Angelo Leo vs. Ra'eese Aleem | DAZN - May 9, 2026 (OFF)

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Angelo Leo-Lerato Dlamini Off, IBF Mandatory Defence vs. Ra'eese Aleem Next Up

IBF featherweight world champion Angelo Leo will face No. 1-rated challenger Ra'eese Aleem next, rather than headline a Feb. 21 show in his Albuquerque hometown against Lerato Dlamini as first planned.

After a busy 2024 campaign that culminated in a surprise 10th-round knockout win over Luis Alberto Lopez, Leo (26-1, 12 KOs) has only boxed once this campaign as the 126-pound division has largely been stagnant among the elite.

As reported by Boxing Scene on Saturday, plans for Leo-Dlamini are now on pause with the fight potentially being revisited later next year - assuming the 31-year-old is successful against a fellow Vegas resident with the wind in his sails.

Aleem (23-1, 12 KOs) lost his perfect record away from home with a 12-round split decision defeat by recent WBA world title challenger Sam Goodman on the Gold Coast in Broadbeach, Australia in June 2023 but has pitched a trio of points victories since.

The 35-year-old most recently outsmarted 14-0 local pro Mikito Nakano on the Takuma Inoue-Tenshin Nasukawa undercard in Tokyo, Japan last month.

That was made an IBF final eliminator for Leo's belt the month prior, with the timeline to complete a voluntary defence difficult before the sanctioning body would've summoned the champion into another mandatory. He's kept busy over the festive period posting training videos and working in Vegas, readying for a bigger and better year to come in 2026.

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Angelo Leo to proceed with Ra’eese Aleem mandatory, Dlamini fight postponed

Angelo Leo could still very well wind up with a homecoming headliner for his next outing.

It will just no longer come against his originally stated target.

Boxing Scene has learned that Leo will proceed with his IBF 126lbs mandatory title defense against No. 1 rated challenger Ra’eese Aleem. The decision forces the postponement of a planned voluntary defense against Lerato Dlamini.

Leo was due to face Dlamini on February 21 in his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Those plans are now paused, with the possibility that the fight could be revisited later this year.

For now, Leo, 26-1 (12 KOs), will instead take on his second consecutive mandatory. The 31-year-old, two-division title claimant defended his IBF 126lbs strap in a May 24 majority decision win over then-No. 1 contender Tomoki Kameda on the road in Osaka, Japan.

Kameda previously defeated Dlamini in an IBF eliminator to earn the opportunity last August, avenging a defeat to the South African the year prior.

In the time since Leo’s last fight, Aleem, 22-1 (12 KOs), continued his resurgence.

The Las Vegas-based contender has won three in a row since a disappointing June 2023 defeat to Sam Goodman on the road in Broadbeach, Australia. His most recent outing also came on his opponent’s home soil. Aleem soundly outboxed unbeaten Mikito Nakano over 12 rounds in their IBF 126lbs final eliminator on November 24 at Toyota Arena in Tokyo.

The timeline was tight for Leo to sneak in a voluntary defense before he would be summoned to next face Aleem.

Leo claimed the IBF featherweight title in a stunning, one-punch, 10th round knockout of Luis Alberto Lopez last August 10 at home in Albuquerque. The nip-and-tuck affair through nine rounds ended in an instant when he connected with a savage left hook flush on the Mexicali native’s chin to produce the Knockout of the Year-level finish.

The win was Leo’s sixth in a row since a January 2023 defeat to Stephen Fulton, which ended his WBO 122lbs title reign. His loss to Fulton threatened a career tailspin – Leo fought just once more after that before enduring a ring absence of more than two years.

At one point, he considered abandoning the sport altogether and focusing on real estate for the sake of providing for his family, including his newborn son at the time. He since resurrected his career after signing with ProBox TV (whose founder, Garry Jonas, also owns BS) in late 2023, a run which has produced five wins and a partnership with Top Rank.

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Angelo Leo-Ra’eese Aleem IBF title fight purse bid won by MP Promotions

Ra’eese Aleem will have promotional muscle behind his first career major title fight.

Boxing Scene has confirmed that Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions secured promotional rights to Aleem’s mandatory challenge of IBF featherweight titlist Angelo Leo. MP Promotions ($227,100) outbid ProBox ($167,000) – Leo’s promoter – during a purse bid hearing conducted Tuesday from IBF headquarters in Springfield, New Jersey.

Neither a date nor location were immediately made available as this goes to publication. Final contracts are due by March 4 to validate the purse bid, with the fight required to take place no later than May 18.

Per IBF rules, Leo, 26-1 (12 KOs), is entitled to 65 percent of the winning bid as the defending titlist. That will result in a payday of $147,615 for the two-division titlist from Albuquerque, New Mexico. The remaining 35 percent ($79,485) will go to Aleem, 22-1 (12 KOs), as the mandatory challenger, though it is believed that his final purse will be more in line with his promotional contract guarantee with MP Promotions.

The development provides a strange plot twist for Leo, whose team actually pushed to get the mandatory out of the way in lieu of a guaranteed hometown headliner. Leo was previously due to face Lerato Dlamini on February 21 in Albuquerque.

As previously reported by BS, a decision was made on the Leo side to table those plans and instead next face Aleem.

The negotiation period provided for the mandatory title fight ended without a deal in place, which has clearly worked to MP Promotions’ advantage. The company has taken on a stronger presence in the U.S., including an upcoming show on February 28 in Verona, New York. The event will not include this fight, however.

Leo will attempt the second defense of the IBF 126lbs title he acquired in a highlight reel, 10th round knockout of Luis Alberto Lopez in August 2024 at home in Albuquerque. His most recent outing came on the home soil of his previous mandatory title challenger, Tomoki Kameda whom he outpointed last May 24 in Osaka, Japan.

The win extended Leo’s current six-fight win streak since he conceded the WBO 122lbs title to Stephen Fulton in their January 2021 battle between unbeaten boxers. His last five victories have come at featherweight since he returned to the sport in November 2023, under the ProBox TV promotional banner. [Note: ProBox TV and BS are both owned by Garry Jonas]

Aleem enters his first career title fight having won his last three starts.

The 35-year-old Las Vegas-based contender – originally from Muskegon, Michigan – turned around his career following a disappointing 2023 points loss to Sam Goodman in Broadbeach, Australia. A win would have put him on course to next challenge for the IBF 122lbs title.

Instead, he had to rebuild in an industry not always in a hurry to provide opportunities. He ultimately persevered, complete with his convincing decision win over previously unbeaten Mikito Nakano last November 24 in Tokyo. A 10th round knockdown paved the way for a spectacular finish by Aleem, who prevailed by scores of 115-112, 116-111 and 118-109 in their IBF title eliminator.

For the first time in years, Aleem is now in full control of his destiny – and in the biggest opportunity of his career to date.

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Pacquiao wants Ra'eese Aleem to have home title shot at Angelo Leo

Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions is aiming to take its IBF featherweight title contender Ra’eese Aleem to a home-state title shot against Angelo Leo in the second weekend of May after winning a Tuesday purse bid.

MP Promotions executive Sean Gibbons said record eight-division champion Pacquiao was awake at 3:30 a.m. in General Santos City, Philippines, to monitor the purse-bid process and was “very thrilled to make another world champion under MP Promotions.

“When Manny formed MP Promotions, he remembered a lot of things with different promoters and said, ‘I’m going to make sure the fighters get treated right and have the best opportunities.’” noted Gibbons, Pacquiao’s longtime confidant. “He put the bid at $227,100 to give Aleem the feeling, ‘I’m the champion,’ even though he’s the challenger.”

Aleem 22-1 (12KOs) is meeting a road warrior in Leo 26-1 (12KOs), however.

The Albuquerque, New Mexico, product ventured to Osaka, Japan, in May to defeat Tomoki Kameda by majority decision in his first title defense.

“Congratulations to Pacquiao Promotions on winning the purse bid. We look forward to working with them,” said ProBox founder and Boxing Scene owner Garry Jonas. “Angelo Leo has proven to be very resilient. He’s gone to Japan and prevailed. We’ll go wherever they bring this fight and we’ll prevail there, too.”

Gibbons said he’d like to bring the fight somewhere “out of a casino” near Aleem’s hometown of Muskegan, Michigan, which is a short drive from Floyd Mayweather Jnr’s hometown of Grand Rapids.

Aleem, 35, trains in Las Vegas. He was assigned to Japan in his most recent bout, too.

A 10th-round knockdown paved the way for an upset unanimous decision win over previously unbeaten Mikito Nakano in an IBF eliminator in November.

“It’s a great story: Hometown kid goes to Las Vegas to chase his boxing dreams, and now comes home for a world-title challenge,” Gibbons said. “Now he’s come full circle.”

Pacquiao’s hope is that the supportive surrounding will swing the outcome in Aleem’s favor, Gibbons said.

“Manny’s a competitive guy and wanted to win,” Gibbons said. “Some might say we bid a little high, but Manny – whether he’s boxing, playing chess, playing billiards or doing a purse bid – he’s a winner.”

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Angelo Leo-Ra’eese Aleem IBF title fight tops May 9 DAZN show in Atlanta

Boxing Scene has confirmed that Angelo Leo’s mandatory IBF featherweight title defense versus Ra’eese Aleem will headline a May 9 DAZN event from Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The event will be presented by Salita Promotions, who has partnered with Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions – the controlling promoter for the abovementioned showdown.

“This is exactly what boxing needs, meaningful fights between two elite competitors with everything on the line,” said Dmitriy Salita, founder and president of Salita Promotions, who presents its first event in Atlanta. “We’re excited to enter the Atlanta market and work alongside great partners, Manny Pacquiao and Route 30 Promotions, to deliver a special night of championship boxing.

“Much like Detroit and Puerto Rico, Atlanta is a true hotbed for talent, entertainment, and sports culture, with a passionate fan base that understands and celebrates the sport. Ra’eese Aleem vs. Angelo Leo is exactly the kind of fight fans want to see — a true 50–50 world championship matchup between two elite fighters who both believe they will win.”

MP Promotions, Aleem’s promoter, secured the rights to the ordered Leo-Aleem clash via purse bid.

“Ra’eese earned his world title shot because he won the fights that needed to be won,” said Hall-of-Famer Manny Pacquiao, founder of MP Promotions. “Those victories made him the IBF’s number one contender and mandatory challenger. That is a major reason why I started MP Promotions — to fight for the Ra’eese Aleems of the world who deserve their shot at a world title but don’t always get it.

“MP Promotions is proud to represent Ra’eese. He may be our first U.S. fighter to challenge for a world title, but I feel he is a U.S. fighter with the heart of a Filipino who will take the battle to Angelo Leo and take the title from him.”

It was unclear at the time of the purse bid where the fight would land, other than ruling out a hometown defense for Albuquerque’s Leo (26-1, 12 KOs). Rumors swirled of the clash landing in Las Vegas, Southern California or even Detroit – Salita Promotions’ base and roughly three hours from Aleem’s original hometown of Muskegon, Michigan.

The fight instead heads to Atlanta, where Leo last fought in December 2019. It came in the form of a title eliminator, when he stopped Cesar Juarez in the 11th round. Leo then challenged for – and won - the WBO 122lbs title just one fight later. He lost the belt to Stephen Fulton in his first defense, just five months later.

Six wins have since followed for Leo, none more impactful than his August 2024 knockout of Luis Alberto Lopez to win the IBF 126lbs title. The one-punch ending capped an ESPN telecast from Leo’s Albuquerque hometown as he became a two-division titleholder.

Strangely, just one defense has followed - on the home soil of his previous mandatory title challenger, Tomoki Kameda whom he outpointed last May 24 in Osaka, Japan. Leo was previously due to face Lerato Dlamini on February 21 in Albuquerque.

As previously reported by Boxing Scene, a decision was made on the Leo side to table those plans and instead next face Aleem.

“A champion fights whoever, wherever,” said Leo. “This is a great opportunity for me to continue building my fan base. I believe in myself, I’ve been doing this since I was eight years old. Beating a top contender like Aleem solidifies that I’m the best in the division. Fans are going to see on May 9 that I have the ‘it’ factor. I’m an exciting fighter, I wear my heart on my sleeve, and when I show up, I show up to win.”

Aleem enters his first career title fight having won his last three starts. The 35-year-old Las Vegas-based contender turned around his career following a disappointing 2023 points loss to Sam Goodman in Broadbeach, Australia.

A win would have put him on course to next challenge for the IBF 122lbs title.

Instead, he had to rebuild in an industry not always in a hurry to provide opportunities. He ultimately persevered, complete with his convincing decision win over previously unbeaten Mikito Nakano last November 24 in Tokyo. A 10th-round knockdown paved the way for a spectacular finish by Aleem, who prevailed by scores of 115-112, 116-111 and 118-109 in their IBF title eliminator.

“I’ve bled too much and shed too many tears to be satisfied just being here,” said Aleem. “I’m coming to win this fight, become world champion, and defend my title. This isn’t about getting the opportunity, it’s about taking it.

“I want fans to walk away knowing Ra’eese ‘The Beast’ Aleem is the best in the division, and the new world champion.”

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Angelo Leo set to defend IBF title vs. Ra’eese Aleem on May 9

Angelo Leo will defend his IBF featherweight title against mandatory challenger Ra’eese Aleem on May 9 at the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, it was announced on Tuesday.

Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions secured a winning purse bid last month of $227,100 for the fight and has opted to work with Salita Promotions, who'll present the bout as a main event on DAZN.

Leo (26-1, 12 KOs), a 31-year-old from New Mexico, is looking to defend his 126-pound title for a second time.

Leo originally won the belt in August 2024 with a devastating 10th-round knockout of Luis Alberto Lopez and defended the title on the road in Japan last time out in May with a majority decision against Tomoki Kameda.

Leo is riding a six-fight winning streak since suffering the lone defeat of his career while losing the WBO 122-pound title against Stephen Fulton in 2021.

Aleem (23-1, 12 KOs), a 35-year-old from Michigan, has gotten in position to fight Leo by stringing three consecutive wins after suffering his first loss as a pro against Sam Goodman by split decision in 2023.

Aleem is coming off a unanimous decision win against previously unbeaten Mikito Nakano in November.

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Angelo Leo set to defend IBF title vs. Ra’eese Aleem on May 9

Angelo Leo will defend his IBF featherweight title against mandatory challenger Ra’eese Aleem on May 9 at the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, it was announced on Tuesday.

Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions secured a winning purse bid last month of $227,100 for the fight and has opted to work with Salita Promotions, who'll present the bout as a main event on DAZN.

Leo (26-1, 12 KOs), a 31-year-old from New Mexico, is looking to defend his 126-pound title for a second time.

Leo originally won the belt in August 2024 with a devastating 10th-round knockout of Luis Alberto Lopez and defended the title on the road in Japan last time out in May with a majority decision against Tomoki Kameda.

Leo is riding a six-fight winning streak since suffering the lone defeat of his career while losing the WBO 122-pound title against Stephen Fulton in 2021.

Aleem (23-1, 12 KOs), a 35-year-old from Michigan, has gotten in position to fight Leo by stringing three consecutive wins after suffering his first loss as a pro against Sam Goodman by split decision in 2023.

Aleem is coming off a unanimous decision win against previously unbeaten Mikito Nakano in November.

I like Leo, he's a good watch.

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Atif Oberlton returns against Steven Sumpter on May 9 in Atlanta

Once again, Atif Oberlton is in the co-featured slot.

Oberlton, 15-0 (13 KOs), is a light heavyweight prospect from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 27-year-old Oberlton last fought on February 22, defeating the 13-1 Joseph George via TKO. The bout was stopped after George collapsed in his corner following the first round.

Oberlton vs George was the chief supporting bout for the rematch between Claressa Shields and Franchon Crews-Dezurn in Detroit. And he will be the chief support on May 9 in Atlanta, underneath Angelo Leo’s IBF featherweight title defense against Ra’eese Aleem on DAZN.

Oberlton’s opponent will be Steven Sumpter, according to a press release from Salita Promotions.

Sumpter, 11-2-1 (9 KOs), is a 32-year-old from Lawrence, Massachusetts. He has fought at both super middleweight and light heavyweight. Sumpter’s two defeats came against unbeaten prospects. He was unanimously outpointed by Najee Lopez in 2024 and, in his most recent outing, was stopped by Bek Nurmaganbet last September.

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ATIF OBERLTON, PRYCE TAYLOR ADDED TO LEO-ALEEM CARD ON MAY 9

The undercard for the May 9 show headlined by Angelo Leo's IBF title defense against mandatory challenger Ra’eese Aleem is beginning to take shape.

The bout between light heavyweight contender Atif Oberlton (15-0, 13 KOs) and Steven Sumpter (11-2-1, 9 KOs) will serve as the co-main event on DAZN from the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The show is presented by Salita Promotions and Manny Pacquiao Promotions.

Additionally, heavyweight contender Pryce Taylor (11-0, 7 KOs) will take on Edgar Ramirez (11-2-1, 5 KOs).

"Atif is the full package," promoter Dmitriy Salita told The Ring.

"He has real power, a unique personality, and a natural sense of style. He’s a blue-chip contender. I have a lot of respect for promoter Marshall Kauffman and the work he’s done developing Atif into the fighter he is today."

Oberlton, a 27-year-old southpaw from Philadelphia, scored a scary first-round stoppage earlier this year against Joseph George after George collapsed in the corner following the opening round.

Sumpter's only losses have come against undefeated prized prospects Najee Lopez in July 2024 and Bek Nurmaganbet last time out in September.

"February 22 was our first event working together with Atif, and I believe the sky is the limit for him, not just in the ring, but as a star outside of it, with a genuine connection to hip hop and culture. We’ve built a strong three-way partnership with Kings Promotions and Wynn Records to support Atif on every level and help maximize his potential across the board.”

Meanwhile, the 29-year-old Brooklynite Taylor will be stepping into his eighth fight in just 17 months since signing with Salita.

"Pryce is a talented, strong heavyweight with real power and personality," said Salita. "I believe Pryce has both the skills and presence to become the face of the American heavyweight division. On May 9, he gets a big opportunity and another meaningful step forward in his development toward becoming a world champion."

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Featherweight contender Ra’eese Aleem, age 34 and fighting out of Las Vegas, delivered a passionate and confident message during his recent appearance on Boxing Primetime, hosted by Andrew Bocanegra and co-host Brian Mendoza. As he prepares for his IBF featherweight title challenge against reigning champion Angelo Leo, Aleem spoke candidly about his journey, his mindset, and the loss that continues to fuel him. Leo-Aleem is set for May 9th in Atlanta, in what is shaping up to be a defining moment in Aleem's career.

Reflecting on his 2023 split-decision defeat to Sam Goodman in Australia, Aleem made it clear he still believes the outcome was unjust. The IBF eliminator remains a major source of motivation, with Aleem stating he was “robbed” while fighting on foreign soil. That experience has sharpened his approach heading into May 9th.

Since that setback, Aleem has put together three strong victories that have reestablished him as a top contender in the division. In those performances, he showcased a more complete version of himself—combining relentless pressure with improved patience and ring IQ.

His win over Mikito Nakano in a final eliminator bout proved his ability to perform under high stakes, as he controlled the action and secured his place back in title contention. Against Rudy Garcia, Aleem demonstrated his toughness and consistency, breaking his opponent down over the course of the fight. He followed that with another solid performance against Derlyn Hernandez-Geraldo, where his experience and work rate were key in earning a decisive victory. Across all three fights, Aleem displayed durability, conditioning, and a willingness to adapt—traits that have made him a dangerous opponent heading into this championship opportunity.

Rather than leaving anything to the judges this time, Aleem emphasized his intent to take control and make a statement on fight night. His confidence was unmistakable as he addressed his upcoming title opportunity. “You will be dethroned,” Aleem stated.

Throughout the Boxing Primetime interview, Bocanegra and Mendoza guided a conversation that highlighted Aleem’s mindset—focused, motivated, and confident. While he acknowledged the challenge ahead, his belief remains firm. “Angelo Leo is a great fighter,” Aleem said, while doubling down on his expectation of victory.

The full Boxing Primetime interview featuring Ra’eese Aleem can be viewed below.

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Atif Oberlton has new foe for May 9: Carlos Gongora

Light heavyweight prospect Atif Oberlton will take on late-replacement opponent Carlos Gongora in his May 9 bout in Atlanta, Georgia, according to a press release from Salita Promotions.

Oberlton, 15-0 (13 KOs), was originally scheduled to face Steven Sumpter in the co-feature bout underneath Angelo Leo’s featherweight title defense against Ra’eese Aleem on DAZN. The press release did not indicate why Sumpter is out of the bout.

Sumpter, 11-2-1 (9 KOs), is a 32-year-old from Massachusetts who has fought at both super middleweight and light heavyweight. Sumpter’s two defeats came against unbeaten prospects. He was unanimously outpointed by Najee Lopez in 2024 and, in his most recent outing, was stopped by Bek Nurmaganbet last September.

Gongora, 22-3 (17 KOs), is a 36-year-old from Ecuador. His biggest win came in a come-from-behind 12th-round knockout of the previously unbeaten Ali Akhmedov in 2020. That was followed by Gongora knocking out the 17-2 Christopher Pearson in the eighth round in 2021.

Gongora has gone 2-3 since then. He dropped a split decision to Lerrone Richards in 2021, was unanimously outpointed by Christian Mbilli in 2023 and, in his most recent outing, was nearly shut out by Lester Martinez in June 2024.

That means Gongora will not only be moving up from super middleweight to face Oberlton, but he will also be returning from a nearly two-year layoff – and taking on a highly touted prospect on extremely short notice.

“I got full respect for him and what he’s accomplished,” Oberlton said of Gongora in the press release. “But my confidence is in my work and what we’ve been doing in camp with my coach. We treat every opponent the same, like a real threat, and we prepare the same way every time. [...] At the end of the day, he’s just another body in the way of me and a world title.”

Oberlton, a 27-year-old from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, last fought on February 22 in Detroit, defeating the 13-1 Joseph George via TKO. The bout was stopped after George collapsed in his corner following the first round.

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Fight Week!!

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Atif Oberlton gets a scary reminder of boxing’s ‘theater of the unexpected’

Boxing has long been called the theater of the unexpected, and for light heavyweight contender Atif Oberlton, he learned that adage firsthand in his most recent bout.

Oberlton will return Saturday against Carlos Gongora at the Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia.

Oberlton, 15-0 (13 KOs), who fought in the co-feature of the Claressa Shields versus Franchon Crews-Dezurn card, expected to make a statement in Detroit and announce himself in the division. But after he turned in a brilliant and dominant first round, his opponent – Joseph George – collapsed in the corner.

“As I am getting water and the game plan, getting ready to go into the next round, I saw him fall over and off the stool,” Oberlton told Boxing Scene. “I tapped my coach, and he looked confused as well.”

The moment was surreal. The 27-year-old Oberlton instantly went from seeking to pound out George, a 36-year-old Houston, to checking on his well-being.

“As I walked over, I saw him start to shake a bit, and that’s why I got on my knees,” Oberlton said. “I said a silent prayer for him. It was a scary thing and a bizarre thing. I had never seen anything like it in boxing.”

Oberlton, who is from Philadelphia but now trains with Tom Yankello outside of the city, was a silver medalist at the 2020 Olympic Trials and had some of his early professional bouts televised on FOX Sports. Since then, he has built himself into a title contender without notable television appearances.

The George bout was to symbolize a new chapter in his career. Oberlton was reemerging in front of a national audience as a light heavyweight fringe contender against George, 13-2 (8 KOs), who had had two quality fights with Marcos Escudero, and whose only loss was to spoiler Raiko Santana in 2022.

“The unexpected can always happen in the boxing ring,” Oberlton said. “I am just glad my opponent was OK.”

Now Oberlton will face Gongora, 22-3 (17 KOs), who is the most accomplished opponent Oberlton has faced. The 36-year-old Gongora knocked out Ali Akhmedov in 2020, and his recent defeats are a split decision loss to WBC interim titleholder Lester Martinez and a unanimous decision loss to WBC titleholder Christian Mbilli. Gongora, an Ecuadorian training out of Boston, will make his debut in the light heavyweight division after competing at middleweight and super middleweight.

“Everybody that I fight is a threat,” Oberlton said. “He has to be ready for what I have to bring. I can’t be too concerned about what he is going to do.”

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For Ra’eese Aleem, 35, this title shot is better late than never

Ra’eese Aleem knows better than anyone that it is better late than never when getting a title shot.

Aleem will face IBF featherweight titleholder Angelo Leo, 31, 26-1 (12 KOs), on Saturday at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia.

Aleem, 23-1 (12 KOs), moved to Las Vegas from Muskegon, Michigan, to gamble – not in the casinos, but on his boxing career. Despite being ranked as the No. 1 contender in the junior featherweight division, he was never able to land a title shot.

The 35-year-old Aleem will now get his chance at glory.

“It is long overdue,” Aleem told BS. “It feels like my whole career, but realistically, I have waited six years.”

The two know each other well, as they sparred when Leo was preparing for his first title defense at 122lbs against Stephen Fulton.

“There is nothing really to take away from [the sparring],” Aleem said. “But [Saturday’s bout] will be a dogfight.”

Aleem also competed on that January 2021 show headlined by Leo-Fulton. Leo lost his WBO junior featherweight title to Fulton, while Aleem knocked out the previously undefeated Vic Pasillas.

The two would then take different paths to this point.

Leo would win four fights before knocking out Luis Alberto Lopez in 2024 to capture the IBF featherweight belt, making him a two-division titleholder. The moment was like a scene out of a movie, as Leo recorded a highlight reel knockout in his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Aleem’s path was different. He would lose a 2023 split decision to Sam Goodman in Australia. The loss was followed by inactivity.

“I went [17] months without a fight, and that shit was tough,” Aleem said. “I have always been right there my whole fornicating career, and I never get to that point of a title shot. There are a lot of fighters who have been in my position who quit.”

Aleem would return on a Top Rank card in 2024, defeating Derlyn Hernandez-Gerarldo. Aleem appreciated Brad Goodman of Top Rank for the bout, which restarted his career. After that, Aleem fought on the Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas undercard in May 2025, beating Rudy Garcia. In November, Aleem won a unanimous decision over unbeaten Mikito Nakano in Japan. The win set the stage for this fight with Leo.

“This is an underdog story,” Aleem said. “I bet on myself when I moved to Las Vegas. No family, no friends, no support system, just grinding, making it all happen. I did a lot of stuff myself.”

Aleem is looking to make the most out of his title shot, with his aim set for a future move to junior lightweight.

“The ultimate goal would be to win the title, defend it, and move to 130lbs and see what opportunities are there,” Aleem said. “I don’t plan on ending my career at 126lbs. At some point in time, the move will be to 130lbs.”

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Angelo Leo ready for unifications after ‘formidable’ Aleem

There’s no shortage of talent in an uber-competitive featherweight division.

Angelo Leo is eager to prove he’s the best of them all. Leo (26-1, 12 KOs) will make the second defense of his IBF title when he faces Ra’eese Aleem on Saturday at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia, on DAZN.

“[Aleem's] a formidable foe,” Leo told The Ring. “He's very competitive, and he's in it to win it, but the same goes for me. I'm the exact same. It's gonna be a tough fight.”

Leo made his lone title defense last May, defeating Japan’s Tomoki Kameda by majority decision in enemy territory. The Las Vegas native emphatically won the title with one of the more devastating knockouts of the year when he beat Luis Alberto Lopez by 10th-round knockout in August 2024.

Aleem’s last victory also came in Japan when he beat previously unbeaten Mikito Nakano by unanimous decision on November 24. Aleem (23-1, 12 KOs) has won three straight fights, while Leo enters on a six-fight winning streak.

Leo is The Ring’s No. 2-ranked featherweight, while Aleem is No. 9.

“I think it's one of the best divisions in the sport right now,” Leo said. “It's a very diverse division. You got fighters that are six foot, you got fighters that are my height [and] you got different types of styles. It's a great division for the sport.”

Leo, 31, and Aleem, 35, have sparred before. Both, however, downplayed the impact of it, given the time that has elapsed and the difference between sparring and a title fight.

“Pretty competitive,” Leo said of those sparring sessions. “I remember Floyd [Mayweather] at one of the sparrings, he stepped into the ring and refereed it. Overall, I'm not taking too much of it during the fight, because when the bright lights are on, things change, and it's been six years.

“I know he's changed as a fighter. I've changed as a fighter. We're going to go in there and put on our best performance, regardless of what happened in the past.”

If Leo were to successfully defend his title, he hopes to face one of WBO champion Rafael Espinoza, WBC titleholder Bruce Carrington or WBA champion Brandon Figueroa.

“I would like a unification fight,” Leo said. “For the most part, I just want to keep establishing my legacy and establish myself as the best featherweight in the world.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ra’eese Aleem misses weight, DAZN main event with Angelo Leo is off

Ra’eese Aleem failed to make weight Friday for his IBF featherweight title shot at belt holder Angelo Leo, scrapping the DAZN fight and leaving Aleem co-promoters MP Promotions and Salita Promotions on the hook to pay Leo his entire $147,000 purse, Boxing Scene has learned.

The IBF’s mandatory challenger, Aleem, 23-1 (12 KOs), came in heavy over the featherweight limit of 126lbs by weighing 128.8lbs earlier Friday. The Georgia commission allows one hour to attempt to shed the difference, but Aleem could only get to 128lbs in Atlanta.

Georgia rules stipulate Leo, by making weight, is entitled to his full purse money even as the DAZN main event is scrapped.

“It’s unfortunate,” Leo promoter and Boxing Scene owner Garry Jonas said Friday. “We didn’t wish that on Ra’eese Aleem. He lost the opportunity to fight for the title on the scale and, unfortunately, it’s not in Angelo Leo’s best interest to fight him.

“We look forward to Angelo Leo being back on a Top Rank card in the near future.”

New Mexico’s Leo, 26-1 (12 KOs), was due to fight Aleem only because of the mandatory duty. The bout went to purse bid and the winning offer by Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions made for a financially disfavorable purse for the titlist.

“I’m speechless. I’m sick for Angelo Leo, DAZN and my co-promoter, Dmitriy Salita,” Aleem advisor and MP Promotions executive Sean Gibbons said. “Aleem went to many places in the world to fight and never had a weight problem before today.”

Salita told Boxing Scene on Friday afternoon he’s attempting to preserve the remaining fights on the card, and even said he would hope Leo would keep the fight since there would be no risk of losing the belt.

Jonas said he wasn’t interested in that.

With Top Rank’s new streaming deal with DAZN taking effect this month, Leo is in prime position either to land a tune-up bout (because he hasn’t defended his belt since May 2025) or perhaps get a unification bout against one of Top Rank’s two featherweight belt holders: WBO titlist Rafael Espinoza or new WBC titleholder Bruce “ShuShu” Carrington.

[Cent0089]

Who made decision to cancel the fight?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Who made decision to cancel the fight?

No idea. Maybe it was Leo not wanting to fight Aleem. Based on what the promoter said.

He said he was still trying to put on the event though without the man event.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fights off.

Oberlton-Gongora is new main event.

Card goes on.

[Cent0089]

Fights off.

Oberlton-Gongora is new main event.

Card goes on.

Damn i remembering watching Gongora at 2012 olympics in TV. Wondering if he can upset Oberlton here

[Ruthless-RKO]

Aleem badly misses weight, 126 title shot against Leo canceled

Rest of Salita Promotions card on DAZN will go on as planned

Featherweight contender Ra’eese Aleem badly missed weight on Friday and his mandatory fight with IBF titlist Angelo Leo was canceled.

The bout was set to headline a Salita Promotions card on Saturday (DAZN, 8 p.m. ET) at Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta. While the main event is off, the rest of the card will go on.

While Leo, who has not fought in a year and was due to make his second defense, weighed in at 125 pounds, Aleem (23-1, 12 KOs), 35, of Las Vegas, was 128.8 on his first trip to the scale. He had an hour to lose the weight and when he returned he was 128 — still two pounds over the division limit — and Las Vegas-based Leo (26-1, 12 KOs), 31, elected not to go through with the bout even though under IBF rules he would have retained the title even if he lost.

“I’m highly disappointed for Angelo Leo and DAZN, who stepped up to broadcast this fight,” Sean Gibbons, Aleem’s adviser, told Fight Freaks Unite. “I’ve seen Aleem travel to Australia and have no weight issues. He traveled to Japan for his last fight, no issues. Everything went beautifully. He knew about this fight in January/February so he had plenty of time to prepare. He has never missed weight before or had any issues.

“I’m just speechless. He got to Atlanta on Tuesday and had more than enough time to do everything but in the biggest moment of your life you come in 2.8 pounds overweight. My real thoughts are with the guy who did it right in Angelo Leo.”

Aleem will lose his mandatory status and the IBF will order Leo to face the next leading available contender in its rankings

Moving up to the main event position is the original co-feature: light heavyweight up-and-comer Atif Oberlton (15-0, 13 KOs), 27, of Philadelphia, versus fellow southpaw Carlos Gongora (22-3, 17 KOs), 36, a Boston-based Ecuador native, in a 10-rounder

“It’s disappointing that Ra’eese Aleem did not make weight and that the camps were unable to reach a resolution to keep this fight together,” promoter Dmitriy Salita told Fight Freaks Unite. “The focus now shifts to one of America’s hottest young boxing contenders, Atif Oberlton, as he takes on the toughest test of his career against Carlos Gongora in his first main event appearance.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

After Ra’eese Aleem missed weight, who will pay Angelo Leo?

Featherweight titleholder Angelo Leo made weight for his scheduled Saturday night IBF title defense, but now that challenger Ra’eese Aleem has missed weight and the bout is being scrapped, the matter over who pays Leo is devolving into finger-pointing and tension.

Leo promoter and ProBoxTV/Boxing Scene owner Garry Jonas says Leo is entitled to his full $147,000 purse, according to Georgia commission rules over matters such as this.

However, when Boxing Scene contacted Sean Gibbons, Aleem’s advisor and an executive with Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, he directed questions to co-promoter Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions.

Salita not only noted that MP Promotions is responsible because it won the IBF purse bid for Leo-Aleem earlier this year, he said there may be a pending dispute over Aleem’s bout agreement and the scheduled weigh-in time.

Aleem first missed weight at 128.8lbs, then returned and was still over the 126lbs limit at 128lbs.

Gibbons noted Aleem has fought two of his past four bouts overseas, in Australia and Japan, but nine minutes before Friday’s weigh-in, Gibbons said he was alerted Aleem was overweight.

Jonas checked the Georgia rules and confirmed a fighter who makes weight is entitled to 100 per cent of his earnings in Georgia when their opponent misses weight.

Leo is due to be paid by Saturday evening.

Jonas said he learned a surety bond in place could be applied to pay Leo, but he has yet to learn how much that will cover.

The remainder of the card will still be streamed by DAZN, but it’s not clear if the network will be involved in covering Leo’s purse. A light heavyweight catchweight bout between Atif Oberlton and Carlos Gongora will replace Leo-Aleem as the main event.

In the meantime, Gibbons and Salita, who first spoke of taking the bout to Michigan, will have to resolve a matter that has caught them off-guard.