Joey Dawejko, who troubled Anthony Joshua in an infamous sparring session, continues his career against a knockout machine this month.
Dawejko, who hurt AJ during a training camp before the Briton lost to Andy Ruiz in 2019, heads into the fight after winning the Team Combat League with Philadelphia. The 11-loss puncher, who has consistently refused to speak about his time in the ring with Joshua, faces Richard Torrez Jr. in a tough test.
The bout will occur on the ESPN-televised event at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, following the withdrawal of super featherweight Andres Cortes. Top Rank confirmed to World Boxing News that Cortes suffered a training injury and will no longer face fellow unbeaten star Charly Suarez.
Torrez vs. Dawejko will be the co-feature for Jaime Munguia, who will be returning from his loss against Canelo Alvarez against Erik Bazinyan on September 20.
Dawejko has his work cut out despite good work in the TCL and only one loss in his last eight contests. Torrez, the Olympic silver medalist from Tokyo 2020, is a relentless force who will be confident of scoring an eleventh straight knockout since turning professional.
Heavyweight journeyman Dawejko hasn’t seen the final bell of his eleven reverses in three of those encounters. Torrez begins as a considerable favorite to win.
Munguia vs Bazinyan undercard
Torrez vs Dawejko at heavyweight is joined by the eight-round televised opener featuring undefeated Emiliano Fernando Vargas. He steps up in class against upset-minded Irishman Larry Fryers.
Charley Suarez, a world-rated contender from San Isidro, Philippines, remains on the bill. He will now fight hard-charging Texan Jorge Castaneda in a ten-rounder for the vacant WBO Intercontinental belt.
A loaded undercard that also features the following bouts:
Alan Garcia (14-0, 11 KOs) vs. TBA, 8 Rounds, Lightweights
DJ Zamora (13-0, 9 KOs) vs. Gerardo Antonio Perez (12-5-1, 3 KOs), 8 Rounds, Jr. Lightweights
Steven Navarro (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. Oscar Arroyo (3-2, 2 KOs), 6 Rounds, Jr. Bantamweights
Jorge Garcia Perez (30-4, 25 KOs) vs. Ilias Essaoudi (22-2, 15 KOs), 10 Rounds, Jr. Middleweights
Art Barrera Jr. (6-0, 4 KOs) vs. Frank Brown (3-6-2, 1 KO), 6 Rounds, Welterweights
Sebastian Hernandez (16-0, 15 KOs) vs. Yonfrez Parejo (24-6-1, 12 KOs), 8 Rounds, Jr. Featherweights
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Eye of the Tiger, Zanfer Promotions, and Golden Boy Promotions, Munguia-Bazinyan, Torrez-Dawejko, and Vargas-Fryers will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
