Welterweight, Featherweight Contenders Highlight September 12 Top Rank Card

Four men who have fought for world titles in the past will look to get back on track. Top Rank will present a double-feature on September 12.

Inside the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, Egidijus Kavaliauskas will face off against Mikael Zewski in a welterweight bout. In the co-main event, Miguel Marriaga will face Joet Gonzalez in a featherweight bout.

“Mean Machine proved he’s a top welterweight with his performance against Terence Crawford. He’s itching to get back into championship contention, and Zewski should give him a tough challenge,” said Top Rank’s Bob Arum. “Viewers will get a high-energy, action-packed fight with the Marriaga-Gonzalez bout.”

Kavaliauskas (21-1-1) is coming off a TKO-loss to Terence Crawford back in December. It was the first loss of his career, for the WBO Welterweight Title. He is 1-1-1 in his last three fights. Making his debut in 2013, Kavaliauskas is a WBC-NABF Welterweight Champion. He has 17 wins via knockout.

“I am excited to return to the ring, as I still have unfinished business,” Kavaliauskas said. “I still believe I have what it takes to become a world champion, and that journey resumes against a tough opponent in Mikael Zewski.”

Zewski (34-1) is currently on an eight-fight win streak. His last fight was a TKO win against Alejandro Davila back in November.

Marriaga (29-3) was supposed to face off against Shakur Stevenson back in March. The bout in New York was called off due to the coronavirus. He was then supposed to fight Mark John Yap on July 16, but the bout got called off when Yap came into the weigh-ins nine pounds above the contracted 128-pound limit. The 33-year-old is on a four-fight win streak, his last win against Alfredo Mejia Vargas back in December via knockout.

“I was disappointed after what happened with Yap, but Joet Gonzalez always comes to fight,” Marriaga stated. “It’s going to be a toe-to-toe battle. I believe my experience and power will be the difference. I will not underestimate him, as I must win to move forward in my career.”

Gonzalez (23-1) is coming off of the first loss of his career. Last fighting in December, he faced off against Stevenson for the WBO Featherweight Title. He would end up losing via unanimous decision. The loss ended a streak of three wins in a row via knockout.

Other fighters and fights on the card include:

• Genaro Gamez (10-1) v. Anthony Mercado (13-4)
• Angel Alejandro (9-0) v. Jorge Ramos (7-2-1)
• Manuel Flores (8-0) v. Jonathan Rodriguez (8-0)
•  Eric Puente (3-0)
• Thomas Wu

Undercard action will air at 7:30 p.m. ET while the main card will begin at 10 p.m. ET. All fights will air on ESPN+.