‘Julio Zarate’

The 2009 season of "Next Boxing Generation" will get off to an explosive start on Saturday, January 31, when HBO Plus's hit boxing series returns with a hard-hitting card that will take place at Palenque del Fex de Mexicali in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico.

In the 12 round main event, Mexicali's own Ricardo Castillo and Mexico City's Abraham Rodriguez will challenge for the vacant NABF featherweight championship. The co-feature will see junior lightweight prospect David Rodela in a ten rounder against Mexicali's Antonio Meza. More...

Friday night saw a big show at the Carousel Casino in Temba, with three IBF title eliminators on offer.

WBC International Featherweight titlist Jeffrey Mathebula, 22-1-2 (12), made a successful transition to super bantam by winning the IBF eliminator on points at 122 pounds against Mexico's Julio Zarate, 26-5-1 (16).

Former IBF Super Feather Champ Malcolm Klassen, 23-4-2 (14), shockingly stopped durable 37 year old ex-five time world champion Manuel Medina, 67-16-1 (31), of Mexico in round two.

An IBF Minimumweight title eliminator was decided when Ronald Barrera, 24-5-1 (16), KO'd Zukisani Kwayiba, 11-1 (7), in the second frame.

Former IBF Super Feather Champ Mzonke Fana, 28-4 (11), returned from a world title loss to Cassius Baloyi by banging out Victor Manon, 3-9-2 (2), in the third round of a scheduled eight.

WBC International Featherweight Champion Jeffrey Mathebula will drop a division to fight Mexican Julio Zarate in an IBF Junior Featherweight Title Eliminator on August 29. The venue has not been announced as the promotional rights for the fight are to be decided by purse bids to be held at the IBF convention in Germany on May 31. More...