In November of 2010, veteran Gilberto Keb Baas fulfilled a lifelong dream when he won his first world championship, and on Saturday, April 30 he will look to avenge an early career loss to Adrian Hernandez when he makes his second title defense in an all-Mexico battle that headlines Televisa’s “Sabados De Corona” at Coliseo de la Feria de Texcoco in Texcoco Estado Mexico, Mexico. In the co-featured bout of the evening, Mexico City’s undefeated top prospect Marco Antonio Periban will face Argentine Jose Alberto Clavero.
A highly-regarded 15-year veteran of the sport, Yucatan’s Gilberto Keb Baas (35-20-4, 22 KO’s) paid his dues the hard way, taking on all comers in winning numerous regional titles. On November 11, 2010, the 33-year-old finally reached his world championship goal when he won a 12-round decision victory over Omar Nino Romero to win the WBC Light Flyweight World Title. Keb Baas is unsatisfied with just winning the belt, now he wants to set a new standard at 108 pounds and, after stopping Jose Antonio Aguirre in his first defense on February 26, he’s well on his way to doing that. His first step will be redemption against a man who put a loss on his record in 2008, Adrian Hernandez.
Hard-hitting Toluca native Adrian “Confesor” Hernandez (20-1-1, 12 KO’s) was just another hot prospect in March of 2008, but when he stopped veteran Gilberto Keb Baas in just four rounds, he immediately graduated to contender status. Since then, Hernandez has waited for his world title shot and after reeling off seven consecutive wins, including a third round stoppage of Erik Ramirez last November, his time has come. He finally gets his shot at none other than surging veteran Keb Baas, setting the stage for a fight fan’s dream rematch.
In the co-featured bout, Mexico City’s Marco Antonio Periban (12-0, 9 KO’s) will be put to the test in a 10 round super middleweight bout against Jose Alberto Clavero. Periban is looking to keep his record clean as he looks to rise to the top of his division. He has won his last three fights via first round knockout, including a victory over previously-undefeated top prospect Dion Savage in February of this year. The 26-year-old rising star will attempt to keep his knockout streak going and take down the experienced Clavero.
Looking to spoil the plans of Periban is Argentina’s Jose Alberto Clavero (30-7-1, 15 KO’s). The experienced 35-year-old has won three of his last five bouts with the two loses coming in world title bouts against Karoly Balzsay (2008) and Anthony Mundine (2007). The former world title challenger is on a two-fight win streak and looks to keep his momentum going forward in the hopes of another world title shot in 2011. Before he can think about a title fight, he must get past Periban on April 30.
Baas vs. Hernandez, a 12 round battle for the WBC Light Flyweight World Championship, headlines an action-packed card presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Grupo Publica and Pepe Gomezand sponsored by Corona. The Televisa broadcast begins at 10:30pm CT. Doors open at 6:00 pm CT and the first bell rings at 7:00 pm CT.
Fight fans in the United States will be able to watch the April 30 world title fight thanks to a newly formed relationship between Golden Boy Promotions and AT&T*. AT&T is exclusively delivering the series across three screens (TV, Online and Mobile) to AT&T U-verse members. Beginning April 30, fans can access the best in boxing from Mexico on the screen of their choice, with fights on AT&T U-verse® TV, U-verse Online at www.att.net/boxeoand, for subscribers to the U-verse Live TV mobile application, on qualifying mobile phones.** The April 30 U-verse broadcasts will air live at 9:30pm ET/6:30pm PT.
