World ranked super bantamweight Danny Roman (20-2-1, 7 KOs) puts his twelve fight winning streak on the line against veteran Victor Proa (28-2-2, 21 KOs) on Friday, Nov. 18.
Roman, who occupies the No. 5 position on the WBA rankings, is coming off a one-sided, unanimous decision win over the always-game Enrique Quevedo in August. The 26-year-old Los Angeles native will make his fourth start on the year and fifth title defense one week from Friday.
“I’ve stayed busy throughout the year so I know I’m going to come out sharp against Proa,” Roman said. “We’ve added a few new things during training camp and I’m excited to test them out against an experienced opponent like Proa.”
Proa, who fights out of Monterrey, Mex., suffered his two losses late in his career. A victory over a ranked boxer like Roman could lift his fortunes and put him back on the right track.
“I know I’m the underdog coming in, but it doesn’t make any difference to me,” said Proa, 31. “Roman will try to out work me, but I won’t let that happen. He’s going to be in a tough fight.”
In the 8-round co-feature, undefeated junior welterweight standout Giovani Santillan (19-0, 10 KOs) of San Diego, Calif. goes for his twentieth win against Mexico’s Miguel Angel Mendoza (23-9, 22 KOs).
Santillan, a southpaw, has made huge strides after spending considerable amount of time sparring with Tim Bradley earlier this year, and was a part of Floyd Mayweather’s rotating mix of sparring partners in 2015.
“You improve the most when you go one-on-one with the best,” said Santillan, who is the former NABF Junior 140-pound champion. “I’ve had a chance to box with some of the best and the experience has given me a great deal of confidence. I respect Mendoza like I do all my other opponents, but there’s no way he stops me on November 18.”
In the 8-round special attraction, junior lightweight Erick Ituarte (15-1-1, 2 KOs) of Santa Ana, Calif. brings his fearless style to Alejandro Ochoa (7-12-2, 1 KO) of Michoacan, Mex. Ituarte, 21, is riding an eight bout winning streak dating back two years and he recently peeled himself off the canvas for a comeback win against Daniel Ramirez in June.
In other action, undefeated bantamweight prospect Rudy Garcia (3-0, 1 KO) of Los Angeles tests his burgeoning skills against Luis Almendarez (3-4) of Tijuana, Mex. (4-rounds).
Opening “New Blood” is former top shelf amateur Michael Dutchover (1-0, 1 KO) of Midland, Tex. Dutchover, who turned professional last month with a third round KO win over Cesar Partida, is promoted by Thompson Boxing and Banner Promotions.
Dutchover faces Sergio Campos (pro debut) of Bakersfield, Calif. (4-rounds).
