Jalil Hackett will face Peter Dobson in a 10-round welterweight contest and Skye Nicolson will make the first defense of her featherweight title against Dyana Vargas on July 13 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, on the undercard of Jaron Ennis’ welterweight title defense against Cody Crowley.
Hackett (8-0, 7 KOs), who penned a multi-fight promotional deal with promoter Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing at the end of May, will be making a step up in his ninth pro fight against Dobson.
“I’m so happy to kick off my deal with Matchroom with such a big fight,” Hackett said. “Eddie and Matchroom have a plan for my development that I’m really excited by, and that starts on July 13 against Dobson. He took Conor Benn the distance in a good fight, but I’m going to prove that I am ready for this step up and much more.”
Dobson (16-1, 9 KOs), of the Bronx, New York, went 12 rounds with Benn in Las Vegas in February, which marked his first professional loss. At 34, Dobson has no time to lose – and he isn’t mincing any words about his approach to his fight with Hackett.
“He’s a little boy, and I’m going to beat his ass like his father used to,” Dobson said. “He’s trying to use me as a stepping stone and he’s making a terrible mistake. There are levels to this, and he’s nowhere near mine. He’s going to find that out in brutal fashion come July 13.”
Nicolson (10-0, 1 KO) won her WBC crown at a canter in her first title fight in February in Las Vegas, pitching a shutout on two of the cards over Dane Sarah Mahfoud. For her first defense, Australia’s Nicolson will fight in the States for the fifth time as a pro.
“I’m excited to defend my WBC world title on this great card in Philadelphia,” Nicolson said. “Although it’s just my 11th fight, I truly believe I am the best featherweight in the world.
For her part, the Dominican Republic’s Vargas (18-1, 12 KOs) will be fighting outside her homeland and in a title fight for the first time.
“Ever since I started boxing, this was my dream – to fight for a world title,” Vargas said. “It is a dream come true, and I’m taking advantage of this opportunity.”
Also on the undercard, light heavyweight Khalil Coe will make the short journey from New Jersey to Philadelphia to fight for his first title, facing Manuel Gallegos over 10 rounds.
Coe (8-0-1, 6 KOs) has ended his last four outings inside the distance, and will look to earn a minor belt against Mexico’s Gallegos (20-2-1, 17 KOs), who is moving up to 175 pounds after taking on super middleweight Diego Pacheco last time out in Los Angeles in July.
“I am excited to be back in a big step-up fight against Gallegos on the ‘Boots’ Ennis undercard,” Coe said. “Philadelphia will almost be like a hometown fight for me. It’s right down the turnpike, so I expect a lot of my fans to show up and watch me dominate again, and I’m looking for a highlight-reel knockout.”
Said Gallegos: “I’m anxious to fight again on a Matchroom show in a new division, and for a title. I feel stronger and won’t waste this opportunity. Let’s go.”
In an all-Puerto Rico affair, Henry Lebron and Christopher Diaz will square off in a junior lightweight bout. Lebron (19-0, 10 KOs), who has signed a promotional deal with Matchroom, should face a stern test against two-time title challenger Diaz (28-4, 18 KOs).
“I am very excited to be entering this new chapter of my career with Matchroom Boxing,” Lebron said. “I feel that Matchroom is going to provide me with the path towards challenging and winning my first world title as a super featherweight.”
Said Diaz: “Facing an undefeated fighter – and one of the best, or the best, prospects in Puerto Rico, like Henry Lebron – is the kind of challenge that brings passion and determination to my mind.”
Elsewhere on the card, Philadelphia duo Christian Carto (22-1, 15 KOs) and Boots Promotions’ Ismail Muhammad (4-0, 3 KOs) will be in action in separate fights, in a scheduled junior featherweight eight-rounder and a welterweight six-rounder, respectively. Another Philly native, Dennis Thompson, will make his pro debut in a four-round bantamweight fight against an opponent to be determined.
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