Vazquez Set for Clash with Gonzalez in Modesto

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] 




LIVE BOXING: Best in Boxing Giovannie Gonzalez vs Christian Arenas




Stockton’s Finest Boxers on Display on Saturday, September 5th in Tijuana, Mexico

Stockton, CA (August 27, 2020) – Three of the best boxers in Stockton, California will be featured on an internet Pay-Per-View on September 5th in Tijuana, Mexico.

In the six-round co-feature, undefeated Manuel Jaimes will battle Francisco Rubio in a six-round lightweight bout.

Jaimes, 20 years-old of Stockton, California has a record of 9-0 with eight knockouts is not afraid to take on good competition as he is coming off a 3rd round stoppage over Lorenzo Antonio Juarez (5-0) on June 26th in Tijuana. Jaimes, who is an action fighter, is a machinist in the ring. He grinds his opponents down. He has been promoted by Toscano Promotions since debuting.

Giovannie Gonzalez (10-5, 8 KOs) of Stockton, California battles undefeated Brandon Cortez (5-0, 4 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico in a lightweight fight.

Gonzalez is known for his huge heart, and his crowd pleasing style.

Wade Jones III (4-0, 2 KOs) of Stockton, California will take on Francisco Parra in a lightweight fight.

Jones is budding star, who has gifted ability, and will be looking to step up.

Toscano Promotions will present a great night of professional boxing when they present “Futuros Campeones II” from the Historic Jai Alai Palace Forum Entertainment Center in Tijuana, Mexico.

The outstanding show be will streamed live all over the world on bestinboxing.com

The free undercard will begin at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT With the main card beginning after the four-fight undercard. The main card can be seen for $9.99

The Free undercard will be hosted by Emmy-Award winner Courtney Perna, and can be seen on Fight Hub TV on You Tube, Abrams Boxing on Youtube, Best in Boxing on Facebook; Best in Boxing on Youtube ; Global Sports Streaming on Periscope / Twitter as well as globalsportsstreaming.com and bestinboxing.com




AUDIO: Interview with Lightweight Giovannie Gonzalez






VIDEO: Chatting with Lightweight Giovannie Gonzalez