World-rated welterweight Ed “The Lion” Paredes (32-3-1, 21 KOs) is ready, willing and able to replace injured Kell Brook on May 18 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, as the new challenger for International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Devon “The Great” Alexander (24-1, 13 KOs).
Rated No. 14 in the world by the IBF, Paredes is also ranked No. 3 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Association (WBA), as well as No. 12 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
Paredes, fighting out of Hollywood (FL), is riding a 10-fight win streak. He has won 11 of his last 12 fights with one draw, since suffering his last loss four years ago to Carlos Molina by 10-round decision. Paredes’ last fight was a victory by 10-round decision over veteran Hector Munoz last November in Sunrise, Florida.“Acquinity Sports just crowned its first world champion, IBF super featherweight champion Argenis Mendez, and we’d love the opportunity for Ed to become our second world champion,” said promoter Henry Rivalta, Director of Boxing Operations for second-year Acquinity Sports. “Ed’s earned a world title shot and he’s ready to fight Alexander on only 30-days notice. Let’s make a deal.”
Paredes’ victims during his nine-year professional career have included, among the more notables, world champion Vivian Harris (TKO10), world title challengers Oscar Leon (KO4) and Michael Lozada (KO3), Manuel Leyva (TKO7), and previously undefeated Joey Hernandez.
Paredes is part of a growing Acquinity Sports stable of world-class fighters that also includes Mendez, two-division world champion Joan “Little Tyson” Guzman (33-1-1, 20 KOs), and including world-rated contenders such as WBA #2 featherweight Claudio “The Matrix” Marrero (14-0, 11 KOs), WBA light heavyweight Emberto “El Don” Savigne (11-1, 8 KOs), and WBA #6 bantamweight Juan Carlos Payano (12-0, 6 KOs).
