Super middleweights Bektemir “Bek” Melikuziev (19-3 including the World Series of Boxing) and Darius “DFG” Fulghum (14-0, 12 KOs) collide in a twelve-round WBA title eliminator. The showdown will headline a special edition of Golden Boy Fight Night on DAZN, live from The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas on Friday, May 30th. Fans around the globe can catch the event exclusively on DAZN. “I’m happy to be back, in a meaningful fight,” said Melikuziev. “My goal remains the same – the world championship belt and this fight is for the right to challenge the champion, and that’s what I’ve been waiting for.”
“My mentality for this fight is to make a statement that makes me an undeniable force in the super middleweight division,” said Darius Fulghum. “I’m extremely thankful to Golden Boy and the WBA for this opportunity. This is an opportunity that I don’t take for granted. I’m checking all boxes so on May 30th the fans will see the best version of DFG.”
“Golden Boy isn’t afraid to match its top contenders in high-stakes fights, and this WBA eliminator between Melikuziev and Fulghum is no exception,” said CEO of Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya. “I expect both fighters to come in focused and aggressive—because the reward is clear: a shot at a highly coveted world title.”
In the co-feature, Eric Priest (15-0, 8 KOs) will participate in a ten-round middleweight event against a soon to be announced opponent. Priest was last seen headlining against tough competitor Tyler Howard and securing a solid unanimous decision victory.
Also featured on the Golden Boy Fight Night card, 2024 Olympian of Houston, Texas, Joshua “Good” Edwards (1-0, 1 KO) will make a quick return to the ring in a six-round fight after a masterful heavyweight professional debut on April 19th. Also on the card, heavyweight Federico Pacheco Jr. (8-0, 6 KOs) will participate in a six-round fight against Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Calvin Barnett (5-2, 2 KOs). Opening the DAZN card, Indio’s Cayden Griffiths (4-0, 4 KOs) will be looking to continue his knockout streak in a six-round welterweight fight. More details on the undercard will be announced in the coming weeks.
Melikuziev is a body puncher with a decorated amateur career that saw him win a silver medal at the 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championship and then to earn a silver medal in the middleweight division at the 2016 Summer Olympics, proving his high-level experience as an amateur boxer. The Uzbekistani amateur standout made his traditional pro debut on June 13, 2019, where he knocked out Argentinian veteran Martin Fidel Rios during the first round at the Avalon in Hollywood, California as part of a Golden Boy card. Most recently, Melikuziev secured a split decision victory over the hard-hitting David Stevens in November 2024. With his impressive background,
Fulghum is an undefeated super middleweight from Houston. A decorated amateur, he was ranked #1 in the USA as a heavyweight and captured the 2018 National Golden Gloves title while also making a strong showing at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Despite fighting as a pro at super middleweight, his amateur achievements have laid a solid foundation for his professional success. Outside of boxing, Fulghum is a licensed nurse in Texas, holding a degree from Prairie View A&M University. He trains under the guidance of Julian Chua at Brickhouse Boxing Club in Los Angeles
