Elijah Pierce is making some headway in the featherweight division. He can take another step forward Saturday night when he fights Lorenza Parra at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
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In July, Pierce (21-2, 17 knockouts) overcame a first-round knockdown to eventually stop Michael Dasmarinas via a sensational ninth-round KO. Meanwhile, Parra (23-1-1, 17 KOs) fought Omar Trinidad to a draw in August as his sole 2025 offering.
Will Pierce continue to improve his positioning at featherweight with another statement win? Or will Parra show the sweet science skills needed to make a statement of his own? DAZN News examines the Keys to Victory for both fighters entering this matchup.
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Elijah Pierce’s Keys to Victory
Do not lunge forward with chin in the air
In lunging forward and pressing the action, Elijah Pierce has a habit of leaving his chin too high and abandoning his guard at times.
Doing this against Michael Dasmarinas spelled a first-round knockdown as Pierce was caught with a stinging right-left combination with his chin left up in the air.
As the 29-year-old Pierce continues to make a name for himself, he must be disciplined with his guard including in this fight against Lorenzo Parra. While lunging forward, Pierce must keep his chin tucked.
Catch and shoot in the pocket
Watching Pierce in action, it is clear that he catches and shoots well against opponents. This could come in the form of absorbing a body shot with his elbows and returning fire with a looping dig to opponents’ midsection or utilizing a shoulder roll and coming over the top with a right hand.
Either way, Pierce should look to execute the catch and shoot against Parra in the pocket.
Press forward with measured approach
Parra stands his ground well on the front foot, but that does not mean Pierce cannot force him to take a step back.
Pierce stalks forward and presses action effectively. This usually translates well for him on judges' scorecards and Saturday night should not be any different.
Pierce dictating the terms of this bout by fighting forward is a must.
Lorenzo Parra’s Keys to Victory
Change levels early
Changing levels is part of Lorenzo Parra’s fight game. Against Elijah Pierce, who enjoys stalking forward, Parra should look to get low and make deposits to the body, while working his way upstairs with pointed combinations.
Each time he changes levels effectively, Parra could possibly freeze Pierce up and force him to constantly adjust.
Pick an incoming Pierce apart
When Pierce presses forward, Parra has the responsibility of standing his ground on the front foot by picking the American apart with the jab and right hand.
Parra does this effectively and it will disrupt Pierce’s fighting flow, possibly even forcing him to frustratingly reset his offense each time.
Plus, Parra will be scoring points along the way.
Pounce on Pierce with sharp counterpunching
If Parra recognizes that Pierce is lunging forward with his chin left in the air, the Venezuelan fighter needs to pounce on the American’s mistake with a sharp, timed counterpunch.
This could be detonated as a counter right hook around the guard.
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Notable welterweights Mario Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KOs) and Ryan Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) will clash at the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night with the WBC World Welterweight title on the line.
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Barrios is making his first outing since taking on boxing icon Manny Pacquiao in July 2025. As the fight with the 46-year-old 'Pac-Man' ended via majority draw, Barrios successfully retained his title.
Although there was much speculation following the bout that the pair would rematch, a second meeting between Barrios and the veteran did not come to fruition. Pacquiao is instead set to take part in a welterweight exhibition bout against Ruslan Provodnikov in his next outing.
Mario Barrios
IMAGO / Ipnho Photography
Barrios's tie with Pacquiao was the second defense of his WBC title. Remarkably, it was his second defense that came as a result of a draw. In November 2024, both men were knocked down as Barrios and Abel Ramos fought to a split draw.
The draw with Ramos ended a three-fight winning streak for 'El Azteca'. Prior to the back-to-back draws, Barrios had successfully defeated Jovaine Santiago, Yordenis Ugas, and Fabian Maidana.
Now, Barrios is seeking his first win since June 2024, and his third welterweight title defense. However, a win for Garcia would see him become a world champion for the first time.
Ryan Garcia
Ryan Garcia | IMAGO / Pacific Press Agency
Garcia was given the opportunity to compete for the WBA Regular Welterweight title in 2025 when he headlined Ring Magazine's Times Square card in New York. However, a loss to Rolly Romero would deal 'King Ryan' his second career defeat.
Garcia's last official win came in December 2023, with a knockout over Oscar Duarte. However, on the night of April 20, 2024, Garcia's hand was raised against Devin Haney. The result was later overturned into a no-contest following a failed drug test from the California fighter.
MORE: Watch Mario Barrios face Ryan Garcia live on DAZN
Now, Garcia will get the chance to finally become a world champion as he looks to hand Barrios his first defeat since 2022.
The event will also see two super lightweight titles being contested. The WBA belt will be on the line when Gary Antuanne Russell welcomes a challenge from Andy Hiraoka. Meanwhile, Richardson Hitchins is aiming to defend his IBF title against Oscar Duarte.
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Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia date
Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia start time
Expected ring walk time: 9 pm PT / 11 pm ET / 5 am GMT
How to watch Barrios vs Garcia
Watch: Stream the fight live on DAZN PPV / DAZN Ultimate
Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia location
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Barrios vs Garcia fight card
Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia - WBC World Welterweight title
Richardson Hitchins vs Oscar Duarte - IBF World Super Lightweight title
Gary Antuanne Russell vs Andy Hiraoka - WBA World Super Lightweight title
Frank Martin vs Nahir Albright - Super Lightweight
Bektemir Melikuziev vs Sena Agbeko - Super Middleweight
Amari Jones vs Luis Arias - Middleweight
Joshua Edwards vs Brandon Colantonio - Heavyweight
Mohammed Alakel vs David Calabro - Super Featherweight ghuyi
Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington know more is on the line than just settling a bitter rivalry when they step into the ring for a second time on Saturday night, live and exclusive on DAZN/ ..While both former world champions are at the latter part of their outstanding careers, they know victory and an impressive performance at Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena can elevate them back into world-title talk.
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Nottingham's Wood won the first battle in 2023, stopping the Leeds Warrior out of nowhere when Warrington was dominating the scorecards, but both have suffered hard defeats since then.
This is last change saloon for both and, while retirement talk surrounds both, Saturday night's winner could set up a final hurrah on the world stage and one last opportunity to become a world champ again.
The DAZN News experts have been debating who could be next for the winner of Wood versus Warrington.
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Wood vs. Warrington - who does the winner face next?
Chris Oliver
The obvious next step would be for the winner to face the victor of the WBA super featherweight title clash between ‘Jazza’ ****ens and Anthony Cacace on March 14, also live on DAZN.
However, Wood has already lost to both men and Warrington to Cacace, so a repeat of any of those matches could be hard to sell.
With a shot against the other champions highly unlikely, a bout against newly-crowned European champion Josh Padley could be an option.
Based in South Yorkshire, Padley in a fight with Wood or Warrington in the north of England could make good sense for both sides.
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Mark Lelinwalla
How about the Wood-Warrington 2 winner being paired up with Joe Cordina next?
That matchmaking would mark another all-English affair in what is bound to set off more fireworks.
Matt Astbury
The natural route would be the winner of March 14’s WBA super featherweight title fight between Jazza ****ens and Anthony Cacace.
If Cacace wins, it is another rematch for Warrington and another chance to avenge a loss, meanwhile a meeting with ****ens would see two British boxing favourites go head-to-head.
Warrington has made no secret that he wants one last crack at world title glory, and the winner of ****ens-Cacace is the quickest route to this goal.
Chris Walker
Retirement would be the sensible option for both fighters regardless of the result. But this contest will have a lot of eyes on it and the victor may have the confidence to believe that they can push on towards a world title.
Jazza ****ens defeating Anthony Cacace could open the door for a big title shot, but a win for the latter will close the door with the Belfast man, recently defeating both Wood and Warrington.
****ens also holds a 2020 win over Wood, so he may have his sights on bigger prizes.
Whatever the outcome, both fighters know that time is running out on their respective careers and landing the most lucrative fight will be the priority if they decide to continue.
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Watch three amazing fights this weekend - Feb 21-22 - exclusively on DAZN. It's Barrios vs. Garcia for the WBC welterweight title on PPV; with Wood vs. Warrington II, and Shields vs. Crews-Dezurn II on DAZN subscription. Get all three all included with DAZN Ultimate Tier.
Zuffa Boxing bring heavyweight action to Las Vegas tomorrow as Efe Ajagba tackles former world champion Charles Martin. One week before Mario Barrios and Ryan Garcia light up Sin City, it is the turn of two glamour division stars in need of a big win. Ajagba, still with just the one reverse to his name, wants to underline his credentials, while Martin is running out of road to impress.
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DAZN News has everything you need to know ahead of Efe Ajagba against Charles Martin.
Efe Ajagba vs. Charles Martin fight date, start time
Efe Ajagba vs. Charles Martin will take place on Sunday, February 15 .
Date : Sunday, February 15
Time : 9.00pm ET / 6.00pm PT / 2.00am GMT (Monday)
Efe Ajagba vs. Charles Martin main event ringwalks (approx) : 11.30pm ET / 8.30pm PT / 4.30am GMT
Efe Ajagba vs. Charles Martin fight card
Efe Ajagba vs. Charles Martin; Heavyweight
Umar Dzambekov vs. Ahmed El Biali; Light heavyweight
Abel Mejia vs. Jaybrio Pe Benito; Lightweight
Leo Ruiz vs. Casey James Streeter; Middleweight
How to watch Efe Ajagba vs. Charles Martin?
The fight and the rest of the event will be streamed on Paramount+ in the US, click here for more information .
Where is the Efe Ajagba vs. Charles Martin fight?
The fight is set to be held at Meta APEX, in Las Vegas, United States .
The small capacity venue, home to many UFC shows, is the current destination for Zuffa Boxing's up-and-coming cards.
Efe Ajagba vs. Charles Martin tale of the tape
Efe Ajagba record
Nationality : Nigerian
Age : 31
Height : 6' 5"
Reach : 85"
Total fights : 22
Record : 20-1-1 (14 KOs)
Charles Martin record
Nationality : American
Age : 39
Height : 6' 5"
Reach : 80"
Total fights : 35
Record : 30-4-1 (27 KOs)