On Saturday, November 16, The Grand Oasis in Cancun, Mexico, will be the host for an intriguing all-Mexico doubleheader featuring former two-division World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon and 18-year-old lightweight phenom Roberto “Tito” Manzanarez.
In the super featherweight main event, scheduled for 10 rounds, Cuahutemoc’s Ponce De Leon begins his road back to a world championship against Ensenada’s Joksan “El Torito” Hernandez. In the co-main event, scheduled for 10 rounds, Los Mochis’ Manzanarez battles Mexico City’s Alejandro “Zorrito” Barrera in a highly anticipated rematch.
A beloved Mexican warrior who has represented his nation proudly over the course of his nearly 13-year career, former Olympian Daniel Ponce De Leon (44-5, 35 KO’s) has put together a resume worthy of envy, winning world championships at 122 and 126 pounds while taking on the likes of Abner Mares, Jhonny Gonzalez, Adrian Broner, Orlando Cruz, Gerry Penalosa, and Juan Manuel Lopez. A knockout artist with an exciting style, the 33-year-old southpaw from Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua Mexico is back in the title hunt, and Hernandez is the first obstacle in his way.
Former WBC Continental Americas super featherweight and IBF Latino featherweight Champion Joksan “El Torito” Hernandez (23-5-1, 15 KO’s) from Ensenada, Baja California Mexico is a hard-hitting competitor who will meet Ponce De Leon in the middle of the ring and go to battle from the opening bell. A pro for a decade, the 27-year-old is unbeaten in his last two bouts, drawing with 18-1-2 Ricardo Alvarez and knocking out Hector Rivera.
One of Mexico’s top rising stars, teenage sensation Roberto “Tito” Manzanarez (24-1, 20 KO’s) from Los Mochis, Sinaloa Mexico has put together a remarkable record since turning pro in 2010 at the age of 15. Winner of three straight since the lone loss of his career to Alejandro Barrera in 2012, Manzanarez gets his shot at redemption on November 16.
A seasoned veteran who has been fighting professionally since 1998, 34-year-old Mexico City’s Alejandro “Zorrito” Barrera (22-15, 15 KO’s) was expected to be a stepping stone for hot prospect Roberto Manzanarez when they met in November of 2012, but Barrera stunned the boxing world with a sixth round technical knockout victory. Now he’ll look to repeat that win in front of the fans at The Grand Oasis Cancun.
Both bouts will be aired live on Televisa and FOX Deportes.
Ponce De Leon vs. Hernandez is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Cancun Boxing de Pepe Gomez and sponsored by Corona, Periodico QueQui, The Grand Oasis Cancun, Quintana Roo Tourism and Cancun Tourism. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. CT and the first fight begins at 6:30 p.m. CT. The FOX Deportes broadcast will air live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT and the Televisa broadcast will air on Canal 5 beginning at 10:30 p.m. CT.
