Top Rank Officially Announces Artur Beterbiev vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic
Top Rank Boxing has officially announced its May 4 card on ESPN with two world title fights set for the event.
The main event of the card, taking place at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, California, is an IBF light heavyweight title bout between titleholder Artur Beterbiev and Radivoje Kalajdzic. The fight headlines a tripleheader that will also have another world title bout on the undercard.
Beterbiev has held the IBF title since knocking out Enrico Koelling in 2017 in the main event of an ESPN-televised card from Fresno, California. Beterbiev would then go on to defend his title last October on a Matchroom Boxing USA card from Chicago, knocking out Callum Johnson in the fourth round of their fight.
In the co-main event, IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas will defend his title against Ryuichi Funai. Ancajas has held the IBF title since defeating McJoe Arroyo back in September 2016. Since that win over Arroyo, Ancajas has defended his title six times with most of those title defense taking place on Top Rank-promoted events from around the world.
Funai is on a seven-fight win streak and is currently the No. 1 super flyweight in the official IBF rankings. Funai, who has won the Japanese national and WBO Asia Pacific titles at 115 pounds, has not fought since a TKO victory over Victor Olivo at Korakuen Hall last November.
Lastly, Top Rank announced a six-round lightweight bout between undefeated 18-year-old Gabriel Flores Jr. and Eduardo Pereira. Flores has won all 12 of his pro bouts with five of those wins coming from inside the distance.
There will also be an undercard that will be streamed on ESPN+ starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, but no fights were announced.
