Junior welterweight Joshua James Pagan captured the 2021 United States Boxing Championships and then decided to pursue a professional career with Salita Promotions. He aims to continue moving up the pro ranks.
Pagan faces Ronal Ron in an eight-round bout as part of the Claressa Shields-Danielle Perkins undercard main event on February 2 at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Mich. The fight will be broadcast nationally on DAZN.
Pagan, 25, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, turned professional in January 2022. Since then he has fought 11 times in the last fight that saw Pagan headline in Puerto Rico. Pagan recalled his decision to fight. Napro three years ago
“I fought Keon Davis for the national championship. Then I went pro the next month. That was definitely a big moment for me,” Pagan, 11-0 (4 KOs), told BoxingScene.
“I was an amateur for a long time. I’ve been boxing since I was 13 years old. The opportunity has come. My teammate Joe Hicks, he also signed with Salita. He sent a clip of the match to Salita and the rest is history.”
Pagan fought four times in 2022 and five times in 2023. In 2024, he fought only twice. But can move up to eight rounds His last fight with Haskell Rhodes was a 10-round bout. Rhodes was a 38-fight veteran who had completed 204 rounds before that fight. Pagan had gone just 49 as a professional. The battles were a learning experience as Pagan began to move up in the ranks.
“I’m just very humble. I work very hard,” Bagan said, explaining himself.
These virtues were instilled in him, with one of the strongest voices in his corner being his father, Victor Pagan, who is also a former fighter.
“He did Golden Gloves boxing when he was a kid,” Pagan said of his father. “That’s what really inspired me to do it. We watch boxing all the time. The first fight I watched was when I was seven years old: Floyd Mayweather vs. Oscar De La Hoya. That’s what really got me interested in boxing.”
Ron, 27, is on a two-fight winning streak after losing four straight. He is best known for being stopped by Abdullah Mason. Ron has a record of 16-7 (13 KOs) and is from Venezuela. But training in Chino Hills, California, this upcoming fight is another step in his journey to victory just as he did as an amateur.
“I’m just ready to create more big moments,” Pagan said. “My dad taught me hard work and consistency. That’s what led me to the moment I’ve had so far. I just encourage everyone. whether young people Keep working hard.
“If you are chasing something, never give up, just be consistent.”
