Matchroom and DAZN launch Project Series to showcase boxing's next generation

Matchroom Boxing and DAZN have announced the launch of a new event series designed to showcase boxing's brightest prospects, with the inaugural Project Series set to take place at Orlando, Florida's Caribe Royale on August 28.

The first event will be headlined by two undefeated lightweight prospects, Corey Marksman and Christian Barreto, who will compete for the WBA Continental Americas and WBO Global lightweight titles.

The Project Series has been created to develop and test the sport's rising talents by giving them a platform to showcase their abilities.

Rather than allowing prospects to build carefully managed records, the series aims to match the best young fighters against one another, creating competitive contests designed to identify those ready to take the next step.

Leading the first Project Series event is Corey Marksman, who earns his first main event spot after making his intentions clear that he wanted bigger challenges.

The 25 year old lightweight prospect holds an unbeaten record of 13-0-1, with nine of those victories coming by way of knockout.

Marksman will be aiming to prove he belongs on a bigger stage when he defends his WBA Continental Americas title for the first time against Christian Barreto.

Standing across from him is Barreto, who enters the contest with a perfect 15-0 record, including nine victories by knockout.

The Puerto Rican will compete in his first ten round fight and his first contest with titles on the line, with 'El Capitán' aiming to announce himself on US soil.

In the co-main event, two Floridians collide on home turf as Alex Bray takes on Antraveous 'Yamz' Ingram in a ten round super welterweight contest.

Despite only turning professional in the summer of 2023, the 20 year old Bray has already compiled an impressive 11-0 record, with eight victories coming by knockout.

Standing opposite him is the 27 year old Ingram, who will be aiming to derail the momentum Bray has built during his rapid rise through the ranks.

Ingram enters the contest with a record of 13-0-1, including seven knockout victories, and will be making his 11th consecutive appearance at the Caribe Royale.

With both men unbeaten heading into the contest, Ingram will view this as the ideal chance to claim the biggest victory of his career and establish himself as a serious contender in the division.

Further down the card, unbeaten lightweight Kaipo Gallegos takes on Desmond Lyons, while former MVP signee Carlos De Leon faces Maxwel Montes at super featherweight.

With Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing and DAZN looking to create a platform where young fighters are tested against quality opposition rather than simply padding their records, the Project Series has the potential to become an important proving ground for boxing's next generation.