| |
|
Stanford’s Dante Kirkman Returns to the Ring on March 8 at Thunder Valley Casino Resort
PhilBoxing.com Thu, 06 Feb 2025

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:
Weights From ‘Flores vs. Navarro’ and 'Suarez vs Avila' at NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, CA & Live on ProBoxTV , Sat, 18 Jul 2026Tickets on Sale Now for Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Damian Knyba at Prudential Center, Newark, NJ on Sept 4 – Live on TNT and DAZN , Sat, 18 Jul 2026Golden Boy Promotions and Vergil Ortiz Jr. Reach Settlement, Focus on Biggest Fights Ahead , Sat, 18 Jul 2026Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls Pull Off Stunning Comeback Against World No 3 Puerto Rico, Split Doubleheader in Lima By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026"Pipino" Cuevas: 50 Years as Mexico's Youngest World Champion By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026IBA Secretary General & CEO, Chris Roberts OBE: Regulation is how IBA pave the way forward for Bare-Knuckle Boxing , Fri, 17 Jul 2026EVERY WORD FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE FOR PACHECO VS. ALEEM IN CARSON, CALIFORNIA , Fri, 17 Jul 2026WBO Youth Champion Esteban Garson Signs Agreement with Tuto Zabala Jr.'s All Star Boxing, Inc. , Fri, 17 Jul 2026Wheels and Waves 2026 at August 8 & 9 in Samal By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026FM Rico Salimbagat leads IIEE Chessmasters team in Bundesliga By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026MCGIRT: WE HAVEN’T SCRATCHED THE SURFACE OF PACHECO’S TALENT , Fri, 17 Jul 2026Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Announces Tickets Are Now on Sale & Special Guests Confirmed for 10th Annual Awards & Induction Weekend , Fri, 17 Jul 2026Puma Half Marathon kicks off July 19 By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026Asian Youth Chess in China By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026NONSTOP ACTION ADDED TO ROACH VS. ZEPEDA WITH STACKED UNDERCARD , Thu, 16 Jul 2026Heavyweight Dainier Pero Looks to Continue His Climb Against Aleem Whitfield Live on ESPN , Thu, 16 Jul 2026Ryan Garcia Set to Defend World Title Against Conor Benn in Paramount+ Global Bout at T-Mobile Arena on September 12 over Mexican Independence Day Weekend , Thu, 16 Jul 2026Fight Result: Yuga Ozaki Stops Jerry Francisco in Tokyo By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 16 Jul 2026Bruno Tarimo returns to Headline Dragon Fire Boxings next event; BOXINGMANIA August 8th in a WBA Championship clash with Junlun Zhao , Thu, 16 Jul 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The WBC Reaps Rewards in Uruguay By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 15 Jul 2026Risky proposition for Charly By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 15 Jul 2026Michael Zerafa opponent revealed as August 12 tickets go on sale for Gold Coast blockbuster , Wed, 15 Jul 2026Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls Stay in the Hunt Despite Opening Setback, Shift Focus to Japan Showdown By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 15 Jul 2026BiYu Promotions' Yusniel Abrahante Ready to Shock Undefeated Luis Coria on ProBox TV This Saturday , Wed, 15 Jul 2026Showdown in Tokyo: Jerry Francisco Challenges Undefeated Yuga Ozaki for WBO Asia Pacific Title Today By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 15 Jul 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|