The wait is over. Following nearly a year away from the ring, unbeaten junior welterweight rising star Frankie Gomez will make his long-awaited return to active duty when he faces Mexican veteran Manuel Leyva in the eight round main event of TeleFutura’s “Solo Boxeo Tecate” from The Phoenix Club in Anaheim, Calif. this Saturday night.
Joining Gomez-Leyva on the card will be lightweight up-and-comer Jamie Kavanagh, who risks his own unbeaten slate in a lightweight eight round contest against one of his toughest tests yet in fellow prospect Ramon Valadez.
A 2009 United States amateur champion and 2009 Silver medalist at the world championships, East Los Angeles’ Frankie Gomez (12-0, 9 KO’s) is seen as one of the top talents to enter the professional game in years. Just 20 years old, he can do it all in the ring, and he’s proved it thus far by winning all 12 of his professional fights. Gomez will now be fighting under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach as he returns to the ring for the first time since December of 2011 when he scored a third round knockout over James Hope.
30-year-old southpaw Manuel Leyva (21-8, 12 KO’s) is a former WBC Fedecaribe lightweight and WBA Fedebol super featherweight champion who has faced off with the likes of Sharif Bogere, Carlos Molina and Joel Casamayor during his 11-year professional career. Leyva is looking forward to the challenge of going toe-to-toe with Gomez on November 3, knowing that when it comes to experience, he has a big advantage.
Dublin-born Jamie Kavanagh (11-0-1, 5 KO’s) has become a big hit in his adopted home of Los Angeles where he trains with Freddie Roach and he is likely to have a huge group of supporters on hand as he looks for his 12th professional win. Already 3-0 with two knockouts in 2012, the 22-year-old known as “The Nuisance” expects to close out the year in style when he takes on Valadez.
Like Frankie Gomez, 22-year-old Ramon Valadez (11-2, 6 KO’s) hails from East Los Angeles and also has a world of potential as a professional prospect. A pro since 2010 who has won 10 of his last 11 fights, Valadez’ most recent win was a third round knockout over then 6-0 Kevin Hoskins, showing that he knows a little something about taking a hot prospect’s “0.” He’ll look to duplicate that feat on November 3 in Anaheim against the undefeated Kavanagh.
Gomez vs. Leyva, an eight round welterweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. PT on fight night and the first bell rings at 7:00 p.m. PT. The TeleFutura broadcast begins at11:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Tickets priced at $30 and $50 are on sale now and available for purchase online at http://fla.vor.us/1141276-Solo-Boxeo-Tecate-2-tickets/Solo-Boxeo-Tecate-2-Anaheim-Festhalle-The-Phoenix-Club-November-03-2012.html.
