By Robert Coster

Power-punching Curtis “The Cerebral Assasin” Stevens (29-6, 21 KOs) is coming back to ring action. Curtis will be fighting in Santiago, Dominican Republic on July 21, tackling local boxer Carlos Jairo Cruz (18-2-1, 12 KOs) for the International Boxing Association (IBA) middleweight title. In 2013, Stevens fought Gennady Golovkin for the WBA title. The Brownsville NY native has been inactive for 15 months – since a loss to David Lemieux.

On the same card, Dominican bantamweight prospect Junior “The Baby-faced Terror” Almonte (9-0, 7 KOs) will battle teenager Sander Diaz (7-3, 4 KOs) of Venezuela for the WBC Fecarbox title. Almonte, managed by NY businessman Frank Aybar, is considered to be one of the most serious prospects in the Dominican Republic.

Also, very popular Dayana Vargas (4-0, 3 KOs) goes against veteran Diana Garcia (14-26, 9 KOs) for the Dominican female featherweight title.

The card will be held at the Nani Marrero Coliseum in Santiago, a Cruz and Rodriguez Promotion.