Super lightweight standout and undefeated contender Antonio “Relentless” Orozco (25-0, 16 KOs)will face one of his toughest challenges to date, taking on the always-dangerous and exciting Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr. (22-3-1, 19 KOs) for the vacant WBC International Super Lightweight Championship in the 10-round co-main event of the Dec. 16 HBO Latino® Boxing tripleheader at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.
Tickets are already on sale for the stacked card, which will feature a light heavyweight match-up of top contenders between WBC USNBC Champion Vyacheslav “Lionheart Chingonskyy” Shabranskyy (17-0, 14 KOs) and Cuban standout Sullivan Barrera (17-1, 12 KOs) in the main event and Bronx-born IBF North American welterweight titlist Eddie “E-Boy” Gomez (19-1, 11 KOs) putting his title on the line in a 10-round fight against undefeated Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis (16-0, 11 KOs) of Lynn, Massachusetts.
Orozco has shot to the top of the rankings in the last two years with victories over solid opposition including three-division world champion Humberto “Zorrita” Soto, Emmanuel “Tranzformer” Taylor and Abner “Jaeger” Lopez. In Maldonado, Orozco will see an offensive-minded fighter who has scored knockouts in 19 of his 22 victories.
“My dream of becoming a world champion is getting closer and closer, and I am confident I will keep my undefeated streak alive against Fidel Maldonado, Jr.,” Orozco said. “Fidel doesn’t know how to take a step backwards, and anyone who knows my style know that I don’t, either. Fans should expect fireworks.”
“One guy is nicknamed ‘Relentless’ and the other has knocked out almost all of his opponents — this is a guaranteed slugfest,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Whoever comes out on top in this fight will likely be looking at a world title shot in 2017, so they will both leave it all in the ring.”
Off HBO Latino, but on RingTV.com, WBC Silver featherweight titlist and Santa Ana-born Ronny Rios (26-1, 11 KOs)will seek to grow his three-fight winning streak – including a solid victory against the then-undefeated Jason Velez to earn the belt – against prospect Roy “Pitbull” Tapia (12-1-2, 6 KOs).
Another standout Golden Boy Promotions prospect, San Diego’s Genaro “El Conde” Gamez (3-0, 3 KO) will return for his fourth performance in a four-round super featherweight match against a soon to be announced opponent.
Can’t-miss super lightweight prospect Vergil Ortiz Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs), hot off of two, thunderous first-round knockouts including one in his hometown of Dallas, Texas, will step in against Juarez, Mexico’s Nestor Garcia (0-1) for a four-round fight.
Super welterweight banger Alexis Rocha (5-0, 4 KOs) returns to Fantasy Springs two months after delivering a devastating knockout to take on a yet-to-be-determined opponent in a six-round scrap.
Opening the night, Ryan “Blue Chip” Martin (15-0, 9 KOs) will look to keep his impressive undefeated record intact in an eight-round bout in the Lightweight division against an opponent to be named later.
Local fan favorite Javier Padilla (1-0, 1 KO) will look to build on his successful pro debut at the same venue two months ago when he takes on Christian Lorenzo (2-3, 1 KO) of Los Angeles in a four-round battle of Super Bantamweights.
Abraham Lopez Headlines LA Fight Club
Closing out the wildly popular LA Fight Club Series for 2016, undefeated NABA Featherweight champion Abraham “El Chamaco” Lopez (21-0-1, 15 KOs) will defend his title against Sergio “Cuatito” Lopez (20-12-1, 13 KOs)in the 10-round main event, presented live by Estrella TV’s Boxeo Estelar.
This is Abraham Lopez’ first fight since the biggest victory of his career, when he outpointed the then-undefeated Julian “El Camaron” Ramirez in the co-main event on HBO from the StubHub Center in June.
“The victory over Julian was an enormous step forward in my career, but I have many more goals to accomplish,” Abraham Lopez said. “I am hopeful and confident that I will take care of business on December 2nd and then set myself up for even bigger fights in the loaded featherweight division in 2017.”
In the co-main event, undefeated and Fight Club veteran Columbian prospect Oscar “El Jaguar” Negrete (14-0, 5 KOs) is returning to the Belasco for his sixth consecutive bout, where he’ll face a tough opponent Raul Hidalgo (26-14, 19 KOs) of Nuevas Casas Grandes, Mexico in an eight-round bantamweight fight.
Opening up the Boxeo Estelar broadcast will be LA’s own Edgar Valerio (8-0, 4 KOs), who will clash in a six-round featherweight scrap against Weslaco, Texas’s Guadalupe De Leon (9-14, 5 KOs).
Also a part of the stellar card and streamed live on Ring TV will be Miami’s hottest prospect, Niko “Baby Face” Valdez (2-0, 2 KOs). Valdez, who trained at Muhammad Ali’s gym, will be fighting against Gainesville, Florida’s Will Williams (0-2) in a four-round super middleweight affair. In a four-round super featherweight clash, the always-dynamic Jousce Gonzalez (2-0, 2 KOs) of Glendora, CA will battle against El Paso, Texas’ Jordan Alvarado (0-1). LA’s Angel Bojado (1-0) will return to the Belasco Theater after an impressive unanimous decision victory in his pro debut. Bojado will enter the ring for a four-round super welterweight fight against local Los Angeles fighter Abraham Calderon (1-3). Opening the night, two undefeated Cruiserweights will square off as Philadelphia’s Todd Unthank-May (9-0, 3 KOs) will battle Daniel Najera (5-0, 1 KO) of Nuevo Leon, Mexico in a six-round bout.
