“Next Generation Boxing” Kicks Off 2009 In Mexicali January 31

ByBoxing Press

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.

Castillo, 35-7 (24), is a two-time world title challenger with power in both hands who is looking to position himself for another shot at a title. Standing in his way is Rodriguez, 14-5-2 (7), winner of nine of his last ten bouts and a fighter eager to score the upset and begin his own march on the 126-pound division’s elite.

Rodela, 11-1-2 (6), bounced back from a rocky start to his pro career to go unbeaten in his last 10 fights, with his biggest wins coming over Jose Luis Soto Karass, Julio Gamboa and former world champion Kevin Kelley, who the 26-year old out-pointed in his last fight on October 10.

In Meza, 24-5-1 (16), he will be facing a hard-nosed battler who has been in with the likes of Rey Bautista, Julio Zarate and Ricardo Castillo and who, at age 26, is just hitting his stride in the pro game.

In undercard action, three of Mexico’s finest prospects will thrill the crowd and risk their unbeaten records, as lightweight Pablo Cesar Cano, 13-0-1 (11), of Tlandeplanta faces off against Luis Rey, 7-1-1 (5), of Ciudad Obregon in a eight round bout, Chihuahua welterweight Luis Enrique Grajeda, 3-0 (2), will take on Mexicali’s Rafael Ortiz, 3-2-1 (1), and super middleweight Marco Antonio Periban, 2-0 (1) of Mexico City will be featured in a four round bout against Adan Fortanel who is making his pro debut.

In a ten round special attraction, flyweight Ruben Lopez, 15-11-2 (13), of Mexicali will face Tijuana’s Roberto Lopez, 28-17-1 (12).

Also appearing on the show will be San Felipe’s Javier Arostegui, 8-0 (8), in a four round junior welterweight battle against Roberto Hernandez, 1-0, of Mexicali and Ciudad Obregon native Ruben Tamayo, 2-0-1 (1), against Israel Barron, 1-8, of Mexicali in a four round bantamweight contest.

Mexicali’s Rodolfo Castro, 4-1-1 (3), will be in a six round welterweight battle and Poza Rica Veracruz native Azael Villegas, 9-0, will battle in a six round lightweight bout against opponents to be determined.

This ten bout card of world-class professional boxing is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Marquez Boxing Promotions and Produccciones Deportivas de Ricardo Maldonado Jr., will be presented live on the HBO Plus service in Latin America beginning at 7:00 pm local time. The first bout begins at 6:30 pm local time.

Tickets priced at 350, 300, 250, 200, 150 and 120 pesos can be purchased at: Mariscos El Samy en la calle once y Baja California # 1852, Colonia Pueblo Nuevo, Mexicali, Baja California phone 686-553-8251. They can also be purchased at Promociones Internacionales, Avenida Madero # 400-A Zona Centro Mexicali, Baja California, phone 686-551-9510.

“Next Boxing Generation”, which was launched in August by Golden Boy Promotions in association with HBO Latin America Group, features the top Latin American fighters in boxing today in exciting bouts that will appeal to fans across all demographics.