By Brad Marchetti: Tonight, under the neon glow and electric buzz of Miccosukee Resort & Casino, boxing storms back into Miami. If you want to see tomorrow’s champions today, this is the place to be.
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Headlining the stacked 10-bout card, promoted by M & R Boxing’s ever-active Laura Ching, is blue-chip middleweight prospect Nikita “White Chocolate” Ababiy (13-0, 7 KOs), continuing his climb up the rankings. Even in tough economic times for the sport, M & R keeps pugs employed.
Taking center stage from the City of Magic is Ababiy, the 6-foot Russian power puncher now training out of David Benavidez’s base at BOXR Gym in Miami. Guided by world-class trainer Milton LaCroix, Ababiy has been sharpening his raw tools into refined weapons. He brings athleticism, attitude, and a seek-and-destroy mentality that puts fans in the seats.
Despite his lanky frame, “White Chocolate” is a committed body snatcher in the mold of Kelly Pavlik, digging downstairs ferociously. With more than 100 amateur bouts behind him, Ababiy appears poised to make serious noise under LaCroix’s watchful eye. Against 68-fight Argentinian veteran Ramon De La Cruz Sena, his mission is clear: do not just win, ignite the Miami crowd with fight-ending fireworks.
M & R Boxing Promotions is also high on 6’3”, 223-pound Cuban heavyweight Carlos Fromenta Romero (17-2, 12 KOs). Nicknamed “Devastating,” the 27-year-old lives up to his ring moniker with heavy hands and ruthless killer instinct.
Defensively sound and quick to fire crushing overhand rights and uppercuts, Romero’s lone high-level loss came against top-10 cruiserweight Brandon Glanton in 2023. Since moving up to heavyweight, he has looked dominant. He faces stocky Colombian veteran Juan Camilo Novoa (35-14-1, 32 KOs). EMTs will be on close standby for this one.
At heavyweight, 6’4”, 245-pound Drake Banks (10-0, 6 KOs) continues his steady ascent in his second eight-round assignment. The 25-year-old Florida-based prospect brings the amateur pedigree and the physical tools of a future contender. Across from him stands blue-collar Kansas City veteran Brandon Carmack (9-9-2, 6 KOs), a rugged 6’4”, 290-pound spoiler who will look to test Banks’ chin and resolve.
Joshua Amill (6-0, 2 KOs) is a smooth 5’11” boxer-puncher armed with a stiff jab and a sneaky right hand down the pipe. He squares off against Mexican gatekeeper German Perez (3-8-2, 1 KO), a rugged opponent who is far better than his record suggests. Perez has consistently faced hungry prospects and even pushed one rising fighter to 11 hard rounds. This is a legitimate developmental test for Amill in a sport that never offers easy nights.
Cuban lightweight Manuel “Sweet Dreams” Correa (14-2, 10 KOs) is always game, with both losses coming against undefeated prospects. He faces Angel Hernandez Pillado (13-12, 7 KOs) in a six-round clash. Pillado tends to either get stopped by rising talents or push fringe prospects the distance. Expect Correa to press for a statement.
Nicaraguan junior lightweight Maxwell Montes (12-4-1, 7 KOs) aims to rebound after dropping a competitive 10-round decision to an unbeaten southpaw prospect in his last outing.
Twenty-one-year-old Cuban welterweight Geise Reyes Del Verso (8-0, 6 KOs) is a 6-foot prospect to watch closely. Long, leveraged, and aggressive, Del Verso punches with bad intentions. Only two of his opponents have escaped the opening round.
Tricky bantamweight Aniel “Finito” Viamontes (15-2, 13 KOs) returns in a six-round confidence-building bout after being stopped by a top-10 contender in Mexico. Expect him to showcase the tools that built his reputation as an up-and-comer.
Set against the glamour, energy, and nightlife of the Miccosukee Resort & Casino, this card showcases South Florida’s hungry young lions as they fight for their futures. This is Miami, where you can wager under bright lights, celebrate with a cigar in hand, and talk boxing long after the final bell. Gates open at 6 p.m. Ringside VIP Tables available.
Last Updated on 2026/02/21 at 7:44 PM
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