Ramon Cardenas stopped previously undefeated Rafael Pedroza in round two of their 10-round syper bantamweight bout at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas.

In round two, Cardenas dropped Pedroza with a left hook. Seconds later, Cardenas landed a perfect left to the jaw that dropped Pedroza again and the fight was stopped at 1:22.

Cardenas, 121.8 lbs. of San Antonio, Texas is 23-1 with 12 knockouts. Pedroza, 122 lbs. of Panama City, PAN is 15-1.

Mirco Cuello remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Rudy Garcia in a featherweight bout.

In round one, Cuello was cut over the right eye. In round two, Garcia was cut over the left eye. In round five, Cuello was credited with a knockdown after landing a shot on the inside.

Cuello, 125.2 lbs. of Arroyo Seco, Santa Fe, ARG won by scores of 99-90 on all cards and is now 12-0. Garcia, 125.3 lbs. of Los Angeles is 13-1-1.

Freudis Rojas remained undefeated with an eight-round unanimous decision over Saul Bustos in a welterweight fight

Rojas landed 150 of 417 punches. Bustos was 54 of 263.

Rojas, 146.8 lbs. of Las Vegas won by scores of 80-72 and 79-73 twice and is now 12-0. Bustos, 146.7 lbs. of Los Angeles is 15-2-1.

September 14, 2023 – Undefeated Panamanian prospect Rafael Pedroza and San Antonio’s own Ramon Cardenas both made weight on Thursday, a day ahead of their 10-round super bantamweight main event showdown on SHOBOX: The New Generation tomorrow night, Friday, September 15 live on SHOWTIME at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT from Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas.

The exciting tripleheader includes fighters with a combined record of 88-2-2 and 54 knockouts all stepping up in competition. The co-main event will feature hard-hitting undefeated Argentine Mirco Cuello who returns to the U.S. for the first time since 2020 to battle undefeated Los Angeles native Rudy Garcia. Rounding out the card, undefeated KO artist Freudis Rojas, who made his SHOWTIME debut in July, meets once-beaten Californian Saul Bustos in an eight-round welterweight bout to open the telecast.

The card is promoted by Sampson Boxing. The card is co-promoted by Paco Presents Boxing.

FINAL WEIGHTS

Super Bantamweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Rafael Pedroza – 122 pounds

Ramon Cardenas – 121.8 pounds

Featherweight Bout – 10 Rounds

Mirco Cuello – 125.2 pounds

Rudy Garcia – 125.3 pounds

Welterweight Bout – 8 Rounds

Freudis Rojas – 146.8 pounds

Saul Bustos – 146.7 pounds

FINAL QUOTES

RAFAEL PEDROZA

“I know that Ramon Cardenas is a really tough fighter and I know he has a lot of skills but I trained really hard for this fight. I had a super camp, and it’s a must-win for me. I had great preparations and each fight out I mature mentally and physically. This will be another challenge to overcome but I feel ready for it.

“I know I have to win the respect of the public. I want to be known as a showman and as someone who knows how to perform so that people want to see me again and I’m able to come back to the United States to fight again because people ask for it. I really want to stand out and get noticed with this performance.  

“As for my game-plan, I know I can adjust to whatever my opponent does. I don’t want the judges to play a role in this fight. I really want to finish early. But I will adjust. If I have to box or if I have to brawl will depend on what my opponent does. But I know I will be able to take my opponent out of his game-plan. I’m taller and have the longer reach. My opponent is shorter.

“One of my influences growing up in Panama was definitely Roberto Duran. He’s inspirational and he’s helped many people get off drugs and their delinquencies. They see him as a path to a better life. He influences a lot of people. We have met and he’s certainly given me advice. He tells me to go in there and take care of business and to stay disciplined and to train every day.

“I can’t really say if Cardenas will be my toughest opponent. He’s a good fighter and he can punch but let’s see what happens when we meet in the ring.”

RAMON CARDENAS

“I’ve fought like nine times here in San Antonio, but mostly smaller shows. This is the biggest one for me, and a main event.

“I can’t really say if I’m the favorite or the underdog. Everything that he brings, I’ve already seen it. To be honest, I have watched 10 seconds of him. I think he has a good jab, but I don’t watch film because I don’t see the point of it. I let my coaches handle that.

“I have Adam Lopez in my corner. He’s a local legend and fought the most times on SHOBOX [eight times]. I learned a lot from watching him when I was younger.

“I have 22 wins and 11 KOs. You would say that’s not a big KO ratio, but I have some pop and that’s what all the fans will see on Friday night.”

MIRCO CUELLO

“All Argentinian fighters are aggressive and I’m not an exception.  My boxing style is aggressive, and I can fight on the inside and the outside.

“I know Rudy Garica is very active. I know he has a good left hand. I am ready for him.

“I have fought all over the world – Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Panama, Mexico, and the United States. And also the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. I feel like that has given me the experience and has allowed me to step up the level of competition and opponents that I have faced.

“My last fights in the U.S. were my first two pro fights in South Carolina in 2020. I just feel like I’m so much more focused now, and more relaxed, more professional.

“It’s a dream to be here and fighting on SHOWTIME. As a kid I was always watching guys like Marcos Maidana on SHOWTIME. This is a true dream come true.”

RUDY GARCIA

“I like fighting fighters who are aggressive and it always brings the best out of me. I feel like I’m both a boxer and a puncher. I can bring it both ways. I can work well inside, and also try to be a real technical boxer. Sometimes you just get in that fight mode and you want to give the fans what they want.

“I can fight on the ropes or I can put pressure on. I love putting pressure in a smart way. I’m not one of those fighters that likes to get hit.

“I don’t see too much from my opponent. He has a lot of rounds in the amateurs and we have just been concentrating on being disciplined in camp and sticking to the game plan.

“I think I can outlast him and go the distance. I’m certainly in the best shape for it.

“I idolize guys like Juan Manuel Marquez. It’s his counter-punching. He was aggressive and technically sound.

“One thing a lot of people don’t know about me is that I’m a history buff. I’d like to become a history teacher. I was going to college, but I stopped to concentrate on boxing. It’s my goal to get back into it later, or maybe get into law enforcement.”

FREUDIS ROJAS

“We’ve been working a lot on the inside and sparring with people that way. I’ve been working on not being a one-dimensional fighter and someone who people can figure out. If I have to fight backwards, I’ll fight backwards. If I have to fight with lateral movement, I’ll fight with lateral movement. If I have to stay in there and box, I’ll stay in there and box. If I have to stay in there and bang with him, I will.

“If a knockout happens, it happens. But I have to stick to my game plan. I’ve been working with a lot of pressure fighters and we’re ready. I think people will see a different Freddy. Everyone is so used to seeing me box and move, box and move. But I’m going to stay in there and mix it up with him.

“We’ll see what kind of fight he brings. We have some tricks ready for him. I have to be ready to fight a boxer who’s going to stand in there.

“I couldn’t care less about the knockout streak and stuff like that. I’m not known to be a knockout artist.

“Fighting on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP was amazing [beating Diego Sanchez by TKO7 in July]. I was just so happy and I caught myself between rounds looking up at the screen and saying, ‘Damn, I’m really here.’ You know, as a kid you dream of being on that stage, but you never expect it will happen. I was so happy from the press conference to the end of the fight. I just had so much fun.

“I’m excited to face a guy with a famous coach like Freddie Roach. I mean, he’s Manny Pacquiao’s coach. He has an amazing coach in his corner.”

SAUL BUSTOS

“Rojas has the height and will try and use that to his advantage, but I’m not fearful of him. I know he’s undefeated and has a lot of knockouts, but I feel like I’m ready to rise to the challenge. I respect him for giving me this opportunity. I’m excited to showcase my skill set.

“I’ve been sparring taller guys, like 6-foot-2, and 154 pounders. I’m not really too worried about his size.

“I started working with Freddie Roach in August of 2021, but this will be my first fight with him in my corner because he wasn’t available for the others.

“I can’t say a lot about Rojas’ power, but I would say his power looks a little padded to me. In a way I don’t think it’s real, but I’ll soon find out.

“I’m more of a boxer. I wouldn’t say I’m a brawler. But I do like to bring the action.”

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International Boxing Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins calls the blow-by-blow action for SHOBOX with fellow Hall of Famer Steve Farhood joining the team remotely as the unofficial scorer. Former world champion Raul Marquez and veteran combat sports reporter and MORNING KOMBAT co-host Brian Campbell will serve as ringside expert analysts. The executive producer of SHOBOX: The New Generation is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports

About SHOBOX: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series SHOBOX: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The SHOBOX philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 90 fighters who have appeared on SHOBOX and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more. 

September 11, 2023 – San Antonio’s own Ramon “Dinamita” Cardenas is putting the finishing touches on training camp to face undefeated 122-lb Panamanian prospect Rafael Pedroza for the WBA Continental-Latin American Super Bantamweight Championship in the 10-round super bantamweight main event of a SHOBOX: The New Generation telecast on Friday, September 15 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT live on SHOWTIME from Boeing Center at Tech Point in San Antonio, Texas.

Previously ranked as high as No. 5 by the WBA, Cardenas has won his last 10 bouts dating back to 2017. He earned a career-best victory at The Alamodome in July 2022, defeating once-beaten Michel Banquez via unanimous decision.

Hard at work with trainer Chato Martinez at Chato’s Boxing Club in San Antonio, 27-year-old Cardenas says it’s all finally coming together for him and his career. With the prospect of winning a nationally televised main event in front of his hometown friends and family, while gaining access to even bigger opportunities after that, Cardenas says he will leave no stone unturned when it comes to his preparations for the big fight.

Here’s what he had to say:

“Everything is going well. I never really stop training, so I’ve just kept doing what I usually do, I’m just doing more of it. This guy (Pedroza) is undefeated, so he’ll fight like it. He’ll come a little stronger than other fighters and I’m totally prepared for that. I know he’ll be dangerous for the first few rounds, but then, my experience will take over in the later rounds.”

“I don’t really watch tapes on anybody because every fight is different. They fight you differently than they did somebody else, so that’s why I don’t normally watch tapes, but he tagged me in something on his Instagram and I looked at a short video of him. Everything he does, I do better. I don’t say that in a cocky way. Overall, I’m just the better fighter.”

“I’m super excited. People will finally see who I am, and the bigger fights will start coming my way. My career is finally coming around and now I plan to take full advantage of it. A lot of doors will open when I win this belt. I’ve always wanted to face better competition. I want to always be progressing, not regressing. I want to fight guys who are undefeated. That’s what I need. That will put my career on the front burner.”

“I put on a good show and a lot of people come to my fights. I’m going to be fighting for my second WBA belt. To win it in front of my family and fans and everybody will be so sweet. My first WBA belt, I won in Florida and there were only a few people there to celebrate with me. It’s going to be super sweet. I’m excited. It’s a dream come true. I’ve put in a lot of hard work. I never got much help coming up. I didn’t find a promoter when I turned pro. I had a couple offers but they weren’t good. I decided to do it on my own. I fought anywhere I could get a fight. It was all leading up to this. There’s nothing better than that.”

In the co-featured bout, hard-hitting undefeated Argentine Mirco Cuello (12-0, 11 KOs) will return to the U.S. for the first time since 2020 to battle undefeated Los Angeles native Rudy Garcia (13-0-1, 2 KOs). The telecast opener features undefeated KO artist Freudis Rojas (11-0, 11 KOs), meeting once-beaten Californian Saul Bustos (15-1-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight bout.

This event is presented by Sampson Boxing, Paco Presents and Davies Entertainment.

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About Sampson Boxing

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America. Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, ESPN+, DAZN, VS., FOX, Fox Sports and several international networks. For more information, visit sampsonboxing.com.

August 18, 2023 – Undefeated Panamanian prospect Rafael Pedroza will clash with San Antonio’s own Ramon Cardenas in the 10-round super bantamweight main event of a SHOBOX: The New Generation telecast on Friday, September 15 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT live on SHOWTIME from Boeing Center at Tech Point in San Antonio, Texas. The exciting tripleheader includes fighters with a combined record of 88-2-2 and 54 knockouts all stepping up in competition as they enter the national spotlight.

Just over a month after Alexandro Santiago became the 90^th SHOBOX^® alum to win a world title, SHOBOX will travel to the city of San Antonio for only the second time in its 22-year history for a card promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz’s Sampson Boxing featuring six hungry prospects who will duke it out in quintessential SHOBOX matchups that pit talented prospects looking to become serious contenders. The co-main event will feature hard-hitting undefeated Argentine Mirco Cuello (12-0, 11 KOs) who returns to the U.S. for the first time since 2020 to battle undefeated Los Angeles native Rudy Garcia (13-0-1, 2 KOs). Rounding out the card, undefeated KO artist Freudis Rojas (11-0, 11 KOs), who made his SHOWTIME debut in July, meets once-beaten Californian Saul Bustos (15-1-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight bout to open the telecast. The card is co-promoted by Paco Presents Boxing.

“All three of these matchups promise to be action-packed and epitomize the core mission of the SHOBOX series which is to showcase talented prospects in 50-50 matchups and give them a chance to show what they’ve got on a bigger stage,” said the executive producer of the series, Gordon Hall. “The main event is particularly interesting because the winner of that fight could soon move to contender status in the 122-pound division. It’s going to be a great night.”

Here is more on each of the three bouts:

Pedroza vs. Cardenas – 10-Round Super Bantamweight Main Event

Pedroza, (15-0, 11 KOS), already ranked No. 7 by the WBA at 122 pounds, will fight outside of his native Panama for the first time on September 15. The 26-year-old began his professional career in 2017 following a notable amateur run in which he amassed a 92-14 record, won the silver medal at the 2015 National Pan-American tournament and made it to the finals of the 2016 Olympic qualifiers, losing to current WBO Featherweight Champion Robeisy Ramirez. He kicked off his pro career by stopping seven straight opponents, including three inside the first two rounds. His last three victories have all come by way of unanimous decision, including ten-round victories over previously undefeated Hector Andres Sosa and once-beaten Yerny Betancourt.

“Thank you to SHOBOX for giving me the chance to finally step into the spotlight and take my talent from the shadows to worldwide fame,” said Pedroza. “With every punch, I’ll grab the opportunity and make my mark on U.S. television. Much respect for Ramon Cardenas, a great warrior, no doubt, but once that bell rings, it’s me steering the ship. I’m claiming that victory.”

Cardenas, (22-1, 11 KOs), 27, will benefit from a hometown crowd on September 15. Born and raised in San Antonio, he has won his last 10 bouts dating back to 2017. Cardenas earned a career-best victory at The Alamodome in July 2022, defeating Michel Banquez via unanimous decision in SHOWTIME BOXING^® COUNTDOWN streaming action preceding Mark Magsayo vs. Rey Vargas. Previously ranked as high as No. 5 by the WBA, Cardenas is inching closer to a world title shot. 

“I’ve been watching SHOBOX since I was a kid and to be fighting on it as the main event is a dream come true,” said Cardenas. “I’m going to take full advantage of this golden opportunity.”

Cuello vs. Garcia – 10-Round Featherweight Bout

A 2020 Argentine Olympian, Cuello is one of the most decorated Argentinian amateurs of this generation. He won numerous international elite championships during his 105-fight career in the unpaid ranks before turning pro shortly after the Tokyo Olympic Games. As a professional, Cuello has quickly established himself as a power-punching prospect, knocking out all but one of his 12 opponents. He scored back-to-back first-round KOs over previously undefeated opponents in September 2022 and January 2023, and is coming off of another first-round KO over Antonio Guzman in July. Cuello, currently ranked No. 4 by the WBA, will return to fight in the U.S. for the first time since 2020, when he started his pro career by scoring first-round knockouts in his first two fights.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to the U.S. to fight for the first time in three years,” said Cuello. “This is an opportunity to let the world know who I am and what I can do. I intend to make the most of it. I will be looking for an impressive knockout but will take the victory any way it comes.”

Garcia, born and raised in South-Central Los Angeles, Calif., will face the second undefeated fighter of his career in Cuello on September 15. He fought fellow undefeated prospect Victor Morales to a draw at AT&T Center in San Antonio in December 2021. An accomplished amateur, Garcia faced two-division world champion Shakur Stevenson in the Junior Olympics and was a member of the Mexican national team. A two-time national champion, he finished his amateur career with 156 fights and just 20 losses.

“I am very blessed to be in this position,” said Garcia. “I am fighting for the WBA International title, and I thank God for allowing this opportunity to be in my path. My team and I have been working very hard for this. We intend to take advantage of this moment. This is the next step I need in my career to bring me closer to the world title. I dedicate this fight to the community of South-Central Los Angeles. Let’s do it!”

Rojas vs. Bustos – Eight-Round Welterweight Bout

The 24-year-old Rojas is a top prospect who has already appeared on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^®, previously scoring a seventh-round TKO over Diego Sanchez in the telecast opener on July 15. A six-foot-two southpaw, Rojas has shown incredible power since turning pro in 2021. He has yet to let an opponent see the final bell and prior to his last appearance, he had never gone past four rounds. A Las Vegas native, Rojas, started boxing at the age of 10 under the tutelage of his father, Freudis Rojas-Londres, a former pro from Cuba. He’s won numerous national and international tournaments in the unpaid ranks including a bronze medal at the 2017 World Amateur Championships. During his tenure on USA Boxing’s national team, he defeated highly regarded contender Frank Martin in the 2016 U.S. National tournament finals. He was also the Olympic alternate in 2020. His younger brother Emmanuel Rojas is a pro super lightweight, currently 4-0 with three knockouts.

“I am thrilled and beyond blessed to be given the opportunity to fight on SHOBOX,” said Rojas. “It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. Thanks to God I now have the chance to showcase my skills as a fighter and as a person to the world.”

Bustos, also from Los Angeles, will look to bounce back from his first professional loss in his last outing in October 2022 where he dropped a majority decision to tough veteran Alan Sanchez. Prior to that, Bustos had won 12 straight fights, including a unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Luis Lopez. The 29-year-old trains out of Wild Card Boxing under the tutelage of Hall of Famer Freddie Roach.

“Displaying my skills on a platform like SHOWTIME has been a dream of mine and I know what I’m capable of,” said Bustos. “It’s time to show the boxing world who Saul Bustos is.”

International Boxing Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins calls the blow-by-blow action for SHOBOX with fellow Hall of Famer Steve Farhood joining the team remotely as the unofficial scorer. Former world champion Raul Marquez and veteran combat sports reporter and MORNING KOMBAT co-host Brian Campbell will serve as ringside expert analysts. The executive producer of SHOBOX: The New Generation is Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports

About SHOBOX: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series SHOBOX: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The SHOBOX philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 90 fighters who have appeared on SHOBOX and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more. 

Tonight, April 29, 2022, unbeaten WBC Super Bantamweight Silver Champion
Andrés Sosa of Argentina will defend his title for the first time against also undefeated Panamanian Rafael Pedroza in the 10-round main event of a night of world-class boxing, presented by Sampson Boxing in association with Best Box at the Vasco Núñez de Balboa Convention Center in the Hotel El Panama in Panama City. The event will be televised live on TyC Sports and TyC Sports Play at 10 pm CST.

The WBA #9-ranked Pedroza (12-0, 11 KOs) now living in El Martillo, Panama, will be looking to annex the crown Sosa (13-0, 8 KOs) won with a unanimous decision over his Argentinean countryman Mauro Barrios last February.

Also appearing in televised matchups will be undefeated Panamanian Alexander Durán (20-0, 7 KOs) taking on Ecuadorian Edwin Bennett (15-2, 7 KOs), in a super lightweight eight-rounder; Panamanian local Ronal Batista (13-2, 8 KOs) will face undefeated Ramses Perez
(8-0, 2 KOs) of Mexico City in a super flyweight eight-rounder; Venezuelan super lightweight knockout artist Roiman Villa (22-1, 22 KOs) will face Peruvian veteran Jesús Bravo (19-5-1, 17 KOs) over eight rounds and in the bantamweight division, Panamanian Edgar Valencia (14-5-1, 3 KOs) will clash against Mexico’s Luis Robles Pacheco (14-1, 4 KOs) in the eight-round opening bout of the telecast.

On the untelevised undercard will be a duel of Panamanians in the super lightweight division, Juan Huertas (14-3-1, 10 KOs) will face Fernando De La Rosa (5-2-1, 3 KOs) over six and in a crossroads welterweight battle to open the night, Alcibíades Ballesteros (0-1-1) will take on Ricardo Rodríguez (1-6-1) over four rounds.

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About Sampson Boxing

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America. Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, ESPN+, DAZN, VS., FOX, Fox Sports and several international networks. For more information, visit sampsonboxing.com.