Top Rank Rebooks Jose Pedraza-Mikkel LesPierre, Adds Alex Saucedo-Sonny Fredrickson For Upcoming Fight Week
It did not take long for Bob Arum and Top Rank to find a new date for Jose Pedraza and Mikkel LesPierre to face one another.
In a release, it was announced that the junior-welterweights will face off on July 2 from inside the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Mikkel and Jose deserve this opportunity, and I commend both camps for agreeing to reschedule this fight on short notice,” said Top Rank’s Bob Arum. “Alex Saucedo is destined to be a world champion, but he has an incredibly tall task in Sonny Fredrickson. We have another great week in store at MGM Grand.”
Before that fight card, Alex Saucedo and Sonny Fredrickson will face one another on June 30 in a junior-welterweight bout. That fight will also take place inside the MGM Grand Conference Center.
Pedraza (26-3) and LesPierre (22-1-1) were supposed to face one another on June 18. The fight was called off the night of the fight card after LesPierre’s manager Jose Taveras tested positive for COVID-19. As a result of the recent guidelines by the Nevada Athletic Commission, all parties who have been around the infected entity will be removed from “The Bubble”, which has protected Top Rank personal from those outside the group.
Including the main and co-main events of the evening, here are the full cards for the June 30 and July 2 events, all airing on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET:
June 30
- Main Event – Alex Saucedo v. Sonny Fredrickson
A former WBO Super-Lightweight Champion, Saucedo (29-1) recently suffered the first loss of his career. Facing Maurice Hooker in November 2018, the 26-year-old lost via knockout. He rebounded with a win over Rod Salka back in November.
“I have gotten a lot of quality sparring during the last few months, and I believe that’s going to show on June 30,” Saucedo said. “We have done 130 rounds in this camp sparring three times a week. We were able to get some taller guys to prepare for what Sonny brings to the table. I’ve worked on the things I need to win this fight. I’m still the same aggressive fighter, but we put a lot more movement in there. I’ve gone back to basics.”
Fredrickson (21-2) last fought in November, losing to Samuel Teach via majority decision. The loss ended a three-fight win streak dating back to late 2018. Starting his career in 2014, Frederickson did not lose a bout until the beginning of 2018.
- Josue Vargas (16-1) v. Salvador Briceno (17-5)
- Javier Martinez (debut)
- John Bauza (13-0) v. Larry Fryers (11-2)
- Fred Wilson Jr. (6-0-2) v. Rance Ward (4-1-1)
- Adrian Valdovinos (5-0-1) v. Gerardo Alvarez (2-2-2)
July 2:
- Main Event – Jose Pedraza v. Mikkel LesPierre
This is the second time a bout with Pedraza was postponed. He was supposed to face Javier Molina in May. Pedraza beat Raymundo Beltran in August 2018 for the WBO Lightweight Title before losing it to Vasiliy Lomachenko in December of that year. “Sniper” rebounded with a TKO win over Antonio Lozada Jr. before losing to Jose Zepeda in September.
After losing to Maurice Hooker in March 2019, resulting in his first loss since he started boxing in 2012, LesPierre rebounded with a win over Roddy Pierre Paul in December.
“I didn’t want to wait around for this fight, so I’m glad we got the deal done,” Pedraza said. “My march toward a junior welterweight world title continues July 2 in Las Vegas.”
“I want to thank Top Rank and DiBella Entertainment for making this fight happen through the trials and tribulations,” LesPierre said. “I’m honored to be the main event on July 2, and I am ready to showcase my talent to the world and prove my world championship caliber.”
- Robeisy Ramirez (3-1) v. Adan Gonzales (5-2-2)
- Albert Bell (16-0) v. Mark Bernaldez (20-3)
- Carlos Jackson (16-0) v. Jose Enrique Vivas (18-1)
- Elvis Rodriguez (6-0-1) v. Daniel Murray (5-3)