Following an impressive ShoBox debut in March, unbeaten bantamweight rising star Randy Caballero, will make his 10th appearance at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif., on Friday, August 24 when he defends his NABO title against Mexico’s Manuel Roman in the main event of the hit SHOWTIME Sports® series ShoBox: The New Generation.
In the 10-round ShoBox co-feature, talented lightweight prospects collide when Michael Perez squares off against Fidel Maldonado Jr.
Despite being just 21 years old, Coachella, California’s Randy Caballero (15-0, 8 KO’s) has experience beyond his years thanks to an active schedule pitting him against a wide array of tough competition. Most recently, the former amateur standout had quite a showing in his ShoBox debut on March 16, outpointing Jose Luis Araiza in his first 10-round fight which earned him the NABO bantamweight title. Following a fifth-round technical knockout over Jamal Parram in a non-title fight in June, Caballero is back home to defend his belt for the first time.
Tijuana, Mexico native Manuel Roman (15-1-3, 6 KO’s) has competed for much of his career in the flyweight division, but after a split decision loss to Anthony Villarreal in a WBC Youth Intercontinental title fight in 2009, he decided that the struggles to make weight were keeping him from performing his best. The 24-year old is unbeaten in three fights since, most recently knocking out Cristian Aguilar in just three rounds in June.
Twenty-two-year-old Michael “The Artist” Perez (16-1-1, 10 KO’s) is one of the brightest young stars on the competitive lightweight scene, dealing defeats to veterans such as Ira Terry and Tyrone Harris. In January, he suffered the first loss of his career at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino when he was stopped by fellow prospect Omar Figueroa, but like a true warrior, Perez bounced back with a second-round technical knockout over Eric Cruz in June. He’ll look to continue on his winning path against another fellow prospect in Maldonado Jr.
Albuquerque, New Mexico’s southpaw Fidel Maldonado Jr. (13-1, 11 KO’s) has nine wins in two rounds or less thus far in his career, reminiscent of the great lightweight punchers of the past. Like Perez, however, he will now have to show the resilience to bounce back from adversity. His August 24 fight will mark the 21-year-old’s first time in the ring since an upset defeat at the hands of Fernando Carcamo in April, but all signs point to “The Atrisco Kid” coming back stronger than ever.
Caballero vs. Roman & Perez vs. Maldonado are presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. The doubleheader will be televised live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
Tickets, priced at $25, $35 and $45, are on sale now and available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
