Olascuaga to defend title on show that hopes to break a long-standing world record.
On the 16th of August, 1941, former (and future) middleweight world champion Tony Zale fought Billy Pryor at Juneau Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States.
The fight itself was not an especially major one. While Zale would become a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame following the conclusion of his career, Pryor was a contender with a record of 28-12-9 who became known for losing efforts against all-time greats.
Yet Zale vs. Pryor would attract 135,132 spectators, the largest attendance for any boxing match in the sport’s long history.
How could this be? Well, you see, admittance came at no charge whatsoever, as it was a completely free show sponsored by the Pabst Brewing Company, a brewery founded in Milwaukee.
The fight was refereed by former heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey, and the action came to a close in the 9th round after Zale had dropped Pryor up to around 8 times.
Why does this have any relevance? Because almost 85 years later, a card is now being staged with the intention of breaking the attendance record set by Zale vs. Pryor.
IVisit Boxing will be showcasing a headliner between WBO flyweight world champion Anthony Olascuaga (12-1, 9 KOs) and Andy Dominguez (13-1, 6 KOs) at the San Francisco Civic Centre.
The outdoor event is mostly free and being funded by U.K. businessman Ed Pereira, with Sampson Lewkowicz acting as promoter.
The undercard includes Charly Suarez (18-0 (1), 10 KOs), who makes his return against Manuel Avila (26-2-1, 9 KOs), while the rest of the supporting cast sees Vito Mielnicki Jr. (23-1 (1), 13 KOs) go up against Gerardo Luis Vergara (21-1, 14 KOs), Gurgen Hovhannisyan (10-0, 9 KOs) clashing at heavyweight against Uila Mau’u (10-0, 9 KOs), and Oscar Bonifacino (4-0-1, 3 KOs) face off against Raul Escudero (4-0, 0 KOs).
The show’s aim is to appeal to the diverse community of San Francisco, with Bonifacino (a gay fighter) reportedly set to feature in the co-main event.
Jimmy Lennon Jr. will be the announcer in the ring, while women’s all-time great Christy Martin shall be hosting the event.
The show will be taking place on the 11th of July.
The main card for our record-breaking San Francisco show has been revealed 🥊
The History in the Making World Championship Night is set to transform San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza on July 11, 2026.
📲 Tickets will go on sale on Friday.#IVB pic.twitter.com/NUnpGupslt
— IVB Boxing (@ivbboxing) May 6, 2026
Want to get the latest boxing news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
