Since 2001, ShoBox: The New Generation has delivered boxing’s top prospects and future world champions to fight fans’ living rooms across the country.
On Friday, January 11 that tradition continues at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif., when undefeated junior lightweight rising star Ronny Rios squares off against former World Champion Rico Ramos for the vacant NABF Featherweight Championship and Florida power-puncher Daquan Arnett takes on fellow unbeaten prospect Brandon Quarles. Also featured in a special attraction will be local hero Randy Caballero’s return to the ring in front of his hometown fans for the first time since this past summer.
Ready to make his move on the elite in the 130 pound division, 22-year-old Ronny Rios (19-0, 9 KO’s) gets his chance against Ramos on January 11. A former national amateur champion, Santa Ana, California’s Rios scored a win over highly-regarded prospect Roger “Speedy” Gonzalez in 2011 and followed that with three 2012 victories including knockouts over Jeremy McLaurin and “Dangerous” David Rodela. Now Rios will kick off the most pivotal year of his four-year career against former World Champion Ramos.
Pico Rivera, California’s Rico Ramos (21-1, 11 KO’s) stunned the boxing world with his rapid ascent in the super bantamweight division, but he made good on his promise to get to the top when he knocked out Akifumi Shimoda in July of 2011 to win the WBA Super Bantamweight World Title. Ramos’ reign ended at the hands of Cuban star Guillermo Rigondeaux in January of 2012, but the talented 25-year-old quickly got back in the win column in June with a victory over previously unbeaten Efrain Esquivias.
One of Southern California’s most popular fighters, Coachella’s Randy Caballero (17-0, 9 KO’s) has been untouchable at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and he brings out his legion of fans to cheer him on every night out. The current NABO Bantamweight Champion, 22-year-old “El Matador” will kick off 2013 at home in a 10-round battle against an opponent to be determined.
A 2009 Junior Olympic national champion, 20-year-old Daquan Arnett (9-0, 6 KO’s) appears to be on the fast track to big things in the junior middleweight division. A professional since 2011, Arnett fought eight times in 2012, winning each fight more impressively than the last. In his most recent outing, he showed the heart of a champion in rising from a third round knockdown to stop previously unbeaten Jeremiah Wiggins in the very next round.
Facing Arnett will be Alexandria, Virginia native Brandon Quarles (9-0-1, 2 KO’s). The talented 26-year-old boxer is eager to make a name for himself on the world stage and on January 11, will look to take Arnett into deep water that he hasn’t yet experienced.
Rios vs. Ramos, a 10-round bout for the vacant NABF Featherweight Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. PT on fight night with the first bell sounding at 6:30 p.m. PT. The ShoBox: The New Generation telecast will air live on SHOWTIME® beginning at 11:15 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
Tickets priced at $25, $35 and $45 are available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
