Heavyweights Lenier Pero and Jordan Thompson can line up big fights in 2026 as they clash at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida on Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN.
Pero is ranked #3 with the WBA and can take a big step towards landing a huge fight next by seeing off Thompson, but the Briton will have other ideas as he makes his debut at Heavyweight after moving up from Cruiserweight.
That Heavyweight clash tops a bill loaded with rising talent as hometown Olympic bronze medal man Omari Jones fights for the fourth time in the paid ranks against Yusuph Metu over six rounds, exciting British Cruiserweight Pat Brown makes his US debut in his first fight over ten rounds against Felix Valera, Yoelvis Gomez and Antraveous Ingram clash for the WBA Continental Americas Super-Welterweight title and Indian starlet Nishant Dev kicks off the action live on DAZN in his fourth pro fight, taking on Juan Carlos Campos over six.
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:
“Welcome to the magnificent Caribe Royale in Orlando, a venue fast becoming one of the homes of boxing in America, as DAZN’s schedule keeps on rolling in 2025. We have a big night on Saturday night with the big Heavyweight fight with Lenier Pero up against Jordan Thompson from England, the return of the local Olympic hero Omari Jones, Pat Brown in a big step-up, and all part of an incredible schedule on the global home of boxing, DAZN.”
Lenier Pero
You know when you come into these fights how ready you need to be, and I feel like I’m very much in the best physical and mental shape I can be in. I think you know from the fights I’ve been in that I am a great warrior.
I want to welcome my opponent, Jordan Thompson, but also say that this is not Cruiserweight, and you’ll see that on Saturday night.
The reason I believe I can win this fight is that I’ve prepared really well and I am completely ready for this. I also want to show what I am made of and I believe I can show that.
Jordan Thompson
I’m grateful to be back and on this stage, and blessed to keep getting opportunities with you guys. It’s the sport of boxing, this is my trap, take risks and prosper. Nothing worth having comes easy, it’s all about going out and taking the risks, and I’m confident in myself in going out there and doing what I have to do.
Cruiserweight was a tough ask, but we’ve made the move up and we’re taking another risk, another roll of the dice, but it’s a calculated one and a roll that I see myself winning. My team are confident in me, I’m confident in my team. I can’t wait to get out there, I want to have fun and express myself, and emerge victorious.
This isn’t a sport where you take silly risks and roll the dice with hope. There’s no hope involved, this is calculated, it’s self-belief, and we’re going to come up something and this is the thing in this fight, to go out there and believe in myself, express myself.
Omari Jones
It’s great to be back home and the co-main event, it’s special for sure. We’re definitely looking for rounds and this is a guy that has been well-traveled and got the rounds, so he’s coming in tough but we plan to be the first to stop him. I’m coming to put on a show.
Everything that we talked about from the beginning when you (Eddie) came to Paris and we talked after my last fight at the Olympics, and everything is going according to plan.
Yusuph Metu
My English isn’t good but I will try a few words. I promise to fight hard and win this fight with this young boxer, I’m an experienced boxer and a technician. I promise to win this fight and it’s a big chance for me so I will fight like it’s a golden chance.
Pat Brown
You listed all that Felix has achieved in the sport and it’s just my fifth fight on Saturday. Having it in America is something all UK prospects dream of, and I’m living it, I pinch myself every day and this is what it’s all about for me.
I’m not one of those fighters where getting in with journeymen, yes you learn, but I want the real fights and Felix has been in with the best and was once one of the best, so I’m going to learn a hell of a lot from the fight and I am not underestimating him, you will see the best version of Pat Brown on the night and it’s a ten round fight, I’ve only ever gone four rounds as a pro so people might be asking ‘has he bitten off more than he can chew?’ But wait and find out, I know what I’m made of and this is where you get to show if you have the material to go to the top and I’m ready to display that.
When we were negotiating at the start of the year you (Eddie) and Matchroom have stuck to your word, that’s what we are as people. It’s all about trust, you are delivering and I’m delivering. I don’t want a career where I’m having loads and loads of fights and they don’t mean anything, I want to give fans proper grueling, nasty nights that they remember and can say ‘Goid, that kid can have it’ as that’s all I care about really, and this man definitely going to bring it, I respect him a hell of a lot and he’ll get the best out of me.
Felix Valera
I don’t want to disrespect my opponent at all but I will be leaving through the front door on Saturday night, but the most important thing is that all the fans enjoy a great night.
Antraveous Ingram (Yoelvis Gomez was absent from the speaking portion of the press conference)
I’m going to show my skills and show that this in way past a 50-50 for sure. I don’t have to do too much talking, he’s going to feel me when it’s time.
Nishant Dev
I’m ready, I’m feeling great and my shape is better than before. I’m happy to be back in the ring, it’s my fourth fight and I’m here to win, do my job and show the world that there’s a guy from India chasing a dream to become a World champion.
I’m around great fighters like Shakur Stevenson, Raymond Ford, Keyshawn Davis, Zaquin Moses and Marquis Taylor and sparring with them. Marquis is one of my main sparring partners and thanks to him he’s making me tougher and stronger than ever. Being in with those champions makes my mentality stronger than it’s ever been.
(On Omari Jones) I just want to let them win their fights and I’ll see them on the road to becoming World champion at 154lbs if they make it, I would 100 per cent love the fight with them, and I’ll prove I’m ready for everything now and later.
