LOS ANGELES (Feb. 3, 2020): Three homegrown Golden Boy fighters will make their ring returns after challenging for a world title on the March 19 edition of Golden Boy and DAZN’s Thursday Night Nights at Avalon Hollywood. The event will be streamed live on DAZN, RingTV.com and on Facebook Watch via the Golden Boy Fight Night Page beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

In the main event, Joet Gonzalez (23-1, 14 KOs) of Glendora, Calif, will take on Chris Avalos (27-7, 20 KOs) of Lancaster, Calif. in a 10-round featherweight fight. Gonzalez will return after challenging for the WBO Featherweight World Championship in October 2019.

“I can’t wait to step back into the ring,” said Joet Gonzalez. “I fought for a world title, so I know what it’s like to be at that level. Now, I’ll be coming back with an even stronger desire to become a world champion. I want to thank my manager, Frank Espinoza, and my promoter, Golden Boy, for the opportunity. This March 19, I will not disappoint.”

“We’re coming to win,” said Chris Avalos. “We’re back on track. The old Chris Avalos is back. You [Joet] may think I’m a joke. You may think I’m washed up. But I’m coming to kick your ass. Keep your hands or you will see what happens.”

In the co-main event, Lamont Roach Jr. (19-1-1, 7 KOs) of Washington, D.C. will fight against Filipino warrior Neil John Tabanao (17-7, 11 KOs) in a 10-round super featherweight fight. Roach Jr. will come back after challenging for the WBO Junior Lightweight World Title in November 2019.

“I’ve been itching to get back in that square to show that I’m the best at 130,” said Lamont Roach Jr. “My last fight was just a glimpse, but this year it’s all the way up with me.”

“I’m looking forward to this fight against Lamont Roach Jr.,” said Niel John Tabanao. “I know that he’s coming off his first loss and that he wants to fight for a world title again. However, I more experience than he, and I know how to score an upset. We’ll see you all on March 19.”

Marlen Esparza (7-1, 1 KO) of Houston, Texas will participate in a six-round super flyweight clash against Lucia Nuñez (7-10) of Mexico City, Mexico. Esparza will return after fighting for the WBA Interim Flyweight Title in November 2019.

“I’m ready to get back in the ring,” said Marlen Esparza. “There were multiple factors that made this last fight a real learning experience, but this next round of professional boxing is just the beginning of much more. I’m looking forward to coming out with the new strategies that I’ve been learning and switching up my game a bit.”

“I’m coming to score the upset,” said Lucia Nuñez. “I know that Marlen Esparza is strong and that she has a lot of experience. But I also have those same qualities, and I’ll be coming with an even stronger will to win. We will see you all on March 19.”

The undercard of his event will be stacked with some of Golden Boy’s most promising rising stars.

Richard “Kansas Kid” Acevedo (5-0-1, 5 KOs) of Garden City, Kansas will take on Jeremy Ramos (11-8, 4 KOs) of Colorado Springs, Colorado in a six-round super welterweight battle.

Rudy “El Tiburon” Garcia (10-0, 1 KO) of Los Angeles and Andrew Strode (6-0, 1 KO) of Denver, Colorado will meet in a six-round super bantamweight bout between two undefeated prospects.

Jousce “Tito” Gonzalez (10-0-1, 9 KOs) of Glendora, Calif. will return in a six-round lightweight fight against Jose Meza (6-4, 1 KO) of Durango Mexico.

Nick Sullivan (2-0, 1 KO) of Norfolk, Va. will open the night in a four-round 135-pound clash against Marquese Steward (1-1) of Pflugerville, Texas.

Gonzalez vs. Avalos is a 10-round featherweight fight presented by Golden Boy. The fights will take place Thursday, March 19 at Avalon Hollywood. The event will be streamed live on DAZN, RingTV.com and on Facebook Watch via the Golden Boy Fight Night Page beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The series will also be available
on Pluto TV’s FIGHT Channel and regional sports networks around the nation. To see when and where the series is available in your area click here.

Tickets for Gonzalez vs. Avalos go on sale on Monday, Feb. 3 at 10:00 a.m. PT and are priced at $30, $40, $50, and $80, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets will be available for purchase at www.goldenboytickets.com and the Golden Boy Facebook page.

Media interested in covering Gonzalez vs. Avalos must be pre-approved for credentials. Credential applications are due Monday, March 16 at 5:00 p.m. PT. Click here to apply for a media credential. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval for a credential. You cannot transfer your credentials to someone else. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and https://www.facebook.com/DAZNUSA/. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZN_USA. Follow the conversation using #GonzalezAvalos, #ThursdayNightFights and #TNF.

Photos and videos are available to download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link http://bit.ly/GonzalezAvalosinto a browser. Credit must be given to Golden Boy for photos and videos used.

LAS VEGAS – April 4, 2019 – Three undefeated prospects making their ShoBox: The New Generation debut all made weight, as did their opponents, at the official weigh-in for Friday night’s Mayweather Promotions’ Sin City Showdown live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas.

Top 122-pound prospect Angelo Leo (16-0, 8 KOs) will square off against Filipino Neil John Tabanao (17-4, 11 KOs) in a 10-round super bantamweight bout in the ShoBox main event, while super featherweight Xavier Martinez (13-0, 9 KOs) will take on John Moralde (21-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round co-featured attraction. In the telecast opener, Las Vegas prospect Andres Cortes (10-0, 6 KOs) will face Baltimore’s Jahmal Dyer (9-1, 5 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight bout.

Here is what the fighters had to say on Thursday from Sam’s Town in Las Vegas.

FINAL WEIGHTS, REFEREES AND JUDGES

Super Bantamweight 10-Round Bout

Angelo Leo – 123 lbs.

Neil John Tabanao – 122 ¼ lbs.

Referee: Jay Nady (Las Vegas); Judges: Glenn Trowbridge (Las Vegas), Patricia Morse Jarman (Las Vegas), Lisa Giampa (Las Vegas)

Super Featherweight 10-Round Bout

Xavier Martinez – 131 ¾ * lbs.

John Moralde – 131 ½ * lbs.

Referee: Tony Weeks (Las Vegas); Judges: Adalaide Byrd (Las Vegas), Tim Cheatham (Las Vegas), Ricardo Ocasio (Las Vegas)

Contracted weight is 131 pounds.

Super Featherweight 8-Round Bout

Andre Cortes – 132 ¼ * lbs.

Jahmal Dyer – 130 ½ * lbs.

Referee: Jay Nady (Las Vegas); Judges: Kermit Bayless (Las Vegas), Patricia Morse Jarman (Las Vegas), Glenn Trowbridge (Las Vegas)

Contracted weight is 132 pounds.

FINAL QUOTES:

ANGELO LEO:

“I’ve been in Vegas for about two years and training at Mayweather’s gym. I’m from Albuquerque and it’s a good fight town. We have some champions there, including Austin Trout and others.

“My style is a unique style – it’s a boxer-puncher style. I would say my style is really versatile. I can also punch if I need to – it depends on how my opponent fights.

“In my 122-pound division I have a good height advantage and I’m one of the taller guys. I’m best at 122. It’s tough to make weight, but this is the best weight for me.

“This is my national TV debut but there’s no pressure. I’ve been visualizing this moment since I was a kid.

“My opponent is no pushover. He’s got some power in his punch, so I have to be careful with that. I do watch a little video of my opponents. I think Tabanao is a good fighter, he’s a smart fighter. He’s a counterpuncher, he comes to fight, he comes to win. I’m ready for whatever he brings.”

NEIL JOHN TABANAO:

“My style is come-forward and aggressive. My style always depends on my opponent and what he shows me.

“I’m excited to be in America to continue my career but this is a Mayweather Promotions fight and a lot of people will be watching. So overall it’s great for my career.

“I know [Leo] is good because he knocked out my teammate, Glenn Porras.

“My mother passed away in December at age 48 from stage 5 kidney disease. I am dedicating this fight to her.

“The first time I was ever knocked down it was a double knockdown, but I got up and the other guy [Charlie Pucdol] didn’t. At least I won the fight.”

XAVIER MARTINEZ

“I’m an action-packed fighter. I’m a very slick, skilled boxer and improving with each step. It’s a great fight for me and I can’t wait to get in there.

“It’s more than a fight, you have to sell yourself out there. I’m from a good fight town in Sacramento, but I knew I would have to move to Vegas to step up against the best.

“I’ve watched a lot of Floyd and Diego Corrales. I was born in 1997 so I was 3 or 4 years old when I started watching those guys.

“With this game, it’s patience. And one thing I’ve learned from Floyd is to be patient. He says get it done the right way, and don’t rush. Because that’s when you mess it up.

“I’m an exciting fighter and I like to throw and mix it up in there.

“I want to make this a statement fight. If I don’t get him out early, because he’s tough, then I’m going to beat him down.

“I’ve fought on TV before so this is my third TV fight. So the lights won’t distract me. This is my job and it’s all part of the territory. So I can’t worry about all the lights and hoopla.”

JOHN MORALDE

“I’m a southpaw with a lot of experience and had more than 300 amateur fights with 270 wins.

“It’s a great step-up fight for me. I respect my opponent and know he’s going to bring it.

“Boxing has always been a big part of my family’s life and I’ve been boxing since I was six years old. Four of my siblings are boxers and one is a professional.

“The guys who I have sparred with are bigger than me so I’m fully prepared to go in there and take care of business.

“I was impressed with Xavier Martinez. He’s a good fighter, as all fighters at this level are skilled. He puts nice combinations together. We have formulated our game plan and I am very confident of my outcome on fight night and that I will be leaving Las Vegas victorious!”

ANDRE CORTES

“I’m mean and I’m aggressive. I’m an animal. I’m here to mess things up and destroy people.

“I’ve taken care of myself through this training camp and I’m motivated to continue climbing and making a name for myself.

“I’m a quiet guy outside the ring. I’m smart and intelligent outside the ring, but also inside the ring. Growing up all we knew was how to bang. But I’ve matured a lot.

“I’ve sparred some tough guys, including Gervonta Davis. That’s when Floyd [Mayweather] saw me and wanted to sign me so we did it.

“I’m an aggressive counter-puncher and I can take a shot. I’ve been especially working on my defense. My brother Luis is in my corner and he was a decorated amateur and won the Gold and Silver Gloves. Now he’s focused on helping me. He never turned pro, but I’ve seen the things he’s done and learned from them.

“I think people will remember me after I knock this guy out in my backyard. It’s gonna be something you don’t want to miss!

“Fighting in Vegas has been a dream come true for me. When I fought for the first time at the Mandalay Bay I almost cried.”

JAHMAL DYER

“He’s just another guy I’m stepping into the ring with. He’s nothing special.

“I’m a boxer with a strong right; look it up and you’ll see the video.

“I took some time off of my full-time job to get ready for this.

“With my last loss, I lost focus. My opponent did what he was supposed to do. But I rebounded and learned from my mistakes. It will only make me better in the future.”

# # #

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports, www.mayweatherpromotions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, @MayweatherPromo, @MayweatherPromotions, @mayweathersports and #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports and www.Facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 79 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.