Beatriz Ferreira, the highly decorated Olympic silver medalist, made her much-anticipated professional debut at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on Saturday, November 12, 2022, live worldwide on DAZN. The event marked a significant step for the Brazilian amateur standout as she officially transitioned into the paid ranks, aiming to replicate her considerable success on the professional stage.
Ferreira had penned a long-term promotional deal with Matchroom and Eddie Hearn in the summer of 2022. Her amateur career was nothing short of spectacular, highlighted by an Olympic silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games, where she delivered Brazil’s best performance by a female boxer. Beyond the Olympics, Ferreira also claimed two World Championship gold medals in 2019 and 2023, a silver in 2022, and two Pan American Games gold medals in 2019 and 2023, earning her the nickname “The Beast” for her formidable presence in the ring. This impressive background set high expectations for her professional journey.
Ferreira’s Professional Journey Begins
The 29-year-old Ferreira stepped through the ropes for the first time as a professional in Cleveland, facing fellow Brazilian Taynna Cardoso, who entered the bout with an undefeated record of 5-0 (1 KO). The fight was scheduled for four rounds, a standard duration for a professional debut. Ferreira, known for her aggressive style and relentless pressure, was “itching to get started in the pro game” and expressed her desire to “get active from debut as she targets adding professional World title honors to her impressive amateur background.”
“I am excited to finally have my professional debut confirmed and especially for it to take place in the United States,” said Ferreira ahead of the fight. “I want to put on a big show for all the boxing fans there so they can see what I am about. I have been working very hard in the gym for the last few months, making little adjustments to my style. I can’t wait to feel the vibe and energy as a professional boxer and start my journey to becoming World Champion!”
Ferreira delivered on her promise, dominating Taynna Cardoso to secure a unanimous decision victory in her professional debut. This win marked the beginning of a promising professional career. Ferreira quickly built on this momentum, and by April 2024, she captured the vacant IBF female lightweight title with a technical knockout victory over Yanina del Carmen Lescano. She successfully defended her title, extending her undefeated streak to 7-0. However, her reign as IBF Lightweight Champion came to an end on December 6, 2025, when she suffered her first professional loss, a fifth-round technical knockout defeat to Elif Nur Turhan. Despite this setback, Ferreira’s professional record stands at an impressive 7-1 (2 KOs), and she remains a significant force in the lightweight division.
Main Event Drama and Key Undercard Outcomes
Ferreira’s debut was part of a stacked card in Cleveland, headlined by hometown star Montana Love facing Australian Steve Spark. Love, a southpaw with a record of 18-0-1 (9 KOs) entering the fight, was making his first main event appearance in his backyard. Spark, an orthodox fighter with a record of 15-2 (14 KOs), was known for his aggressive, high-pressure style. The main event ended in dramatic fashion, with Steve Spark winning by disqualification in the sixth round after Montana Love intentionally headbutted him. This result marked Love’s first professional loss and a significant upset for the Cleveland native. Spark’s victory improved his record to 16-2 (14 KOs), while Love’s record fell to 18-1-1 (9 KOs). Love has since faced further challenges, currently holding a record of 18-2-1 (9 KOs) after a subsequent knockout loss in December 2023.
Matchroom’s newest Stateside signing, Richardson Hitchins, also featured prominently, fighting for his first professional title against Yomar Alamo for the IBF North American Super-Lightweight title. Hitchins, an undefeated prospect with a record of 14-0 (6 KOs) at the time, continued his impressive ascent by defeating Alamo via an eighth-round technical decision after Alamo’s corner stopped the fight. This victory earned Hitchins his first professional belt and extended his perfect record. He has since gone on to achieve world championship status, holding the IBF Super Lightweight title from December 2024 to June 2025, and remains undefeated with a record of 20-0 (8 KOs).
Further Undercard Action and Future Implications
Raymond Ford, who continued to catch the eye in his rise in the Featherweight division, defended his WBA Continental Americas title in Cleveland against Namibia’s Sakaria Lukas. Ford, with a pre-fight record of 13-0-1 (7 KOs), delivered a dominant performance, stopping Lukas via an eighth-round knockout. This win further solidified Ford’s position as a top contender, and he later achieved his dream of becoming a world champion, winning the WBA World Featherweight title in March 2024. His current record stands at 18-1-1 (8 KOs). Lukas’s record moved to 25-2-1 (17 KOs) after the loss.
In another competitive bout, Christian Tapia (15-0, 12 KOs) took on Cleveland’s Thomas Mattice (19-3-1, 15 KOs) for the WBA Continental Americas Super-Featherweight title. Mattice, fighting in his hometown, pulled off an upset, defeating the previously undefeated Tapia by unanimous decision over ten rounds. This victory earned Mattice the WBA Continental Americas title and handed Tapia his first professional loss. Mattice’s record improved to 20-3-1 (15 KOs), while Tapia’s fell to 15-1 (12 KOs).
The card also featured several other exciting matchups. Love’s older brother and Olympian Raynell Williams (13-3-1) continued his return to boxing against fellow Ohioan Ryizeemmion Ford (8-2), securing a unanimous decision victory over six rounds. Khalil Coe (4-0-1, 4 KOs) faced unbeaten Bradley Olmeda (5-0, 3 KOs) in a light heavyweight clash, with Coe emerging victorious via unanimous decision over six rounds. Coe has since built a record of 11-1-1 (8 KOs). Finally, Nikoloz Sekhniashvili (8-1, 6 KOs) met Ohio’s David Rodriguez (6-0, 2 KOs), with Sekhniashvili winning by unanimous decision over six rounds.
The Cleveland event proved to be a pivotal night for many fighters, showcasing emerging talent and delivering significant outcomes that shaped the trajectories of their professional careers. The blend of high-stakes title fights and promising debuts made for a memorable night of boxing under the Matchroom banner.
Credit – Matchroom Press Release
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