The fightin’ Whitley brothers, undefeated welterweight Denzel (13-0, 7 KOs) and junior welterweight Derrick Jr. (7-4-1, 0 KOs), will fight on the same card as professional boxers on the March 23rd “Pandemonium at the Palladium 3” card, presented on Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), at the famed Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.
“Pandemonium at the Palladium 3” will be streamed live on BXNGTV.com.
Junior North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Welterweight Champion Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley will make his first title defense in a rematch with Kenny “Lionheart” Larson (7-1-1, 5 KOs) in the 10-round main event.
Last December 19th at The Palladium, Whitley captured the vacant Junior NABF title with a 10-round split decision over the previously unbeaten Larson, who fights out of Salem (MA), by scores of 99-90, 97-92, 92-97, also at The Palladium
Whitley, of Holyoke (MA), is also the reigning Massachusetts and USBF Atlantic Welterweight Champion.
“Why not do it again,” Whitley rhetorically asked. “I normally don’t do rematches, I mean I haven’t as a professional, but I always say if I’m going to benefit from it by moving up in the rankings or fighting for more money, then I’m all for it. The first fight was good, the crowd went crazy and was so involved, and the second will be even better. I’m shooting for the same outcome to be victorious.
“Me and my brother being on the same card is a bonus added to the night. Ever since we turned pro, of course, he’s been a pro a little longer, and when I turned pro it was always something we talked about. We wanted to make it happen and now we get to do it on the big stage with him in the co-feature and me as the main event. He’s going to go out there and warm up the crowd and all our people there for us, then I’m going to put the finishing touches on the night in the grand finale. I’m happy that we are finally getting to live out our dreams together.”
Larson, of course, believes the result will be much different in the rematch, saying: “Because Christmas is over and there are no more gifts to give.”
Whitley’s older brother, southpaw Derrick, will be fighting former New England Welterweight Champion Mike “Bad Man” Ohan, Jr. (19-2, 9 KOs) in the 10-round co-featured event.
“I’m very excited to fight on the same card as my brother,” Derrick commented. “It’s been a long time coming and so exciting that our first time is in the main event and co-feature. Our name generally speaks for itself due to the past, but I feel that me and Denzel have created a new conversation, and this is just another page in that story. I’m definitely excited to be starting 2024 off with a great matchup and I’m definitely looking to steal the show from Denzel.”
Ohan, 30, has been inactive since last August when he won an impressive eight-round unanimous decision over Harry Gigliotti.
“At this point of my career,” Ohan noted, “I’m just taking fights that will make me better. No other reason.”
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