Undefeated welterweight Taras “Real Deal” Shelestyuk (11-0, 8 KO’s) is getting ready for his April 3rd national television debut when he takes on Juan Rodriguez Jr. (12-1, 5 KOs) in the 8-round co-feature of an ESPN “Friday Night Fights” card in Corona, Calif.
In the main event, Petr Petrov (35-4-2, 16 KOs) will go against former champion Gamaliel Diaz (39-11-3, 18 KOs).
Shelestyuk, who was a 2012 Bronze Medal winner in the London Olympic games, has been training at the Wild Card Gym with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach and Marvin Somodio. The Ukrainian-born Shelestyuk is looking forward to this great opportunity to display his talents in front of a nationwide audience.
“Juan Rodriguez is a good fighter, but I will show what I am made of on Friday night,” said the 29-year-old Shelestyuk, who lives and trains in Los Angeles. “I can fight and adjust to any opponent during the fight and will do anything to win. I have been waiting a very long time to fight on national television and now it’s here.”
Also on the card, undefeated welterweight prospect Sukhrab Shidaev (12-0, 7 KOs) of Hollywood, Calif. will fight an opponent to be named later (6-rounds).
Former Colombian Olympian and undefeated lightweight Cesar Villarraga (6-0, 4 KOs) will look to stay unbeaten against Victor Serrano (3-8-1, 1 KO) in a 6-round lightweight bout.
Making his professional debut is junior lightweight Michael Norato facing fellow novice Sopuan Rin (1-1-1) of Pomona, Calif. in a fight scheduled for 4-rounds.
Humberto Rubalcava will also step inside the squared circle for the first as a professional. Rubalcava, a super bantamweight from Riverside, Calif. will face an opponent to be named later (4-rounds).
Opening the event are junior welterweights Emanuel Robles (12-0-1, 3 KOs) of San Diego and Wilberth Lopez (5-4, 1 KO) of Tucson, Ariz. (6-rounds).
