What was shaping up to be a straightforward fight week for Joshua Pagan and Maliek Montgomery nearly fell apart after a major water pipe burst in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The emergency left many residents without running water and forced the relocation of Thursday’s event from Coliseo Pedrin Zorrilla to the larger Coliseo Roberto Clemente.
“We received notice from the original venue that the event couldn’t move forward under the circumstances,” said promoter Dmitriy Salita. “I’m grateful to Javier Bustillo of Universal Promotions and the local officials who helped secure the Roberto Clemente Coliseum so quickly.”
The crisis affected local businesses and fans alike, yet organizers moved fast to ensure the card stayed intact. “Many locals don’t have water for basic daily needs,” Salita noted. “But as the saying goes, the show must go on. This event is bigger than boxing - it’s a symbol of resilience.”
Despite the disruption, fight week continued with an intense press conference where both sides compared the matchup to past boxing thrillers. Salita likened Pagan-Montgomery to Kelly Pavlik vs. Edison Miranda (2007) and Ike Ibeabuchi vs. Chris Byrd (1999). “This fight has all the drama to be one of the best prospect battles of the year,” he said.
The bout for Montgomery represents a chance to reset his career after a March loss to Jeremy Hill and failed weight cuts at junior lightweight. “This puts me back on track,” said the 30-year-old from Macon, Georgia. His opponent, Pagan, remains undefeated and recognizes what’s at stake. “It’s a crossroads fight for both of us,” he said. “It’s a big moment that could take us to the next level.”
Image Credit: Universal Promotions