“Next Boxing Generation” Lineup Announced For February 21 Show In Mexico

HBO Plus’ hit boxing series “Next Boxing Generation” will ramp up it’s explosive fistic action even higher on Saturday, February 21, when it touches down at Palenque Benito Juarez in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico with another stellar doubleheader.

In the 12 round main event, Guadalajara’s own Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will challenge for the WBO Latino Welterweight Championship against fellow unbeaten Euri “Million” Gonzalez.

Santo Domingo’s Gonzalez, 17-0-1 (12), is an exciting young fighter who is speeding up the welterweight ranks. Unbeaten in 18 fights dating back to 2004, 30 year old Gonzalez will be looking to show young Alvarez some new tricks on February 21.

Owner of three regional welterweight belts already, WBO Latino, Dominican Republic and WBO Intercontinental, Gonzalez has paid his dues and he’s ready to add one more belt to his collection, one signifying him as a world champion. He will move closer to that goal if he can defeat Saul Alvarez.

Alvarez, 24-0-1 (17), who is fresh off a first round TKO of prospect Antonio Fitch on January 17 and is just 18 years old, is earning just as much praise from boxing insiders for his talent, making this meeting of two undefeated rising stars a must see for fight fans.

A pro since the age of 15, Alvarez has been learning on the job for the last three years and the results have been impressive, as he has shown maturity beyond his years en route to 24 wins and just one draw. The current NABF and WBA Fedecentro Welterweight Champion, this hard-hitting youngster is on the fast track to a world title before he even turns 21.

The co-feature will see Mexico City’s Eduardo “Canilla” Escobedo, 21-3 (15), in a ten round featherweight bout against Daniel Lomeli, 16-0 (9), of Tepatitlan, Mexico.

Escobedo, winner of 22 of his 25 pro bouts is a former NABO Featherweight Champ and world title challenger who hopes to extend his current two-fight winning streak with another victory as he pursues a world championship in 2009.

Last Novemeber, Lomeli won a majority decision over Edgar Puerta in Chihuahua and is looking to shock the fans with a win over Escobedo, a strong and experienced fighter.

In undercard action, three of Mexico’s finest prospects will thrill the crowd as they put their unbeaten records on the line as junior welterweight Pablo Cesar Cano, 14-0-1 (12), faces Ernesto Gonzalez, 16-8 (8), in an eight rounder, while junior welterweight Luis Enriquez Grajeda, 4-0 (3), and super middleweight Marco Antonio Periban, 3-0 (2), face opponents to be determined.

In a 10 round super bantamweight bout, Mexico City’s Víctor Terrazas, 20-1 (10), battles La Paz, Baja California México’s Andres Romero, 12-1 (7); local Guadalajara native Luis Pelayo, 4-1 (3), takes on Abraham Gomez, 4-7 (2), in a featherweight six rounder; Jesus Ceja, 3-1 (3), from Jalisco, Mexico faces Jesus Navarro, 13-1 (10), of Mexicali, Baja California Mexico in a six round bantamweight bout.

Opening up the show will be local talents Ricardo Alvarez, 4-0 (0), and Enrique Esquivel, 2-1 (0),battling in a four round junior welterweight bout and another pair of locals, Horacio Garcia, 1-0 (1), and Moises Flores, 1-0 (1), meet in a super bantamweight four rounder.

This night of world-class professional boxing, which is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Marquez Boxing Promotions and Producciones Deportivas de Ricardo Maldonado Jr., will be presented live on the HBO Plus service in Latin America beginning at 8 pm CT. The doors open at 7:00pm CT and the first bout begins at 7:30 pm CT.

Tickets priced at 300, 200, 130 and 80 pesos are on sale and available for parchase at Transmatic en la Calzada del Ejército #695 Sector Reforma, Guadalajara, Jalisco México, by phone 52 33-35621899 and 52 33-36190865.

“Next Boxing Generation”, which was launched in August of 2008 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.