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Showtime’s May 29th tripleheader is official. As previously established, Nordine Oubaali will defend his WBC bantamweight title against Nonito Donaire in the main event, while Subriel Matias and Batyr Jukembayev duke it out in an IBF eliminator one fight prior.
“I’m very excited that this fight is finally here,” said Oubaali. “I know that fans around the world are eagerly waiting to see the two best bantamweights on the planet battle it out.
Donaire is a legend in the sport, and I respect him a lot, but I am the champion of the world, and there is no doubt in my mind that my hand will be raised when we finally meet.
I am fighting for my family and my country, and by beating Donaire, I will put my name in the history books of boxing. I am extremely motivated, and I guarantee fireworks on fight night.”
“I always come to bring a fight and entertain, and I can’t wait to perform in front of the fans again on May 29,” said Donaire. “I showed in my last fight that I still have the skill, heart, and determination to stand up against the best in this sport. I’m always working on keeping my body in shape and my reflexes on point while retaining my power. I can’t wait to show everything I can do in the ring against Oubaali.”
“I’m pleased about this opportunity,” said Matias. “I appreciate my team for making this fight possible. The best man will win on May 29, and I commend my opponent for stepping up to the challenge.
We’re going to deliver a great fight for the fans. I am the pride of Maternillo, and this will be a victory for all of them.”
“I’ve had a full training camp in Los Angeles with Manny Robles, and I’m ready to showcase myself on the world stage,” said Jukembayev. “I’m undefeated, and my time is now. I’m facing a strong and experienced opponent, but I believe that I have all of the tools to be victorious on May 29.”
In the newly revealed opener, Gary Antuanne Russell (13-0, 13 KO), one of four fighting Garys Russell, will take on Puerto Rico’s Jovanie Santiago (14-1, 10 KO) at super lightweight. Russell, who lost a questionable decision to future gold medalist Fazliddin Gaibnazarov in Rio, has dispatched all of his professional foes in under four rounds apiece. Santiago, meanwhile, lost a questionable decision of his own to Adrien Broner last February in which Broner somehow won a round in which he landed zero punches.
It’s an excellent lineup, which makes it all the more tragic that it’s going head-to-head with Devin Haney vs. Jorge Linares on DAZN. That’s modern boxing for you.