Avious Griffin, Mayelli Flories-Melissa Mortensen title fight, boost Amanda Serrano undercard
Most Valuable Promotions has beefed up its undercard for its debut TikTok Live boxing card on August 21 at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California, with a hard-hitting welterweight, a women’s junior-featherweight title bout and a prospect’s anticipated first fight under the banner.
Welterweight Avious Griffin, boasting a 94 per cent stoppage rate, meets Jackson Marinez, 23-4 (11 KOs), on the card headlined by the unified women’s featherweight title defense by Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano 49-4-1 (32 KOs) versus Argentina’s No. 2 WBO contender Lucrecia Manzur 14-4 (7 KOs).
Serrano is seeking to establish the record for most knockouts by a women’s fighter. She’s currently tied with Hall of Famer Christy Martin.
The bout is scheduled for 12 two-minute rounds.
MVP will also send former champion Mayelli Flores, 13-1-1 (4 KOs), vs. Denmark’s Melissa Mortensen, 9-0 (5 KOs), for the WBA 122lbs belt, while recent signee Lupita Medina, 12-0 (3 KOs), makes her MVP debut versus Brook Sibrian, 9-3 (4 KOs), in a strawweight bout scheduled for eight rounds.
Rounding out the card is two-time Olympian Keno Marley, 2-0 (1 KO), of Brazil meeting Mexico’s cruiserweight Daniel Izquierdo, 5-1 (5 KOs), in a fight scheduled for four rounds.
In a Tuesday prepared statement, Jake Paul’s MVP said, “MVP brings elite championship boxing to TikTok LIVE’s global community for the first time and furthers its mission to expand the sport through innovative disruption and unprecedented access for fans worldwide, including MVP’s loyal and hard-to-reach Gen Alpha and Gen Z audience.”
Paul and co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said, “Every event from MVP is about pushing combat sports forward, creating new opportunities for fighters, and reaching fans in innovative ways.
“As we enter a new era for MVP following our merger with [MMA league] PFL, our commitment to disrupting the industry has only grown. Amanda Serrano making history in the first world championship fight streamed live on TikTok LIVE is exactly the kind of global moment MVP was built to create… This is what the next chapter of MVP looks like- bigger stages, broader distribution, and unprecedented opportunities for athletes to become global stars.”
Griffin, 19-1 (18 KOs), has overcome the death of the father who taught him boxing just before his pro debut and a wrongful incarceration for murder to seek a spot in the rankings as he nears landmark victory No. 20.
“Twenty wins is more than just a number,” Griffin said. “It’s proof of every sacrifice I’ve made. On August 21, I’m coming for No. 20, and if history says anything, there’s a good chance I won’t need to leave it to the judges.”
Mortensen predicted her title fight will entertain.
"I'm proud that my 10th professional fight will be for the WBA world championship,” Mortensen said. “I'm not stepping into this fight just to win one world title – my goal is to collect all four major belts in the [122lbs] division, just like my good friend Dina Thorslund is doing in the bantamweight division on this event.
“I'm looking forward to facing Mayeli Flores. Stylistically, I believe it's a great matchup for me, and I can't wait to put on a great performance and bring the WBA world title home to Denmark."
The young and popular Medina is ideal for the TikTok audience.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to compete on such a big stage,” Medina said. “MVP is changing the landscape of women’s boxing by giving female fighters the platform and visibility we deserve while bringing the sport to an entirely new audience. Every fight is another step toward my ultimate goal, and August 21 is no different.
“I never overlook my opponent, and my team and I have prepared for every challenge. But I know what the vision is and that’s becoming a world champion. As the No. 1 WBO contender, I know I’m one step away from a world title shot, and I plan on making another statement. I expect to have my hand raised, continue taking over the 105lbs division, and keep proving why I’m one of the best.”
Announced: Amanda Serrano will defend The Ring, WBA and WBO featherweight titles against Lucrecia Manzur on August 21st in Temecula, California.
Amanda Serrano vs Lucrecia Manzur weigh-in results:
Amanda Serrano - 125.6 lbs
Lucrecia Manzur - 125 lbs
All set for their Ring, WBO, and WBA featherweight title fight tomorrow night in California.
