In the co-feature to Vasyl Lomachenko v Anthony Crolla, WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez will make his light heavyweight debut against Tommy Karpency in a 10-rounder.
And, in the featured bout on the undercard stream (ESPN+, 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST), former 140-pound world champion Mike Alvarado will take on the unbeaten Arnold Barboza Jr. in a 10-rounder.
This is what the undercard fighters had to say.
Gilberto Ramirez
“I feel very blessed for all that’s happened. It’s the right moment for me in my career. I am grateful.”
“I can’t wait to put on a great show at STAPLES Center. I’m ready to show the fans what I bring to the ring.”
“I know Tommy is an experienced guy, but if Bob gives me a big fight with Callum Smith at 168, I can make the weight. That would be a fantastic fight.”
Tommy Karpency
“I expect an action-packed fight. He’s an undefeated world champion moving up. I’ve fought a lot of world champions and elite challengers at light heavyweight. Also, I expect an action-packed fight because he lets his hands go and I let mine go a little bit. We’re both southpaws, so that makes for a better flow than righty versus lefty. And we’ll see what happens.”
“Any fight at this level, this is the best in boxing. It can catapult you to whatever. Options are endless {after} winning a fight like this. I’m really not looking past this. These are elite guys all around, so beating him is like beating a world champion from any other division. It’ll be a huge win and a huge opportunity.”
Arnold Barboza Jr.
“We know what Mike brings. I think his time has passed. It’s my time now. Friday night, you’re going to see what we’ve been working on. We’re going to showcase our skills.”
On a potential world title shot in the near future should he win
“This fight is everything to me. A win over Alvarado will assure me that I belong with the top guys. We’re ready to go on Friday.”
“I’m not getting caught up in the moment. At the end of the day, I’m here for business. We can worry about that after.”
Mike Alvarado
On his comeback to boxing after overcoming personal issues
“After God reinvented me and gave me another opportunity {at a} shot at peace, I could’ve never thought {I’d be here}, but being here makes sense. I was born, and I was meant to be here. I’m here, and I’m giving it another shot. I’m going after it.”
On if a win would lead to a world title shot
“I know getting past Barboza would open the doors up and would catapult me to that next level. I’m excited, and I’m focused, and I’ve been working hard. I had great preparation, so everyone will find out. Friday night.”
“It’s going to be a good fight. We’re going to put on a good show.”
FULL CARD
ESPN+, 11 p.m. EST/8 p.m. PST
Vasiliy Lomachenko (champion) vs. Anthony Crolla (challenger), 12 rounds, Lomachenko’s WBO/WBA lightweight world titles
Gilberto Ramirez vs. Tommy Karpency, 10 rounds, light heavyweight
ESPN+, 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST
Mike Alvarado vs. Arnold Barboza Jr., 10 rounds, Barboza’s NABF jr. super lightweight title
Alexander Besputin vs. Alfredo Blanco, 10 rounds, Besputin’s USBA welterweight title
Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Cristian Olivas, 10 rounds, vacant WBO Global and WBC Continental Americas middleweight titles
Guido Vianello vs. Lawrence Gabriel, 6 rounds, heavyweight
Ruben Rodriguez vs. Ramel Snegur, 6 rounds, welterweight
Christopher Zavala vs. Sergio Gonzalez, 4 rounds, super featherweight
Elvis Rodriguez vs. Kevin Luna, 4 rounds, super lightweight
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Matchroom Boxing USA, tickets priced at $310.50, $207, $103.50, $77.65, $51.75 and $25.90 (including facility fees) are available now and can be purchased by visiting AXS.com.
