In 2011, Pablo Cesar Cano made the leap from prospect to contender, capping off his year with a stellar effort in a late notice world title fight against the legendary Erik “El Terrible” Morales. Now gearing up for a title run at 135 pounds, the Tlanepantla product will make his first start of 2012 on Saturday, February 18 in the Televisa “Sabados De Corona” main event against once beaten Francisco Contreras from The Grand Oasis Cancun in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
In the co-main event, former World Champion Gilberto Keb Baas meets Mario Rodriguez in an all-Mexico showdown scheduled for 10 rounds in the light flyweight division.
22-year old Pablo Cesar Cano (22-1-1, 17 KO’s) has made his mark in his native Mexico over the last few years as one of the country’s top young talents, as his wins over Pablo Lugo, Jorge Romero and Oscar Leon have proven. So when he stepped in on short notice last September to battle future Hall of Famer Morales, he may have been unknown to casual fans, but not to the diehard followers of the sport. On that night in Las Vegas, Cano gave a stellar effort before being stopped due to cuts after the 10th round. Now firmly on the boxing world’s radar, Cano returns this February to begin his assault on the lightweight elite.
Santo Domingo’s Francisco Contreras (16-1, 13 KO’s) tore out to a 16-0 start to his professional career before losing an NABO Lightweight title bout to fellow unbeaten Sharif Bogere last October. As far as the 27-year-old is concerned, that was only a minor setback and he’s ready to get back in the win column against the highly touted Cano. A crushing puncher who has knocked out 12 opponents in two rounds or less, Contreras will welcome Cano back to the ring the only way he knows how, with an all-out attack designed to end the fight as soon as possible.
A 16-year veteran of the sport who has excelled in the strawweight, light flyweight, and flyweight divisions, Merida’s Gilberto Keb Baas (35-21-4, 22 KO’s) finally struck gold in 2010 when he dropped Omar Nino Romero twice en route to a 12 round decision win that earned him the WBC Light Flyweight World Title. After defending the crown with a ninth round technical knockout win over Jose Antonio Aguirre, Baas lost the title to Adrian Hernandez last April, but on February 18, he’s back and ready to return to the championship race.
Guasave’s Mario “Dragoncito” Rodriguez (12-6-4, 8 KO’s) is a 23-year old who has gone 2-0-1 since losing a tough 12 round decision to Donnie Nietes in a fight for the WBO World Title, including winning the NABF minimumweight title against unbeaten Manuel Jimenez. In his most recent bout, Rodriguez knocked out Karluis Diaz in a single round to defend his belt. He will look to keep his unbeaten streak going against the former World Champion Keb Baas.
