Joshua Pagan compared to pair of former titlists by Dmitry Salita

Joshua Pagan is a combination of Bronco McKart and Diego Corrales, says his promoter Dmitry Salita.

Pagan fights in a 10-round lightweight main event bout on Tuesday night against Bryan Jimenez at GLC Live at 20 Monroe in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Pagan, 14-0 (5 KOs), has established himself as a top up-and-comer on the verge of contention with wins over Maliek Montgomery, unbeaten Roger Hilley, and veteran Haskell Rhodes over the past two years. Pagan, a 26-year-old who stands 5ft 10ins, draws comparison to tall action fighter Corrales, while boasting the work ethic of McKart – both of whom were titleholders at one point in their career.

“He is a combination of McKart and Diego Corrales,” Salita said. “He is a tall, lanky guy, but he likes to mix it up on the inside like Corrales, but in terms of determination, hard work, and willingness to fight the best, he is like Bronco. Style-wise, he is similar to both of those fighters. And Bronco, of course, is from Michigan.”

Pagan, who is of Puerto Rican heritage but was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will be fighting at home for the first time and has boxed twice in Puerto Rico, including his last win, a stoppage over Montgomery.

“Michigan is one of the states with the most USA Boxing National Champions,” Salita said. “If you are looking at where the best boxers are, Michigan and Puerto Rico are two places that have historically been proven to be the best.”

In fact, Justin Lacey-Pierce, Joseph Hicks, and Sardius Simmons are also Michigan fighters with amateur achievements.

“Pagan is one of the more advanced fighters from the area,” Salita said. “He beat undefeated fighter after undefeated fighter, and never turned down a challenge. He just says when.” 

Jimenez, is a 28-year-old Nicaraguan with a 18-2 (10 KOs) record, entering the bout on a win following a narrow loss to Shamar Canal.  

Lucas Ketelle is the author of “Inside the Ropes of Boxing,” a guide for young fighters, a writer for BoxingScene and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Find him on X at @BigDogLukie.