For the second time in five months, the WBA will crown a new interim junior welterweight champion on December 13.
Cuba’s Kevin “Alfa” Brown will meet New Yorker Cletus Seldin for the vacant belt at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, as part of the sanctioning body's annual convention. The show will be promoted by Boxlab Promotions, which will stream the event over their YouTube channel.
The vacant title fight was made possible by Italy’s Alessandro Riguccini, who knocked out Jesus Correa in two rounds this past January, abdicating the title shortly after.
“This is the fight I’ve been waiting for,” said Brown, 8-0 (3 KOs), in a press release.
“Seldin is a tough, experienced warrior, but I believe my skills, my speed, and my mindset will prove I’m ready for the world stage. To fight for a world title at such a prestigious event like the WBA Convention is an honor. I plan to make a statement and show the boxing world that a new star is rising in the super lightweight division.”
Brown, a decorated amateur in Cuba, is now based in Las Vegas. He turned pro in 2022 and has never fought anyone with a losing record, though his highest profile victory to date was a unanimous decision over John Bauza 14 months ago.
Seldin, the Brooklyn native who is eight years the senior of the 31-year-old Brown, brings a record of 29-1 (23 KOs), brings an eight-fight winning streak to the ring, which includes a stoppage win in 2019 over an aging Zab Judah, plus back-to-back majority decision wins in New York over Yeis Solano and Jose Angulo.
Seldin hasn’t lost since 2017, when he stepped up against Yves Ulysse Jnr on HBO, and lost a unanimous decision.
“This is what I live for, big fights, big lights, and putting on a show,” said Seldin, who is managed by Elvis Grant. “Brown’s slick, but he hasn’t been in with someone like me. I bring pressure every second of every round, and on December 13, I’m bringing that hammer down hard. People talk about the new wave, the new generation — but I’m here to remind everyone that I’m not done. I’m hungry, and I’m coming to win.”
The rest of the card will include a junior featherweight bout between Angel Barrientes, 14-1 (9 KOs), and Nicaragua's Alex Vallecillo, 12-1 (11 KOs).
