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HBO Plus’ “Next Boxing Generation” returns for its 17th episode tonight as welterweight contender Sebastian “Iron” Lujan defends his home turf of Argentina against Colombia’s Jailer “Reggeton” Berrio in the 10 round main event for the WBC Latino welterweight title at the Estadio Universidad Technologica in Santa Fe.
The event which is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Arano Box Producciones, will air live on the HBO Plus service in Latin America beginning at 11:00 pm local time (10pm ET).
In the 10 round co-featured bout of the evening, the WBC Latino lightweight title will be on the line when unbeaten Buenos Aires contender Marcelino Nicolas Lopez takes on rugged countryman Alberto Santillan.
A longtime contender who has bounced back impressively since his lone welterweight title fight loss against Antonio Margarito in 2005, Rosario, Argentina’s Sebastian Lujan (32-5-2, 20 KO’s) is closing in on another shot at 147-pound gold thanks to a six fight winning streak that includes wins over Walter Matthysse and Jose Luis Castillo. Currently ranked in the top 15 worldwide by the WBC, WBA, and IBF the 30-year old Lujan is intent on sending his fans home happy on May 28.
22-year-old Jailer Berrio (12-6, 7 KO’s) has taken no shortcuts up the welterweight ranks since turning pro in 2005, and with a win over Sebastian Lujan, he will take a huge step towards an eventual title shot. Winner of two in a row, Berrio is ready to spoil Lujan’s homecoming.
Buenos Aires’ Marcelino Nicolas Lopez (17-0, 7 KO’s) has come a long way in just four years as a pro, winning all 17 of his bouts and earning a reputation as a fighter to watch in the lightweight division.
Fresh from a second round TKO of 44-fight veteran Javier Alvarez last November, the 24-year-old “Nino” will face a stiff test in Tucuman’s Alberto “El Puma” Santillan (16-4, 5 KO’s), a rugged competitor who has won six of his last nine bouts.
In undercard action, Buenos Aires super middleweight Franco Sanchez (11-6-2, 4 KO’s) meets up with Uruguay’s Richard “Hulk” Viudal (11-1-1, 4 KO’s) in a six/eight rounder.
Also featured will be three fights featuring Argentina’s top prospects, as junior welterweight Jorge Caraballo makes his professional debut against Juan Alejo Orleacq (0-1-0); while cruiserweight Daniel Zanabria (8-0, 6 KO’s) faces Rogelio Rossi (12-2-1, 7 KO’s) in a four/six round fight, and lightweight Cristian Gonzalez (2-0) meets Federico Malaspina (0-0-2) in a four round battle.
Opening up the event will be a pair of four round bouts pitting debuting Diogenes Caunedo against Ricardo Ocampo (0-1), and another pro debut, Julio Cesar Caceres against Luis Ponce (1-6-2).
Tickets, priced at 110 pesos (ringside VIP), 80 pesos (ringside), 60 pesos (platea) and 30 pesos (general) are still available for purchase online at www.ticketway.com.ar and in the Olimboxing Gym (Aristobulo del Valle 4136, Santa Fe).
“Next Boxing Generation,” which was launched in August of 2008 by Golden Boy Promotions in association with HBO Latin America Group, features the top up and coming Latin American fighters in boxing today in exciting bouts that will appeal to fans across all demographics.
The series has seen fights take place throughout Mexico as well as in Argentina, Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, the United States and Uruguay.
