Mikiah Kreps is on the cusp of a world title combat. Defeating a strong contender and former world title challenger may go a good distance in making that occur.
Kreps will face Mayerlin Rivas Friday evening on the Seneca Niagara Lodge and On line casino in Kreps’ hometown of Niagara Falls, New York. The ten-round bout will headline an All Star Boxing card that can stream stay on ESPN Knockout (8 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. Mexico Metropolis time).
Promoter Tuto Zabala, Jr. has been impressed with Kreps’ progress and growth into changing into a contender in a aggressive junior featherweight division.
“Mikiah is ranked No. 4 by the WBA and No. 5 by the WBO,” Zabala instructed The Ring Wednesday afternoon. “Friday will mark her 4 look on the Seneca Struggle Nights collection on ESPN Knockout.
“Her opponents have been more difficult with every combat. Now she faces a former world titleholder in two weights in Mayerlin. (Promoter) Lou DiBella and I’ve agreed to work collectively and information her path in direction of a world title. She has a troublesome process, however we’re assured that she’s going to come out triumphant and ultimately combat for a world title belt right here at her residence, the Seneca Resort and On line casino in Niagara Falls, New York.
Supervisor Jerry Cazarez agrees. He co-manages Kreps with former WBO world light-weight titleholder Jamel Herring.
“This is a vital combat for her in opposition to a former world champion,” Cazarez instructed The Ring Wednesday. “A victory right here places her in line to be subsequent. She’s prepared and I anticipate her to dominate.”
Kreps (8-0, 3 knockouts) final fought on Could 10, defeating Melissa Oddessa Parker by unanimous resolution. In her earlier combat on November 7, Kreps defeated Isis Vargas Perez by resolution over eight aggressive rounds.
The 28-year-old was an newbie standout, together with inserting first on the 2018 Elite Nationwide Championships, a bronze medalist on the 2019 World Championships, and was the No. 1 ranked newbie in USA Boxing.
Rivas (17-5-3, 11 KOs) will likely be an enormous step-up in opposition for Kreps. Rivas received the WBA world junior featherweight title in February 2020, defeating Laura Ledezma by unanimous resolution. Rivas amassed a knockout win over Karina Fernandez in 2022 and a draw in opposition to Nazarena Romero earlier than shedding to Erika Hernandez Cruz by majority resolution on November 18.
The 36-year-old Rivas, who resides in Caracas, Venezuela, additionally was a world titleholder at 118 kilos.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has lined boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He will be reached at [email protected]
Observe @FSalazarBoxing
