Golden Boy Boxing: Barrios vs. Castro August 8 In Argentina

It will be a homecoming to remember on Saturday, August 8th, when former Junior Lightweight World Champion Jorge Rodrigo “La Hiena” Barrios returns to Argentina to face Nicaragua’s Moises Castro in the 12 round WBO Latino Lightweight title bout.

In the co-featured bout, Buenos Aires’ Israel “Cachito” Perez will look to extend his 13-fight winning streak in a 10 round lightweight bout against Caracas, Venezuela’s Jhonny Antequera. The bouts will take place at Cordoba’s Polideportivo Carlos Cerutti Stadium in Barrios’ native Argentina on HBO Plus’ “Next Boxing Generation”.

Barrios vs. Castro and Perez vs. Antequera, which is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Arano Box, will air live on the HBO Plus service in Latin America beginning at 10pm local time (9:00pm ET). Doors for the scheduled seven bout card open at 7:30pm and the first bout begins at 8:40pm.

Information regarding ticket prices and availability will be announced shortly.

Long regarded as one of boxing’s most exciting warriors Tigre’s Jorge Rodrigo “La Hiena” Barrios (47-4-1, 34 KO’s) has also emerged as perhaps the best junior lightweight Argentinean fighter of this era, with a WBO Junior Lightweight World Championship and two successful title defenses to back up such praise.

“La Hiena” is coming back to the ring after a long lay off from his last outing against Rocky Juarez in September of 2008, because an injury sustained in training kept him out of his scheduled bout against Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez in April. Now, the 32-year-old fighter begins his road back to the title in his native country.

A talented fighter who has the ability to spoil any opponent’s night in the ring, Managua’s Moises Castro (27-11-4, 13 KO’s) knows that his moment to shine comes on August 8th, and the former WBA Fedelatin Champion has just one mission…to upset Jorge Barrios and begin his own assault on the top of the junior lightweight division.

Hailing from Buenos Aires, 2000 Argentinean Olympian Israel Perez (22-2, 13 KO’s) is well on his way to following in Barrios’ championship footsteps.

Winner of 13 consecutive bouts (with six coming by knockout), Perez earned the WBA Fedelatin Super Featherweight title with his win over 15-0 prospect Rene Gonzalez in May of 2007.

In his last fight in May of 2009, Perez scored a fifth round TKO of Daniel Souza Santos. Perez will face Venezuelan Jhonny Antequera (11-5, 9 KO’s) who fought for the NABA Super Featherweight title against Canadian Benoit Gaudet but lost a close 12 round decision in July of 2008. Perez will have to be at the top of his game if he intends to get past Antequera and get a world title shot.

“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. In less than a year, the series has seen fights take place throughout Mexico as well as in Puerto Rico, Colombia, Argentina and Uruguay.

A full slate of undercard bouts will be announced shortly.