engaging interactive tools and valuable responsible gambling resources available for all players, including information on how to participate in OLG’s voluntary My PlayBreak program if they choose to take a break from gambling.
For more information please visit greatcanadiantoronto.com or follow us on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
