Championship” event delivered a spectacular night of fights at the Casino Miami Jai Alai Saturday night. The evening’s main event featured WBA Middleweight Continental USA champion Ian Green (18-2, 12 KOs) successfully defending his title against St. Louis, MO’s challenger Vaughn Alexander (18-8, 11 KOs). Establishing his jab early, the measured Green landed a devasting body shot that floored Alexander for a ten count in the eighth round.

The co-main event saw reigning WBA NABA Welterweight champion Tre’sean Wiggins (16-5-3, 9 KOs) score an emphatic first round TKO over Cincinnati, OH’s Chris Howard (18-3-1, 8 KOs). Stunning Howard within the first ten seconds of the first round, Wiggins quickly found his pace. Wiggins entered this bout on the strength of an impressive four straight victories.

Harrisburg, PA’s Antonio Perez (9-0, 5 KOs) and Las Vegas, NV’s Haskell Rhodes (29-6-1, 14 KOs) clashed for the WBC Vacant International Lightweight title in a back-and-forth brawl. Though a competitive bout, Perez’s speed proved to be too overwhelming for the lightweight veteran. Scoring two knockdowns in the tenth round, the newly crowned Perez was victorious via unanimous decision.

Lastly, Colombia’s Alex Castro (14-1, 11 KOs) outclassed Harry K. Cruz (14-4, 11 KOs) for ten rounds, defending his WBA NABA Middleweight title in the process.

WBA MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTINENTAL USA CHAMPIONSIP – 10 ROUNDS

Ian Green (18-2, 12 KOs) vs. Vaughn Alexander (18-8, 11 KOs)

Result: Wiggins wins by KO at 2:40 of round 8

Scorecards:  68-65, 67-66, 68-65 Green

Green on the significance of this bout: “I want to dedicate this fight to my late mother. Tomorrow is her birthday and there was a lot of pressure on me going into this fight. I want to say happy birthday mom and I hope you’re proud of me. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and raising me to the man I am today. If you’re ever going through something, keep pushing. If you’re ever depressed and don’t know what you want to do, keep pushing. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel. I ain’t where I want to be, but I’m not where I started, and that’s all that matters.”

Green on his victory: “Like I said before I’m a dog. He caught me with a good shot, so I had to show him and switch it up. I worked on that body shot every day in the gym, and I made it happen today.”

Green on what’s next: “I told Don, whoever he puts in front of me, I’ll beat them. I want champions, I want the best.”

WBA NABA WELTWERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 10 ROUNDS

Tre’sean Wiggins (16-5-3, 9 KOs) vs. Chris Howard (18-3-1, 8 KOs)

Result: Wiggins wins by TKO at 2:57 of round 1

Wiggins on his victory: “I didn’t think I would finish the fight that fast. He’s a tough opponent who’s never been stopped before, so I wasn’t expecting that quick of a fight. I thought it would be a longer night, at least that’s what he told me at the weigh-in. I felt strong out there and I was prepared for short or long night.”

Wiggins on what’s next: “I hope a title shot. If I don’t get a title shot, then I need a title eliminator.”

WBC VACANT INTERNATIONAL LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE BOUT – 10 ROUNDS 

Antonio Perez (9-0, 5 KOs) vs. Haskell Rhodes (29-6-1, 14 KOs)

Result: Perez wins by unanimous decision

Scorecards: 100-88, 100-88, 100-88 Perez

Perez on his victory: “The first couple of rounds went exactly how I thought it would then he picked it up on me a bit. He has quite a few more fights than I do so that was expected but I managed to make it out and get him in the last round. I knew he was strong but not strong enough for me. It feels amazing to take out a guy like Rhodes because I know a lot of guys can’t.”

BANTAMWEIGHT ATTRACTION – 6 ROUNDS 

Lawrence Newton (16-0, 7 KOs) vs. Erik Ruiz (17-9-1, 7 KOs) 

Result: Newton wins by unanimous decision

Scorecards: 58-58, 56-58, 55-59 Newton

WBA NABA MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 10 ROUNDS 

Alex Castro (14-1, 11 KOs) vs. Harry K. Cruz (14-4, 11 KOs) 

Result: Castro wins by unanimous decision 



Scorecards: 98-92, 98-92, 99-91 Castro

Castro on his opponent: “I’ve been preparing for this for a long time. It was a tough fight mentally because I know Harry (Cruz) so I had to put that aside. I knew it wasn’t going to be a short fight because he’s a tough fighter, so I came in completely prepared.”

Castro on what’s next: “Whatever Don King wants. I’m willing to fight whoever, just give me a name and date.”

WBC VACANT YOUTH INTERCONTINENTAL SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHP – 6 ROUNDS 

De Von Williams (4-0, 4 KOs) vs. Kendall Ward (1-11) 

Result: Williams wins by TKO at 1:04 of round 1  

MIDDLEWEIGHT ATTRACTION – 6 ROUNDS 

Davan Depestre (2-0, 2 KO) vs. Yasser Zamora (0-3) 

Result: Depestre wins by KO at 1:45 of round 1 

Ian Green 158.6 – Vaughn Alexander 160

(WBA Continental USA Middleweight Title)

Tre’Sean Wiggins 145.8 – Chris Howard 146.6

(WBA NABA Welterweight Title)

Antonio Perez 134 – Haskell Rhodes 134.4

(WBC International Lightweight Title)

Lawrence Newton 121.8 – Erick Ruiz 121.6

Alex Castro 158.8 – Harry K Cruz 158.8

(WBA NABA Middleweight Title)

De’Von Williams 139 – Kendall Ward 138.6

(WBC Youth Intercontinental Super Lightweight Title)

Dayon Depestre 164.8 – Yasser Zamora 159.2

Promoter: Don King Productions

Venue: Casino Miami

1st Bell: 7 PM ET

FREE STREAM: All Don King Productions Social Media (Youtube, Facebook, X, Instagram) Plus Donking.com, FITE.TV and Itube247.com

MIAMI, FL (Nov. 29, 2023)— Ahead of Saturday’s action-packed People’s Championship boxing card at the Casino Miami Jai Alai, the world’s greatest promoter Don King addressed assembled media alongside the athletes from the highly anticipated card.

“We’ve got five spectacular and action-packed title fights ready for our boxing fans of South Florida,” said King. “And since we lost one title fight, we’ve set a holiday special price of $25 for this fantastic evening. It’s the People’s Championship.” 

WBA Continental America’s Middleweight Champion Ian Green (17-2, 11 KOs), who has shown his talents at Casino Miami in the past, will defend his title against Vaughn Alexander (18-7-1, 11 KOs) of St. Louis, Mo. Tre’Sean Wiggins (15-5-3, 8 KOs) of Newburgh, N.Y., will defend his WBA NABA Welterweight Championship against Chris Howard (18-2-1, 8 KOs) of Cincinnati, Ohio. The vacant WBA International Lightweight title bout will be up for grabs as Antonio Perez (8-0, 5 KOs) of Harrisburg, Pa., will take on Las Vegas’ Haskell Rhodes (29-5-1, 14 KOs). The WBA NABA Middleweight Championship will be decided when Alex Castro (13-1, 11 KOs) of Tulua, Colombia challenges Harry K. Cruz (14-3, 11 KOs) of Bronx, N.Y., via Puerto Rico. The fifth title fight will see the vacant WBC Youth Intercontinental Super Lightweight championship on the line as Fort Lauderdale’s DeVon Williams (3-0, 3 KOs) looks for the belt against the savvy Nelson Morales from Scranton, Pa., via the Dominican Republic. 

One undercard fight rounds out the card as an eight-round bantamweight attraction features Lawrence Newton (15-0, 7 KOs) of Boynton Beach, Fla., taking on Jonathan Smith (8-2, 6 KOs) from South Bend, Ind.  

Tickets, priced from $25, are on sale and can be purchased at www.playcasinomiami.com for the Saturday night card. Ringside tables are $1,500. Side floor seats are $50, floor ringside are $100 and ringside seats are $300.  

The People’s Championship night of boxing also will be available on all Don King Productions social media platforms Plus DonKing.com, FITE.TV AND ITUBE247.com FOR FREE. 

Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the action will begin at 7 p.m.

DON KING:

“I always make it clear that this is for the people, and that is what it is all about. On Saturday night we are going to have a sensational night and give the people what they want. I am very happy with the slate of fights we have lined up, which should deliver an action-packed card.

“On Saturday we are putting the best against the best. All I can do as a promoter is put the platform there. The fighter then needs to perform to become the people’s champion. I believe we will give the people what they deserve, which is a spectacular show.

“Ian Green is a tremendous fighter who has fought through trials and tribulations. I believe his matchup against Vaughn Alexander will steal the show.”

Ian Green vs. Vaughn Alexander

WBA Continental USA Middleweight Championship

IAN GREEN:

“First and foremost, I want to thank God for this opportunity. I want to thank Don King for this platform. There is not much to say, all the hard work has been done and I am prepared for this. I can’t wait to perform. I want to prove I’m not just an average middleweight, I want to prove that I am the best middleweight in the world.

“I’m not sleeping on Vaughn; I know he is a great fighter. May the best man win. See you Saturday.”

VAUGHN ALEXANDER:

“I’m grateful to be back in this position. I guess you could say a few years ago I wasn’t ready, but now it’s a different situation. I’m a fully grown man. I’ve got kids, a wife so I’m all the way together. I’m not here to downplay anything Ian has done, but Saturday night Ian about to get that ass tapped. Ian ain’t ever been in there with no one like me. I’ve watched his fights. No disrespect to anyone because take a lot to get in there and put your life on the line. Everyone is fighting for different things, and I know I’m a in a position where I’m only a couple of fights from fighting for a world title.

“Saturday it’s going to be a helluva night. I must put the middleweight division on notice. They know who I am and what I’m all about. It’s no secret. I’m coming and they know however long it lasts, I’m going to be there.

“This isn’t a fight about what Ian will do. Ian is just another fighter like anyone else. And Ian doesn’t want to win this fight as bad as I do.”

Tre’Sean Wiggins vs. Chris Howard

WBA NABA Welterweight Championship

TRE’SEAN WIGGINS:

“I’m ready and excited. I’ve put in the hard work and trained so hard. It’s been about 10 months since I’ve been in the ring so I’m looking forward to getting back in there and showing you all what I got. I don’t know much about my opponent, but I know he’s tough, so I’ll be ready.”

CHRIS HOWARD:

“It’s a shame Adrien [Broner] got injured and had to pull out of the fight, and it bothered me when first heard it because that was a big opportunity for me. Adrien and I have a history together. We’ve probably sparred over 500 rounds together through camps. 

“[My coach] Mike Stafford recently passed and it’s very sad we lost such a great man in boxing. That guy was a good dude. He let me into his house when I had some tough times struggling with addiction. So I’m just blessed and grateful for everything.

“I like talking and being up here in the spotlight. Come on out Saturday night and I’m going to put on my best performance.”

Antonio Perez vs. Haskell Rhodes

WBC Vacant International Lightweight Championship

ANTONIO PEREZ:

“I would like to say thank you Don King for letting me perform on this platform. Thank you to my coaches. I’ve been wanting to fight at 135lbs for a while now, so I feel good that I got this opportunity. I want to say thank you to my new opponent for taking this fight. My last opponent [Antonio Williams] had his chance already two times, so I’m fully focused on my new task. Let’s have a good night on Saturday.

“I don’t let anyone throw me off my game and I am always focused. Camp went amazing and it was a long three months. I had to sacrifice a lot, especially with Thanksgiving passing by. This is just another day in the field of boxing.”

HASKELL RHODES:

“I’m just here to show up and show I’m a big dog too, so come Saturday night let’s make it happen.

“I haven’t seen much from my opponent. He’s youthful, energetic, athletic just what you’d expect from a 21-year-old.

“I’ve lived and trained my whole fight career in Las Vegas. I’ve trained with a lot of them. I’ve sparred everyone from Pacquiao to Floyd Mayweather.”

Alex Castro vs. Harry K. Cruz

WBA NABA Middleweight Championship

ALEX CASTRO:

“Thank you for being here. I hope everyone likes what they have been seeing this past year. This Saturday you will see another level and a preview of what to expect next year. I will do my best on Saturday to bring the belt home to Tulua.”

De Von Williams vs. Nelson Morales

WBC Vacant Youth International Super Lightweight Championship

DE VON WILLLIAMS:

“Training camp was great; all the hard work is done and Saturday night I’m going to take care of this easy work.

“I’m just ready to fight. I want to get in there and showcase my skills. I feel like I have an edge over any of my opponents. When I get in there, I will feel him out in the first round and see what he got then go to work on him.”

MIAMI, FL (Nov. 20, 2023)—Adrien “The Problem” Broner suffered an injury to his right-hand and won’t be able to participate in Don King’s People’s Championship boxing card on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Casino Miami Jai Alai.

Broner, who was disappointed he won’t be able to take on Chris Howard in a tune-up fight on his road to the championship, said he will be ready to go by late February. “The hell with tune-up fights,” said Broner. I’m ready to take on any of the champions in the 140- and 147-pound division. I’m ready to fight the big guys. Everything they think I don’t have, I still got. I’m ready to fight Ryan Garcia or, Rolando Romero or the winner of the Regis Prograis—Devin Haney fight.”

“Adrien hurt his hand in the June 9^th fight against William Hutchinson,” said trainer Kevin Cunningham. “He returned to camp for six weeks for this fight and reinjured it sparring. He took a couple cortisone shots and went back to work. He hurt it again in training and the doctor said he needs to take time off.”

“We’ll continue to stay in shape and get back to work. I personally guarantee to Don King that we will be in tip top shape for a championship opportunity in late February.”

“Adrien is ready for the big time,” said King. “He’s a four-time World Champion and he’s going to win four more titles under my promotion. We’ll still hold the People’s Championship card on Dec. 2^nd with six title fights up for grabs.”

The super sensation fan favorite and WBA Continental America’s middleweight champion, Ian Green (17-2, 11 KOs) from Haledon, NJ will be featured in the main event against St. Louis’ Vaughn Alexander (18-7-1, 11 KOs) for the WBA Continental North American Middleweight title.

Tre’Sean Wiggins (15-5-3, 8 KOs) of Newburgh, NY will defend his NABA Welterweight championship against an opponent to be named.

King also will announce four other title fights to make it a night of six championships.

Tickets, priced from $50, are on sale and can be purchased at www.playcasinomiami.com for the Dec. 2^nd card.  Ringside tables are $2,500. ringside seats $300, floor seats $150 and side seats are $75. General Admission tickets at $50.

The People’s Championship night of boxing also will be available on DonKing.com, FITE.TV AND ITUBE247.com.

Noel Mikaelian 196.6 – Ilunga Junior Makabu 197.8

(WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE)

Jonathan Guidry 273 – Jesus Escalera 254

(WBC FECARBOX AND NABA GOLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLES)

Trevor Bryan 264 – Cassius Chaney 257

(WBA Continental North America Heavyweight Title)

Alexander Castro 159 – Hector Bobadilla 152

Isiah Hart 161 – Cory Caad 165

Isaiah Efrain  Riquelmy 140.8 – Rondale Hubbert 142.8

Promoted by Don King Productions

Venue: Casino Miami Jai Alai

1st Bell: 7 PM ET

Live on FITE.TV, Donking.com and ITUBE247.com

Ahead of Saturday’s monumental event, the world’s greatest promoter Don King addressed assembled media along with the boxers from the highly anticipated main card.

The “Only in America 92 Celebration” card will have three co-feature title fights headlined by the 12-round battle for the WBC Cruiserweight vacant title as the number one ranked fighter, Noel Mikaelian (26-2, 11 KOs) of Miami, FL via Armenia taking on the number two ranked fighter and former champion Ilunga Makabu (29-3, 25 KOs) from Johannesburg, South Africa via the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Makabu, who lost his title to Badou Jack as he was stopped in the 12^th round, is hoping to regain his belt after Badou Jack relinquished the title.

The other tri-feature bout will spotlight two heavyweight champions putting their respective belts on the line. The NABA Gold Heavyweight Champion Jonathan Guidry (19-1-2, 11 KOs) of Dulac, LA will tangle with the undefeated FECARBOX Heavyweight Champion Jesus Escalera (19-0, 19 KOs) of Riverview, FL via Puerto Rico.

The WBA Continental North America Heavyweight Championship will feature the former WBA champion Trevor Bryan (22-1, 15 KOs) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL via New York taking on challenger Cassius Chaney (22-1, 15 KOs) of New London, CT.

Tickets, priced from $50, are on sale and can be purchased at www.playcasinomiami.com for the Nov. 4^th and the Dec. 2^nd cards.  Ringside tables are $3000. next level tables $2500, ringside seats $750 and side seats are $200 and $100. General Admission tickets at $50.

Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the action will begin at 7 p.m.

Don King:

“I’m very thankful to be here because we are taking boxing back to the people. It’s going to be a November and December to remember, and we are kicking it off with this great card we have this Saturday.”

“The best man wins, and everyone who is fighting must be fighting for themselves. That is what we are dealing with here on this celebration of a night. The best of the best.”

On Makabu, who’s not in attendance today due to Visa issues but expected to arrive tomorrow – “More rumors than Al Capone.”

“Jonathan Guidry being the champion that he is will be taking on Puerto Rico’s Jesus Escalera. Escalera is the man of the people, and this will be a great title match between two of the best heavyweights in the world. Anything can happen on this card; these guys will just go in there and fight as soon as that bell rings.”

“Another title fight will be one that includes quite bit of controversy. Trevor Bryan will be attempting to recapture his once held (WBA Heavyweight) title by going out there and winning. He will be taking on a young man in Cassius Chaney. This man’s name made me very interested as he shares the name with the man that brought me into the sport, Cassius Clay. Cassius Clay was a brave man who went to prison because he did not go to battle in a war he did not believe in. I have never seen Chaney fight, but his record speaks for itself, and he will be taking on The Dream, and someone will have a nightmare.”

Noel Mikaelian vs. Ilunga Makabu

WBC Cruiserweight Championship

Noel Mikaelian:

“First of all, thank you for the attendance and thank you Don for the words. I am ready to fight for the most prestigious title this Saturday. Tune in at FiteTV.com and DonKing.com. Thank you, Don, for putting together another great show. The best promoter in the world. Only in America!”

“I wanted to fight Makabu for a longtime, he’s a great southpaw but my fight IQ allows me to adapt to anyone in the ring.”

On Makabu’s absence “I don’t care that he is not here (today). If he is not in the ring on Saturday, then I will be very disappointed.”

Jonathan Guidry vs. Jesus Escalera

WBC FECARBOX & NABA Gold Heavyweight Championship

Jonathan Guidry:

“I am really honored to be on another Don King show. I do not have much to say but I am very prepared for this fight, and I believe we will have the best fight of the night. Sparks will fly.”

Jesus Escalera:

“Thank you very much to Don King and team Guidry for giving me this shot. A lot of fighters turned me down, but he is a true champion and stepped up and it is a complete honor. My uncle fought in in the same venue (Casino Miami Jai-Alai) 40 years ago for Don King. To fight in same venue as my uncle is an honor. I plan to make my home country of Puerto Rico proud. This will be the best fight of the night and Saturday will answer a lot of questions people have about us.”



*Escalera’s uncle is former WBC Super Featherweight World Champion and 2023 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Alfredo Escalera. He successfully defended his title 10 times before losing to future International Boxing Hall of Famer Alexis Arguello in 1978.

“Guidry’s IQ in boxing is high. I think he said his gameplan is to take me to the later rounds and drown me. That’s a great gameplan. There’s a reason I haven’t been outside of the fourth round. But if he comes forward, we will see what happens. This is the heavyweight division; it only takes one punch. He’s a true fighting champion who stays active so I will be prepared.”

“Don King is keeping the sport of boxing alive, and I will put on a great performance come Saturday night.”

Trevor Bryan vs. Cassius Chaney

WBA Continental North America Heavyweight Championship

Trevor Bryan:

“I am happy to be back on the stage with Don King. This is going to be a great show. Everyone is claiming to have the best fight but myself and Cassius Chaney have a lot to prove so I believe we will take that title. I am a former champion, so I have a lot to still prove. Nothing against Chaney but I need to go in there and take care of business.”

Cassius Chaney:

“I’m excited and mad at the same time. I want to say thank God for allowing be in this position. Thank you to Don for giving me the opportunity to be on this card. I am looking forward to this. Thank you for Trevor’s team for accepting this fight because I’ve been training constantly. My team and I have been patient and working hard and I am now in a good space. I’m looking forward to Saturday to put on a great show.”