Ardreal Holmes, Jr. has capitalized on the opportunity of headlining a fight card.

He hopes to continue that streak and make a statement to the rest of the 154-pound division.

Holmes will face Hugo Noriega at the Dort Federal Event Center in his hometown of Flint, Michigan. At Wednesday’s weigh-in, Holmes weighed in at 153.4 pounds. Noriega came in at 153.2 pounds. The 10-round bout will headline a four-bout Salita Promotions card Thursday on DAZN (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).

Promoter Dmitriy Salita believes Holmes has the physical tools to become a legit junior middleweight contender. Salita is confident Holmes will make a statement at the expense of Noriega.

“Ardreal is an American-born junior middleweight contender on the cusp of breaking into the elite level of the division,” Salita told The Ring. “The junior middleweight division is one of the hottest and most competitive in boxing. An impressive win against a strong opponent will move him one step closer to the top.”

In his last bout on February 20, Holmes (15-0, 6 knockouts) also headlined a Salita Promotions card, which took place at Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit, stopping once-beaten Marlon Harrington in the second round.

Prior to fighting on DAZN, including a technical decision win over Wendy Toussaint on June 3 of last year, the 30-year-old Holmes headlined a handful of ShoBox telecasts. In March 2022, Holmes defeated once-beaten Vernon Brown by unanimous decision. Almost a year later, in a clash of unbeaten prospects, Holmes defeated Ismael Villarreal by split decision.

Tonight’s fight will be Holmes’ second of 2024. He has not fought twice or more in a calendar years since 2019, when he fought three times.

Noriega (10-2, 5 KOs), who is originally from Cuba and now resides in Miami, Florida, defeated journeyman Saul Corral by unanimous decision in his last bout on March 23. The win over Corral took place over four months after losing to once-beaten Abass Baraou.

Noriega will also fight for the second time this year after a six-fight campaign in 2023.

In the co-feature, middleweight Joseph Hicks (10-0, 7 KOs) of Grand Rapids, Michigan will square off against Detroit’s Ronnie Austion in an eight-round bout.

Both 30-year-old fighters weighed in at 155.8 pounds.

Hicks also fought on the February 20 Salita Promotions card, knocking out gatekeeper Ricardo Villalba in the fourth round. The 30-year-old is managed by David McWater.

Austion (10-2, 7 KOs) has not fought since July 2019, when he lost by majority decision to Denis Okoth. Less than six months prior to the loss to Okoth, Austion suffered the first loss of his pro career at the hands of Marquis Hawthorne.

Also on the card, middleweight prospect Da’Velle Smith (8-0, 6 KOs) of Taylor, Michigan will face Mexico City’s Esau Herrera de la Cruz (21-17-1, 8 KOs) in a six-round bout.

Smith weighed in at 164.8 pounds. Herrera de la Cruz came in at 165.8 pounds.

Salita is proud that the fighters he is promoting can showcase their skills on DAZN. He also believes his stable of fighters is at or near the top of boxing.

“Separately in today’s boxing environment, we are striving,” stated Salita. “I believe we are the premier talent development platform in the United States, showcasing top talent in competitive fights.”

Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached at [email protected]

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