As one of the most competitive divisions in boxing today, the lightweight class has a talent-rich pecking order that can change within the course of one fight. On Friday, March 4, highly-rated contender and former U.S. Olympian Vicente Escobedo and streaking veteran Walter Estrada will meet in the 10 round main event of TeleFutura’s “Sólo Boxeo Tecate” at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif., with the intention of having that one fight which can move them up the rankings and into the world title picture.
This night of world-class professional boxing, which also features unbeaten Coachella, Calif., prospect Randy Caballero in a six round bout against an opponent to be determined, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and AT&T. Doors open at 6:00pm PT on fight night, the first bell rings at 7:00pm PT and the TeleFutura broadcast begins at 11:30pm ET / PT (10:30pm CT). Fans at home can also be part of the action by participating in Cinturón Tecate and voting for the fighter in the main event who displayed the most character in the ring by sending a text message to 55333. Voting will be open through the end of the weekend.
Tickets, priced at $25, $35 and $45 are on sale now and available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
A member of the 2004 United States Olympic team, Pasadena, California’s Vicente Escobedo (22-3, 14 KO’s) is currently on a quest for a championship belt as a professional. Able to box or bang in the ring, the talented 29-year old owns wins over former World Champions Kevin “The Flushing Flash” Kelley and Carlos “Famous” Hernandez, as well as highly touted prospect Dominic Salcido, with his only losses in the last four years coming in exciting battles against former World Champions Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and Michael Katsidis “The Great”. Eager to for a world title shot, Escobedo knows that he needs to make a statement against Estrada on March 4.
Colombian southpaw Walter Estrada (38-13-1, 25 KO’s) has long been one of the toughest tests for fighters from 126 to 135 pounds, and he has the resume to prove it, having shared the ring with the likes of current and former World Champions such as Yuriorkis Gamboa, Scott Harrison and Roman “Rocky” Martinez. During the middle of 2010, the 34-year old vet began putting together a torrid hot streak, and with consecutive wins over Verquan Kimbrough, Jose Reyes, and former World Champion Nate “The Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell, he’s become a player at 135 pounds and is ready to score another upset when he takes on Escobedo on March 4.
A winner of multiple championships as an amateur, Coachella’s Randy Caballero (7-0, 4 KOs) made an immediate impact in his first year as a pro in 2010, scoring four first round knockouts before finishing up the year with two shutout decision victories. Having never lost a round as a professional, Caballero aims to remain perfect with another win in front of his hometown fans in a six round junior featherweight bout on March 4.
