MODESTO, CALIFORNIA – Undefeated prospect Jose Luis Vazquez makes his United States debut against longtime local favorite Giovannie Gonzalez in the main event of a seven-bout card at the Modesto Centre Plaza on Saturday night. Fighters for the event, which will be streamed live on promoter Toscano Boxing Promotions’ YouTube channel, weighed-in on Friday afternoon at the host venue.
Vazquez (16-0, 3 KOs) of Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico has fought entirely out of his native Mexico and may find a partially hostile crowd on Saturday as his opponent usually draws vocal supporters. In his last bout, Vazquez, recently signed to Toscano Boxing Promotions, scored an eight-round unanimous decision over Edgar De La Cruz in Jalisco, Mexico in July.
The veteran Gonzalez (20-6-2, 15 KOs) of Stockton, California figures to provide a stern test for the 22-year-old Vazquez and help determine whether the Mexican’s record translates to stateside success. Gonzalez is coming off two quick wins in Tijuana, Mexico this past April and May as the eight-year veteran got back to his winning ways after an 0-2-1 three fight stretch.
In the co-main event, Jesus Haro (12-2, 1 KO) of Merced, California takes on Gustavo Perez Alvarez (13-1, 4 KOs) of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico in an eight-round light flyweight bout.
Haro, who scaled 105, is coming off of an eight-round decision over Lito Dante and this same venue in July. Perez Alvarez, who weighed-in at 106, was last in the ring just one month ago, scoring a third-round knockout in Mexico.
Irving Xilohua (6-1, 4 KOs) of Stockton will meet John Mark Alimane (8-8-1, 4 KOs) of Laguna Nigel, California by way of Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines in a six-round super featherweight bout. Xilohua, who scaled 130.6, was last in the ring this past July, ending a one-year layoff by stopping Romshane Sarguilla at the Modesto Centre Plaza. The naturally larger Alimane, 131.4, is looking for his first victory since campaigning in the United States over the last two years.
Emiliano Cardenas Rodriguez (3-0, 3 KOs) of Union City, California will take on Eduardo Sanchez (1-0) of Watsonville, California by way of Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico in a four-round pairing of unbeaten bantamweights. The 19-year-old Cardenas, who came in at 117.8-pounds, will be making his U.S. debut after three quick wins in Mexico to begin his career, which began in April. Sanchez, who trains out of Noble-Moreno Boxing and came in at 117-pounds even, turned pro in June with a split decision over Esteban Sital in Costa Mesa, California.
Manuel Flores (4-0, 4 KOs) of Stockton will aim to continue his unbeaten run against the always tough David Reyes Jr. (3-2-1, 2 KOs) of Fresno, California in a four-round light welterweight bout. Flores, who weighed-in at 139.2-pounds, will be making his U.S. debut, having fought entirely in Mexico since beginning his career last February. Reyes, who came in at 139.8-pounds, was last in the ring this past August, dropping a four-round decision to Tony Hirsch Jr. in an entertaining and competitive bout.
In a four-round pairing of professional MMA fighters making their pro boxing debuts, Pedro Juarez of Tracy, California will take on Alec Acuavera of Pittsburg, California in a lightweight bout. Juarez, who fights out of Oakdale MMA in Oakdale, California, weighed-in at 134-pounds even. Acuavera, who has been a pro MMA fighter since May of last year, came in heavy at 136.4-pounds. Acuavera received a fine for missing the weight by 1.4-pounds on Friday.
Nicholas Saavedra (1-0) of Modesto attempts to defend his home turf against veteran Jonathan Almacen (7-13-3, 2 KOs) of Los Angeles, California by way of Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, Philippines in a four-round featherweight bout. Saavedra, returning to the site of his pro debut this past July weighed-in at 124.2-pounds, as did the veteran Almacen. The Filipino holds a wide experience advantage, having gone the ten-round distance with former world champion Hekkie Budler two years ago.
Quick Weigh-in Results:
Light welterweights, 8 Rounds
Vazquez 139
Gonzalez 137.4
Light flyweights, 8 Rounds
Haro 105
Perez Alvarez 106
Super featherweights, 6 Rounds
Xilohua 130.6
Alimane 131.4
Bantamweights, 4 Rounds
Cardenas Rodriguez 117.8
Sanchez 117
Light welterweights, 4 Rounds
Flores 139.2
Reyes Jr. 139.8
Lightweights, 4 Rounds
Juarez 134
Acuavera 136.4*
Featherweights, 4 Rounds
Saavedra 124.2
Almacen 124.2
*missed weight by 1.4-pounds
Tickets for the event, promoted by Toscano Boxing Promotions, are available online at Ticketon.com
Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at [email protected]
