GUAYNABO, P.R. (May 30, 2018) – The “Sniper” has its sights set on another world title. Former world champion José “Sniper” Pedraza longs for the opportunity to be crowned as champion in a new weight category, but before that, on June 9 he will have to pass a tough test.
Pedraza (23-1, 12 KOs), from Cidra, Puerto Rico, who made his debut at 135 pounds March 17, is preparing to battle for the WBO Latino lightweight title against the Mexican warrior Antonio Moran (22-2, 15 KOs) in the co-main event of the Terence Crawford vs. Jeff Horn world championship event, June 9 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
“I feel very happy and excited about this great opportunity. Now I will make the most of it and see what other good opportunities come our way,” said Pedraza. “What is happening right now with my career is exactly what we were expecting and that was the reason that we signed with Top Rank. We want to fight in great stages like this card that will be headlined by Terence Crawford.”
Pedraza, the former International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior lightweight champion, returned from a 14-month layoff on March 17 to earn a unanimous decision victory over Jose Luis “La Boa” Rodriguez. If he is successful against Moran, Pedraza would come even closer to a potential world title fight.
“I’m ready to fight for a world title. I know what I have to do,” Pedraza said. “I was a world champion. So I take things calmly, but at the same time I’m picking up the pace.”
Crawford vs. Horn and Pedraza vs. Moran will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+ beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Tickets for Crawford vs. Horn, priced at $500, $300, $200, $100, and $50 (limited availability), are on sale now and can be purchased online through axs.com, charge by phone at 866-740-7711 or in person at any MGM Resorts box office.
For more information visit: www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing, Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter: @trboxing, @ESPN,@ESPNBoxeo, @ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtag #CrawfordHorn and #PedrazaMoran to join the conversation on social media.
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