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Golden Boy Promotions’ prospect and 2004 US Olympian Vicente Escobedo has agreed to step in and face Carlos Hernandez on the April 4 “Lightweight Lightning” pay-per-view event after former world champion Jorge Barrios was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a right temporal bone fracture above the temple he suffered while training.
The fight is part of a quadruple header at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas and rounds out the highly anticipated pay-per-view event.
“When I was asked to step in for Barrios against Carlos Hernandez, I didn’t hesitate to say yes,” said Escobedo, who had to cancel his scheduled April 30 non-televised bout against former world champion Kevin Kelley in order to fight Hernandez.
“This is an amazing opportunity for me and while I have a lot of respect for Carlos, I know that beating him will be a huge step in my career.”
A proud member of the 2004 United States Olympic team, 27-year-old Escobedo is primed and ready for his run at the top of the lightweight division. Winner of 10 bouts in a row, the Woodland, California native is coming off of the most impressive win of his professional career, a sixth round stoppage of unbeaten Dominic Salcido in last September 26.
“Vicente Escobedo is a good young fighter with a lot of talent and potential, but he will not prevent me from achieving my goals,” said Hernandez. “On April 4th, my experience and hunger will be the difference in this fight.”
The greatest fighter to ever come out of El Salvador, national hero Hernandez wants to give his countrymen something to cheer about again on April 4. Now living in the Lone Star State, “Famoso” has been working with Texas great Jesse James Leija to prepare for this upcoming challenge.
Hernandez made a triumphant return to the ring in August of 2008 after nearly two years away with a win over Hector Alatorre and it’s clear that he still has plenty in the tank for a title run.
“Lightweight Lightning,” an unprecedented four-bout pay-per-view card features Edwin Valero vs. Antonio Pitalua in a 12 round bout for the Interim WBC Lightweight Crown, Joel Casamayor vs. Julio Diaz in a 10 round bout, Michael Katsidis vs. Jesus Chavez in a 10 round bout and Carlos Hernandez vs. Vincente Escobedo in a 10 round bout.
The four-bout lightweight extravaganza will take place on Saturday, April 4 at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX. The bouts are presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines and will air live on pay-per-view beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT with a suggested retail price of $39.95.
Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $75, $50, $35 and $25, are on sale now and may be purchased at the Frank Erwin Center box office, by phone at (512) 477-6060 or 1-800-982-2386 or online at TexasBoxOffice.com. Tickets are also available at Texas Box Office Outlets including select H-E-B stores located in Austin and surrounding areas.
