Javon Woodard, Jr. wants to face the tough challenges to assert himself in the junior featherweight division. 

Woodard will face once-beaten Lorenzo Parra tonight at the Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The eight-round bout will be part of the OTX Boxing Series card that will stream live on DAZN (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).

The 27-year-old recently and legally changed his name from Javon Campbell, which is what is listed on Boxrec, to Javon Woodard. 

In his last bout on May 27, Woodard (12-1, 10 knockouts), who resides in Raleigh, North Carolina, stopped Jeno Tonte in the second round. In his previous fight on October 1, Woodard stopped journeyman Weusi Johnson in the third round. 

Woodard suffered his only setback in his second pro fight in September 2019, losing by majority decision to Fernando Ibarra De Anda. 

Despite the defeat early in his career, Woodard believes no one has seen the best version of him in the ring and wants to make a statement to the rest of the 122-pound division at the expense of Parra tonight.

“I’m fighting a guy with way more experience than me, who’s considered a puncher with more knockouts than I have wins,” Woodard told Boxingscene Wednesday night. “Come (tonight), I plan on putting the boxing world on notice and everyone will see how special I am.”

Promoter Vick Green agrees.

“Javon has star quality, inside and outside the ring,” Green told Boxingscene Thursday. “This opportunity is what he needed as his debut to the world.”

Parra (22-1, 17 KOs), who resides in Machiques, Venezuela, last fought on July 9 of last year, knocking out Kendry Galban in the second round. Parra has won his last eight bouts since losing to Yonfrez Parejo in June 2017.

Parra does have a notable win over Edixon Perez in December 2016. Both fighters entered that fight unbeaten.

In the main event, junior welterweight prospect Kury Scoby (12-0, 10 KOs) of New York City will face Spain’s Narciso Carmona (11-0-1, 6 KOs) in an eight round bout. 

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing