Philippines, 18 Nov 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Salita Promotions Signs One of Emanuel Steward's Last Young Fighters, Jacob Bonas, to a Promotional Contract

PhilBoxing.com


Salita Promotions proudly announces the signing of undefeated welterweight Jacob Bonas to a promotional contract.

Bonas will have his debut fight under the Salita Promotions banner on Saturday, October 5, on the undercard of the Claressa Shields vs. Ivana Habazin battle for the vacant WBO Junior Middleweight Championship at the Dort Federal Event Center in Flint, Mich.

The popular 25-year-old Bonas (3-0-1, 2 KOs) is one of the last of the young fighters trained by the late, great Emanuel Steward, who considered him a prodigy.

Under Steward?s guidance, Bonas was National Ringside Champion and went 45-5 as an amateur while training with many of Steward?s top fighters. Bonas spent numerous camps with Wladimir Klitschko and was one of main sparring partners for Miguel Cotto when he regained his world title. He is now trained by Steward?s nephew, Javan Sugarhill Steward, at the new Kronk Gym.

?Words can?t describe how glad I am to be signed to Salita. I?ve wanted this my whole life. I sleep so well now. I?m in such a blessed place in my life right now,? said Bonas. ?I feel like I signed with the right person to give me the best future. I?m ready to go.?

Bonas turned professional in 2012 and had three quick fights before legal troubles sidelined his career and saw him have only one more fight, a two-round victory in 2017.

?It?s a part of my life I learned a lot from,? said Bonas of his incarceration. ?People always say they regret going to prison. I don?t regret it because it showed me a lot. I experienced so much and was exposed to so many different personalities and cultures. Being there made me a better man today and I don?t regret going. I have no problem sharing my past with people. I know where I?m at in life now, mentally, because of how much I grew up in prison.?

Quick and strong with high ring intelligence and a strong fighting heart, Bonas is a beloved figure in the Romanian community of Detroit, and they flock to his fights en masse.

?Emanuel taught me the real basics of boxing and I learned a lot about determination and dedication from Emanuel ? a lot about respect,? continued Bonas. ?And now Javan is like a family member to me. I love him. I trust him wholeheartedly. I am blessed to have him on my team.?

?I?ve known Jacob since he was 10. I used to go after school and help him with his homework and stuff like that,? recounted SugarHill Steward. ?He and his (twin) brother (also undefeated Joseph) caught on very fast and became instant stars in the gym. They were beating up everybody, but he?s been in and out of trouble previously in his life. Now it?s all behind him and he?s back training and preparing for his return.?

Steward said it took a few weeks for Bonas to sharpen back up, but he?s still got the wealth of natural fighting gifts that had his Uncle Emanuel convinced he was a future champion.

?He still has it, we had to sharpen him back up,? said Steward. ?He?s back in shape and motivated knowing he?s fighting. I?ve seen a change in him since he came back and started preparing for a fight. It gives him some direction. I feel very positive about this. Dmitriy has been doing a lot in boxing and he?s part of the Kronk family as well, so this is good for everyone involved.?

?As one of Emanuel Steward?s last young fighters now training with Javan SugarHill Steward, Jacob Bonas is connecting the rich history of Kronk to the future,? said Dmitriy Salita. ?He has all the skills inside the ring to reach boxing?s heights and add another world title to Kronk Gym?s legacy.?




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • ThunderDome 52 Card Preview
    , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Los Angeles Lakers may be under NBA gambling Investigation
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • PLAYER+ and BIBA Announce Official Partnership
    , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Roberto Racasa Claims 7 Medals at Asia Open International Memory Championships in Hyderabad, India
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Bacnotan Pickleball Club Marks First Anniversary With Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Connor Benn Targets Barrios' WBC Welter Belt After Defeating Chris Eubank Jnr
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025
  • NBA Daily: Sans Wembanyama, Spurs Dominate Kings 123 – 110
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025
  • GM Joey Antonio finishes second in Spain chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025
  • A Tall Order: Rafael Espinoza KOs Arnold Khegai to Retain Featherweight Crown
    , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Conor Benn dominates Chris Eubank Jr to claim emphatic rematch victory
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Filipino GM Antonio beats Argentinian CM Daniri , maintains second place in Spain chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • NBA ALL STAR 2026: USA VS. WORLD
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn 2: Will Eubank Step on the Gas Pedal Earlier?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Russ Westbrook set record setting 10,000 assists
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • GM Joey Antonio draws Becker to maintain second place in Spain chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • 4th Gov. Ruel Pacquiao Motocross Competition
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Rafael Espinoza vs. Arnold Khegai
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Soledad fights Thai for WBC Asia Continental Welter title on Nov. 29
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Former Champ Joseph Parker fails drug test on WBO championship fight
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • R&B PROMOTIONS RETURNS TO HARD ROCK LIVE AT ETESS ARENA FOR FIGHT NIGHT 4 ON NOVEMBER 22, 2025
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • WEIGHIN RESULTS FROM ALL STAR BOXING SHOW IN MANAGUA
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Tapales wins by a unanimous decision
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • Porres III to fight Narukami for vacant IBF Youth flyweight title tomorrow
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 14 Nov 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.