By Brad Snyder-The Undercard
Photos by Bob Ryder

When you say Erick DeLeon’s name in Detroit, you put a little respect behind it. The fact is he is talked about often. Erick has been silent during an injury-plagued and Covid boxing landscape for three years. But in the gyms, at the bars, and at entertainment venues when you speak of Erick DeLeon, you put a little respect behind it.

Saturday night was a homecoming. The legend of a 3-time National Golden Glove champion coming home. A star, whose light was so bright in the beginning, not many locals have been able to see him fight live as a professional. A question whispered at shows was, “Where is Erick DeLeon? And when does he fight next?” The answer, he never left and April 2, 2022.

With a mariachi band playing in his locker room, Erick had a pre-party while his hands were being wrapped. While warming up on the pads, the band continued to play. Then as Erick walked to the ring, the band played on, leading him back to a ring he had dominated in before.

The scheduled LIghtweight bout had both opponents at a higher weight than originally advertised. DeLeon came in at 148.6 lbs., while Hevinson Herrera was at 143.8 lbs. After the weigh-in and the mariachi band, DeLeon stood across from a 47-fight professional pro in Herrera (27-20-1, 21 KOs). DeLeon worked fast with a jab. Then switched quickly to power punches to finally appear to hit Herrera with a left, sending him to the canvas. But truthfully, it was multiple combinations that scored DeLeon his 2:48 1st Round victory by KO.

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Promoter Dmitriy Salita says Ali Izmailov “is the best lightweight in the world.”

Although the future is far and always tough to predict, I tend to believe Izmailov might have the most raw power and potential at that weight.

Izmailov (8-0, 6 KOs) did to Abraham Tebes (7-1, 3 KOs) what future champions do to opponents on the rise. Izmailov stood next to his opponent trading blows and took the heart from his opponent in front of the whole crowd.

Round one had both trading blows in the center of the ring and along the ropes. Tebes, whose record almost mirrors Ali’s, tried matching Ali’s power. A powerful punch that was hidden by light punches and then turned on again to devastating punches.

Round two had Ali firing quickly. Tebes tried to fire back when he could. After the second round, Tebes’ face looked as if he was at the end of the 8th Round. In Round 3, Ali smelled the finish. Ali let his hands down for no guard anymore. At the end of the round, his hands were behind his back after beating down Tebes.

And in between the third and the fourth, the “Destructor” claimed his 6th KO and 8th win. Tebes was broken and unable to continue. The TKO finish puts Izmailov on the fast pace to higher rankings and TV fights. The most impressive thing about Izmailov was his ability to throw light, quick punches in the first gear and then slam it into fifth gear like a Ferrari to hard power punches.

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Super Flyweight David Alaverdian (6-0, 5 KOs) won by TKO in Round 2 at the 1:15 mark over veteran Jeno Tonte (9-10, 8 KOs).

Lightweight Joshua James Pagan (2-0, 2 KOs) scored a KO at the 1:36 mark of the 1st Round over Calvin Glover (0-5).

Middleweight Timur Kerefov (13-0, 7 KOs) scored a knockout at the Round 2 2:02 mark over former prospect Cleotis Pendarvis (21-10-2, 9 KOs).

And a great start to the night began in the Heavyweight division. Brandon Moore (12-0, 7 KOs) kept fighting through a huge gash over his left eye that bled from Round 3 caused by an accidental head bunt from Curtis Harper (13-8, 9 KOs). Harper came at Moore with spurts. And Moore looked great, except for the gushing gash. Respect to Moore for continuing, as he could have received a no-contest when asked if he could still see in the 3rd.

Salita Promotions will be back in May 2022 at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center.