By Gayle Falkenthal,NY Fights

Copyright yardbarker

Also part of the undercard, MVP’s Costa Rican star Yokasta Valle (33-3, 10 KOs) will defend her WBC World Strawweight title against Yadira “La Reina” Bustillos of Las Vegas (11-1, 2 KOs) in a 10-round women’s championship bout.

Valle is a three-division world champion. Growing up with limited resources and countless challenges in San Jose, Valle learned early on that nothing is given, and everything is earned. She carved her own path and fought to open doors for women in boxing. She won her first world title in 2016 and has gone on to conquer six world titles across three weight divisions, establishing herself as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

Valle currently has held the WBC World Minimumweight title. Valle has also championed equal pay in women’s boxing, fighting for and achieving the same purse conditions as male boxers. Outside the ring, the 32-year-old is an entrepreneur, boxing promoter, and social role model. Valle is currently BoxRec’s #5, Ring Magazine’s #8, and ESPN’s #9-ranked pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

“This will be my first WBC world title defense, and doing it on MVP’s card with Jake Paul makes it even more special,” said Valle. “I’ve worked my whole life for these moments, and I know what it takes to stay at the top.

“My opponent Yadira Bustillos is tough and hungry, but I’ve never backed down from a challenge. I fight with discipline, with heart, and with the pride of Costa Rica on my shoulders. The landscape of women’s boxing is opening up, and there are many great possible opponents ahead, but before any of that, I need to win this fight convincingly.

“On fight night, the world will see why I’m not just a champion. I’m here to inspire and to keep breaking barriers for women in boxing,” declared Valle.

Yadira Bustillos is of Mexican descent with roots in Durango. She was introduced to boxing through her uncle and brother before beginning training under coach Gil Martinez. What started as curiosity quickly became passion, as Bustillos pushed herself to keep up with male sparring partners and prove her toughness in the gym.

Her amateur career includes back-to-back Roy Jones Jr. National Invitational titles, Nevada Golden Gloves gold, and a third-place finish at the 2019 Olympic qualifiers, where she was ranked #6 nationally.

She made her pro debut in 2021 and contended for the WBC minimumweight interim world title in just her eighth pro fight. Competing across the 105, 108, and 112 pound divisions, Bustillos aims to become undisputed champion across multiple weight classes.

“It’s an honor and a dream come true to fight for this title,” said Bustillos. “The WBC belt represents the peak of the sport, and I respect my opponent, but I’m ready for this. I’m not here to compete. I’m here to conquer!”

Griffin vs Francis

MVP’s top contender Avious “Tha Underdog” Griffin (17-1, 16 KOs) will face Cesar “Rainman” Francis (14-2, 9 KOs) over eight rounds in the welterweight division.

MVP’s Avious Griffin has quickly emerged as a force in the welterweight division. With a staggering 94% stoppage rate, the Las Vegas-based fighter from Chattanooga, Tennessee, was introduced to boxing at age eight by his father, Alvin.

Weeks before Griffin’s pro debut in 2016, Alvin passed away unexpectedly from a brain hemorrhage, a devastating loss he continues to honor through his career. The following year brought another life-altering setback: a wrongful murder conviction that led to 11 months of incarceration before his exoneration.

These hardships forged Griffin’s “TTD” (To The Death) mentality, an ethos that powers his ring performances and his commitment to breaking generational cycles of poverty, while advocating for mental health and addiction recovery.

Griffin trains under Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, widely recognized for guiding Terence Crawford’s championship rise, along with assistant trainer Esau Diéguez, and renowned strength and conditioning coach Larry Wade. The elite team has helped transform Griffin into one of the sport’s most dangerous and disciplined rising contenders.

“Thanks to MVP, the best promotional company in the business, we’re back on stage Friday, November 14, said Griffin. “See y’all soon, it’s the kid that did.”

Rising contender Cesar Francis fights out of West New York, New Jersey. Born in Panama City, Panama, the 35-year-old made his pro debut in 2017 and has contested for multiple regional titles to date, including the vacant WBO NABO super lightweight title in 2022 and the vacant WBO Latino super lightweight title in 2023.

Francis most recently continued his rise in the division with a second-round TKO of Wayne Boudreaux in September 2025.

“This is a fight I’m excited to win,” said Francis. “I know I’m levels above this guy, and I’m going to show it and show why I can fight for a welterweight title in the next 12 months.”

Nakisa Bidarian: “Making History Together”

“Jake vs. Tank marks a historic night for boxing on a card stacked with champions,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder and CEO of Most Valuable Promotions.

“MVP’s undisputed champ Alycia Baumgardner joins Amanda Serrano as the only champions to defend their unified titles under the same rules as men’s champions, with 12 three-minute rounds in a massive statement for equality in women’s boxing.

“Ellie Scotney is making history at just 27 years old as the youngest UK boxer ever to fight for undisputed, after an unstoppable rise that’s already established her as one of the sport’s pound-for-pound elites.

“Add in title defenses from Gary Antuanne Russell and Yokasta Valle against hungry challengers, and Avious Griffin fighting to reclaim his place among the top contenders at 147, and you have boxing at its best with fighters taking risks, chasing greatness, and making history together on one card,” concluded Bidarian.

“On Friday, November 14 at the Kesaya Center, live only on Netflix, we’re delivering a night fans will be talking about for years to come.”

Tickets for Jake vs Tank will go on sale Wednesday, Sept. 24 at Ticketmaster.com. Fans can sign up for pre-sale at JakevsTank.com. The bout will also feature an array of high-end VIP packages, including the return of the one-of-a-kind MVP Owner’s Experience.

Additional information, including additional undercards bouts, will be announced in the coming weeks.