BoxingScene has confirmed that Angelo Leo’s mandatory IBF featherweight title defense versus Ra’eese Aleem will headline a May 9 DAZN event from Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The event will be presented by Salita Promotions, who has partnered with Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions – the controlling promoter for the abovementioned showdown.
“This is exactly what boxing needs, meaningful fights between two elite competitors with everything on the line,” said Dmitriy Salita, founder and president of Salita Promotions, who presents its first event in Atlanta. “We’re excited to enter the Atlanta market and work alongside great partners, Manny Pacquiao and Route 30 Promotions, to deliver a special night of championship boxing.
“Much like Detroit and Puerto Rico, Atlanta is a true hotbed for talent, entertainment, and sports culture, with a passionate fan base that understands and celebrates the sport. Ra’eese Aleem vs. Angelo Leo is exactly the kind of fight fans want to see — a true 50–50 world championship matchup between two elite fighters who both believe they will win.”
MP Promotions, Aleem’s promoter, secured the rights to the ordered Leo-Aleem clash via purse bid.
“Ra’eese earned his world title shot because he won the fights that needed to be won,” said Hall-of-Famer Manny Pacquiao, founder of MP Promotions. “Those victories made him the IBF’s number one contender and mandatory challenger. That is a major reason why I started MP Promotions — to fight for the Ra’eese Aleems of the world who deserve their shot at a world title but don’t always get it.
“MP Promotions is proud to represent Ra’eese. He may be our first U.S. fighter to challenge for a world title, but I feel he is a U.S. fighter with the heart of a Filipino who will take the battle to Angelo Leo and take the title from him.”
It was unclear at the time of the purse bid where the fight would land, other than ruling out a hometown defense for Albuquerque’s Leo (26-1, 12 KOs). Rumors swirled of the clash landing in Las Vegas, Southern California or even Detroit – Salita Promotions’ base and roughly three hours from Aleem’s original hometown of Muskegon, Michigan.
The fight instead heads to Atlanta, where Leo last fought in December 2019. It came in the form of a title eliminator, when he stopped Cesar Juarez in the 11th round. Leo then challenged for – and won - the WBO 122lbs title just one fight later. He lost the belt to Stephen Fulton in his first defense, just five months later.
Six wins have since followed for Leo, none more impactful than his August 2024 knockout of Luis Alberto Lopez to win the IBF 126lbs title. The one-punch ending capped an ESPN telecast from Leo’s Albuquerque hometown as he became a two-division titleholder.
Strangely, just one defense has followed - on the home soil of his previous mandatory title challenger, Tomoki Kameda whom he outpointed last May 24 in Osaka, Japan. Leo was previously due to face Lerato Dlamini on February 21 in Albuquerque.
As previously reported by BoxingScene, a decision was made on the Leo side to table those plans and instead next face Aleem.
“A champion fights whoever, wherever,” said Leo. “This is a great opportunity for me to continue building my fan base. I believe in myself, I’ve been doing this since I was eight years old. Beating a top contender like Aleem solidifies that I’m the best in the division. Fans are going to see on May 9 that I have the ‘it’ factor. I’m an exciting fighter, I wear my heart on my sleeve, and when I show up, I show up to win.”
Aleem enters his first career title fight having won his last three starts. The 35-year-old Las Vegas-based contender turned around his career following a disappointing 2023 points loss to Sam Goodman in Broadbeach, Australia.
A win would have put him on course to next challenge for the IBF 122lbs title.
Instead, he had to rebuild in an industry not always in a hurry to provide opportunities. He ultimately persevered, complete with his convincing decision win over previously unbeaten Mikito Nakano last November 24 in Tokyo. A 10th-round knockdown paved the way for a spectacular finish by Aleem, who prevailed by scores of 115-112, 116-111 and 118-109 in their IBF title eliminator.
“I’ve bled too much and shed too many tears to be satisfied just being here,” said Aleem. “I’m coming to win this fight, become world champion, and defend my title. This isn’t about getting the opportunity, it’s about taking it.
“I want fans to walk away knowing Ra’eese ‘The Beast’ Aleem is the best in the division, and the new world champion.”
