Middleweights Eric Priest and Tyler Howard have both discussed having Raul Salomon as a secret weapon, but in different capacities.
Priest is sparring with Salomon to prepare for Howard while Howard defeated Salomon via a majority decision two fights ago.
Priest and Howard will headline Golden Boy Promotions’ first card of 2025 on Thursday night at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, California.
Priest, 26, signed with Golden Boy Promotions in 2023 and fought twice with the promotion in 2024.
Originally from Kansas, Priest now trains in Los Angeles with Julian Chua.
Meanwhile Howard, 31, trains in Houston with Bobby Benton. Since 2021, Howard has faced some hard luck, losing a unanimous decision to Ian Green, defeating Salomon, but then losing a unanimous decision to Troy Isley in November.
Chua, however, remains confident in Priest, who will not just be the main event on the card, but faces a step up in competition.
“We’ve been sparring with Raul Salomon, who fought Tyler Howard,” Chuasaid. “They were training at Churchill Boxing Gym together. I think that Raul is actually a better fighter. I thought he actually won that fight against Howard. Howard caught him with something early in thefight, but I think that he’s a better fighter overall.”
When told by BoxingScene about Howard’s comments in a recent interview, Chua was surprised. Howard holds a record of 20-2 (11 KOs).
“Salomon and Eric are not similar at all,” Chua said. “He’s got more tools. They’re not similar even a little bit.”
Chua remains confident that Priest, who is 14-0 (8 KOs), will prove victorious.
The trainer had a personal issue during the holidays, meaning Priest was working with a coach known only as “Yogy”, and Chua insisted Priest’s focus will be the difference.
“He’s going to do very well if he fights a disciplined fight,” Chua concluded. “He’s going to completely shine and dominate this guy. I think he has all the ability in the world.”
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