Former World Champion and Chinese sensation Can “Monster” Xu Friday night ProBox TV bill in his ring return against Brandon “Leoncito” Benitez in a ten-round featherweight China versus Mexico donnybrook. It will be one of four bouts streamed on ProBox TV and on the ProBox TV App beginning at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT.
In the co-featured bout, Cesar “Rainman” Francis will clash with Francisco “Roca” Armenta for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) NABO junior welterweight title.
Xu returns to the ring after a hard-fought loss to world featherweight champion Leigh Wood in the United Kingdom, and after making changes within his camp, the Chinese star feels rejuvenated as he sets his sights on becoming a two-time world champion in the featherweight division. “I will not be his steppingstone for bigger opportunities. I am the mountain he cannot climb,” said Xu regarding Benitez braggadocious internet banter. “I have trained hard for this fight. I am in great condition. My performance against Benitez is the beginning of my comeback and the road back to a world title.”
“I am back better more focused,” said Paul Mendez. “I am a father now, so I have a different perspective on life. I know Valsaint is young and hungry like I was once. Now I have experience. I will use it to put him through a test.”
“This is a step up for me in the level of opponent,” said Valsaint. “I have had only 5 fights, but I am ready for this challenge. This is the test that I need.”
As is customary on ProBox TV, “The Big Four,” comprising of Roy Jones Jr, Juan Manuel Marquez, Paulie Malignaggi and Antonio Tarver, will be calling the fights from ringside. Michael Goldberg handles blow-by-blow, and Claudia Trejos is the ringside reporter and post-fight interviewer.
It is $1.99 per month for a ProBox TV subscription.
Here are the four bouts to be streamed:
10 Rounds WBO NABO Jr Welterweight Title
125.6 lbs. Can Xu, Beijing, China, Former WBA Featherweight Champion, 18-3, 3 KO’s vs. 126.2 lbs. Brandon Benitez, Queretaro, Mexico, 18-2, 7 KO’s
10 Rounds WBO NABO Jr Welterweight Title
147 lbs. Cesar Francis, Brooklyn, NY via San Miguelito, Panama, 11-0 6 KO’s. vs. 140 lbs. Francisco Armenta, Los Mochis, Sinaloa, MX, 12-1 4 KO’s
6 Rounds Middleweights
162 lbs. Darrelle Valsaint, Orlando, FL, 5-0 4 KO’s vs. 160.8 lbs. Paul Mendez, Delano, California, 21-3-2 11 KO’s
8 Rounds Middleweights
162.6 lbs. Kanat Islam California via Altay, China, 28-1 22 KO’s vs. 166.8 lbs. Javier Maciel, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 34-17 23 KO’s
ProBox TV was originally founded by Roy Jones Jr., Juan Manuel Marquez, Paulie Malignaggi, Antonio Tarver and CEO Garry Jonas. Miguel Cotto recently joined the group. In 2023 there will be one fight card per month streamed on ProBox TV in each of the USA, Puerto Rico (Cotto Promotions) and Mexico (Marquez Promotions).