Joshua Pagan on Sunday’s Fight In Grand Rapids: ‘It Is Another Step Toward World Title Contention’

Joshua Pagan aims to land a fight with Floyd Schofield or Abdullah Mason before his career concludes.

Pagan will face Rodolfo Bustamante on Sunday at the GLC Live at 20 Monroe in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The 10-round lightweight bout will stream on DAZN and is promoted by Salita Promotions.

Pagan, 15-0 (5 KOs), is building momentum toward a title run. He has slowly checked some of the boxes needed of a young up-and-comer. He made his television debut against an unbeaten Roger Hilley in 2024. In October, he stopped former USA Boxing amateur standout Maliek Montgomery, and in February, he headlined a card in this same venue. Pagan of Grand Rapids will have consecutive hometown fights. Before the 26-year-old Pagan calls it a day, he has some goals, and he wants to challenge some of the best in his division.

“[I want to fight] Floyd Schofield and Abdullah Mason,” Pagan told FightsATW. “Those are two of the biggest fights that I want. I would love to share the ring with them.”

Pagan’s opponent on Sunday, Bustamante, 23-1-1 (13 KOs), has fought exclusively in Mexico. His lone loss came to Eliot Chavez in 2021 at junior lightweight. The 31-year-old Bustamante from Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, moved up to lightweight after the fight and has been unbeaten since, but it is also important to note that he has not been tested.

“He is a tough Mexican fighter,” Pagan said of his opponent. “It is another step toward world title contention.”

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Pagan became a grizzled veteran nearly overnight in Puerto Rico, stopping Montgomery. The bout, seen as a 50-50 fight for both, was a pivotal crossroads for Pagan, who dominated most of the action before a stoppage in the ninth round, perhaps due to the amount of blood flowing from above Montgomery’s left eye.

“I remember going into that fight with so much confidence,” Pagan said.

Blood was the major storyline of the bout. By the time of the ninth-round stoppage, both fighters were covered in red liquid in the brutal bout. It was the type of fight that can age, but also turns a baby-faced fighter into a hardened title contender.

The memories of that October night are still etched into Pagan’s soul.

“It felt like getting out of a shower,” Pagan said. “Instead of water, it is all blood and sweat.”

Lucas Ketelle

Lucas Ketelle is a boxing writer and podcaster who has appeared on various platforms throughout his career.

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