Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions is putting on its own show tonight on ESPN. In the main event Jason Quigley (12-0, 10 KOs) takes on Glen Tapia (23-3, 15 KOs) at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Calif.
The fight is for one of those NABF belts that no one seems to care about. In the undercard Randy Caballero (23-0, 14 KOs) faces off Jesus Ruiz (36-7-5, 25 KOs) for the vacant NABF Super Bantamweight title.
The might try to toss another fight at us, if so I’ll pick up the live blog when Caballero and Ruiz take the ring. As always, scroll on down for the live blog. Keep reading for the press release from Golden Boy Promotions.
LOS ANGELES (January 27, 2017): Launching its highly anticipated collaboration with a bang, Golden Boy Promotions and ESPN today announced the card for the first broadcast of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN, featuring rising prospects, former world champions and former Olympians. ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes will broadcast the fights live from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California starting at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.
“When we signed this historic agreement with ESPN, we promised the best prospects and contenders in Golden Boy’s stable would not just appear, but face solid competition – our opening card makes it clear that we will fulfill that promise,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya.
Topping the card, Irish amateur standout and middleweight contender Jason “El Animal” Quigley (12-0, 10 KOs) looks to continue his meteoric rise up the division with his third consecutive step-up fight against the hard-punching Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia (23-3, 15 KOs) in a 10-round battle for the vacant NABF middleweight title.
In the co-main attraction, Coachellahometown hero Randy “El Matador” Caballero (23-0, 14 KOs) will launch his campaign to become a two-division world champion when he goes head-to-head with Victor “Pitufo” Proa (28-2, 21 KOs) in a 10-round super bantamweight affair.
Hoping to make the TV broadcast, 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist and highly decorated amateur Marlen Esparza will make her professional debut against a fighter to be announced in a four-round flyweight fight.
Two additional fights of the card will be live streamed on ESPN3, and available in English and Spanish. Former interim world champion Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera (22-7, 7 KOs) will be in action against rugged veteran Hector “Charro Negro” Velazquez (57-28-3, 39 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight showdown. Herrera, who has been on the short side of controversial decisions to a number of world champions, will return to his Southland roots looking to get back into title contention.
Also, Azat “Attack” Hovhannisyan (10-2, 9 KOs) will look to build on a four-fight winning streak when he faces off in an eight-round super bantamweight fight against Hugo “Olimpico” Partida (21-8-2, 16 KOs). Opening up the card, highly regarded prospect and local Indio resident Saul Sanchez (2-0, 1 KO) will appear in a four-round bantamweight battle against an opponent to be named later.
Tickets for the event are on sale now, start at $25 and are available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office, by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing online at www.FantasySprings.com.
Quigley vs. Tapia is a 10-round battle for the vacant NABF Middleweight title presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate “Born BOLD.” Doors open at 5:00 p.m. PT and the first fight begins at 5:00 p.m. PT. The ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes broadcast begins live from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino starting at 10:00 p.m. ET/7: 00 p.m. PT.
The fights are on ESPN at 10 p.m. EST. Watch them with me.
