ShoBox returns on Friday, June 6, with what promises to be a thrilling tripleheader featuring the top young talent for which the series is known. From the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif., the 10-round main event will feature undefeated California middleweight Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr. against fellow unbeaten Domonique “3D” Dolton of Detroit.
In the ShoBox co-main event, also scheduled for 10 rounds in the junior middleweight division, dynamic New York City phenom Eddie “E Boy” Gomez puts his perfect record on the line when he faces Francisco Santana of Santa Barbara, Calif. Opening the event will be super bantamweight rising star Diego “The Golden Kid” De La Hoya against an opponent to be announced.
Fighting out of Oxnard, Calif. 23-year-old Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr. (20-0, 11 KOs) is just starting to scratch the surface of his enormous potential. Winner of 90 amateur bouts, Centeno Jr. has added 20 professional wins as well, with victories over respected competition such as Ayi Bruce, Allen Conyers, KeAndrae Leatherwood and Angel Osuna, putting him on the short list of fighters expected to win a world title in the coming years.
A former amateur star who nearly secured a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, Domonique Dolton (14-0, 8 KOs) has been waiting for an opportunity like this for a long time, and he’s not about to let it pass him by. A protégé of the late, great Emanuel Steward, the 23-year-old turned professional in 2008, and he has taken care of every challenge he has faced since then in impressive style. A winner of the WBC Fecarbox and NABA middleweight titles, Dolton is in stellar form heading into the June 6 bout.
Hailing from the Bronx, N.Y., Eddie Gomez (16-0, 10 KOs) has done a lot in a short time thus far as a professional, following up a stellar amateur career with dominant victories over a high level of competition. In his last three bouts, the skilled boxer-puncher has defeated Luis Hernandez, Steve Upsher Chambers and Daquan Arnett, and he hopes to continue this stellar run with another big win on ShoBox.
Currently riding an impressive seven-fight winning streak, Santa Barbara’s Francisco Santana (19-3-1, 9 KOs) is expected to not just be Gomez’ toughest test to date, but a fighter with the potential to upset the unbeaten New Yorker. Owner of 2013 wins against Freddy Hernandez and Joachim Alcine, the 27-year-old will be looking to make it eight-in a row on June 6.
Just four fights into his professional career, Mexicali’s Diego “The Golden Kid” De La Hoya (4-0, 3 KOs) is drawing positive comparisons to the stars of the sport, including his cousin, Oscar De La Hoya. And while the 19-year-old super bantamweight is still young in his career, his victories thus far show a mature young man with all the tools to one day earn a world championship belt.
