Raymond Ford, Khalil Coe and Ernesto Mercado added to Philadelphia bill
The Philadelphia card co-headlined by Jarron “Boots” Ennis and Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez will also feature Raymond Ford, Khalil Coe and Ernesto Mercado.
The Saturday, November 9, bill at the Wells Fargo Center will see Ford return for the first time since Nick Ball relieved him of his WBA featherweight title in Saudi Arabia in June and the Camden fighter meets Orlando Gonzalez.
Coe is paired with Manuel Gallegos while “Tito” Mercado will make his debut for promoters Matchroom.
In the headliners, “Boots” faces Karen Chukhadzhian in a rematch while Rodriguez defends his super-featherweight title against Pedro Guevara.
Ford-Gonzalez marks the former champion’s rise to junior lightweight and, now 15-1-1 (8 KOs), the 25-year-old meets (23-2 12 KOs) Puerto Rican Gonzalez.
“All the champs at 130lbs better watch out because I'm coming for all of those straps,” said Ford. “I don't have to do a whole lot of talking. People know what I can do when I'm at the top of my game. Right now, I'm in Colorado working hard and people are going to see the end result on November 9. Two-weight world champ coming soon, no doubt.
“This is my first fight so close to home since I made my pro debut so it's great to be back there and I know there's a lot of people going to come out and support.”
Said Gonzalez: “I’d like to thank ProBox, Garry [Jonas], Chris [Glover] and Daniel [Rubin], and Matchroom for the opportunity. Ray Ford is a world-level fighter and I’m going to show I’m on his level and beyond. It’s going to be a great fight.”
Coe, who is 9-0-1 (7 KOs), fought on the undercard of Boots’ Philly homecoming win over David Avanesyan in July at the same venue, stopping Kwame Ritter in two rounds.
His Mexican opponent, Gallegos – 20-2-1 (17 KOs) – returns for the first time since defeat to Diego Pacheco in July 2023
“November 9, Philly stand-up,” said Coe. “We back. ‘Big Steppa’ – coming through. Fighting in Philly is like being home for me, and having the opportunity to put on another show in front of all my family and friends is extra special and I am ready to put on another spectacular performance.
“I believe that there is no better prospect in boxing than me, and on November 9, Manuel Gallegos is about to find that out the hard way.”
Gallegos countered: “I’m hugely motivated and can’t wait to fight in this weight division where I feel great.”
Mercado, now 16-0 (15 KOs), and one of the sport’s bright hopes, is 22 and looking for his fourth win inside the distance, in a bout scheduled for 10 rounds.
Austin “Ammo” Williams will also fight in an eight-rounder, having lost for the first time in June, against middleweight contender Hamzah Sheeraz.
Also on the bill, 2-0 (1 KO) super flyweight Dennis Thompson and 5-0 (3 KOs) welterweight Ismail Muhammad (5-0 3 KOs) return after appearing on the Ennis-Avanesyan bill. Young prospect and Shakur Stevenson’s cousin, Zaquin Moses, will also make his pro debut at junior lightweight.
“This is going to be some night in Philadelphia,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Boots and Bam are two of the very best that there is, and we have a brilliant supporting cast before those two pound-for-pound stars strut their stuff.
“Ray is back and is ready to meet any champion at 130lbs to become a two-weight king, while Khalil is like a runaway train right now, he’s going to be knocking very loudly on the door of the contenders at light heavyweight.
“Ammo showed incredible guts and heart against Hamzah, and he will have learned so much from that night to go again in his career, and I cannot wait to let Tito off the leash and showcase his immense talent on the big stage. It’s another big night for Dennis and Ismail fighting for Boots Promotions, and watch out for Zaquin making his pro debut, there’s a massive buzz around this young man.”
