Golden Boy Fight Night XVIII:
Undefeated Knockout Artist Amari “The Reaper” Jones Battles DeAundre “Dixianimal” Pettus
In Middleweight Showdown Nov 20 Fantasy Springs!
(October 30th) The California desert will set the stage for an action-packed night of professional boxing when Golden Boy Promotions presents Golden Boy Fight Night XVIII on Friday, November 20, 2026, at the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center inside Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. Headlining the event, undefeated Oakland knockout artist Amari “The Reaper” Jones (17-0, 15 KOs) will put his perfect record on the line against South Carolina's battle-tested DeAundre “Dixianimal” Pettus (14-4, 7 KOs) in a highly anticipated middleweight showdown scheduled for 12 rounds.
The event, presented in association with MF Pro, will feature an undisputed world championship co-main event, established contenders and an undercard packed with emerging talent. Worldwide coverage is scheduled for DAZN, with preliminary action also planned for Golden Boy's YouTube channel.
With 15 knockouts in 17 professional victories, Jones has established himself as one of the middleweight division's most intriguing emerging punchers. His 88.2% knockout-to-win ratio reflects the finishing power behind his undefeated record, while his recent performances have strengthened his ambitions to compete for a world championship.
The Oakland native entered 2026 with momentum, recording a fourth-round technical knockout over veteran Luis Arias on February 21 before delivering a significant third-round stoppage of former IBF middleweight world champion Vincenzo Gualtieri on May 22 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. Against Gualtieri, Jones scored two knockdowns in the third round before the contest was stopped, demonstrating his ability to produce decisive results against experienced opposition.
Working with respected trainer Virgil Hunter, Jones continues to develop his technical skills and ring experience as he pursues increasingly significant opportunities in the 160-pound division.
Pettus presents a different kind of challenge. The South Carolina native enters with 14 victories, seven knockouts and four defeats, bringing experience and determination to a matchup against one of the division's rising prospects. Promotional materials describe Pettus as having never been knocked down or knocked out professionally, a claim that adds intrigue to his meeting with Jones but has not been independently established here.
For Jones, victory would preserve his unbeaten record and further strengthen his position among the middleweight division's emerging contenders. Pettus, meanwhile, has an opportunity to derail a highly regarded prospect and secure a career-defining win on an internationally streamed boxing event.
The central question is whether Jones can impose his explosive punching power or whether Pettus can use his experience and advertised durability to turn the fight into a demanding 12-round contest.
The co-main event brings championship gold to the Coachella Valley as undefeated hometown favorite Gabriela “Sweet Poison” Fundora (18-0, 10 KOs) defends her undisputed women's flyweight championship against Poland's Jasmina Zapotoczna (10-1) in a scheduled 10-round contest co-promoted with Sampson Boxing.
Fundora enters the bout recognized as the undisputed champion, holding the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF world titles, along with The Ring magazine's championship recognition. With 10 knockouts in 18 victories, the Southern California standout has combined an undefeated record with the physical advantages, technical ability and sustained aggression that have made her a formidable presence at 112 pounds.
Her exceptional height and reach for the division allow her to control distance, establish her jab and dictate exchanges against shorter opponents. Fundora's ability to combine those advantages with consistent offensive pressure has helped establish her among the leading names in women's boxing.
Zapotoczna arrives in California with the opportunity to transform her career by defeating the undisputed champion. The Polish challenger will need disciplined footwork, precise timing and an effective strategy to counter Fundora's reach and prevent the champion from controlling the action.
For Fundora, the contest represents another opportunity to defend her championship status before a supportive regional audience. For Zapotoczna, victory would deliver a major international breakthrough and elevate her to the top of the flyweight division.
With all four major sanctioning-body titles at stake, the 10-round contest adds significant championship importance to an already compelling night of boxing.
Golden Boy Promotions and MF Pro have assembled a supporting lineup featuring undefeated prospects, regional favorites and experienced professionals seeking to advance their careers.
Among the fighters scheduled to appear is Coachella Valley welterweight prospect Cayden Griffiths (9-0, 8 KOs), who has stopped eight of his nine opponents and will compete in a scheduled eight-round contest. His impressive finishing record makes him one of the region's promising young fighters to watch.
Another notable attraction is Cathedral City's undefeated Leo “Bazooka” Sanchez (11-0, 9 KOs), who is scheduled to face experienced contender Victor “El Tornado” Morales Jr. (20-1-1, 10 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight matchup. Sanchez brings an unbeaten record and considerable punching power, while Morales offers substantially more professional experience. Their contrasting records make the pairing one of the card's most intriguing supporting contests.
Undefeated Bakersfield prospect Joel Iriarte (11-0, 10 KOs) is also scheduled for an eight-round contest. With 10 knockouts in 11 victories, Iriarte has demonstrated impressive finishing ability as he continues his development in the welterweight division.
Las Vegas lightweight Demler “The War Machine” Zamora (17-0, 11 KOs) brings an unblemished record and 17 professional victories into a scheduled 10-round contest. His combination of experience and punching power makes him another prospect to watch as he works toward more significant opportunities.
Syracuse, New York, middleweight Amir “Cashman” Anderson (8-0) is scheduled for an eight-round appearance, adding another undefeated fighter to a card already featuring several emerging talents. Las Vegas super welterweight David “Dynamite” Lopez (9-0) is also scheduled to compete over eight rounds as he looks to maintain his unbeaten record.
International talent will be represented by Uzbek Olympian Ruslan Abdullaev (5-0, 3 KOs), who is scheduled for an eight-round super lightweight contest. Bringing an accomplished amateur background into his professional career, Abdullaev continues to gain experience as he pursues his ambitions in the 140-pound division.
Local favorite Manuel “Gucci Manny” Flores (20-2-1, 16 KOs) is scheduled for a 10-round super bantamweight contest. With 20 victories and 16 knockouts, Flores brings considerable professional experience and a strong regional following to the lineup as he continues his campaign in the 122-pound division.
Undefeated super lightweight Javier Meza (6-0, 3 KOs) is scheduled for a six-round contest, while Phoenix-area middleweight Sebastian “Lil Beast” Mitry (7-0, 6 KOs) is slated for a six-round appearance. Mitry has stopped six of his seven professional opponents, giving him one of the highest advertised knockout rates among the card's emerging prospects.
The undercard features a mix of undefeated fighters and seasoned professionals, providing opportunities for developing prospects to build their records while giving established competitors a platform to pursue renewed momentum.
Opponents for several undercard fighters remain to be announced, and the final bout order is subject to confirmation.
FULL EVENT INFORMATION
Event: Golden Boy Fight Night XVIII
Date: Friday, November 20, 2026
Venue: Fantasy Springs Special Events Center, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Address: 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio, CA 92203
Main Event: Amari “The Reaper” Jones vs. DeAundre “Dixianimal” Pettus
Division: Middleweight - 12 rounds
Co-Main Event: Gabriela “Sweet Poison” Fundora vs. Jasmina Zapotoczna
Championship: Undisputed women's flyweight world championship - 10 rounds.
DAZN Broadcast: Scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Pacific / 8:00 p.m. Eastern
Preliminary Coverage: Scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Pacific on Golden Boy's YouTube channel
Venue Doors: Listed for 2:00 p.m. Pacific, subject to change
Tickets and Information: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, (760) 342-5000
Tickets are available through Fantasy Springs Resort Casino just (click here).
Sampson Boxing is the promotional and management company run by veteran Uruguayan boxing powerbroker Sampson Lewkowicz, known for discovering and guiding a long list of world champions and elite contenders.
Sampson Boxing is a boxing promotional and advisory outfit headed by Uruguayan-born promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, who operates globally but is especially active in the Americas.
The company focuses on scouting, signing, and maneuvering fighters into title opportunities, often taking on talents from Latin America and turning them into mainstream attractions.
Lewkowicz has been central in the careers of David Benavidez, Sebastian Fundora, and Gabriela Fundora, all of whom have held WBC world titles in recent years under his guidance.
His historic client list also includes Sergio “Maravilla” Martínez, Jayson “Banana” Rosario, Javier Fortuna, John Riel Casimero, Manny Pacquiao (in a key advisory role early on), Sultan Ibragimov, Celestino Caballero, Anselmo Moreno, Michael Katsidis, and others.
Sampson Boxing remains active at the world level, with Lewkowicz currently promoting or advising David Benavidez and the Fundora siblings in major events, as well as working with fighters tied into the modern Saudi/Riyadh schedule.
As of late 2025, middleweight contender Vito Mielnicki Jr. signed with Sampson Lewkowicz, with plans to build him in Atlantic City and re-establish big-time cards in New Jersey and the Northeast.
Lewkowicz is widely regarded as a talent scout with an eye for under-the-radar prospects, particularly from Argentina, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and other non-U.S. markets, turning them into world-level operators.
He has a reputation for being hands-on with matchmaking and for intervening on safety grounds when necessary, such as canceling an Edwin De Los Santos bout over weight/health concerns, which boosted his image as an ethical promoter.
Sampson has been honored by the Buenos Aires legislature for his contribution to Argentine and world boxing, reflecting his role in elevating multiple Argentine champions.
In 2024 he was inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame, cementing his status as a significant modern-era promoter in the U.S. fight scene.
About MF Pro
MF Pro is the professional boxing division of MF Sports, focused on developing emerging talent, showcasing established contenders and delivering compelling boxing events for fans around the world. Operating alongside Misfits Boxing, MF Pro is expanding its international presence through partnerships, fighter development and live events broadcast on DAZN.
About Golden Boy Promotions
Founded in 2002 by Olympic gold medalist, International Boxing Hall of Famer and 10-time world champion in six weight divisions Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy Promotions has established itself as one of the most influential boxing promotional companies in the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Golden Boy made history as the first major Latino-owned national boxing promotional company, building a reputation for staging world championship events, developing elite fighters and delivering some of the sport's most memorable and commercially successful matchups. Under the leadership of Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya, President Eric Gomez and Hall of Fame boxing legend and company partner Bernard Hopkins, Golden Boy has worked with an extraordinary collection of boxing superstars, including Canelo Álvarez, Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosley, Marco Antonio Barrera, Érik Morales, Juan Manuel Márquez and numerous other world champions. Throughout its history, the company has promoted major boxing events in iconic arenas, cultivated emerging prospects and helped bring championship boxing to audiences worldwide through television and digital streaming partnerships, including HBO, ESPN and DAZN. Golden Boy continues to emphasize the development of boxing's next generation, with championship-caliber fighters and rising prospects such as Gabriela Fundora, Oscar Collazo, William Zepeda, Floyd Schofield and Amari Jones representing its commitment to the future of the sport. Through its Golden Boy Fight Night series and major championship productions, the organization remains dedicated to showcasing emerging talent, creating compelling matchups and providing fighters with opportunities to pursue boxing's highest honors. More than two decades after its founding, Golden Boy Promotions continues to play a significant role in shaping professional boxing, combining the experience of legendary champions with the ambition of tomorrow's stars.
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