A three-fight PBC on Prime Video lineup will see the return of two former champions and a battle of super bantamweight contenders leading up to a pay-per-view event headlined by Mario “El Azteca” Barrios defending his WBC welterweight title against Hall of Fame boxing legend Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao on Saturday, July 19th from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Topping the streaming presentation is the return of former longtime featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. as he steps back into the ring to face Hugo Castañeda in a ten-round lightweight showdown. The action also includes undefeated super bantamweight David “Rey” Picasso dueling Japan's Kyonosuke Kameda in a ten-round affair, plus Filipino power-puncher and former champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo battling Mexico’s Jorge Mata Cuellar in a ten-round super featherweight attraction opening the show at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT.
These fights lead into a pay-per-view broadcast that, besides Barrios-Pacquiao, features WBC 1544-pound champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora aagainst former champion Tim Tszyu in a rmeatch of 2024’s bloodiest fight, “Pitbull” Cruz meeting fwllow Mexican Angel Fierro for a second time in a twelve-round 140-pound duel, while former two-division champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa and Joet Gonzalez kick off the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with a ten-round featherweight showdown. In addition to being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com. Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com.
Returning to action for the first time since his nearly seven-year title run ended in a fight where he injured his shoulder, Russell will look to show off the skills that made him boxing’s then longest reigning male champion as he makes his lightweight debut in a 10-round fight against veteran Hugo Castañeda. Russell (31-2, 18 KOs) has stayed close to the sport since last fighting, keeping his late father Gary Sr.’s legacy going by training his younger brothers, WBA 140-pound champ Gary Antuanne and contender Gary Antonio. The Capitol Heights, Md., native first captured the WBC featherweight championship in March 2015 by stopping former multiple division champion Jhonny Gonzalez, and held it until losing a majority decision to Magsayo in January 2022. His run as champion included a stoppage of former world champion Kiko Martinez, and a dominant unanimous decision over former world champion Joseph Diaz Jr., both of whom went on to win championships after losing to Russell.
“I’m so glad to be back on this great event on July 19th in Las Vegas,” said Russell. “I’m ready to shake off the dust and entertain by doing what I love. Make sure you tune in to see me do my thing.”
Originally from Reynoso, Tamaulipas, Mexico, Castañeda (15-2-1, 11 KOs) has ended each of his last three victories by knockout, including an upset over the previously unbeaten Felix Garcia in April 2024. Most recently, Castañeda came up short in an April clash against undefeated Demler Zamora. Now fighting out of Alamo, Texas, the 23-year-old will step into the ring stateside for the sixth time as a professional, where he’s amassed a 3-2 record. Castañeda turned pro in 2021, racking up wins in his first 12 bouts.
"This is a huge opportunity for me and I'm coming to take full advantage of it," said Castañeda. "I know that I'm facing a great fighter who's accomplished a lot, but I have everything it takes to get the victory. I'm training hard to be at my best and show everyone what I can do on July 19th."
