Reno’s “Biggest Lil’ Bomber” Kenny Davis Jr. is back home to defend his home turf and his WBC USA lightweight title against battle-tested veteran Matt Conway of Pittsburgh, PA in Friday night’s main event as Let’s Get It On Promotions and the Silver Legacy Resort Casino host the return of world-class professional boxing to Downtown Reno, Nevada. Fighters for the seven-bout card weighed-in Thursday afternoon just outside the doors of Grande Exposition Hall, the host venue.
After taking his talent on the road for the majority of his career, Reno’s Davis (16-2-1, 4 KOs) packed the Grande Exposition Hall in March and sent the raucous crowd home happy with an eight-round decision to successfully defend his title against a determined Orlando Zepeda.
“March was a sweet homecoming for me,” says Davis. “It was everything I expected. It was a great turn out and a very special feeling to defend my title in my hometown and honor my people and finally get a feel what it is like to have a crowd cheering for me. I’ve had to go fight guys in their hometowns.”
With designs on advancing his world ranking, Davis will take a step-up against former regional champion Matt Conway (23-5-1, 10 KOs) in what could be the toughest fight of his career to date. The Pittsburgh native is no stranger to Reno, as he made the trek out west to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center as an undefeated prospect back in 2019.
“This is my second time coming out to Reno,” recalls Conway. “I loved being here the first time and I am excited to be back.”
Both fighters came in under the lightweight limit for the WBC USA 135-pound title tilt, with Davis scaling 134.6 and Conway coming-in at 134.4 pounds.
Northern Nevada’s top professional talents will be on display in what promises to be a night to remember from the opening bell.
After successful pro debuts here in March, Carson City’s Miguel Elizondo and Reno’s Joshua Nelson will make their ring returns in separate four-round bouts.
Three-time National Silver Gloves champion “Tito” Elizondo (2-0) will look to be the first to blemish his opponent’s unbeaten record for the third time in three fights as he takes on Smathy Silva Gonzalez (5-0-1, 4 KOs) of nearby Sparks, NV. The rare pairing of previously undefeated fighters from the same region promises to be an exciting appetizer to the night’s main event. Elizondo came in at 128.6 pounds, while Gonzalez scaled 129.8.
Joshua Nelson (1-0, 1 KO) will meet Fresno, CA’s Darion Hall (1-2) in a four-round lightweight attraction. Nelson made short work of his opponent in his debut, scoring a first-round stoppage before his boisterous fanbase at this same venue back in March. Hall enters the ring fresh off of an upset decision over previously unbeaten Keon Merlo just last month. Nelson came in at 135.6 pounds, while Hall scaled 135.4.
Two of region’s homegrown pugilists will get to make their hometown debuts in separate contests as Reno-born Mario Hernandez (3-4-1) of Sparks will take on Mexicali, Mexico import Oscar Mora in a six-round light heavyweight bout and junior welterweight Harley Sampson (3-1, 3 KOs) of Reno will take on Jamal Johnson (2-2, 1 KO) of Baltimore, MD in a four-rounder. Hernandez made 174.2 pounds and Mora came in at 174.8 for their six-rounder. Sampson came in at 140.6 pounds and Johnson scaled 139.4 for their four-round contest.
Carson City’s road warrior Christian Avalos (4-6-2) will take on Diego Dominguez (4-2, 1 KO) of Fontana, CA in a four-round junior welterweight bout. With a career of taking on tough fighters in their home areas, Avalos returns to Reno to fight before his home crowd against Dominguez, who enters with designs on spoiling the homecoming. Avalos made the junior welterweight limit of 140, while Dominguez came in at 139.4 pounds.
In the night’s opener, Las Vegas’ Aidan Garcia (2-0, 2 KOs) will make his home state debut against Jesse Medina (0-1) of Gilroy, CA in a four-round super featherweight bout. Garcia came in at 129.8, while Garcia scaled an even 127 pounds.
WBC USA Lightweight Championship, 10 Rounds
Davis Jr. 134.6
Conway 134.4
Super featherweights, 4 Rounds
Elizondo 128.6
Silva Gonzalez 129.8
Light welterweights, 4 Rounds
Sampson 140.6
Johnson 139.4
Light welterweights, 4 Rounds
Avalos 140
Dominguez 139.4
Lightweights, 4 Rounds
Nelson 135.6
Hall 135.4
Light heavyweights, 6 Rounds
Hernandez 174.2
Mora 174.8
Super featherweights, 4 Rounds
Garcia 129.8
Medina 127
First bell is at 7pm at the Grande Exposition Hall inside of the Silver Legacy Resort Casino 407 N. Virginia St. Reno, NV 89501.
Limited tickets are still available and can be purchased at the Silver Legacy box office or by visiting ticketmaster.com.
CARD SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
