(May 7th) IBA presents stacked fight card for May 21 event in Mexico City

A high-quality night of professional boxing is set for May 21 at Arena CDMX, as IBA and Zanfer Boxing unveils a diverse and competitive fight card featuring rising prospects, seasoned contenders, and international matchups across multiple weight divisions.

Headlining the card in the super flyweight division, Mexico’s Angel Ayala Lardizabal (18-1, 8 KOs), known as “Cameleon,” will take on Filipino puncher Jayson Mama (21-3-1, 10 KOs). The bout promises a high-paced clash between Ayala’s technical approach and Mama’s aggressive, power-driven style.

Another highlight sees Jonathan Fierro (21-1, 18 KOs) square off against Sergio Chirino Sanchez (23-2, 13 KOs) in a super featherweight matchup between two experienced fighters with strong knockout ratios. The card also features a compelling women’s featherweight bout, where Mexico’s Yamileth Mercado (24-4, 5 KOs) meets Colombia’s Flor Valentina Rodriguez (9-2, 6 KOs), adding further depth and international flavor to the event.

Additional Bouts Include:

Welterweights

Miguel Angel Martinez (3-0, 2 KOs) vs Brian Nicolas Farias (9-4, 2 KOs)

Lightweights

Cristian Eusse (12-0-1, 9 KOs) vs Tomas Mendoza (13-3, 7 KOs)

Light Heavyweights

Francisco Cantabrana (12-1, 10 KOs) vs Jordi Omar Villa Soto (9-4, 7 KOs)

Lightweights

Manuel Romero (14-1-1, 8 KOs) vs Ridwan Oyekola (14-4-2, 9 KOs)

The event brings together fighters from Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Nigeria, and the Philippines, reflecting the growing global reach of professional boxing and the continued strength of the Latin American fight scene.

Chris Roberts OBE, CEO of the International Boxing Association, commented:

“This is exactly the kind of card that reflects where boxing is today: competitive, international, and full of fighters who are hungry to make the next step in their careers. Mexico has always been a cornerstone of the sport, and events like this show why. We’re seeing a strong mix of unbeaten prospects, experienced contenders, and genuine cross-border matchups that raise the level across the board. For many of these fighters, May 21 is not just another fight night. It’s an opportunity to move significantly closer to the global stage.”

The May 21 event is expected to draw strong local support at Arena CDMX while also capturing international attention thanks to its balanced matchmaking and depth across divisions.Tickets can be purchased just (click here).

IBA Pro is a professional boxing platform launched by the International Boxing Association (IBA) in early 2025 to bridge amateur and pro careers for elite boxers, including Olympic medalists. It operates as an international league, promotion, and championship with innovative tournament formats, fast-paced bouts, and immersive storytelling, partnering with BoxRec for rankings.

Events follow IBA weight classes (13 men's, 12 women's) with extended rounds like 5x3 minutes for men and cash incentives for top performers. The inaugural event occurred in Moscow, with 14 events across countries by early 2026, including a DAZN broadcast deal. Notable bouts include Murat Gassiev's sixth-round KO of Kubrat Pulev to win the WBA heavyweight title at IBA Pro 13 in Dubai on December 12, 2025—the first such heavyweight title fight in the UAE.

Led by Director General Al Siesta, IBA Pro emphasizes lower risks for fighters transitioning from amateur ranks while retaining flexibility. It builds on IBA's history of pro initiatives like the earlier AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) and World Series of Boxing (WSB), amid the organization's controversies including IOC expulsion in 2023 over governance issues. IBA Pro also ties into events like the Thrilla in Manila 50th anniversary card in October 2025 with Manny Pacquiao's MP Promotions.

This setup showcases intense pro-level action, as seen in recent IBA Pro cards with shirtless fighters trading blows in packed arenas.