Winner of four straight bouts, including an impressive seventh-round technical knockout of Luis Ramos Jr. last November, junior welterweight prospect Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr. is back at Cowboys Dancehall in San Antonio, TX. on Monday, Feb. 10 when he faces former World Champion Steve “2Pound” Forbes on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes in the main event of the second 2014 installment Golden Boy Live!.
In the co-main event, unbeaten 2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence Jr. is scheduled for 10-rounds in the welterweight division versus an opponent to be determined.
“The fans were great in San Antonio the last time I fought here and I’m going to give them an exciting show again,” said Maldonado. “Steve Forbes is a former world champion and he’s got a lot of experience, but I’m ready to step up to this challenge..”
“Don’t count me out yet,” said Forbes. “I’m still strong and fast, and I can do things in the ring a kid like Maldonado hasn’t even seen yet. Watch this fight on February 10; it’s going to be something to remember.”
“San Antonio fans are some of the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable in boxing, and they’re in for a treat on February 10,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Maldonado vs. Forbes is an important fight for both men, and the winner is going to be off to a great start toward big things in 2014.”
Southpaw sensation Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr. (17-2, 14 KO’s) may hail from Albuquerque, New Mexico, but if the 22-year-old keeps delivering performances like his recent seventh-round stoppage of Luis Ramos Jr., fans in San Antonio are likely to adopt him as one of their own. Maldonado Jr., former amateur star who bounced back from two 2012 losses to win four consecutive bouts, three by knockout, is definitely a fighter to watch in 2014.
A seasoned veteran whose world championship experience has earned him respect throughout the boxing world, former junior lightweight titlist Steve “2Pound” Forbes (35-12, 11 KO’s) believes that, at 36, he still has another title run left in him, and his effort in a controversial majority decision loss to Johan Perez in January of 2013 proves it. Hailing from Las Vegas, Forbes has faced the best of the best over the years, including Oscar De La Hoya, Andre Berto, Cornelius Bundrage, Carlos Hernandez and John Brown, and on Feb. 10, he aims to hand Maldonado Jr. a loss in San Antonio.
Desoto, Texas’ Errol Spence (10-0, 8 KO’s) has stayed busy since his stint as a member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, and as he’s compiled a perfect professional record, he has fought in California, Florida and Nevada, only visiting his home state once. But on Feb. 10, the hard-hitting 23-year-old southpaw will be back in Texas in search of his eleventh professional victory.
Maldonado Jr. vs. Forbes is a 10-round junior welterweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija*Battah Promotions. Cowboys Dancehall doors open at 5:00 p.m. CT and the first fight starts at 6:30 p.m. CT. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/9:00 p.m. CT/7:00 p.m. PT. Tickets, priced at $100, $65, $35 and $24, are available for purchase now by phone by calling Leija*Battah Promotions at (210) 979-3302.
