Top Rank confirms summer lineup at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas will serve as Top Rank’s stomping grounds for the next couple months. The promotion has revealed that the next leg of its lineup will take place entirely in the new casino’s Theater, beginning with a May 22nd undisputed welterweight clash and concluding with the return of a pound-for-pound great on June 26th.

May 22nd: Jose Ramirez vs. Josh Taylor

2021’s first four-belt unification is signed, sealed, and delivered, with tickets on sale at noon Pacific today. Jose Zepeda was originally slated to face Pedro Campa in the co-feature, but NSAC nixed that, leaving Top Rank to call up Hank Lundy on short notice.

June 12th: Shakur Stevenson vs. Jeremiah Nakathila

Top WBO super featherweight contender Stevenson meets #2 Nakathila, whom he leapfrogged in the rankings after vacating his featherweight title. It’s a squash match to keep Stevenson busy ahead of a potential clash with Jamel Herring, who’s said he has no intention to vacate. The co-feature between Jose Pedraza and Julian Rodriguez, on the other hand, is a well-matched banger.

June 19th: Naoya Inoue vs. Michael Dasmarinas

Inoue, the world’s top bantamweight, faces the IBF’s latest unworthy mandatory. Ideally, he’ll face either the winner of Nordine Oubaali vs. Nonito Donaire or John RIel Casimero vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux in a unification fight later this year. Mikaela Mayer defends her WBO belt against Erica Farias one fight prior.

June 26th: Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Masayoshi Nakatani

“Hi-Tech” returns to action for the first time since losing his titles to Teofimo Lopez, and he’s got a potential headache on his hands in the rangy, awkward Nakatani. This is by no means a cakewalk for the Ukrainian great and is definitely a lot more compelling than the previous two main events.