LOS ANGELES (May 18, 2016) – Los Angeles fight fans will be in for a treat as Golden Boy Promotions kicks off the summer with a big fight weekend with local fan favorite Ronny Rios (25-1, 10 KOs) back in the ring for the first time since defeating Jayson “La Maravilla” Velez on the Cotto vs. Canelo undercard last November. The 126-pound contender, will make his LA FIGHT CLUB debut on Friday, June 3 against Efrain Esquivias (17-4-1, 10 KOs) at downtown Los Angeles’ historic Belasco Theater live nationally on Estrella TV’s Boxeo Estelar.
This 10-round main event of the popular fight series kicks off an exciting weekend of fistic action in the Los Angeles area that will be capped off by the Saturday, June 4 showdown between WBC World Super Featherweight Champion Francisco “El Bandido” Vargas (23-0-1, 17 KOs) and Orlando “Siri” Salido (43-13-3, 30 KOs) at StubHub Center in Carson.
“This is a big weekend for boxing in Southern California, and I can’t wait to see these fights on June 3 and June 4,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “We’re beginning with the return of Ronny Rios on June 3 at LA FIGHT CLUB featuring some of the top talent in this area, and on Saturday, June 4 the StubHub Center will host, what I think will be an early pick for Fight of the Year, Francisco Vargas vs. Orlando Salido. This is a great time to be a boxing fan and a great way to kick off the summer in Southern California.”
Also on June 3, unbeaten super lightweight prospect Zachary “Zungry” Ochoa (14-0, 6 KOs) will return to LA FIGHT CLUB for the second time to face Luis Joel Gonzalez (11-3-1, 6 KOs) in an eight-round co-main event. Opening the televised broadcast, LA FIGHT CLUB will host its first female bout with women’s boxing sensation Seniesa Estrada (6-0, 1 KO) in a six-round flyweight bout against an opponent soon to be announced.
Additionally, returning favorites Rafael “El Alikin” Gramajo (7-1-1, 2 KOs) will return to the ring in a six-round bantamweight bout; Tenochtitlan “T-Dog” Nava (1-0) will also take to the ring in a four-round super featherweight brawl and Pablo “The Shark” Rubio Jr. (5-0, 3 KOs) will engage in a four-round super bantamweight fight in front of their local fans on June 3. Opponents will be announced shortly.
Ronny Rios vs. Efrain Esquivias is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD, Casa Mexico Tequila and Carmelita Chorizo. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the first bout begins at 5:30 p.m. The Estrella TV Boxeo Estelar broadcast will air live on Friday, June 3at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT and will stream live simultaneously on estrellaTV.com and on YouTube via Fenomeno Studios: youtube.com/FenomenoStudios. The Ring TV live stream will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. PT through 7:00 p.m.
Santa Ana’s Ronny Rios has gone from amateur star to legitimate world title threat in the span of eight years. After his recent win over the previously unbeaten Velez, he is closing in on his shot at glory at 126 pounds. Owner of wins over Roger “Speedy” Gonzalez, David Rodela, Rico “Suavecito” Ramos and Leonilo “Veneno” Miranda, the popular 26-year-old is currently ranked fourth in the world by the WBC and seventh by the IBF.
A hard-nosed battler from Gardena, California, 32-year-old Efrain Esquivias can make a major statement if he defeats Rios on June 3. A former National Golden Gloves champion who has competed professionally since 2007, Esquivias has experienced ups and downs over the years, but big wins over the likes of Rafael Marquez and Fernando “Wary” Beltran prove that when he’s on top of his game, he can beat anyone willing to stand across the ring from him.
Proud Brooklyn, New York native Zachary “Zungry” Ochoa built his reputation on the tough local circuit in the Big Apple, but since 2015, the 23-year-old has taken his show on the road, winning fights in Texas, Puerto Rico, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. In October of last year, he thrilled fans at The Belasco Theater with a third round stoppage of Alejandro “Soma” Rodriguez, and he’s looking for a similarly spectacular outcome this June.
Fighting out of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Luis Joel Gonzalez is seeking a return to his winning ways after tough decision losses to Mike “Yes Indeed” Reed and Clarence Booth in 2015. Before that, the 26-year-old southpaw was impressive in winning 11 of his first 13 bouts, and he expects to give Ochoa all he can handle in his California debut.
Opening up the televised portion of the card will be unbeaten East LA native Seniesa Estrada, who will fight for the first time at LA FIGHT CLUB. A former amateur star, the 23-year-old flyweight has captivated fight fans in her home state, and she will attempt to keep her perfect record intact in a six-round bout against an opponent to be named.
Winner of six straight bouts, Westside Boxing Club star and super bantamweight Rafael Gramajo makes his fourth LA FIGHT CLUB appearance against an opponent to be named, and after handing Sharone Carter his first professional loss in March, momentum is certainly on this LA native’s side.
Nicknamed “The Shark,” 19-year-old super bantamweight Pablo Rubio has been a terror to all opponents he’s faced since turning pro in 2015. A Belasco Theater veteran who has fought all his professional fights at the venue, Rubio is coming off an April win over Juan Carlos Benavides.
In the opener, scheduled for four rounds in the super featherweight division, Tenochtitlan “T-Dog” Nava will look to make it two for two as a professional when he faces a to be determined opponent in front of his hometown fans in LA.
Tickets for LA FIGHT CLUB starting at only $20 with Flex Passes for multiple fight packages, Group Tickets and Knockout Experience upgrade are available for purchase now at www.goldenboypromotions.com, the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page, by calling 213-233-2957 or by emailing LAFightClub@goldenboypromotions.com. Mark your calendars and purchase tickets in advance before they sell out for the remaining summer dates taking place July 1, August 5, August 19, September 2 and October 7.
Media interested in attending the June 3 installment of LA FIGHT CLUB must be pre-approved for credentials. Credential applications are available here. The deadline to submit a credential application is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 27. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions.
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