Super middleweight contender Junior Younan (21-0-1, 13 KOs) aims to climb the division ranking as he headlines Star Boxing’s Rockin’ Fights 50 on March 22 at the Paramount NY in Huntington, NY.
Brooklyn native Younan will face tough Ecuadorian Abel Mina (18-3-1, 9 KOs) in a scheduled ten-round bout, streaming live on StarBoxing.TV ($19.99). With major fights potentially on the horizon, the hometown favorite Younan aims to deliver an impressive performance in front of family and friends, hoping to secure a shot at the division’s top contenders.
Fighting Through Hard Times
If you are a boxing fan from outside the Tri-State area (NY, NJ & CT), you may not be familiar with Junior Younan. However, those from the region know his rise well, especially the talented fighters he surrounded himself with. Younan reflects on growing up during what he calls the “crazy era” of boxing in New York, a time filled with exceptional talents like Daniel Jacobs, Paulie Malignaggi, Curtis Stevens, Sadam Ali, Chris Algieri, and more. Spending his formative years in the gym with these fighters, Younan also saw his father, Sherif, train Malignaggi and others during that period.
Younan signed his first promotional deal with Dibella Entertainment in September 2013 and made his professional debut two months later. After an impressive 18-month stint with Dibella, during which he amassed a 6-0 record with five knockouts, Younan inked a deal in March 2015 with the then-new promotional company Roc Nation Sports, widely associated with its founder Jay-Z. At just seven months old, Roc Nation Sports was building a roster of young talent, aiming to shape them into boxing’s future stars.
Roc Nation Sports held its final show in February 2019, leaving its fighters under contract despite the company ceasing to host events. Among those impacted was Junior Younan, who was left to figure out his next steps.
“I was in a bad contract with Roc Nation,” Younan reflected. “They closed their doors and didn’t give me a release, so I was stuck in that contract for two years after they shut down. I then ended up fighting on Triller under the Jake Paul – Ben Askren card. I won that (fight), and for whatever reason, I didn’t get another fight until the next year when I fought on the undercard of Danny Garcia vs. Jose Benavidez. I got a first-round knockout against a good guy, and I thought things were going to start flowing again after that, but it didn’t.”
If You Stay Ready, You Don’t Ever Have To Get Ready
Younan found himself back in a frustrating state of inactivity, but a chance encounter with a familiar face changed everything.
“I sat on the shelf for a while,” Younan told FightsATW. “It was a weird time because I was doing what I was supposed to be doing and didn’t understand why I wasn’t being called. I ended up seeing Robert Diaz (now his manager) at the (Edgar) Berlanga- (Jason) Quigley fight at the Garden. He’s known me since I was young, and I told him, ‘Man, I need to get some fights.’ He said, ‘You know what, I’m going to be in touch; don’t worry about it.”
Although Younan didn’t hear from Diaz right away, he chose to be proactive, packing his bags and heading to Colorado Springs, CO, to train and stay prepared in case the call came. Colorado offered a unique training environment, thanks to its high altitude. Younan first visited the area when his friend Marcus Browne was preparing for his fight against Badou Jack, and he instantly fell in love with the atmosphere.
When Younan didn’t initially hear back from Diaz, the trip to Colorado felt like the natural next step—and it turned out to be the best decision he ever made. That unexpected call from Diaz eventually came, and Younan was more than prepared for the opportunity. It was a pivotal moment that led to him signing with Joe Deguardia’s Star Boxing.
“I didn’t hear from him for a while, so I went to Colorado to stay ready in case I did get a call, and one day he randomly called me. He told me, ‘You know what? I’m going to get you a fight in Cancun.’ I fought in Cancun, and a deal popped up with Joe (Deguardia), and the rest is history.”
Signing To Star Boxing
Younan signed with Star Boxing in April 2024 and made an immediate impact, delivering a first-round knockout against Ricardo Luna just a month later. Five months after that, he secured another impressive victory with a fifth-round TKO over Alexis Gaytan. Now, six months removed from his last bout, Younan will once again glove up and as the headliner against Mina on Saturday night.
This was precisely the level of activity Younan had been seeking after parting ways with Roc Nation. Staying busy was a key factor in his decision to sign with Star Boxing, and the consistent opportunities they provided aligned perfectly with his vision.
“First, I took into consideration that I would be busy again,” said Younan. “A lot of times with these big promoters, you don’t see a lot of their good guys fight often just because of dates & TV. I knew I would be active again (with Star Boxing) and that is what was most important to me. Fighting back in NY was a big thing for me and I don’t think I ever went the distance when I fought in NY. Those were my two main reasons.”
“Don’t Blink”
On Saturday night, Younan will face Mina, driven to deliver a performance that captivates the crowd, knowing the impact it could have on his future. While he’s keeping most of his words reserved for fight night, he does have a message for those watching on StarBoxing.TV or attending live at The Paramount NY: “Enjoy the night. It’s going to be fireworks. Don’t blink.”
Looking ahead, Younan has set his sights on facing the division’s top fighters. Among them there are three standout names he is particularly eager to share the ring with.
“Whoever will take the fight, we can do it. Like Tank (Gervonta Davis) said, ‘There is no safety on this Glock.’ I’m ready for whatever. I’ll go to Canada and take (Christian) Mbilli. I’ll go wherever to fight Caleb (Plant). If Edgar (Berlanga) wants to do it, we can do it at the Garden. Me and Edgar are good friends, but at the end of the day, he got his opportunity and now I think it’s my time.”
Before he can focus on those names, everything begins with the Mina fight. The pressure is on Younan to deliver on his promise of an electrifying performance this Saturday night in New York.
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