GRAND RAPIDS – Grand Rapids native and WBO NABO Lightweight Champion Joshua “JJ” Pagan came face-to-face with Rodolfo Bustamante Salazar during a media workout ahead of their bout set for June 14.
Several fighters on this Sunday’s championship fight card from Grand Rapids participated in a media workout and boxing clinic for youth members of the Puerto Rican Cultural Committee of Western Michigan on June 12 at PK Boxing Gym.
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The special 5 p.m. presentation live on DAZN from GLC Live at 20 Monroe coincides with New York’s Puerto Rican Day Parade and features multiple matchups between Puerto Rican and Mexican fighters in celebration of one of boxing’s greatest rivalries.
In the main event, Puerto Rico’s Jonathan “Bomba” González (29-4-1, 14 KOs) defends his WBA Interim Flyweight World Championship against unbeaten Mexican contender Abraham “Hammer” Perez (14-0 7KOs) in what oddsmakers have set as a near-50/50 fight.
ABRAHAM “HAMMER” PEREZ:
“For this camp I trained in Albuquerque, and the only real adjustment we made for this opponent was bringing in some southpaws to spar.
“Nothing prepares you for a fight quite like fighting for your life. I was in a coma for four days on life support with organ failure after drowning (referring to a 2024 near-fatal training incident). They told me I could have woken up brain-dead or lost my legs. The only reason I fully recovered is because I was in peak athletic shape.
“That experience completely shifted my mindset. I want fans watching me on Sunday to realize that anything is possible.”
In the co-feature, Puerto Rican undefeated contender Joshua “JJ” Pagan (15-0 5KOs) puts his WBO NABO Lightweight title on the line against Mexican challenger Rodolfo Bustamante Salazar (22-1-1 12 KOs).
Members of the Puerto Rican Cultural Committee Of Western Michigan will walk out González and Pagan for their respective bouts to celebrate the occasion and Grand Rapids’ large and vibrant Puerto Rican community.
JOSHUA “JJ” PAGÁN:
“After a long camp down in Florida, there is absolutely nothing like the feeling of coming back home.
“Having those kids right there in the gym with me during the clinic from the Puerto Rican Cultural Committee of Western Michigan was incredible. It reminded me exactly who I do this for. I love this community, and fighting in front of my family, friends, and those kids in my hometown is everything to me.
“On Sunday, I’m going out there to finish the job. This weekend, I’m not just defending my belt, I’m defending my city.”
RODOLFO BUSTAMANTE SALAZAR:
“We started camp out in Mexico focusing heavily on strength and conditioning, then wrapped things up in California.
“I leave the strategy entirely up to my coaches. They prepared me to go a hard ten rounds, and if the knockout is there, we’re taking it.
“On Sunday, I want to show the fans my elegant style and give them a class performance. I prepared myself the best I can, and I’m ready to give everyone a great show.”
Also working out and guiding the local youth on Friday was Troy “Transformer” Isley (15-0, 5 KOs), who will put his unbeaten record on the line against hard-hitting Leonardo Di Stefano (17-7, 14 KOs).
TROY ISLEY:
“Camp went amazing, the weight is right where it needs to be, and I am just excited to get out there Sunday and put on a show.
“As far as a prediction, I’m going to spend the first two rounds testing his gas tank and slowly breaking him down mentally and physically. Once round three hits, I’m picking up the pace. I see a beautiful, methodical breakdown that ends in a stoppage by the sixth round at the latest.”