TUCSON (March 22, 2012) – The boxers who will compete in a doubleheader on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) tomorrow/Friday, March 23, made weight on their first attempts Thursday.
In a clash of southpaws in the 10-round main event, unbeaten, world-ranked super featherweight Diego Magdaleno (21-0, 7 KOs), of Las Vegas, meets Fernando Beltran Jr. (36-7-1, 20 KOs), of Tijuana, Mex., at the Conference Center at Casino Del Sol.
Undefeated junior welterweights, former international amateur standout and 2008 Cuban Olympic Bronze Medalist Yordenis Ugas (11-0, 5 KOs), of Miami, Fla., and Johnny Garcia (11-0, 8 KOs), of Holland, Mich., collide in the eight-round co-feature on ShoBox.
Magdaleno weighed 129½ pounds on Thursday; Beltran 130 pounds. Garcia tipped the scale at 140 pounds, Ugas 142.
Tickets for the Top Rank-promoted event, priced at $100, $75, $50 and $35, are available at the casino box office and on www.casinodelsol.com..
What the fighters said Thursday:
DIEGO MAGDALENO
“Fighting a lefty won’t be an issue. I know he’s a late replacement but that doesn’t force me to change anything in my game. My movement is the key for me to create openings against any opponent. So we’re prepared for this.
“My goal is to be the 130-pound world champion. I hope to earn a mandatory title shot by the end of this year, but first I have to take care of business here. There are no easy outs on ShoBox and you have to respect anyone who is going to step into the ring with you.’’
FERNANDO BELTRAN JR.
“My contracted weight for last week’s fight (that was cancelled) was 126. But that doesn’t worry me. I have experience and Diego Magdaleno does not. You can’t substitute for experience. He’s also never fought a lefthander and I am a natural southpaw.
“This is not about Diego Magdaleno. This is about me and a great opportunity that has come my way. I’ve been training since Jan. 3 and I am prepared for anything.’’
YORDENIS UGAS
“As a pro, I’ve been adjusting constantly. I’ve been growing into the longer rounds of the pro bouts and I am ready for this eight-rounder. It’s a learning experience with every fight.
“Johnny Garcia made a mistake in taking this fight. I am a very disciplined man and I have set big goals for myself. There is no running. A lot of people say that they intend to stand and trade in a fight until they get into the ring, so we’ll see.’’
JOHNNY GARCIA
“I feel I am ready for this step up. I am very fortunate and proud to fight for Top Rank and to be fighting on SHOWTIME. This is a great opportunity for me and I need to take advantage of it.
“Ugas has accomplished quite a bit in his career thus far. So, when I beat him it should make a nice move up in terms of exposure and experience for me. He is going to come forward. That’s his style and that’s my style. So, I say let’s get it on. I am excited. It’s my time.’’
Barry Tompkins will call the blow by blow action on ShoBox alongside expert analyst Steve Farhood. Gordon Hall is the executive producer of ShoBox with Richard Gaughan producing the Rick Phillips directing.
For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please visit the website at http://sports.SHO.com.