Undefeated lightweight Joshua “JJ” Pagan will defend his NABO lightweight title for the first time on Feb. 10 against Brian Jimenez in a hometown bout at GLC Live at 20 Monroe in Grand Rapids.
The event is promoted by Salita Promotions, and will stream on the global home of boxing, DAZN at 8pm ET. Doors open at 5pm. Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster’s website.
The bout represents a pivotal moment in Pagan’s (14-0, 5 KO’s) career. The stakes are higher, but the preparation remains deliberate and familiar.
The undefeated 26-year-old will make the first defense of his NABO Lightweight Championship in his hometown, an opportunity to solidify his standing as a legitimate contender in the division while proving he can carry momentum beyond a title win. A successful defense would position Pagan for higher-profile opportunities in a competitive lightweight landscape.
Pagan said there was no extended break after capturing the belt in October after securing a TKO victory against Maliek Montgomery. Instead, he stayed in the gym and gradually built toward this moment. That consistency took him first to Las Vegas, where he spent several weeks seeking elite sparring and sharpening fundamentals away from home. From there, he returned to Michigan to close camp in Detroit and Grand Rapids, working between SuperBad Boxing Gym and his hometown base.
“My camp really started the week after my last fight [October 2025],” Pagan said. “I stay in the gym year-round. I spent a few weeks in Las Vegas getting high-level sparring, then finished camp back home in Michigan.
“Nothing changes in how I prepare,” he said. “We have access to everything we need. It’s about putting the work in and being ready.”
Brian Jimenez (18-2, 10 KO’s) enters the bout with a reputation for pressure and durability, a style that shaped Pagan’s approach throughout camp. Pagan said the goal was to prepare for every version of the fight.
“He’s a relentless fighter who keeps coming for all ten rounds,” Pagan said. “So this camp was about preparing for every possible outcome, whether it’s a knockout or going the distance. We worked a lot on slipping, catching punches, setting traps and staying patient to prepare for his style.”
“We’ve been doing 10 to 12 rounds of sparring. I’m just as dangerous late in the fight as I am early.”
Film study became a central part of that preparation. Pagan and his team focused on identifying habits and tendencies that could be exploited once the fight settled into rhythm.
“We studied the tape closely and identified mistakes he makes,” Pagan said. “This camp was tailored to capitalize on those openings.”
To replicate Jimenez’s pace and pressure, Pagan brought in rugged sparring partners from Detroit capable of sustaining a high work rate over long rounds.
“I brought in tough southpaws who can go all ten rounds,” Pagan said. “Lance Smith has been one of my main sparring partners. He can brawl or box, and working with guys like that prepares you for anything. If it turns into a phone-booth fight, I believe that’s where I have an advantage.”
Fighting at home brings added attention, but Pagan said discipline remains the priority once the bell rings.
“I treat this like every other fight,” he said. “The emotions come after.”
The Feb. 10 event marks Salita Promotions’ third consecutive boxing card in Michigan, continuing the promotion’s ongoing efforts to reestablish the state as a destination for high-level professional boxing.
Under the leadership and vision of Dmitriy Salita, Salita Promotions in partnership with DAZN has steadily brought boxing events back to Michigan, pairing local talent with meaningful championship opportunities and drawing renewed attention to the region’s boxing infrastructure. The Grand Rapids card builds on that momentum, reinforcing Michigan’s growing presence on the national boxing calendar.
The card will also feature a WBC Super Featherweight World Championship, as No. 1-ranked Delfine Persoon (50-3, 20 KOs) faces No. 2-ranked Caroline Veyre (10-1) for the vacant title in a high-stakes bout to kick off the 2026 boxing calendar.