The August 13 bout between Joel Julio and Jose Varela will now be sanctioned as the WBO 154 lb. Latin Title, it was announced today by Main Events CEO Kathy Duva.
The bout, which will take place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL, will remain a 10 round contest.
Both the Julio-Varela and the Greene-Torres bouts will be broadcasted live on ESPN2’s “Wednesday Night Fights”, beginning at 9:00 pm ET.
Julio, 33-1 (30), is ranked #4 by the WBC and the IBF, #2 by the WBO, and #6 by the WBA. The 23 year old Monteria, Colombia native has stopped 21 opponents within the first three rounds.
He has won his last six bouts, three by knockout. In his most recent bout on April 30, 2008, Julio defeated Ishe Smith via ten round decision.
Varela, 23-3 (16), has won five of his last six bouts. The 31 year old Chinandega, Nicaragua native has stopped 11 opponents within the first three rounds.
On October 13, 2006, Varela captured the WBC Continental Americas Junior Middleweight Championship by defeating Manuel Gomez via 12 round decision.