Boxing News Boxing News
One-time world title challengers Diego Magdaleno and Jose “Chelo” Gonzalez will battle in a 12-round lightweight bout in the co-main event of an all-action card headlined by the Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez vs. Dereck “The Black Lion” Edwards 12-round WBO International super middleweight title fight on Friday, June 26, at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, TX.
Both fights will be televised live on Friday Night Knockout on truTV at 10:00 p.m. ET. The live boxing series is presented by truTV and Top Rank, and produced in association with HBO Sports.
The four warriors boast a combined record of 109-6-1 (68 KOs), a winning ratio of 94% with nearly two-thirds of those victories coming by way of knockout.
“Diego and Chelo have had chances at the brass ring before, each getting world title shots, and both came up a little short. This is their best chance to return for a second title shot. They know what’s at stake and they will make the most of this opportunity,” said Carl Moretti, vice president of Top Rank.”
Magdaleno (27-1, 11 KOs), from Las Vegas, NV, won his first 23 bouts as a professional to become the WBO’s No. 1 junior lightweight contender and earning a world title shot against defending WBO world lightweight champion Rocky Martinez in 2013.
Unfortunately Magdaleno ended up on the wrong side of a split decision loss but that decision only made him hungrier for another shot at the title. Trained by Joel Diaz in Palm Springs, Calif., where he works with former two-division world champion Timothy Bradley, the former NABF super featherweight champion returns to the ring riding a four-bout winning streak as a lightweight and world-rated No. 6 by the WBA and the WBO
Gonzalez (24-1, 19 KOs), from Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, won his first 22 bouts as a professional with 17 of those victories coming by way of knockout, en route to becoming the WBO’s No. 1 lightweight contender and earning his world title shot against defending WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns in 2013.
Leading on all three scorecards, Gonzalez was forced to retire after the ninth round due to a wrist injury. He returns to the ring having won his last two bouts, both for the WBO Latino lightweight title, by knockout and is world-rated No. 3 by the WBO.
Promoted by Top Rank and Zapari Boxing Promotions, in association with Nord Boxing Promotions, Zanfer Promotions and PR Best Boxing, remaining tickets to the Ramirez vs. Edwards/Magdaleno vs. Gonzalez boxing event, priced at $35, $25, $15, plus VIP tables of ten (10) at $800, $650 and $550, can be purchased at the State Farm Arena box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (956) 843-6688.
