BiYu Promotions bantamweight Yusniel Abrahante (8-2, 1 KO) has been here before. Counted out. Fighting in his opponent’s territory. Facing a fighter expected to beat him. And winning.
Now, Abrahante is preparing to walk into another high-stakes opportunity when he squares off against undefeated Nicaraguan knockout artist Jordan Orozco (17-0, 17 KOs) on October 2 at Caribe Royale Orlando. The bout will serve as the co-main event of the new Project Series, streaming live on DAZN, in a card presented through a co-promotion between Matchroom Boxing, Boxlab Promotions, along with BiYu Promotions for this bout.
For Abrahante, the assignment is daunting on paper. Orozco has stopped every opponent he has faced as a professional and will enter the ring carrying an unblemished record and the reputation of a devastating puncher. But reputations and records don’t fight fights…fighters do.
Abrahante proved that in his last outing when he traveled into the backyard of previously undefeated Luis Coria (5-1, 5 KOs) and delivered an impressive upset victory, handing Coria the first loss of his professional career. Rather than being satisfied with that breakthrough performance, Abrahante views it as evidence that he belongs in these moments. Now he wants to do it again, this time on an even bigger stage.
Abrahante understands the danger standing across the ring from him. Seventeen victories and seventeen knockouts demand respect, but they don’t create fear in a fighter who believes he has earned his opportunity.
“I know exactly what Jordan Orozco brings to the ring, and I know everybody is looking at those 17 knockouts,” said Abrahante. “You don’t knock out every opponent you face by accident. But I didn’t take this fight to admire his record. I’m coming to test him in ways he hasn’t been tested before. He hasn’t fought Yusniel Abrahante yet. I’m hungry, I’m prepared, and I believe this is the type of fight that can change my career. On October 2, I’m coming to make people remember my name.”
For Abrahante, the opportunity represents another chance to demonstrate that numbers on paper don’t determine what happens once the opening bell sounds. Being overlooked has become familiar territory for Abrahante. Against Coria, he entered hostile territory against an undefeated opponent and walked away having changed the trajectory of his career. Instead of resenting the underdog label against Orozco, Abrahante is embracing it.
“I love being the underdog because I’ve already shown what can happen when people count me out,” Abrahante continued. “They counted me out against Luis Coria. I went into his backyard, fought my fight and gave him the first loss of his professional career. That experience gave me even more confidence because I learned that I can perform when the pressure is high and everything is supposed to favor the other fighter. If people want to doubt me again, that’s fine. Every person who doubts me gives me another reason to train harder. I’ve been hungry my whole career, and I’m coming into this fight with something to prove.”
That hunger has become central to Abrahante’s identity. While Orozco will enter with the perfect record, Abrahante believes the adversity he has experienced throughout his professional journey has prepared him for exactly this type of challenge.
“I’ve had to earn everything I’ve gotten in boxing,” Abrahante added. “Nothing has been handed to me, and I think that’s made me dangerous. I know what it’s like to have to fight for an opportunity. When you’ve had to come through difficult moments, you don’t panic when you’re standing across from an undefeated fighter. You get excited because you know what beating him can mean.”
Adding even greater significance to the matchup is the opportunity for Abrahante to fight for Orozco’s WBA Continental Americas Gold championship. For the BiYu Promotions bantamweight, winning the title would represent far more than adding a belt to his collection. It would validate years of sacrifice and announce his arrival as a fighter ready to pursue bigger opportunities in the division.
“That championship means everything to me because of what it represents,” said Abrahante. “I’m not going there just to give an undefeated fighter a tough night. I’m going there to take that championship and bring it home. Winning this title can open doors for my career, and I understand what’s at stake. These are the opportunities fighters work their entire lives to get. I’m willing to suffer in training and I’m willing to dig deep in that ring because I know what I can accomplish with a victory.”
Abrahante believes defeating another unbeaten opponent, particularly one carrying Orozco’s perfect knockout record, would send a powerful message throughout the bantamweight division.
“Beating an undefeated fighter once showed people what I’m capable of,” Abrahante said. “Doing it again against a fighter who is 17-0 with 17 knockouts, with a championship on the line and everybody watching on DAZN, would make the message even louder. I want the biggest challenges. I want people to know that when Yusniel Abrahante steps into the ring, I’m coming to fight and I’m coming to win.”
Bobby Harrison, President of BiYu Promotions, believes the magnitude of the matchup cannot be overstated. Orozco’s knockout streak provides the intrigue, but Harrison believes Abrahante’s hunger, confidence and willingness to challenge himself are what could make the fight one of the most compelling bouts of the evening.
“This is a massive opportunity for Yusniel, and this is exactly the type of fight he wants,” said Harrison. “He’s going against an undefeated fighter who has knocked out every opponent he’s faced. Most fighters would look at 17-0 with 17 knockouts and think twice. Yusniel looks at it and sees an opportunity. That’s the mentality he has. He’s hungry, he’s confident, and after what he did against Luis Coria, he knows he can go into a fight where people are counting him out and change the entire narrative. In addition, he’s taking this fight on short notice, giving you an idea of his mindset.”
Harrison believes fans tuning into DAZN should pay particularly close attention when Abrahante steps through the ropes.
“Everybody should be watching this fight because you’re going to see two fighters with something significant at stake,” Harrison continued. “Orozco is protecting his undefeated record, his knockout streak and his championship. Yusniel is fighting to change his life and take his career to another level. A hungry fighter with that kind of motivation is dangerous. Yusniel isn’t coming just to participate in a big event. He’s coming to make a statement, and I believe fans are going to see why we’re so excited about his future.”
