The Illusions Theater at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas hosts the enxt edition of Golden Boy Live on Friday, April 18. In the main event, Alan Sanchez of Fairfield, Calif. will square off against Tijuana’s warrior Jorge “Pantera” Silva of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
Plus, 2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence Jr. will be back in his home state for a 10-round welterweight bout against an opponent to be named in the co-main event.
The card will also feature an all Texas showdown between San Antonio contender Raul Martinez and Brownsville’s Sergio Perales, hot Austin prospect Travell “Black Magic” Mazion, unbeaten San Antonio up and comer Joseph “The Texas Mongoose” Rodriguez Jr. and the professional debut of fan favorite and former amateur star Ryan “Cowboy” Karl of Houston. The day will start with a card stacked with local amateur fights during the day leading up to the main card of professional fights.
A 23-year-old with a bright future in boxing, Fairfield’s Alan Sanchez (12-3-1, 6 KOs) has come a long way in just 16 fights, defeating top level foes like Manuel Leyva and Artemio Reyes. Even though he lost his most recent bout in September in San Antonio via decision to WBA International Welterweight Champion Luis Collazo, he learned several valuable lessons that he will apply against Silva.
Jorge “Pantera” Silva (19-5-2, 15 KOs) of Tijuana is not lacking in experience, as he has been facing anyone and everyone since turning pro in 2008, including Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo and Yoshihiro Kamegai. At 22-years-old, he hopes to get back on the winning track against Sanchez and will be pulling out all of the stops in search of victory.
Coming off of a successful Texas homecoming in February that saw him knock out Peter Oluoch in four rounds, Desoto’s Errol Spence Jr. (11-0, 9 KOs) is back in the Lone Star State on April 18 and he’s in search of another crowd-pleasing victory. Then again, that’s what the 24-year-old southpaw has been doing consistently since he made his professional debut in November of 2012.
The fighting pride of San Antonio, Raul “The Cobra” Martinez (30-3, 18 KOs) has always represented his city well and he is in route to becoming one of the top lightweight fighters in the world. Still looking for his first shot to a world title, Martinez has won two of his last three bouts and should he be victorious on April 18, his chances are looking stronger than ever. Brownsville’s Sergio Perales (21-1, 15 KOs) is no one’s stepping stone and after going 3-1 in his last four bouts, including an 83 second stoppage of former world title challenger Lorenzo Trejo last December, his confidence is sky high heading into his bout with Martinez.
A protégé of women’s boxing legend Ann Wolfe, Austin junior welterweight Travell “Black Magic” Mazion (7-0, 6 KOs) is already seen as having the tools to become a world champion in the future and he’s only 18-years-old. A blistering puncher with speed for days, Mazion has won his last two fights in San Antonio and he’s happy to be back again on April 18.
Signed to Golden Boy Promotions and Leija*Battah Promotions, 21-year-old Joseph “The Texas Mongoose” Rodriguez Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs) is coming off of a big 2013 campaign in which he won four consecutive fights without a loss, including three victories in his hometown of San Antonio. On April 18, he will be back at home to face off with Bay City, Texas’ Francisco Arellano.
One of Texas’ top young boxers, Ryan “Cowboy” Karl won several championships during his amateur days, but now he’s ready to test the professional waters. On April 18, the Houston native will make his debut in his home state in a four-round welterweight bout against an opponent to be named.
But that’s not all as on Thursday, April 17 Leija*Battah Promotions will present an additional night of professional boxing at the same venue featuring local fighters. All patrons who purchase a ticket for the Golden Boy Live! event will receive a free general admission ticket to the Thursday card, with those purchasing a ticket in rows 1-5 for Friday’s event receiving the same seating for April 17. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. CT with the first bell scheduled to ring at 5:30 p.m. CT.
Tickets, priced at $112, $74, $52 and $25, are on sale now and may be purchased by calling the Alamodome Box Office at 800-745-3000 or Leija*Battah Promotions at 210-979-3302. Tickets are also available online at www.ticketmaster.com
