Undefeated lightweight Joshua “JJ” Pagan will make his long-awaited hometown debut as a professional when he defends his NABO Lightweight Title on January 22 at GLC Live at 20 Monroe in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Pagan (14-0, 5 KOs) captured the NABO title with a standout performance against Maliek Montgomery and will put the belt on the line against Nicaragua’s Bryan Jimenez (18-2, 10 KOs). Jimenez enters the fight fresh off a unanimous decision win over Israel Lopez and brings experience, durability, and power that make him a credible test for Pagan’s first hometown appearance in four years.
For Pagan, the night represents both a milestone and an opportunity. Ranked No. 12 by the WBO, the Grand Rapids native has earned praise for his sharp timing, disciplined footwork, and ability to control pace. His title-winning performance in Puerto Rico elevated him from promising prospect to legitimate lightweight contender, and now he brings that momentum back to his hometown.
The January 22 card also features a significant co-main event - former champion Delfine Persoon (50-3, 20 KOs) will face Caroline Veyre (10-1) in a rematch for the vacant WBC Super Featherweight World Championship.
Veyre (10-1, 0 KOs) is a 37-year-old from Montreal who will be competing at junior lightweight for the first time in her career with all of her previous fights being at featherweight. After suffering a unanimous decision loss in September 2024 to Joana Chavarria Lopez, Veyre has rebounded with three consecutive wins, including a dominant decision victory over Licia Boudersa in July.
Persoon (50-3, 20 KOs) brings vast championship experience into the bout. The 40-year-old Belgian is a former lightweight titleholder who won the WBC belt in 2014 and successfully defended it nine times. Her reign ended in 2019 with a closely contested majority decision loss to Katie Taylor in their fight for the undisputed championship, followed by a unanimous decision defeat in their 2020 rematch.
Since then Persoon has remained active, recording six wins alongside two injury-related no-contests. She was dropped early in her September 2024 bout with Baumgardner before a clash of heads halted the fight, and she last fought in June, stopping Ana Maria Lozano in six rounds.
Fight card:
▪️Joshua Pagan vs. Bryan Jimenez, 10 rounds, for Pagan’s WBO NABO lightweight title
▪️Caroline Veyre vs. Delfine Persoon, 10 x 2 rounds, for the vacant WBC World super featherweight title
▪️Justin Lacey-Pierce vs. Jose Luis Sanchez, 6 rounds, super welterweight
▪️Ulysses Campos vs. TBA, 4 rounds, welterweight
▪️Garrett Rice vs. TBA, 4 rounds, super featherweight
