This Friday, Oct 21, Golden Boy Promotions and Cavazos Boxing return to the Rio Grande Valley with an event featuring one of the top young lightweights in the game today, when unbeaten Albuquerque native Fidel Maldonado Jr. (11-0, 10 KO’s) squares off against Puerto Rico’s Erick Cruz (13-7-3, 13 KO’s) in a clash of knockout artists for the vacant WBC Youth Silver Lightweight title in the main event of “Sólo Boxeo Tecate” at the Pharr Events Center in Pharr, Texas.
The hard hitting undercard will feature undefeated San Antonio welterweight Jorge Suarez (4-0, 3 KO’s) against Dallas’ Larry Smith (10-6, 6 KO’s) in the six round co-main event plus local Texas favorites Raul Tovar (8-5-1, 3 KO’s) of Mission against Miguel Pizaro (2-4, 1 KO) of San Antonio in a six round welterweight fight, amateur standout Jose “Rocket” Garcia (Professional Debut) from Weslaco who will battle Javier Rodriguez (Professional Debut) in a four round bantamweight fight, junior welterweight Brownsville native Juan Reyna (2-0, 1 KO) and Juan Ovalle (4-5-1, 3 KO’s) of Mercedes squaring off in a four round fight and Brownsville’s Gilbert Cancino (Professional Debut) taking on Mission’s Hector Gutierrez (0-1) in a four round battle.
“We are excited to return to the Rio Grande Valley with this show,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “The fans here are amazing, and we’re going to give them plenty to cheer about with this card, including a main event that I guarantee will produce fireworks.”
Anthony Cavazos, President of Cavazos Boxing and co-promoter of the event, commented, “This main event is a great match up and it’s exciting to get this type of action in the Rio Grande Valley.”
Former amateur star Fidel Maldonado Jr. (11-0, 10 KO’s) has wasted no time establishing himself as a fighter to watch in the lightweight division, and the 20-year old southpaw has no intention of slowing down. The winner of four bouts in 2011, all coming by way of knockout, Maldonado has ended nine of his 11 wins in two rounds or less. Matched with the equally powerful Cruz on October 21, the sparks are going to be flying in Pharr.
Erick Cruz (13-7-3, 13 KO’s) has won each of his 13 professional fights by knockout, making him a serious threat to anyone who steps into the ring with him. The 23-year-old Toa Baja, Puerto Rico native has won six of his last seven fights, with the only loss coming at the hands of unbeaten Omar Figueroa. The talented fighter is known for his concussive knockout power, as evidenced by five of his last six victories coming by way of first round knockout.
Maldonado vs. Cruz, which headlines a night of world-class professional boxing, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Cavazos Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T and DeWalt Tools. Doors open at the Pharr Events Center at 6:00pm, the first bell rings at 7:00pm and the TeleFutura broadcast begins at 11:30pm ET/PT (10:30pm CT).
Fans at home can also be part of the action by voting for the fighter in the main event who displayed the most character during the telecast by sending a text message to 55333.
Tickets priced at $20, $40, $70 and $100 (plus service fees) are on sale now and available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Pharr Events Center Box Office. For VIP seating and table information, contact Anthony Cavazos at (956) 369-0742.
