Former world title challenger Yordenis Ugas stopped Mike Dallas Jr. after round seven of their scheduled 12-round welterweight bout at the Beau Rivage Hotel in Bilox, Mississippi/

In round one, Ugas was cut on the forehead from an accidental headbutt. Other then that, Ugas dominated the battle and Dallas had enough after the 7th frame was over.

Ugas, 146.4 lbs of Santiago de Cuba, CUB is 25-4 with 12 knockouts. Dallas, 147 lbs of Bakersfield, CA is 23-4-2.

“I’m not overly excited about my performance, but the most important thing was to get the victory and take a step closer to getting the title shot,” said Ugas.

“The game plan was to come forward, come strong,” Ugas continued. “I always work the body strong and want to push the action and that’s what I did tonight.

“The main goal now is to keep winning and fight for a title. I’m ready for all of the top welterweights.”

Michel Rivera stopped Fidel Maldonado Jr. in the 10th and final round of their lightweight bout.

Rivera dropped Maldonado with a right hand flush on the jaw and the bout was stopped at 1:34 of round 10.

Rivera, 134.4 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 18-0 with 12 knockouts. Maldonado, 134.4 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 27-5-1.

“I feel very good,” said Rivera. “They matched me against a boxer with a lot of experience. So, I feel happy with my performance.

“I was ready to fight all the rounds, not just looking for the knockout,” added Rivera. “My corner was telling me wait, relax, take your time because he’s an intelligent boxer. I did what they were telling me and I got him out of there in the last round.”

Clay Collard stopped previously undefeated prospect Raymond Guajardo in the 2nd round of a scheduled six-round super welterweight bout.

In round one, Collard dropped Guajardo with a left hook in the middle of a vicious exchange. Guajardo was dropped again from three body punches/ Seconds later, Guajardo sent Collard to the canvas with a left hook of his own. Collard came to back to hurt Guajardo badly with a series of hard hook, which also bloodies the nose of Guajardo.

In round two they continued to go at it with Collard landing hard thudding shots that eventually had the referee stop the bout simultaneously as the towel being thrown in at 1:42.

Collard, 159 lbs of Cache Valley, UT is 6-2 with two knockoouts. Guajardo, 159.4 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 5-1.

“It was a war,” said Collard. “That’s what fighting is. I love it. It’s awesome.

“I thought (Guajardo) was going to use his length and pick and move, but he came out gunning, and that’s how I like to fight. I like to bang.

“I think I caught him with a good left hook the first time when I dropped him, and the rest is history,” continued Collard. “I knew I hurt him, and I’ve hurt people before and jumped on them really quick, and that’s why he dropped me was because the second time I knocked him down I got too excited and I went in and got caught. So, I have to be more patient.

“I need to learn how to be more defensi

Omar Juarez won an eight-round unanimous decision over Angel Martinez in a super lightweight bout.

In round seven, Juarez dropped Martinez with a left hook to the jaw. Martinez was cut on the top of his head.

Juarez, 140 lbs of Brownsville, TX won by scores of 80-71 twice and 79-73 and is now 7-0. Martinez, 139 lbs of Mexico is 19-19-1.

“It was a beautiful experience, especially fighting a veteran with over 30 fights, my first eight-rounder as well, and overall I learned a lot,” said Juarez. “There are levels to this, and I have a lot of work left to do, but I look forward to watching the film and correcting all of my mistakes.”

Jesus Ramos stopped Ramel Amanov after six-rounds of their scheduled eight-round welterweight bout.

Ramos, 146.8 lbs of Casa Grande, AZ is 14-0 with 11 knockouts. Amanov of Uzbekistan is 16-2.

Deon Nicholson had to go to the distance for the first time in his career, but won a 10-round unanimous decision over Earl Newman in a cruiserweight fight.

Nicholson, 198.6 lbs of Tuscaloosa, AL won by scores of 97-93 and 96-94 twice and is now 13-0. Newman, 199.6 lbs of Brooklyn is 10-3-1.

BILOXI, MS. (January 7, 2020) – Unbeaten top prospect Michel Rivera will take on veteran contender Fidel Maldonado Jr. in a 10-round lightweight duel as part of FS1 PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes Saturday, February 1 from Beau Rivage Resort Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.

The action will also include unbeaten prospect Omar Juarez in a super lightweight showdown against Mexico’s Angel Hernandez, plus hard-hitting prospect Raymond Guajardo in a six-round super welterweight affair against Clay Collard. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is headlined by top welterweight Yordenis Ugas taking on Mike Dallas Jr. in a 12-round attraction.

Preceding the main card, FS1 PBC Fight Night Prelims begin at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT and feature rising 18-year-old prospect Jesus Ramos (11-0, 10 KOs), who most recently delivered a KO of the Year candidate on FS1 in September, as he faces Puerto Rico’s Bernard Lebron Figueroa (10-3, 4 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight battle. Plus, hard-hitting welterweight Jose Miguel Borrego (16-2, 14 KOs) takes on New Jersey’s Jimmy Williams (16-3-2, 5 KOs) in a 10-round affair on FS1.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Beau Rivage Theatre box office and through Ticketmaster.com.

The 21-year-old Rivera (17-0, 11 KOs) made his U.S. debut in June with an impressive victory dropping Rene Tellez Giron on his way to a unanimous decision. Representing Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Rivera has fought professionally since 2016 and most recently stopped Jose Luis Gallegos on FS1 in September.

Fighting out of his native Albuquerque, New Mexico, Maldonado (27-4-1, 20 KOs) has faced a slew of top contenders and has picked up a victory over Pablo Cesar Cano and a draw against Art Hovhannisyan throughout his career. The 28-year-old enters this fight on a three-fight winning streak since a 2017 defeat to Ismael Barroso.

The 20-year-old Juarez (6-0, 4 KO) was a highly decorated amateur who turned pro in September 2018 and has been on an active pace thus far. Representing his hometown of Brownsville, Texas, Juarez scored five victories in 2019 including a pair of knockouts on FS1 as he stopped Gino De la Paz in front of his hometown crowd in August and Kevin Shacks in November in Las Vegas. He will be opposed by 20-year-old Hernandez (10-1, 10 KOs), who fights out of Mexicali, Mexico, and will be making his U.S. debut on February 1.

Representing his hometown of San Antonio, Texas, Guajardo (5-0, 4 KOs) most recently delivered a highlight reel knockout over Donnis Reed in the first round of their December 21 showdown on FS1. The 19-year-old turned pro in March 2019 and has only gone the distance in one of his first five contests, including three-straight first round knockouts. He will take on the 26-year-old Collard (5-2-3, 1 KO) who fights out of Cache Valley, Utah and most recently defeating then unbeaten Quashawn Toler on January 3.

Also appearing on the stacked undercard is unbeaten super middleweight prospect Burley Brooks (5-0, 4 KOs) facing Ohio’s Melvin Russell (11-8-2, 7 KOs) in a six-round attraction and Bronx native Michael Coffie (8-0, 5 KOs) in a six-round heavyweight bout. Plus, Dallas’ Fernando Garcia (12-2, 7 KOs) competes in a six-round featherweight fight, while unbeaten Tuscaloosa, Alabama native Deon Nicholson (12-0, 12 KOs) battles Brooklyn’s Earl Newman (10-2-1, 7 KOs) in a 10-round cruiserweight showdown.

#

Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

LOS ANGELES (Oct. 3, 2017) Undercard fighters on the Oct. 13 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN and participants on the Oct. 6 edition of LA FIGHT CLUB hosted a media workout today at Azteca Boxing Club ahead of their respective events.

On the Oct. 18 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN, Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado, Jr. (24-3-1, 19 KOs) will take on Ismael Barroso (19-1-2, 18 KOs) in the 10-round main event for the vacant WBA Fedelatin Super Lightweight Title. In the co-main event, former WBA Interim Super Lightweight Champion Pablo “El Demoledor” Cesar Cano (30-6-1, 21 KOs) will battle against Argentina’s Marcelino “Nino” Lopez (32-2-1, 17 KOs) in a scheduled 10 rounds of super lightweight furry. In the TV swing bout of the night, LA’s newest competitor from Mexico City, Marvin Cabrera (5-0, 4 KOs) will participate in four or six rounds of super welterweight action against Cesar Soriano (10-1, 5 KOs). Indio’s Ruben Rodriguez (1-0, 1 KO) will participate in four rounds of super lightweight combat against Mexico City’s Israel “Isra” Villela (5-6, 2 KOs). Parral, Mex’s Oscar Duarte (11-0-1, 7 KOs) will be in a scheduled eight-round lightweight battle against a soon-to-be announced opponent, and Dallas’s Javier Martinez (2-0, 2 KOs) will participate in a six-round featherweight bout against Ricardo Arias (1-1-1).

Below is what undercard fighters on the Oct. 13 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN had to say at today’s media workout:

MARCELINO “NINO” LOPEZ, Super Lightweight Contender:
“I’m happy knowing that this fight will be very big and important. It is especially important to win if I want to keep moving up in my career. I am ready to give good battle. I know that Pablo Cesar Cano is young but experienced boxer, but I’m very experienced as well. I’m only focusing on Oct. 13 right now, and then we’ll see what happens, though we know we want a very big fight next.”

“I’m being held to a higher standard because I’ll be fighting on television, and that motivates me. I feel good. Hopefully, some of the little details from the previous disappointments are fixed this time around. When it comes down to it, it’s on you. You have to work on yourself. I’ve been training really hard.”

MARVIN CABRERA, Super Welterweight Prospect:
“Everybody wants to be on TV, and I respect that, and that’s how we’re training. We’ve been training for more than 2 months. I’m really excited and this is a great opportunity. It’s going to be a show inside the ring. That’s what the fans want, I’m excited to give that to the fans.”

RUBEN RODRIGUEZ, Super Lightweight Prospect:
“My first professional fight took place in August of this year and it was exciting, especially because I opened up the Cotto-Kamegai card. Now that it’s my second fight, I still feel some pressure because I’ll be fighting in my hometown of Indio, California, and I have family and friends going. But I focus on fighting, not on what happens outside.”

OSCAR DUARTE, Lightweight Prospect:
“I’m very happy to return to the ring, and to enjoy doing what I like most, which is fighting. We have worked on new things, and we are excited to bring those to the ring. My last two fights were in Mexico, but I’m ready to fight again in the United States.”

JAVIER MARTINEZ, Featherweight Prospect:
“Like any other fighter, I’m working on discipline. That’s the struggle, staying focused. This has been one of the best training camps I’ve ever had. I feel like in this fight I’m going to show all my skills. In other fights I was a little too aggressive. This time I’m going to be smarter. I’m an exciting fighter. Everyone should come out to see the fight.”

On the Oct. 6 edition of LA FIGHT CLUB, lightweight knockout artist Christian “Chimpa” Gonzalez (17-1, 15 KOs) will seek to confirm that he is one of the brightest prospects when he faces former WBC World Super Featherweight Champion Gamaliel “El Plátano” Diaz (40-17-3, 19 KOs) in an eight-round bout. LA Fan favorite Edgar “Kid Neza” Valerio (11-0, 6 KOs) will up the ante as he steps into the ring with the experienced Martin “Marciano” Cardona (24-8, 16 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight fight. Rising star Jousce “Tito” Gonzalez (5-0, 5 KOs) will open up the televised card as he takes on Ciudad Juarez’s Ricardo “Maniac” Fernandez (3-6-4) in a six-round lightweight bout.

Below is what undercard fighters on the Oct. 6 edition of LA FIGHT CLUB had to say at today’s media workout:

CHRISTIAN “CHIMPA” GONZALEZ, Lightweight Prospect:
“It will be an accomplishment when I fight a former world champion, Gamaliel Diaz, this Friday. I never thought that at such a young age this would be happening, but I’m looking forward to the challenge. I haven’t done anything different for this fight. I always train at 110 percent and I always give it my all. If everything comes out well, I’ll hopefully fight once more this year in my last eight round fight. Next year, I’ll move up to 10 rounds.”

EDGAR “KID NEZA” VALERIO, Featherweight Prospect:
“I feel great; training was fantastic. I was working on many things, correcting my mistakes from the last fight. I’m becoming a better fighter. There’s an old saying that perfection is impossible, but I can try to be perfect. There’s no such thing as failure; everything is a learning lesson.”

JOUSCE “TITO” GONZALEZ, Lightweight Prospect:
“I’m very excited. I’m ready to get back to the show. I’ve been in training camp. I’m ready. I’m in shape. I’m ready to go. I feel like I have everything. I always give people a show, and I’m ready to give the fans and everybody else a show this Friday.”

Oct. 13 Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN: Tickets for the event start at $25 and will be available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office, by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing online at www.FantasySpringsResort.com.

Oct. 6 LA FIGHT CLUB: Tickets for LA FIGHT CLUB are starting at only $20 with Flex Passes for multiple fight packages. Group Tickets and BOLD Experience upgrade are available for purchase now at www.goldenboypromotions.com, the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page, by calling 213-233-2957.

Maldonado, Jr. vs. Barroso, a 10-round super lightweight fight for the vacant WBA Fedelatin Super Lightweight Title, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event is sponsored by “TECATE, THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING.” and Hennessy, “Never Stop. Never Settle.” Doors open at 5:00 p.m. ESPN Deportes will transmit the fights live from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. ESPN3 will live stream of all the fights on the card beginning at approximately 8:30 p.m. ET/ 5:30 p.m. PT.

Gonzalez vs. Diaz is an eight-round lightweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by “TECATE, THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING,” and Casa Mexico Tequila. The event will be held at the Belasco Theater on Friday, October 6. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. PT and the first fight and Ring TV livestream begins at 6:15 p.m. PT. The Boxeo Estelar broadcast will air on Estrella TV and will begin at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT and also be livestreamed on EstrellaTV.com and on YouTube via LBI Media, Inc.’s Fenomeno Studios.

Oct. 13 Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN: For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and http://www.espn.com/boxing/; follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya, @ESPN, and @ESPNBoxeo; become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing; and follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @OscarDeLaHoya. Follow the conversation using #GBPonESPN.

Oct. 6 LA FIGHT CLUB: For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.belascous.com, www.estrellatv.com, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @EstrellaTV and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/TheBelascoLA, www.facebook.com/EstrellaTVNetwork, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @belascola and @EstrellaTV, follow the conversation using #LAFIGHTCLUB and #BoxeoEstelar.

Oct. 13 Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN: Photos and videos are available to download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link: http://bit.ly/MaldonadoBarroso into a browser. Credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions for photos and videos used.

Oct. 6 LA FIGHT CLUB: Videos and images are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link: http://bit.ly/LAFightClubOct6. Credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions for any photos/video.

INDIO, CALIF. (Sept. 28, 2017): While Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado, Jr. (24-3-1, 19 KOs) battles for the vacant WBA Fedelatin Super Lightweight hardware against former WBA Interim World Lightweight Champion Ismael Barroso (19-1-2, 18 KOs) in a 10-round main event of the Oct. 13 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif., former heavyweight contender Gerry “Gentleman” Cooney (28-3, 24 KOs) will be in attendance watching as the special VIP guest.

ESPN Deportes will air live coverage of the fights beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT, while ESPN3 will live stream all the fights beginning with the undercard bouts at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT. Doors to the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center open at 5 p.m. PT.

Cooney, who currently hosts the weekly series “Friday Night at the Fights”on Sirius XM radio, is known for his devilish left hook, as well as for going head to head with the mighty greats in the heavyweight division of his generation including Larry “The Easton Assassin” Holmes, Michael “Jinx” Spinks, and “Big” George Foreman. Cooney will be in attendance for the fights and will be on site to meet fans, sign autographs and take pictures inside the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center before the ESPN transmission begins. The meet-and-greet is open to the public with the purchase of a ticket to the event.

Tickets for the event start at $25 and will be available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office, by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

Sparks will fly in the co-main event between former WBA Interim Super Lightweight Champion Pablo “El Demoledor” Cesar Cano (30-6-1, 21 KOs) and Argentina’s
Marcelino “Nino” Lopez (32-2-1, 17 KOs) in a scheduled 10 rounds of super lightweight furry. Cano will be coming back after a tough split decision loss against the night’s main event fighter, Maldonado, Jr., last June at the Dallas Cowboy’s training center in Frisco, TX. In the TV swing bout of the night, LA’s newest transplant from Mexico City, Marvin Cabrera (5-0, 4 KOs) will participate in four or six rounds of super welterweight action against LA’s Manuel “El Chino” Reyes (11-3-1, 5 KOs).

The undercard will also feature the promising talent deep within the Golden Boy stable who are exclusively trained by the famed Joel Diaz, known for training former welterweight world champion Timothy Bradley, Jr. and current rising star and super bantamweight contender Diego De La Hoya. Indio’s Ruben Rodriguez (1-0, 1 KO) will participate in four rounds of super lightweight combat against Mexico City’s Israel “Isra” Villela (5-6, 2 KO). Parral, Mex’s Oscar Duarte (11-0-1, 7 KOs) will be in a scheduled eight-round lightweight battle, and Dallas’s Javier Martinez (2-0, 2 KOs) will participate in a six-round featherweight bout. Opponents for Duarte and Martinez will be announced soon.

Maldonado, Jr. vs. Barroso, a 10-round super lightweight fight for the vacant WBA Fedelatin Super Lightweight Title, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event is sponsored by “TECATE, THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING,” and Hennessy, “Never Stop. Never Settle.” Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT. ESPN Deportes will transmit the fights live from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. ESPN3 will live stream of all the fights on the card beginning at approximately 8:30 p.m. ET/ 5:30 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the event start at $25 and will be available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office, by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and http://www.espn.com/boxing/; follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya, @ESPN, and @ESPNBoxeo; become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing; and follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @OscarDeLaHoya. Follow the conversation using #GBPonESPN.

Photos and videos are available to download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link: http://bit.ly/MaldonadoBarroso into a browser. Credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions for photos and videos used.

INDIO, CA (August 10, 2017): After capturing the WBC FECARBOX Super Lightweight title just less than two months ago, Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado, Jr. (24-3-1, 19 KOs) will put his belt on the line against former Interim World Lightweight Champion Ismael Barroso (19-1-2, 18 KOs) in the 10-round main event of the October 13 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. ESPN Deportes will air live coverage of the fights beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT, while ESPN3 will live stream all the fights beginning with the undercard bouts at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the event go on sale tomorrow, Friday, August 11, start at $25 and will be available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office, by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

In the co-main event, Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano (30-6-1, 21 KOs) of Mexico will take on Marcelino “Nino” Lopez (32-2-1, 17 KOs) of Buenos Aires, Argentina in a 10-round super lightweight that promises to steal the show.

Maldonado, Jr., a 26-year-old native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is coming off three impressive victories. His most recent victory was against Cano in a back-and-forth fight in which Maldonado, Jr. dug deep to overcome a fourth-round knockdown before eventually winning by split decision. The new WBC FECARBOX champion is a young but seasoned professional with tough fights against Amir “Young Master” Imam and Michael “The Artist” Perez on his resume.

Barroso, a heavy-handed 34-year-old southpaw out of El Tigre, Venezuela, is a former interim world lightweight champion who has scored knockouts in 18 of his 19 victories, including a fifth-round technical knockout over longtime contender Kevin “The Hammer” Mitchell. Barroso is coming off the lone defeat of his career to former WBA World Lightweight Champion Anthony “Million Dollar” Crolla, and is hungry to get back on the winning track.

Maldonado, Jr. vs. Barroso, a 10-round super lightweight fight for the WBC FECARBOX title, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate, Born BOLD and Hennessy “Never Stop, Never Settle.” ESPN Deportes will transmit the fights live from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. ESPN3 will live stream of all the fights on the card beginning at approximately 8:30 p.m. ET/ 5:30 p.m. PT.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and http://www.espn.com/boxing/; follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya, @ESPN, and @ESPNBoxeo; become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing; and follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @OscarDeLaHoya. Follow the conversation using #GBPonESPN.

Photos and videos are available to download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link: http://bit.ly/MaldonadoBarroso into a browser. Credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions for photos and videos used.

LOS ANGELES (May 17, 2017) – Heavy-handed super lightweights Pablo “El Demoledor” Cesar Cano (30-5-1, 21 KOs) and Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr. (23-3-1, 19 KOs) will battle over 10 rounds for the vacant WBC Fecarbox super lightweight title as the main event of the June 17 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN in the Tostitos Championship Plaza at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

Championship hardware will be on the line in the all-Texas co-main event as standout Golden Boy Prospect Joshua “The Professor” Franco (10-0, 5 KOs) of San Antonio faces off against Oscar Mojica (10-2, 1 KO) of Dallas for the WBC Youth Silver Super Flyweight title.

Cano, a 27-year-old former interim WBA World Super Lightweight champion and veteran contender who has faced off against the likes of Sugar Shane Mosley, Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi and Ashley Theophane is coming off a significant victory over Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera in his last bout.

“Even though I have been a professional for 11 years, I feel like I am just hitting my prime,” Cano, of Atizapan de Zaragoza, Mexico, said. “With a win over Maldonado, I feel like I will be ready to take on the top opponents at 140 pounds and compete for a world title.”

Maldonado, a 25-year-old southpaw out of Albuquerque, New Mexico is undefeated in his last five fights after engaging in a five-knockdown firefight with Amir Imam and is hungry to push further towards a world championship.

“I can’t wait to get in the ring with Cano and show the Texas fans what I’m all about,” Maldonado Jr., said. “People may call this a crossroads fight, but I’m only interested in taking one road — towards a world championship.”

“We’re honored to host a great fight night with Golden Boy Boxing at Tostitos Championship Plaza at The Star,” said Stephen Jones, Dallas Cowboys Chief Operating Officer. “With Ford Center’s outdoor video board and the turf in the plaza, the outdoor area will create a lively experience for boxing fans, and we’re excited to have this event here in Frisco, Texas.”

Rounding out the card will be a quartet of Golden Boy’s top Texas prospects.

Hot off his fifth consecutive knockout in five fights, highly decorated amateur and super lightweight prospect Vergil Ortiz, Jr. (5-0, 5 KOs) will be scheduled to go six rounds for the first time against a soon-to-be-named opponent.

Other Dallas-based Golden Boy prospects Javier Martinez (1-0, 1 KO), a super featherweight, and Alex Rincon (1-0, 1 KO), a super welterweight, will appear in separate bouts with Martinez to face an opponent to be named and Rincon stepping in against Saul Palacios (1-0, 1 KO) of El Paso.

Opening up the card, San Antonio native Hector “El Finito” Tanajara Jr. (8-0, 4 KOs), a super featherweight, will fight Eduardo Reyes (7-9, 5 KOs) of Reynosa, Mexico.

Cano vs. Maldonado Jr., a 10-round super lightweight fight, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate, BORN BOLD and Hennessy, never stop, never settle. The bout will take place outside on Saturday, June 17 at Tostitos Championship Plaza at The Star in Frisco, Texas on ESPN 2 and ESPN Deportes starting at 9:00 p.m. CT.

Tickets for Fight Night at The Star are on sale and priced at $90, $50, and $20, not including applicable service charges. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets will be available for purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com. Additionally, walk up purchases are available at the AT&T Stadium Box Office (Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. CT to 5:00 p.m. CT) or on day of the event at the Ford Center Box Office beginning at 3:00 p.m.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.hbo com/boxing, follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @hboboxing, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, and follow the conversation using #GBPonESPN

Antonio Orozco suffered an illness and will not be able to compete against Fidel Maldonado tonight in Indio, California, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“Due to dehydration, Antonio was taken to the hospital as a precaution (Thursday) morning,” Golden Boy Promotions spokesman Stefan Friedman told ESPN. “He is doing well and we look forward to his returning to action in the near future.”

“His blood sugar was a little high at 240,” Frank Espinoza, Orozco’s manager, told ESPN. “His heart rate was amazing at 39 beats per minute, so he was released and (we were) told to monitor him with fluids.”

LOS ANGELES (November 14, 2016) – Super lightweight standout and undefeated contender Antonio “Relentless” Orozco (25-0, 16 KOs)will face one of his toughest challenges to date, taking on the always-dangerous and exciting Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr. (22-3-1, 19 KOs) for the vacant WBC International Super Lightweight Championship in the 10-round co-main event of the Dec. 16 HBO Latino® Boxing tripleheader at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

Tickets are already on sale for the stacked card, which will feature a light heavyweight match-up of top contenders between WBC USNBC Champion Vyacheslav “Lionheart Chingonskyy” Shabranskyy (17-0, 14 KOs) and Cuban standout Sullivan Barrera (17-1, 12 KOs) in the main event and Bronx-born IBF North American welterweight titlist Eddie “E-Boy” Gomez (19-1, 11 KOs) putting his title on the line in a 10-round fight against undefeated Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis (16-0, 11 KOs) of Lynn, Massachusetts.

Orozco has shot to the top of the rankings in the last two years with victories over solid opposition including three-division world champion Humberto “Zorrita” Soto, Emmanuel “Tranzformer” Taylor and Abner “Jaeger” Lopez. In Maldonado, Orozco will see an offensive-minded fighter who has scored knockouts in 19 of his 22 victories.

“My dream of becoming a world champion is getting closer and closer, and I am confident I will keep my undefeated streak alive against Fidel Maldonado, Jr.,” Orozco said. “Fidel doesn’t know how to take a step backwards, and anyone who knows my style know that I don’t, either. Fans should expect fireworks.”

“One guy is nicknamed ‘Relentless’ and the other has knocked out almost all of his opponents — this is a guaranteed slugfest,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Whoever comes out on top in this fight will likely be looking at a world title shot in 2017, so they will both leave it all in the ring.”

Off HBO Latino, but on RingTV.com, WBC Silver featherweight titlist and Santa Ana-born Ronny Rios (26-1, 11 KOs)will seek to grow his three-fight winning streak – including a solid victory against the then-undefeated Jason Velez to earn the belt – against prospect Roy “Pitbull” Tapia (12-1-2, 6 KOs).

Another standout Golden Boy Promotions prospect, San Diego’s Genaro “El Conde” Gamez (3-0, 3 KO) will return for his fourth performance in a four-round super featherweight match against a soon to be announced opponent.

Can’t-miss super lightweight prospect Vergil Ortiz Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs), hot off of two, thunderous first-round knockouts including one in his hometown of Dallas, Texas, will step in against Juarez, Mexico’s Nestor Garcia (0-1) for a four-round fight.

Super welterweight banger Alexis Rocha (5-0, 4 KOs) returns to Fantasy Springs two months after delivering a devastating knockout to take on a yet-to-be-determined opponent in a six-round scrap.

Opening the night, Ryan “Blue Chip” Martin (15-0, 9 KOs) will look to keep his impressive undefeated record intact in an eight-round bout in the Lightweight division against an opponent to be named later.

Local fan favorite Javier Padilla (1-0, 1 KO) will look to build on his successful pro debut at the same venue two months ago when he takes on Christian Lorenzo (2-3, 1 KO) of Los Angeles in a four-round battle of Super Bantamweights.

Vyacheslav Shabranskyy vs. Sullivan Barrera is a 10-round bout for the WBC USNBC Light Heavyweight championship, presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Main Events and sponsored by “Tecate, BORN BOLD,” and Casa Mexico Tequila Doors open at 4:00 p.m. PT and the first fight begins at 4:00 p.m. PT. The HBO Latino® Boxing telecast begins at 11:30 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT).

Tickets are on sale and are priced at $25, $35 and $45 and available for purchase now at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com,www.mainevents.com and www.hbo.com/boxing, follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @main_events, @HBOLatino, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/maineventsboxing, www.facebook.com/hbolatino, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing and @main_events. Follow the conversation using the hashtag #ShabranskyyBarrera

LOS ANGELES (September 6, 2016) – Albuquerque’s boxing star, Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado, Jr. (22-3-1, 19 KOs) will make his LA FIGHT CLUB debut on October 7 against the exciting and former world title challenger, Diego “Mr. Superb” Magdaleno (28-2, 12 KOs) of Las Vegas. The 10-round lightweight event will serve as the main event on the Estrella TV, Boxeo Estelar broadcast which will also feature Philadelphia’s Damon “No Smilin” Allen (10-0, 4 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight co-main event and Maricela Cornejo (4-2, 2 KOs) of Los Angeles participating in a six-round super middleweight televised opener.

Featured on the non-televised broadcast streaming on RingTVLive.com, Cancun, QuintaRoo, Mexico’s rising star Joseph “Diamante” Aguirre (14-0, 8 KOs) will fight in Los Angeles for the first time in a scheduled six-round lightweight fight while Santa Monica’s David Mijares (3-0, 2 KOs) will fight in a four-round super lightweight event. Opening up the night Marvin Cabrera of Mexico City, Mexico will make his pro debut in a four-round middleweight bout.

“The fans will not go home disappointed with this edition of LA FIGHT CLUB, as we see top prospects in the sport continue to make a name for themselves at the Belasco and beyond,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “At Golden Boy Promotions, we are dedicated to giving the fans what they want, and our continuous record of sold out LA FIGHT CLUB shows demonstratethe fans are hungry for more fights.”

Tickets for LA FIGHT CLUB starting at only $20 with Flex Passes for multiple fight packages, Group Tickets and Knockout Experience upgrade are available for purchase now at www.goldenboypromotions.com, the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page, by calling 213-233-2957 or by emailing LAFightClub@goldenboypromotions.com. Mark your calendars and purchase tickets in advance before they sell out for the remaining dates taking place October 7, November 4 and December 2.

Albuquerque, N.M. southpaw standout Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr. is one of Golden Boy Promotion’s most aggressive fighters on the roster. At the height of Maldonado’s amateur career, “The Atrisco Kid” was ranked number two in the U.S. with an eye-catching record of 118-12. After going professional in 2009, Maldonado snatched up the WBC Youth Silver lightweight title from Eric Cruz in 2011 adding to his impressive boxing resume which also includes a fight for the WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight Title. Maldonado has stayed active in 2016, defeating the experienced Michael Clark via first-round technical knockout in January, taking a draw against Art Hovhannisyan on May 20 and most recently obtained a technical knockout victory against Gerardo Cuevas on July 9. Now, Maldonado is ready to create a new chapter as he faces the equally exciting Diego Magdaleno on October 7.

Former world title challenger, Diego “Mr.Superb” Magdaleno is known for his exciting boxing style. A professional fighters since 2007, Magdaleno is ready to restart his career after suffering his second career loss to WBO Lightweight World Champion Terry Flanagan this past October 2015. Previously, the 29 year old was the owner of the WBO International Lightweight Title, a champion he won in 2015 by defeating Jose A. Gonzalez via seventh round technical knockout. Now ready to step back in the limelight, Magdaleno will be looking for a stellar victory against the experienced Fidel Maldonado Jr.

A professional since 2013, undefeated lightweight Damon “No Smilin” Allen, has had victories over tough opposition in Hector Marengo, Tony “Sugar Boy” Walker and Travis “El Animal” Thompson. The 24-year-old Philadelphian stepped through the ropes twice in 2015, stopping Luis “Yeye” Rodriguez in three rounds at home in Philly before making his Los Angeles debut in November with a decision victory over Oscar Santana. Since then Allen, defeated Daniel Perales on March 3, 2016 via unanimous decision and was las seen in Hollywood, winning a technical knockout victory over Daniel Montoya in on May 25.

29 year old professional boxer, actress and model, Maricela Cornejo hails from Grandview, Washington began boxing at the famed Wild Card Gym in December 2010. Quickly falling in love with the sport, Cornejo vigorously trained for 11 months before participating in her first amateur fight in Las Vegas. In August 2012, Cornejo took the leap into the professional ranks by defeating Mia Henderson via majority decision. Since then, she has mainted busy and was most recently seen in the ring against Latashia Burton in August 2015 and Kali Reis in April 2016.

Joseph “Diamante” Aguirre of Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico, has defeated every opponent he has ever faced and hopes to add his upcoming opponent to his list of victories as he fights for the first time in Los Angeles. With a recent victories in 2016 against Oscar Arjona via first round knockout in March and a fifth round technical knockout victory against Rony Oscar Alvarado on May 20 in his U.S. debut, and a unanimous decision victory against Ricardo Urbina on July 23. Aguirre will be looking to impress in his Los Angeles debut, in a scheduled lightweight bout in the famed Belasco Theater in Downtown Los Angeles.

Some fighters are made in the gym. The 20-year old David Mijares was seemingly born into the sport. As Mijares’ father worked with legendary musician Bob Dylan, his pregnant mother visited the boxing gym and her water broke. By the age of 12, he began competing, going on to compile a 57-12 record as an amateur. Among his accomplishments were three National PAL Championships, a 2015 Golden Gloves title, and a Bronze medal in the 2015 USA National Championships. Mijares made his professional debut with a spectacular win on the Canelo-Khan undercard on May 7 defeating Omar Reyes via unanimous decision. On June 11 he defeating Cory Vom Baur with a technical knockout and was last seen on the August 19 edition of LA FIGHT CLUB, defeating Jorelle Sparenberg via second round knockout.

LA FIGHT CLUB: Maldonado, Jr. vs. Magdaleno, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by “Tecate, BORN BOLD,” Casa Mexico Tequila and Carmelita Coconut Water. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the first bout begins at 5:30 p.m. The Estrella TV Boxeo Estelar broadcast will air live on Friday, October 7 at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT and will stream live simultaneously on estrellaTV.com and on YouTube via Fenomeno Studios: youtube.com/FenomenoStudios. The Ring TV live stream will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. PT through 7:00 p.m.

Media interested in attending the October 7 installment of LA FIGHT CLUB must be pre-approved for credentials. Credential applications are due September 30, 2016 at 5 p.m., and can be found here. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval for a credential. You cannot transfer your credentials to someone else. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions.

For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.belascous.com, www.estrellatv.com, follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @EstrellaTV and become a fanon Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/TheBelascoLA, www.facebook.com/EstrellaTVNetwork, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @belascola and @EstrellaTV, follow the conversation using #LAFIGHTCLUB and #BoxeoEstelar.

LOS ANGELES (November 30) – Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr. (20-3, 17 KOs) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, signed a multi-year multi-fight promotion contract with Golden Boy Promotions today. Fresh off a victory against Lowell Brownfield in September, Maldonado Jr. is ready to continue on his journey to championship glory.

“After much consideration and other offers, I have decided remain loyal and continue my relationship with Golden Boy Promotions,” said Fidel Maldonado Jr. “I have been with the company since 2010 and they have treated me like family and have always had my best interests in mind. I am excited to continue this exciting journey with Golden Boy Promotions and I am looking forward to the success we can create together.”

“Fidel is a talented fighter with a promising future and an aggressive style that fans love so I’m pleased he has decided to re-sign with Golden Boy Promotions,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “He is committed to taking on the toughest challenges, willing to fight the best in the sport, which matches our mission at Golden Boy Promotions. Because of this, Fidel is the type of fighter we want to promote and we are pleased he has chosen to remain with us to further his career in this sport.”

Fidel Maldonado Jr. is a determined 24-year-old veteran at 135 pounds known for his aggressive style and feared punching power. In his most recent fight on Sept. 5, Maldonado won a first-round technical knockout over Lowell Brownfield in New Mexico. In previous fights, Maldonado Jr. has been in the ring against Amir “Grand Master” Imam, which received acclaimed as potential fight of the year nominee. Maldonado Jr. has also faced tough contenders like Nelson Lara, former U.S. Olympian Luis Ramos Jr., lightweight contender Michael “The Artist” Perez, and Fernando “El Guerrero Yaqui” Carcamo earning himself the WBC Youth Silver Lightweight Title along the way. The southpaw was a standout amateur fighter with 230 amateur fights, and only recorded 12 losses. He was a bronze medalist at the 2008 National Golden Gloves Championships and a silver medalist at the 2008 U.S. National Championships.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @atriscokid become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and https://www.facebook.com/Fidel-Atrisco-Kid-Maldonado-235500173173319/ or follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @atriscokid.

Follow all the action LIVE from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas as Bermane Stiverne defends the WBC Heavyweight title against undefeated knockout artist Deontay Wilder. The action kicks off at 10 PM ET with a Jr. Welterweight bout between undefeated Amir Imam and Fidel Maldonado Jr. The co-feature will pit undefeated WBC Super Bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz and Jesus Ruiz.

12 ROUNDS–WBC HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE–BERMANE STIVERNE (24-1-1, 21 KO’S) VS DEONTAY WILDER (32-0, 32 KO’S)

Round 1 Right from Wilder..1-2..1-2..Left and right from Stiverne..right from Wilder..10-9 Wilder

Round 2 Uppercut from Wilder..Body shot from Stiverne..right from Wilder..right..left hook from Stiverne..left hook from Wilder..left hook from Stiverne ..hard 1-2 from Wilder…Stiverne is hurt…Stiverne falls after the bell and tackles wilder…Stiverne wobbled walking back to the corner.20-18 Wilder

Round 3 Right from Wilder..Good body shots from Stiverne..right from Wilder..30-28 Wilder

Round 4 Body shot from Stiverne..right from Wilder..Stiverne lands a hard left hook..2 hard shts…Body shot from Wilder..good right from Stiverne..jab from Wilder..right from Stiverne…39-38 Wilder

Round 5 1-2 from Wilder..Stiverne lands combo…big right from Wilder…hard 1-2…49-47 Wilder

Round 6 Hard combo from Stiverne..Big left hook.Jab to the body..58-57 Wilder

Round 7 Left right..from Stiverne..right..Jab from Wilder..Big right from Wilder hurts Stiverne..Big uppercut..right from Stiverme…68-66 Wilder

Round 8 Big left and right from Stiverne..right to the bodu…right uppercut..77-76 Wilder

Round 9 Jab from Stiverne…double jab…Jab from Wilder…lead left hook from Stiverne…1-2 from Wilder..jab to the body..jab…87-85 Wilder

Round 10 lead right …left and right from Wilder..left hook..right uppercut from Stiverne…97-94 Wilder

Round 11 jab from Wilder..Stiverne lands a left and right to the body..right to body..left to head…lead right from Wilder..106-104 Wilder

Round 12 2 rights to the body for Stiverne…right to body…uppercut..115-114 Wilder

118-109, 119-108 120-107 for the winner and NEW CHAMPION DEONTAY WILDER

Pucnh stats

Stiverne 110-327 Wilder 227-621

12 ROUNDS–WBC SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE–LEO SANTA CRUZ (28-0-1, 16 KO’S) VS JESUS RUIZ (32-5-5, 21 KO’S)

Round 1 2 rights from Ruiz..left from Santa Cruz..Right from Ruiz..Jab from Santa Cruz..right uppercut to the jaw..left hook to the body..Ruiz landing body shots…left hook to live from Santa Cruz..right cross..Jab to body from Ruiz..10-9 Santa Cruz

Round 2 Body shot from Ruiz..Goood oody work from both guys..Nice right from Ruiz..Santa Cruz working the body..left hook..uppercut from Ruiz..Santa Cruz lands an uppercut..body from Ruiz..head shot from Santa Cruz..20-19 Santa Cruz

Round 3 Cut over right eye and nostril of Santa Cruz..Right from Santa Cruz..left hook..right uppercut..right..1-2 from Ruiz…Jab from Santa Cruz..right from Ruiz and body shot..Hard combo from Santa Cruz…30-28 Santa Cruz

Round 4 Santa Cruz getting better..2 jabs from Ruiz..Right from Santa Cruz,,,40-37 Santa Cruz

Round 5 Santa Cruz lands a jab..2 left hooks from Ruiz..Santa Cruz lands a right cross..Clubbing left from Ruiz..2 jabs and a right from Santa Cruz..Nice combination (2 head/2 body)..50-46 Santa Cruz

Round 6 Ruiz lands a counter left hook..59-56 Santa Cruz

Round 7 Santa Cruz lands a left hook to the head..left hook to liver…2 left hooks from Ruiz..sweeping right from Santa Cruz..Hard flurry..Shirt right from Ruiz..Stiff left hook from Santa Cruz…69-65 Santa Cruz

Round 8 Big right rocks Ruiz…Santa Cruz landed relentless…Ruiz trying to fight back but Santa CRUZ CONTINUES TO LAND AND REFEREE KENNY BAYLESS STOPS THE FIGHT…

LEO SANTA CRUZ WINS VIA TKO 8

Punch Stats

Santa Cruz 277-641 Ruiz 120-554

10 ROUNDS–SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS–AMIR IMAM (15-0, 13 KO’S) VS FIDEL MALDONADO JR (19-2, 16 KO’S)

Round 1 Counter left from Maldonado…left to the body..Imam lands a jab…3 lefts…2 good lefts from Maldonado..counter left hook…exchanging body shots..10-9 Maldonado

Round 2 Maldonado lands a jab..good right hook..sweeping right from Imam..Straight left from Maldonado..Jab and right from Imam..BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES MALDONADO AT THE BELL…19-18 Imam

Round 3 BIG LEFT AND DOWN GOES IMAM..2 hard rights from Imam…counter left hook..left from Maldonado..left to body…big left buckles Iamm..right hook…BIG RIGHT AND DOWN GOES MALDONADO..2 big LEFTS AND MALDONADO GLOVE HITS THE CANVAS…29-26 IMAM

ROUND 4 Body shot from Imam..straight right..Left hook from Imam…39-35 Imam

Round 5 Left from Maldonado…HUGE LEFT AND DOWN GOES MALDONADO…FIGHT OVER

Punch Stats Imam 87-254 Maldonado 76-242

LAS VEGAS (Jan. 12, 2015) – The fight this Saturday, Jan. 17, between undefeated super lightweight Amir “Young Master” Imam (15-0, 13 KOs) and hard-hitting Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr. (19-2, 16 KOs) will now be for the WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight Championship, it was announced today.

The 10-rounder, which will open the live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, will precede two world title bouts on a fight card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas co-promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions

In Saturday’s highly anticipated main event, hard-hitting WBC Heavyweight World Champion Bermane “B.Ware” Stiverne (24-1-1, 21 KOs), of Las Vegas, will defend against unbeaten knockout specialist and mandatory challenger Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (32-0, 32 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Ala. Crowd-pleasing unbeaten WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (28-0-1, 16 KOs), of Los Angeles, will risk his belt against Jesus “Estrella” Ruiz (32-5-5, 22 KOs) in the co-feature.

Tickets for the event are on sale and priced at $500, $350, $250, $125 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $50 price range. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. The first non-televised preliminary bout will begin at 3 p.m. PT.

Imam (pronounced “EE-mom”), of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., by way of Albany, N.Y., was an amateur standout and silver medalist at the 2011 U.S. Olympic Trials. As a professional, the talented Imam, 24, has mostly had his way; 11 of his fights have ended in the first or second round.

The always-willing Maldonado Jr., 23, had won six straight bouts, five by knockout, before his last outing ended in a third round no contest on Dec. 20, 2014, in Cancun, Mexico.
***

“RETURN TO GLORY”: STIVERNE VS. WILDER, a 12-round fight for Stiverne’s WBC Heavyweight Championship taking place Saturday, Jan. 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is co-promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona and Mexico – Live It To Believe It!. In the 12-round co-feature, unbeaten WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz defends against Jesus Ruiz and undefeated Amir Imam meets Fidel Maldonado Jr. in a 10-round super lightweight bout for the WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight Title. The event will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., and will air live on SHOWTIME® (10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT). The telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will be televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (8:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

For more information visit www.donking.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @BStiverne, @BronzeBomber, @SHOSports and @MGMGrand and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing, or visit SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com/.

LAS VEGAS (Jan. 2, 2015) – Crowd-pleasing WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (28-0-1, 16 KOs) puts his title and unbeaten record on the line in a 12-round bout against Jesus “Estrella” Ruiz (33-5-5, 22 KOs). Plus promising world-ranked undefeated junior welterweight Amir “Young Master” Imam (15-0, 13 KOs) will face hard-hitting Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr. (19-2, 16 KOs) in a 10-round fight, promising an undercard full of action on Saturday, Jan. 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).

The Jan. 17 “Return To Glory” fight card co-promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions is highlighted by a heavy-duty main-event matchup that has stirred the interest of even the most casual sports fan — dangerous defending WBC Heavyweight World Champion Bermane “B. Ware” Stiverne (24-1-1, 21 KOs), of Las Vegas by way of Haiti, against unbeaten mandatory challenger Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (32-0, 32 KOs) of Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Tickets for the event are on sale and priced at $500, $350, $250, $125 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $50 price range. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

“2015 is going to be a huge year for boxing and Golden Boy’s opening act in Las Vegas will get things started with a bang,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Founder and President of Golden Boy Promotions.

“In addition to Deontay Wilder looking to bring a heavyweight title back to America for the first time in a decade, longtime favorite Leo Santa Cruz and rising star Fidel Maldonado Jr. — electric fighters with significant power — will both appear in separate fights on the undercard, giving boxing fans a chance to see three top stars in action on a single card.”

All-action and two-division world champion Santa Cruz, of Los Angeles, Calif., will be making his fourth defense of the 122-pound title he won with a third-round knockout over Victor “Vikingo” Terrazas (37-3-1, 21 KOs) on Aug. 24, 2013. Santa Cruz, 26, is coming off of a second-round technical knockout over Manuel “Suavecito” Roman (17-3-3, 17 KOs) on Sept. 13 at MGM Grand.

Before stepping up a notch in weight, Santa Cruz was the IBF Bantamweight World Champion, winning that belt in June 2012 and making three defenses. An excellent body puncher who is at his best when he keeps up a relentless pace, pressures his opponents and wears them down, Santa Cruz is 7-0 with three knockouts in world title fights.

Santa Cruz, who’s as personable and courteous outside the ring as he is ferocious and determined inside, said, “I feel great about my upcoming fight with Ruiz. He is a strong fighter, undefeated in the past two years and the kind of opponent I want to fight.”

“I want to put on a great show on Jan. 17,” Santa Cruz continued. “And show boxing fans that I am a strong fighter ready to go to the next level and take on the top, tough fighters in the division: Guillermo Rigondeaux, Scott Quigg, Carl Frampton and Abner Mares.”

Jesus Ruiz of, Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, retired his amateur status at the tender age of 16. He has won five in a row, including a clear 10-round decision in perhaps a career-best performance over Leonilo “Veneno” Miranda (36-7, 33 KOs) in his most recent start on Nov. 7, 2014.

A professional since November of 2006, the 25-year-old Ruiz will be getting the opportunity of a lifetime in just his third start in the United States (and third outside of Mexico). He won a lopsided eight-round decision over Enrique “Cuate” Quevedo (16-7-1, 10 KOs) on Aug. 24, 2013, in Cabazon, Calif., after losing his U.S. debut on an upset split decision in Tucson, Ariz., in July of 2008.

“I want thank Golden Boy Promotions and SHOWTIME for this great opportunity to fight for the world title,” said Ruiz. “I know many believe I have no chance, but I am well prepared and ready to give my all. I am ready for war and ready to leave it all in the ring like a true Mexican warrior.”

Like the heavyweights in the main event, Albany, New York native, Amir Imam (pronounced “EE-mom”) and Fidel Maldonado Jr., of Albuquerque, New Mexico, are not accustomed to putting in a full night’s work. Between them they have gone the distance only six times in a combined 37 fights.

“Amir Imam is a great kid and a very exciting fighter, and this is going to be a very exciting fight,” said Hall of Fame promoter Don King. “I think Amir is going to be the next Tito Trinidad. He can both box and punch and he is going to be a bad man. I want a title for Amir and this fight with Maldonado is en route to that.”

“This is by far the biggest fight of my career and I’ve got to show the world what I’ve got,” Imam said. “I know that Maldonado is a southpaw and he comes forward and throws a lot of punches. I plan on boxing the kid for 10 rounds, but if the opportunity for a KO comes then I will go get it. I’m not letting anyone take this opportunity away from me. I have worked too hard for it.”

“Maldonado had a great amateur background, he’s very smart and he’s a very good fighter. It’s going to be a great fight,” said Imam’s head trainer Stacey McKinley. “Maldonado’s fought a better class of fighters than Amir but never fought a fighter like Amir and most have not. He’s not strong enough for Amir and Amir will walk straight through him. Amir will be Don King’s next superstar.”

Imam, an amateur standout and silver medalist at the 2011 U.S. Olympic Trials, “doesn’t get paid for overtime” in the professional ranks as 11 of his fights ended in rounds one or two.
The 24-year-old has steadily improved as his professional career has progressed and is 2-0 on ShoBox: The New Generation. In what was expected to be his toughest test, Imam knocked out Jeremy “Hollywood” Bryan (17-5, 7 KOs) in the second round of his ShoBox debut on April 12, 2013.

Since the Bryan blowout, Imam’s taken a big step up in competition, most notably in his last three fights, beginning with a fourth-round stoppage of then-undefeated Jared “The Quiet Storm” Robinson (14-0) on Feb. 21, 2014, in Cleveland on ShoBox; the following May 10 on a unanimous eight-round decision over Yordenis Ugas (15-3, 7 KOs) (it was Imam’s first fight to go the distance since his pro debut in November 2011); and most recently, last Dec. 13 when he stopped Santos “El Toro” Benavides (23-6-2, 17 KOs) in the sixth round.

Maldonado Jr., 23, is a tough, hard-nosed, aggressive-minded left-hander who’d won six straight, five by knockout, before his last outing ended in a third round no contest against Fernando “Picapiedra” Silva on Dec. 20, 2014, in Cancun, Mexico.

“I have been training hard since my last fight against Fernando Silva, and have had no time off,” said Maldonado Jr. “I am ready to get the job done, and I hope he is ready. My goal is to show fans that I can put on a great show, step up the competition and get ready for a title match one fight at a time.”

The NC stopped some of the momentum Maldonado Jr. had regained in the previous 18 months, since suffering his second pro loss on a disputed 10-round split decision to fellow prospect Michael “The Artist” Perez (21-1-2, 10 KOs) on Aug. 24, 2012, on ShoBox in Indio, Calif. Maldonado Jr. was out-boxed and clearly behind on points early but rallied to floor and hurt Perez badly with the last punch of the hotly contested fight in which Maldonado Jr. felt he was robbed.

***

SHOWTIME Sports® will present ALL ACCESS: STIVERNE VS. WILDER on Friday, Jan. 9 at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.

Stiverne vs. Wilder, a 12-round world championship bout for Stiverne’s WBC Heavyweight World Title, is co-promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions. Unbeaten WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz defends against Jesus Ruiz and undefeated junior welterweight Amir Imam meets Fidel Maldonado Jr. in the co-featured bouts. The event will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., and will air live on SHOWTIME (10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT). The telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary bouts will be televised live on SHOWTIME EXTREME (8 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

For more information visit www.donking.com, www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @BStiverne, @BronzeBomber, @SHOSports and @MGMGrand and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing, or visit SHOWTIME Boxing Blog at http://theboxingblog.sho.com/.