Victor Pasillas vows to keep momentum, give Raeese Aleem “major beatdown” on Jan. 23

Intriguing junior featherweight Victor Pasillas will be back in action on Jan. 23, part of Showtime’s tripleheader (knock on wood!) from Connecticut, as the boxing schedule finally starts to get going next week.

Pasillas, 28, was once a prospect, but his career stalled over the years. He turned some heads in a big way last September, dominating Ranfis Encarnacion on a PBC card that aired on FS1, and looking really sensational in the process.

Pasillas (16-0, 9 KO) is hoping to keep that momentum going with a similar performance against Raeese Aleem (17-0, 11 KO) in eight days.

“I keep telling everyone that this fight is going to steal the show. I’m ready to put a beating on him and have the world witness a major beatdown,” Pasillas said from training camp. “You have two pit bulls who are going to leave everything in the ring, and this pit bull will not be denied. This is going to be an all-out war and I can’t wait. I’m coming to knock his ass out.”

An interim WBA title at 122 pounds isn’t something that needs to exist, really — the organization already have an active “super world” champion in Murodjon Akhmadaliev and an active “world champion” in Brandon Figueroa — but one will be at stake, anyway, giving Pasillas extra incentive in his Showtime debut.

“When I beat Aleem, it’s going to put me next in line to fight for the regular world title, so this fight means everything to me,” he said. “I’m going to eliminate Aleem from the path, and I won’t stop until I become the unified champion at 122 pounds.”

The card will also feature Angelo Leo defending the WBO 122-pound title against Stephen Fulton Jr in the main event, and Rolando Romero defending the interim WBA lightweight title (also doesn’t need to exist) against Justin Pauldo.