22.03.05 – Undefeated World Boxing Organization junior featherweight champion Joan Guzman of the Dominican Republic—acknowledged as the finest and most exciting 122-pound boxer in the sport today—defends his title in a 12-round bout against Fernando Beltran Jr. of Mexico on a nationally and internationally televised Sycuan Ringside Promotions card April 22 in Hidalgo, Texas..
Also on the card, which is being co-promoted by Zanfer, is undefeated junior welterweight sensation Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Guzman, a unique blend of tremendous power, exceptional quickness and superb technique, has a record of 22-0 with 17 knockouts.
Beltran, who’s challenging for a world title for the first time, has a record of 20-1 with 13 knockouts.
Chavez Jr., son of the legendary former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez, has a record of 17-0 with 12 knockouts. An opponent for Chavez will be determined.
The card takes place in the 6,800-seat Dodge Arena.
Tickets are on sale at the Dodge Arena box office from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday. Tickets also may be purchased by calling 866-746-8499 or online at www.dodgearena.com
The 28-year-old Guzman who, in addition to his other stellar attributes, is tall for a 122-pounder at
5-foot-7-inches, is making his second title defense. The first defense was a seventh-round technical knockout of Agapito Sanchez on a card promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions Feb. 26, 2004, in San Diego.
Guzman’s most recent outing was a non-title bout Nov. 6 in Glendale, Ariz., when he took a 10-round unanimous decision over junior lightweight Joe Morales.
Beltran has won seven straight including his most recent bout, a seventh-round technical decision over Gerardo Martinez March 14 in Culiacan, Mexico.
Chavez Jr., who at 5-foot-11 1/ 2 inches towers for a junior welterweight, is coming off a first-round knockout of Leroy Newton on a Sycuan Ringside Promotions card Feb. 11 in San Diego and a third-round knockout of Ryan Maraldo March 19 in Las Vegas.
The rapidly improving Chavez has stopped 11 of his past 12 opponents. Although only 19 years old and a professional for just 19 months, Chavez Jr. is ranked No. 28 by the World Boxing Council among lightweights.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions is considered to be the fastest-growing and most dynamic promotional entity in the sport. Sycuan Ringside Promotions made its promotional debut during 2004, but already has or had four world champions and has promoted and presented world title bouts on premium cable networks.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions has many notable boxers in its stable in addition to Guzman, including International Boxing Federation junior featherweight champion Israel Vazquez and former IBF lightweight champion Julio Diaz.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions is led by Glenn Quiroga, president and chief operating officer; Willie Tucker Sr., senior vice president; Scott Woodworth, vice president of boxing operations; and Michael Marley, vice president of public relations.