CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The preeminent heavyweight prospect for Team USA now has a professional home. Ali Feliz, a Dominican-American dynamo from Danbury, Connecticut, who won gold at the US Olympic Team Trials in December, has signed a multi-year promotional pact with Top Rank. Feliz, who is managed by James Prince and co-promoted by Antonio Leonard, will make his professional debut in a four-round clash against an opponent to be named on Saturday, April 13 at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, on the Undercard broadcast on ESPN+ of the heavyweight main event between Jared Anderson and Ryad Merhy. “Ali Feliz is one of the most talented young heavyweights to turn professional in quite some time,” said Top Rank president Bob Arum. “He has a tremendous family and amateur pedigree, which will serve him well as he rises through the professional ranks.” Feliz said: “This is very exciting. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. Since I was young I dreamed of signing with a big promoter, and there is nothing bigger than Top Rank. On this new journey, I want to build a path so that young people can follow in my footsteps. I’m excited and ready to start on April 13th. It will be fireworks. “I will be 100 percent and ready to put on a show.” Feliz will continue his family’s boxing legacy when he enters the paid ranks. His father and trainer, Fernely Sr., had a remarkable 15-year career as a professional heavyweight, and his older brother, Fernely Jr., is forging his own path as an undefeated prospect in the same division. The 20-year-old competed in his first fight when he was just 12. He captured four national titles during his amateur career and bested Steven Williams in the finals of the US Olympic team trials.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer and Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. He is passionate about combat sports and is also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He is also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
