Historic Boxing Event at Wimbledon Venue
As Wimbledon wraps up, the focus shifts to boxing at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, marking a historic moment where this prestigious tennis venue transitions to a boxing arena for the first time. On Saturday night, fans can expect an electrifying night of bouts led by local fighters Edgar Berlanga and Shakur Stevenson, each seeking to make their mark in the ring.
Main Fights and Fighters
Set against the backdrop of the iconic Louis Armstrong Stadium, a venue known to tennis enthusiasts, the event will showcase Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) defending his WBC lightweight title against the undefeated William Zepeda (33-0, 27 KOs). Meanwhile, Berlanga (23-1, 18 KOs) will fight Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0-1, 17 KOs) in a highly anticipated super middleweight showdown. Both fighters have emphasized their eagerness to perform in front of what they expect to be a lively crowd.
Stevenson expressed his enthusiasm, highlighting the size of the arena and the expected turnout: “It’s a new stadium, it’s going to be a big arena, there’s going to be a lot of fans there, so I’m excited to put on a show.”
Berlanga, whose supporters have a reputation for being loyal, also assured that they would find their way to the venue: “They’re going to come. They’re going to find a way…. they’re there.”
Event Context and Challenges
This boxing card will also serve as a capstone to a weekend bursting with fighting events across the city, following a high-profile match between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden the night before. Notably, this event shakes up the conventional boxing landscape by choosing a non-traditional boxing venue, similar to a recent outdoor event held in Times Square.
The location selection has not been without its challenges; Berlanga and Stevenson were initially informed that the event would occur in Central Park but will now take place in Flushing Meadows. Regardless, the spirits of the fighters remain high, especially considering the contrasting atmosphere compared to the underwhelming turnout from the Times Square spectacle, where a limited number of attendees were permitted. In contrast, Saturday’s battles are anticipated to draw a vibrant audience, providing essential energy that fighters often thrive upon.
Future Aspirations
Adding depth to the fights, both Berlanga and Sheeraz have their sights set on a potential face-off with Canelo Alvarez, the reigning champion at 168 pounds, following his upcoming bout against Terence Crawford. Despite his only career loss coming from Alvarez, Berlanga maintains a strong self-belief:
“These guys aren’t beating me… I’m going to be the best to ever do it in this sport of boxing.”
The fight card will stream live on DAZN as a pay-per-view event, also featuring notable matchups like Alberto Puello’s (24-0, 10 KOs) defense of his 140-pound title against former champion Subriel Matias (22-2, 22 KOs), and a light heavyweight clash between David Morrell (11-1, 9 KOs) and Imam Khataev (10-0, 9 KOs).
Stevenson’s Perspective
Stevenson, seen by many as one of boxing’s most talented prospects, often faces scrutiny for his cautious fighting style. However, he brushes off the criticism, reminding fans of the dangers of an aggressive approach. He expects Zepeda’s style to challenge him in new ways, suggesting that the matchup could showcase different facets of his abilities:
“I think he’s going to force me into a fight and I’m going to have to show a different side of me that night.”
The evening promises to deliver intense competition, showcase future stars, and create memorable moments in a venue that resonates with sports history.
