PHOENIX – Phoenix junior-welterweight prospect Jose Benavidez Jr. learned Wednesday that he is scheduled to fight well-traveled Corey Alarcon Saturday night at Chandler’s Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino in Benavidez’ home-state debut as a pro.
“He’s the most experienced guy I’ve been in against, no doubt,’’ said the unbeaten Benavidez (11-0, 10 KOs), who turned 19 a few weeks ago.
The 33-year-old Alarcon (14-17-1, 4 KOs) still has to be licensed by the Arizona State Boxing Commission. The official weigh-in is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m. (PST) at Native New Yorker in Westgate Center in Glendale.
Alarcon, who suffered stoppages in his last two bouts, isn’t new to Phoenix. He lost a second-round TKO to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in 2005 on a night when Chavez’ legendary dad saw his career end in a loss to Nebraska car salesman Grover Wiley at U.S. Airways Center.
Alarcon’s experience also includes a 2001 loss to Rocky Juarez and a 2005 victory by disqualification over Victor Ortiz, who was declared the loser after he knocked down Alarcon for a second time while the referee was trying to separate them.
Benavidez, considered the best Arizona prospect since Hall of Famer Michael Carbajal and super-middleweight Jesus Gonzales, has been anxious to fight at home since Top Rank signed him as a 17-year-old. His professional debut in Arizona was canceled a year ago because of controversy over the state’s immigration legislation, SB1070.
Benavidez and Alarcon have agreed to fight at 143-144 pounds in a six-round main event on a seven-fight card scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. (PST), according to Gerry Truax of Showdown Promotions.
Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank