Salita Promotions and Fresh Productions have announced the addition of several competitive undercard bouts to the March 1st show in Fajardo, Puerto Rico headlined by ex-champ Subriel Matías (21-2, 21 KOs) against Mexico’s hard-hitting Gabriel Valenzuela (30-3, 17 KOs). The main event will be an IBF junior welterweight eliminator. DAZN will stream all the action. As for the newly announced supporting bouts, Alfredo Santiago (16-2, 7 KOs) will battle Javier Fortuna (39-5, 28 KOs) of the Dominican Republic. Santiago was also born in the Dominican Republic but resides in Fajardo. Nestor Bravo (23-0, 16 KOs) is matched against South Afdrican gatekeeper Xolisani Ndongeni (32-6, 19 KOs). Also announced for the show is the professional debut of Puerto Rico’s Yandiel Lozano and another fight for Salita Promotions heavyweight Pryce Taylor (6-0, 4 KOs) from Brooklyn, N.Y.
 
Returning to Puerto Rico for the second time in five months, Salita Promotions has continued to explore the rich boxing talent residing on the island, much like the company has done the past two years in the state of Michigan. With a proven track record of discovering talent throughout the greater Detroit and Flint, Mich., region, Salita Promotions president Dmitriy Salita continues to give up-and-coming and rising talent a global platform to perform. “We provided a path and platform for many fighters to earn recognition and achieve their dreams,” said Dmitriy Salita. “From solidified world champions like Claressa Shields to budding stars like Ardreal Holmes Jr., Salita Promotions continues to mine for the next super stars of boxing throughout Michigan and now we are doing the same in Puerto Rico. Stars from the Caribbean Island such as Miguel Cotto, Félix Trinidad, and Juan ‘John John’ Molina have all paved the way for the prospects we will be showcasing on March 1.”
 
Santiago, age 30, returns to the ring on the heels of a statement first-round TKO victory over Mexico’s Pedro Campa in November 2024. Currently on the strength of three straight victories, Santiago defeated Angel Fierro via unanimous decision in June. Starting his pro career off with a record of 12-0, Santiago lost a challenge to future world lightweight champion Devin Haney in November 2019. "This is a great opportunity to showcase the level I am at,” said Santiago. “I have worked hard, I’m in my best shape, and on March 1 in Fajardo, I’m going to give it my all in the ring. I respect Javier Fortuna, but he will find out that he's facing a true warrior. I'm ready for any version of him that shows up in front of my people in Fajardo. I’m going to go to war and take the victory."
 
Entering his second bout in just over two months, the 35-year-old Fortuna will compete in Puerto Rico for the first time. Like his opponent, Fortuna is coming off a TKO victory, defeating Jonatan Mariano in December 2024. Boasting 28 knockouts to his resume, Fortuna challenged former IBF super featherweight champion Joseph "JoJo" Diaz in 2021 for a WBC interim lightweight title.
 
In addition, Bravo and Ndongeni will collide at junior welterweight. Hailing from Arecibo, P.R., Bravo will return to action after nearly a year away from the ring. In his last outing, Bravo scored a second-round knockout victory over Carlos Manuel Portillo. Following a decorated amateur career with numerous national and international tournament wins, Bravo turned professional in 2015 when he defeated Nestor Ortiz via knockout.
 
Ndongeni is looking to insert himself back into the win column against Bravo. A tenured competitor, Ndongeni has held some smaller titles and aims to give the rising Bravo his first defeat.
 
Kicking off the night live on DAZN and in a quick turnaround, Brooklyn, N.Y.’s Pryce Taylor returns to action against Arizona’s Trevor Kotara (4-3-1, 1 KO) following his second-round knockout victory over Jerell Nettles on February 2nd. Taylor signed with Salita Promotions in November 2024, and has since gone 2-0 under the banner, both victories coming by way of knockout. Standing at 6-foot-4, Taylor is a former collegiate basketball player and has won two New York Golden Gloves title.
 
Lastly, Puerto Rico’s own Yandiel Lozano will make his much-anticipated professional debut. The silver medalist at the World Youth Championships, a four-time champion of the Bert Sugar Tournament, Florida Junior Silver Gloves champion, and two-time Puerto Rican National Champion, Lozano steps into the star-studded featherweight division after a solid amateur career.
 
“Fajardo is filled with pride as it welcomes home two of its greatest warriors of the ring,” said José Aníbal Meléndez, Mayor Autonomous Municipality of Fajardo. “Subriel Matías, born and raised in our town, returns to the ring to once again prove why he is one of the most outstanding figures in world boxing. Alongside him, another great champion from Fajardo, Alfredo ‘Ojo’ Santiago, will be defending his title, proudly representing our city. For Fajardo, this event is not just a sporting spectacle but a celebration of the determination, discipline, and talent that define our athletes.”