Philippines, 22 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Stanford’s Dante Kirkman Returns to the Ring on March 8 at Thunder Valley Casino Resort

PhilBoxing.com




PALO ALTO, CA (February 5, 2025) – Rising middleweight prospect and Stanford University senior, Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman (3-0, 1 KO), is set to make his 2025 debut on March 8 in a four-round bout against Jose Cruz of El Monte, CA. The fight will take place at The Venue at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, CA, as part of the “Thunder Showdown II” event promoted by Nasser Niavaroni of Uppercut Boxing Promotions.

Fighting in Northern California, where his family, friends, and a strong Stanford contingent will be in attendance, is something Kirkman is embracing wholeheartedly. “It’s always special fighting close to home,” said Kirkman. “I know the Bay Area fans are going to come out strong for this one, and I can’t wait to put on a show for them. My goal is to end this fight early and march toward a busy 2025.”

Kirkman has also made waves at Stanford University, where he stands out as the only professional boxer in its history, balancing academics and athletics at an elite level. “There's not another pro boxer walking around Stanford, or any other top college as far as I know, and I like to show kids that they can go far in life as a great student as well as a great fighter.”

A win over Cruz on March 8 would further solidify Kirkman’s status as a rising prospect in the middleweight division. “Every win matters at this stage of my career,” he concluded. “I need to keep stacking victories, improving, and making a name for myself in the sport. I want to fight at least five times this year. I’m looking to gain experience, keep building my record, and make my presence felt in the division.”

Tickets for “Thunder Showdown II” are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com, with pricing as follows: $149.95 (Floor 1 - 4) / $124.95 (Floor 5 - 6) / $89.95 (Lower Mezz) / $74.95 (Mezz) / $59.95 (Balcony), plus taxes and fees. The Venue at Thunder Valley Casino Resort is located at 1200 Athens Ave, Lincoln, CA 95648. Doors open at 6:00 pm, with the first fight set to begin at 7:00 pm.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Jacamos fights for vacant WBC Youth World junior fly in South Africa on May 23
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • Lastimosa to fight for vacant PBF Youth light fly crown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Adds Seven Wins on Day Four at 2026 Copa America
    , Fri, 22 May 2026
  • Bohat fights for PBF Silver bantamweight crown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • AGM Bernardino to hold chess simul in San Manuel, Tarlac
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • JONES VS. GUALTIERI FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: From Madrid to Johannesburg – The Legacy of the WBC in South Africa
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • TYSON VS. MAYWEATHER EXHIBITION IS ON— TYSON BROKEN HAND PUSHES EVENT FROM SPRING TO FALL OF 2026
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Three Lions Promotions Building pro boxing back to Glory days in Metro Vancouver
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Jenn Perella shines, Bobby Laing stops Russ Kimber in 1st round
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Gustavo Trujillo Looks to Continue his Rise in the Heavyweight Division
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Filipino Francisco "Django" Bustamante rules 2026 Buffalo’s Pro Classic 1 Ball One Pocket Division
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Secures Eight More Victories on Day Three of 2026 Copa America
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 19 MAY 2026: Davis Outpoints Albright; Kuse Dethrones Jerusalem; Donovan Defeats Chukhadzhian; Hrgovic Stops Allen
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Rally from 22 Points Down to Beat Cavs 115-104 in OT
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • Filipino grabs second place in the National Canada Chess Challenge 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • Spotlight on Mexico City: boxers speak ahead of IBA Pro 18
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Wembanyama Outshines MVP Gilgeous-Alexander as Spurs Beat Thunder 122-115 in Double Overtime Thriller
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 0 MUST GO: SELDON JR. vs. POPPER — JUNE 13 AT THE TROP
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • CARL “THE COBRA” FROCH REUNITES WITH ANDRE WARD ON ART OF WARD FOR FIRST IN-DEPTH SIT-DOWN SINCE THEIR LEGENDARY SUPER SIX FINAL
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • BOXING LEGEND DARREN BARKER ANNOUNCES 'THE LONGEST ROUND' – A WORLD-FIRST ENDURANCE CHALLENGE FOR MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • IBA stands ready to organise Jon Jones professional boxing fight in Russia
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Earns Eight More Wins on Day Two at 2026 Copa America
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • QC ends PCAP Season 6 All-Filipino conference campaign
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • It’s in the blood
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 19 May 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.