GLENDALE, Ariz. –Never count out Oscar Valdez Jr.

That’s been the story of his career, one that has included broken jaws and busted eyes.

But that will is still there, still unbroken

Add another chapter to the Valdez edition, an ongoing example of resilience.

If somebody was to ever write a song about Valdez, the lyric would be Never Quit.

It was there all over again Friday night with a seventh-round stoppage of Australian Liam Wilson in a victory at Desert Diamond Arena that puts Valdez at the brink of re-claiming a junior-lightweight world title.

“People say you’re 30-something, they say this, they say that,’’ said Valdez, who won an interim 130-pound title and may be elevated to the World Boxing Organization’s real champion if Emanuel Navarrete wins a lightweight title in May and vacates the junior-lightweight version. “But I always come back. I always want to come back.

“In life you lose. It happens. But you have an obligation to come back.’’

This time, he did just months after a punishing loss to Navarrete last summer, also at Desert Diamond. That loss resurrected the familiar doubts about Valdez (32-2, 24 KOs).

The end is near they said, especially against Wilson, who knocked down Navarrete last summer. Arguably, Wilson was of robbed of a victory, a huge upset, on that controversial night,

But the Wilson we saw against Navarrete may have been a mirage. Now, you can wonder whether Navarrete took the then unknown Aussie seriously.

But Valdez did. Very much so.

Seconds after opening bell, the chants started, from a Desert Diamond Arena crowd of 7,102, which was populated by much of Nogales, a Mexican town south of Tucson where Valdez grew up.

Oscar, Oscar.

But the taller Wilson silenced them, at least for a few minutes. Wilson came out aggressively, trying to employ his advantage in height and reach with a long jab.

Initially, it worked. But Valdez quickly adjusted, almost as if he knew what was coming.

In the late seconds of the opening round, he slowed down Wilson with a couple of wicked body shots.

A more tentative Wilson came out for the second round. Valdez’ bodywork was an effective warning. Wilson’s forward progress stalled.

Valdez went on the attack, stepping inside and landing blows that appeared to bloody Wilson’s nose.

There was blood at his nostrils. In the third, however, there was also more aggression in the Aussie’s tactics.

Suddenly, he was willing to step inside and trade with Valdez. That, too left a mark, this time on Valdez. Suddenly there was swelling beneath his right eye.

But Wilson’s move inside proved to be his biggest mistake. That’s where Valdez is at his best. He brawls. He battles. The inside is his turf. By the fifth round, it was clear he had declared ownership of the bloody real estate.

In the seventh, he stunned a tiring Wilson with a big left hand. That was the beginning of the end.

“He caught me,’’ said Wilson (13-3, 7 KOs), who before opening bell vowed that he would knock out Valdez. Valdez saw Wilson stagger. Then, he capitalized, swarming him with punches. Wilson leaned on the ropes, looking defenseless.

Referee Mark Nelson had seen enough. He ended the fight at 2:48 of the with a stoppage that proved be a new beginning, another one, for Oscar Valdez Jr.

History; Made!

The build up to this fight was nothing short of fire works, as it should be. This one is for all the minimum weight belts (105llbs) and the chance to become the first ever Undisputed Women’s minimum weight champion. Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada 25-0(9KOs) out of East Los Angles, CA took on Yokasta Valle 30-2(9KOs) fighting out of San Jose, Costa Rica. Estrada having the WBC, WBA and Ring belts, and Valle with the WBO and IBF titles. 

In a surprise to most in the audience, Estrada was escorted to the ring by the phoenix and boxing legend Micheal Carbajal. Who is the fore father of boxing in Arizona with the linage of his talents some would say this is why boxing is here tonight. Another reason one would have to think is it mind games to have  the AZ fans on her side giving her one advantage.

Both fighters came in at a ready 104.2 lbs and ready to go at it. With the first round going a little less than exciting then the lead up. Valle came out of the round with a cut over her right eye from a accidental head butt. Estrada also did some work with landing some over hand rights to Valles head

Perhaps tasting blood estrada came out with more intensity looking to capitalize on the cut. Maybe a little too aggressive Estrada took some clean shots 

The third was the most exciting round of the night it is too bad that the rounds only last 2 minutes. Each fighter having their moments landing significant punches in a good ole fashion brawl. Picking up where they left off in the forth it was all action, estrada looking like the better boxer jabbing and moving and Valle the more of the power puncher. 

In the fifth round Valle once again proved to be the stronger fighter taking over as she stunned estrada with a right, left combo to the head. Valle did not let off the gas as she pressed estrada till the end of the round. After the mid way point of the fight estrada was still trying to out box her opponent but Valle had different plans landing some crowd pleasing punches. With a lot of fight in her, estrada landed a strong left hook of her own. 

The next following round were just unbelievable each fighter going back and forth with their best game plan Estrada with her boxing skill going to the body most often and Valle using her power against her. So far the crowd has been on their feet in the sold out Desert Diamond Arena. 

Round 9 seniesa came out with a little bull fighting antics, baiting Valle to come and fight. As the old saying goes mess with the bull, get the horns. Valle took her up on that and went after estrada, both going at until estrada went back to boxing. 

The 10^th and final round was nothing short of fireworks, from beginning to the end both leaving it all out in the ring. As the blood of Valle started to trickle down her face again but did not play a role in the fight, As it went to the score cards. With all 3 judges scoring it the same 97-93 in favor of “Super Bad” Seniesa Estrada becoming the first Undisputed Minimum Weight champion. 

This will be one the best women’s fights not only for the significance but the action inside the ring. They gave the fans a fight possible the fight of the night. —-DAVID GALAVIZ

Muratalla wins decision over Ndongeni in awkward fight

Skillset versus puzzle.

Raymond Muratalla, an unbeaten lightweight trained by Robert Garcia, had all the skill, enough of it to win a unanimous decision over South African Xolisani Ndongeni on the Valdez-Wilson car at Desert Diamond.

But Muratalla (20-0, 16 KOs) didn have an answer for Ndongeni’s mix of awkward athleticism and resilient energy. Muratalla just couldn’t finish him. He tried repeatedly, with head-rocking shots throughout the late rounds of a 10-rounder. 

But Ndongeni (31-5, 18 KOs)  answered each challenge with a wild hook, foot speed and — in the end — gestures that said he would not fall. Repeatedly, he shook his head at Muratalla. He lost, 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93. But, in the end, he survived.  

Delgado scores seventh-round KO

Lindolfo Delgado turned boos into cheers.

Delgado (20-0, 15 KOs), booed loudly for a dull performance in his last visit to Desert Diamond Arena about a year ago, brought the  crowd to its feet with a two-knockdown stoppage of fellow Mexican Carlos Sanchez (25-3, 19 KOs) on the Valdez-Wilson card.

In the fifth, Delgado knocked down Sanchez, his former teammate on the Mexican National Team, with a left-right combo. In the seventh, the former Mexican Olympian finished the job with a short hook to the chin that put Sanchez onto the canvas — flat on his face — for a knockout at 48 seconds of the seventh.

Richard Torrez goes to 9-0, all by KO

 Richard Torrez Jr. a fan-friendly heavyweight, says he doesn’t pursue knockouts.

Don’t tell that to his opponents.

There have been nine. Torrez (9-0, 9 KOs) stopped all of them. The latest was Don Haynesworth (18-9-1, 16 KOs), a North Carolina heavyweight who was finished within three minutes on an ESPN card featuring Oscar Valdez Jr. and Liam Wilson at Desert Diamond Arena. 

Torrez (9-0, 9 KOs), a silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, unleashed more than 20 successive punches at a whirlwind rate. It looked as if most of them landed. At 2:19 of the first, referee Raul Caiz had seen enough. He ended it, a TKO. 

“I go in there to box,” Torrez said. “If a punch lands, it lands, I landed a body punch and I could kind of hear the air go out of him.” 

Sergio the home town attraction earned a unanimous Decision 

In what was a tall order before the fight having been sandwich between 2 of the top prospects on Top Rank Emiliano Vargas and Olympian Richard Torres. Sergio “Checo” Rodriguez in his return to the Desert Diamond Arena as he took on Sanny Duversome 12-6-2 (1KO) of Avon Park, Florida. Sergio stated earlier in the week he wanted to give the fans that came early a show.

Looking calm as if he has done this before, as he walked to the ring greeting the fans with a smile on his face. From the opening bell the fans made it known who they came to see. In what was mostly a feel out round sergio made the most of what he could get landing some clean shot, more importantly he showcased his head movement and eluding his opponents punches. 

The next 2 rounds were much of the same, however at the end of the 3^rd round Checo landed a few combination while backing Sonny into the ropes and then throwing his combos. He landed the best of the night at that point a upper cut followed by a shot to the body that got the crowd back into the fight. 

In the fourth both fighters came out with more intensity, with Checo winning the exchanges. Landing another uppercut with the left Checo stunned sonny which led to him backing into the ropes and Checos continued punches. Once Sanny got his legs back he than gave Checo some of his one medicine. 

The fifth was Sanny’s best round in what was still not much action. He caught checo with a clean left to the face. As the fight went on the crowd started to get inpatient and started with the boos. The best action came in at the last 10 seconds of the fight with both fighters exchanging till the closing bell. It went to the judges score card with one having it 60-54, and other 2 scoring it 59-55 all for Sergio “Checo” Rodriguez improving his record to 11-0-1 (8Kos). This was a really good challenge for Sergio who proved that he can go the distance and show his ring IQ and not just knocking his opponents out. The future is bright for him and will be exciting.—DAVID GALAVIZ 

Emiliano Vargas wins shutout decision

There was no knockout, but there was a workman-like performance from lightweight prospect Emiliano Vargas, who did a little bit everything in an evolving skill set for a shutout decision over Nelson Hampton in the fourth fight on the Valdez-Wilson card at Desert Diamond.

Vargas (9-0, 7 KOs), wearing silver shoes as bright as his future, displayed agile feet, good head movement and solid combinations, especially to the body, in a thorough victory over six rounds.

Vargas, whose legendary dad — Fernando Vargas — was in his corner, appeared to hurt Hampton (10-9, 6 KOs), of McAllen TX, with a body shot in the sixth. But Hampton held on, taking the bout to the scorecards.

Kid Kansas impressive in Top Rank debut

Alan Garcia didn’t waste any time showing just why Top Rank signed him.

Garcia (12-0, 10 KOs), a lightweight nicknamed Kid Kansas, didn’t kid around, delivering a multi-punch combo that left Gonzalo Fuenzalida (12-4, 3 KOs), of Chile, exhausted and slumped along the ropes, a TKO loser at 1:58 of the second round in the third bout on the Valdez-Wilson card.

Art Barrera scores lethal, second-round KO

It was short.

And lethal

Art Barrera Jr., (4-0, 4 KOs, a Robert Garcia-trained junior-welterweight, unleashed a left hand that traveled a few inches, landed and dropped Keven Soto (5-2, 3 KOs), who was unconscious before he hit the canvas at 2:17 of the the second round in the second bout on the Valdez-Wilson card at Desert Diamond

First Bell: Knee injury forces TKO end to opener

There were empty seats and echoes. But there was nothing else ordinary about First Bell, the opening bout Friday on a card featuring Oscar Valdez versus Liam Wilson at Desert Diamond Arena.

It ended in a limp.

Avner Hernandez Molina had an iron chin, but a glass knee.

Molina (4-4), a stocky junior-welterweight from Mexico City, absorbed repeated right hands from a long, lanky Ricardo Ruvalcaba (11-0-1, 10 KOs), of Ventura, CA. But in the fifth round, he ducked a wide, looping attempt and suddenly came up lame. Immediately, he bent over and grabbed his right knee, his face twisted in  evident pain. He couldn’t continue. At 1:44 of the fifth,  the matinee bout was, Ruvalcaba a TKO winner because of a knee injury.

  •  Oscar Valdez 129.7 lbs. vs. Liam Wilson 129.6 lbs
(Vacant WBO Interim Junior Lightweight World Title – 12 Rounds)

   •  Seniesa Estrada 104.2 lbs vs. Yokasta Valle 104.3 lbs
(Undisputed Minimumweight World Championship  — 10 Rounds)

•  Raymond Muratalla 137.1 lbs vs. Xolisani Ndongeni 137.1 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight — 10 Rounds)

•  Lindolfo Delgado 140.7 lbs vs. Carlos Sanchez 140.4 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight— 10 Rounds)

•  Richard Torrez Jr. 236.6 lbs vs. Don Haynesworth 276.5 lbs
 (Heavyweight — 8 Rounds)

•   Sergio Rodriguez 163.9 lbs vs. Sanny Duversonne 163.7 lbs
 (Middleweight — 6 Rounds)

•   Emiliano Fernando Vargas 136.5 lbs vs. Nelson Hampton 136 lbs
 (Lightweight — 6 Rounds)

•   Alan Garcia 135.9 lbs vs. Gonzalo Fuenzalida 137.9 lbs
 (Lightweight — 8 Rounds)

•   Art Barrera Jr. 141.6 lbs vs. Keven Soto 139.7 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight — 4 Rounds)

•   Ricardo Ruvalcaba 140.9 lbs vs. Avner Hernandez Molina 140.6 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight — 6 Rounds)

PHOENIX (March 27, 2024) — Mexican warrior Oscar Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs) will lock horns against Australian former world title challenger Liam Wilson (13-2, 7 KOs) for the WBO Interim junior lightweight world title this Friday, March 29 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. 

In the co-feature, WBC/WBA/Ring Magazine champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) and WBO/IBF ruler Yokasta Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) will collide for the undisputed minimumweight crown.

Valdez-Wilson & Estrada-Valle headline a stacked card streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+. First bell is set for 6:10 p.m. ET/3:10 p.m. PT, and the co-feature will begin at approximately 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT.

The undercard will feature rising contenders and prospects from the Top Rank stable, including lightweight Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (19-0, 16 KOs), who returns in a 10-rounder versus Xolisani Ndongeni (31-4, 18 KOs), and Mexican Olympian Lindolfo Delgado (19-0, 14 KOs), who will face compatriot Carlos Sanchez (25-2, 19 KOs) in a 10-round junior welterweight showdown.

Additionally, U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (8-0, 8 KOs) looks to remain unbeaten in an eight-rounder against Don Haynesworth (18-8-1, 16 KOs), while lightweight phenom Emiliano Fernando Vargas (8-0, 7 KOs) takes on Nelson Hampton (10-8, 6 KOs) in a six-rounder.

Phoenix-based Sergio Rodriguez (10-0-1, 8 KOs) will square off against Sanny Duversonne (12-6-2, 9 KOs) in a six-round middleweight tilt.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with No Limit Boxing, tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.

At Wednesday’s press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.

Oscar Valdez

“I’m going to be ready. I was preparing myself for a world championship fight. Then we got the news that it’s now for an Interim title. So, I’m more than excited and prepared, and we’re going to show that.”

“I was taking this fight as seriously as a world championship fight. I know Liam Wilson. He’s a tough fighter. I was there when he fought Emanuel Navarrete, and he sent him to the canvas. So you better believe that I’m coming with everything because I’m expecting that same Liam Wilson.”

“Liam Wilson is a dangerous fighter. But that makes it more exciting. And the Interim title adds fuel to the fire. I’m very motivated, and I will do everything possible to win this fight.”

Liam Wilson

“Every fight for me now is a world title fight. So, I’ve prepared really hard for it. This is my second run at a world title. And I’ve shown in the past that if I can get a second run, I can be very dangerous. I’m very ready for this fight.”

“I’m glad he was there {for my fight against Navarrete}. The whole world saw what happened. I should have already become world champion. This fight between me and Valdez should have already happened. I won the belt that night. It wasn’t awarded to me. But that’s just the way things played out. But, we’re here now and we’re going to settle the score.”

“I’ve grown as a person. I’ve grown as a fighter. I’ve had a year to reassess my abilities. So, I’m better prepared now. It has all led to my second run at a title.”

Seniesa Estrada

“This means everything. This is something that I have been wanting for a long time. It’s something that my team and I have worked so hard for, so I’m not going to let this moment slip away.”

“For me it’s personal, but I’m still professional. I’m not trying to fight her on stage or anything. We had our back and forth. But the talk is over. It’s time for us to get in there.”

“Now it’s about women’s boxing. It’s about us getting in there on Friday night and putting on a great performance for everybody. And it’s about showing the world that women’s boxing is here, it’s on the rise, and we are great.”

Yokasta Valle

“For me, it would be a dream come true to make history for women, for boxing. I’m more than enthusiastic for this week, and I’m looking forward to it.”

“On my end, it’s been professional. That’s the way I see it. I’ve trained hard for a great fight. This isn’t personal. I respect her as the champion that she is. And in the ring, we will see who is the real champion.”

Raymond Muratalla

“These last two fights have been impressive. I believe I’m ready for that title shot.”
“Come Friday, it’s going to amazing in Arizona. I can’t wait to put on a show. I can’t wait to feed off the crowd.”

Lindolfo Delgado

“I’m on a mission with myself to be the best version of myself. I haven’t reached that version yet. So, I have to push myself each time, and for that, I have to get better with each fight, not worse. I have to keep moving forward to try and improve with each camp and each fight.”

“He’s a good fighter, and we know him as he was a teammate of mine on the Mexican national team. We went to different places to compete. But now this is a totally different thing. We’re concentrated and we’re prepared. We know it’s going to be a hard fight, but we’re prepared.”

Richard Torrez Jr.

“Every time, you’re just trying to get better from your previous self. And do I think I’m getting better from my previous self.”

“It’s really hard for me to picture the long-term plan. Because I have so many short-term goals in front of me. So, I just want to keep winning. Whatever Top Rank has in store, it’s up to them and my dad. On my end, I will get through any obstacle.”

Sergio Rodriguez

“This is what I want to do, and I want to continue to do it as long as I can.”

“I want to put on another great performance. Even if it’s not a knockout, I want my people to be happy with my fight.”

Emiliano Fernando Vargas

“I want to dominate. There’s something about Arizona fans. It’s something special about here. I’m young. I’m hungry. I know where I’m supposed to be. I just want to be great. That’s all I want to do.”

“I’m just grateful to have this support system behind me. This sport gets lonely. If I’m cutting weight, if I’m doing my miles, I’m calling my brothers and saying, ‘Come run with me!’ It doesn’t matter if it’s 12 in the morning, if it’s one in the morning, if it’s two in the morning. That’s my support. That’s my backbone. If they’re throwing four punches on the bag, I’m throwing six, and that’s how we’ve always been.”

Friday, March 29

FIRST BELL: ESPN+ (6:10 p.m. ET/3:10 p.m. PT)
 

Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson, 12 rounds, Vacant WBO Interim Junior Lightweight World Title

Raymond Muratalla vs. Xolisani Ndongeni 10 rounds, Lightweight

Lindolfo Delgado vs. Carlos Sanchez, 10 rounds, Junior Welterweight

Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Don Haynesworth, 8 rounds, Heavyweight 
 
Sergio Rodriguez vs. Sanny Duversonne, 6 rounds, Middleweight
 
Emiliano Fernando Vargas vs. Nelson Hampton, 6 rounds, Lightweight
 
Alan Garcia vs. Gonzalo Fuenzalida, 6 rounds, Lightweight

Ricardo Ruvalcaba vs. Avner Hernandez-Molina, 6 rounds, Junior Welterweight

Top Rank Boxing on ESPN presented by AutoZone: Valdez vs. Wilson & Estrada vs. Valle will be presented live this Friday, March 29, at approximately 11 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. PT exclusively on ESPN+. The event takes place at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

In the 12-round junior lightweight main event, Mexican warrior Oscar Valdez will face Australian former world title challenger Liam Wilson.

Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs), the fighting pride of Nogales, represented Mexico at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. As a pro, he won world titles in two weight classes. After a competitive fight against Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceição in 2021, Valdez suffered his first pro loss in a unification battle against Shakur Stevenson in 2022. He bounced back with a decision victory in a rematch against Adam Lopez in May 2023 before suffering a points loss against Emanuel Navarrete last August. 

Wilson (13-2, 7 KOs) is a five-year pro who made his U.S. debut versus Navarrete for the vacant WBO junior lightweight title last February. Wilson dropped Navarrete and almost scored the upset in the fourth round before being stopped in the ninth. He rebounded with triumphs over Carlos Alanis last August and Jackson Jon England in December. 

In the co-feature, WBC/WBA/Ring Magazine champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada and WBO/IBF ruler Yokasta Valle will collide in a highly anticipated showdown to crown the first-ever undisputed minimumweight champion.

Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) is a 13-year pro and two-weight world champion. She signed with Top Rank in 2022 and shut out Jazmin Gala Villarino in November of that year. In 2023, she picked up the WBC strap against the previously unbeaten Tina Rupprecht in March and retained her unified titles with a points verdict over Leonela Yudica in July.

Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) seized the vacant IBF atomweight world title by overcoming Ana Victoria Polo in 2016. After an unsuccessful bid for the WBO light flyweight title against Naoko Fujioka in 2017 and an interim title loss to Rupprecht in 2018, she snatched the IBF minimumweight world title from Joana Pastrana in 2019. Valle added the WBO title to her collection with a win over Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen in 2022 and has since defended her unified crown four times, including a decision over Anabel Ortiz in November.

The undercard begins at 6:10 p.m. ET/ 3:10 p.m. PT.

Calling the action will be Hall of Famer, Timothy Bradley, Jr., Mark Kriegel, and Bernardo Osuna. 

ESPN.com

Valdez’s Quest to be a Three-Division Champ, and become a Mexican Great

Original Program: Talk That Talk” Seniesa vs. Valle

Ahead of the blockbuster Top Rank event on March 29, ESPN will air the original program: Talk That Talk: Seniesa vs. Valle. Hosted by Crystina Poncher, the 30-minute all-access preview debuts ahead of one of the most heated world title bouts of the year. Fight fans will hear both athletes sound off in a verbal war ahead of the Undisputed Minimumweight Championship between undefeated WBA/WBC/Ring Magazine champion Seniesa Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) and unified IBF/WBO queen Yokasta Valle (30-2, 9 KOs). A two-division world champion proudly representing East Los Angeles, Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada is aiming to deliver the undisputed world title to her Mexican-American fans while Valle, the three-division world titlist from Costa Rica, is seeking to extend her winning streak to 18.

 Talk That Talk: Seniesa vs. Valle  (All Times ET)

*Also available for On-Demand Replay in the ESPN App

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Valdez vs. Wilson(All Times ET)

About ESPN

GLENDALE, Ariz. (March 26, 2024) — The stakes have just gotten higher.

When Oscar Valdez and Liam Wilson face off this Friday at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, the vacant WBO Interim junior lightweight world title will now be on the line. The Interim title became available after the current champion, Emanuel Navarrete, elected to fight Denys Berinchyk for the vacant WBO lightweight world title on Saturday, May 18 in San Diego, California.

Per the WBO, “If Navarrete is successful in winning the vacant WBO Lightweight championship and determines to retain the WBO Lightweight championship, the WBO Jr. Lightweight Interim champion shall be elevated to ‘Full Champion’ status…”

In Friday’s co-feature, an undisputed minimumweight queen will be crowned, as WBC/WBA/Ring Magazine champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada and WBO/IBF queen Yokasta Valle battle to unify all the belts.

Valdez-Wilson, Estrada Valle, and a loaded undercard will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+.

“This not only promises to be a sensational fight, but with the WBO Interim title on the line, the winner will have tremendous opportunities in a loaded weight class,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with No Limit Boxing, tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (March 20, 2024) — Mexican Olympian Lindolfo Delgado is ready to enter the junior welterweight title picture.

Delgado will return in a 10-rounder against compatriot Carlos “El Tiburon” Sanchez on Friday, March 29 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Delgado-Sanchez will be featured on the undercard of the 12-round junior lightweight main event between former two-weight world champion Oscar Valdez and one-time world title challenger Liam Wilson.

In the co-feature, WBC/WBA/Ring Magazine champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada and WBO/IBF ruler Yokasta Valle will collide in a highly anticipated showdown for the undisputed minimumweight crown.

Valdez-Wilson & Estrada-Valle headline a stacked card streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with No Limit Boxing, tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.

Delgado (19-0, 14 KOs) transitioned from prospect to contender in August 2022 with an upset decision win over then-unbeaten knockout artist Omar Aguilar. Delgado continued his momentum in 2023, with points victories over Clarence Booth in February and Jair Valtierra in August. He then blasted out Luis Hernandez in four rounds in November. The Booth and Valtierra fights took place at Desert Diamond Arena, where Delgado aims to shine once more. Sanchez (25-2, 19 KOs) is a former amateur standout from Mexico whose only setbacks have been to Pedro Campa and Steve Claggett. Sanchez, who used to train and spar with Delgado, heads into this assignment coming off a decision over Carlos Diaz in December.

Following a recent training session at Robert Garcia Boxing Academy, this is what Delgado had to say:

“Carlos Sanchez is a very good fighter. I’ve known him since we were kids because he would fight in the national Olympics as well. He’s a strong fighter. I remember a lot about him because we used to train together. And we used to spar together. The sparring was really good. It was always competitive. You never knew who would come out on top in our sparring. So, I think it’s going to be a really good fight.” 

“I’ve been working on myself. Like in every fight, I always try to improve myself. I don’t focus too much on my opponents. I try to improve anything I feel that needs work. So I’m working on moving in the ring better, moving my waist, and connecting punches with more power and with more accuracy.”

“Fans can expect a really good fight like always. You’re going to see a Lindolfo Delgado who is very prepared and concentrated. We’re working very hard. And I want to look better in every fight, so if I looked good in my last fight, I’m going to look even better in this one!”

Top Rank Boxing on ESPN presented by AutoZone: Valdez vs. Wilson/Estrada vs. Valle will be presented live Friday, March 29, at approximately 11 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. PT exclusively on ESPN+. The event takes place at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

In the 12-round junior lightweight main event, Mexican warrior Oscar Valdez will face Australian former world title challenger Liam Wilson.

Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs), the fighting pride of Nogales, represented Mexico at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. As a pro, he won world titles in two weight classes. After a competitive fight against Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceição in 2021, Valdez suffered his first pro loss in a unification battle against Shakur Stevenson in 2022. He bounced back with a decision victory in a rematch against Adam Lopez in May 2023 before suffering a points loss against Emanuel Navarrete last August.

Wilson (13-2, 7 KOs) is a five-year pro who made his U.S. debut versus Navarrete for the vacant WBO junior lightweight title last February. Wilson dropped Navarrete and almost scored the upset in the fourth round before being stopped in the ninth. He rebounded with triumphs over Carlos Alanis last August and Jackson Jon England in December.

In the co-feature, WBC/WBA/Ring Magazine champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada and WBO/IBF ruler Yokasta Valle will collide in a highly anticipated showdown to crown the first-ever undisputed minimumweight champion.

Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) is a 13-year pro and two-weight world champion. She signed with Top Rank in 2022 and shut out Jazmin Gala Villarino in November of that year. In 2023, she picked up the WBC strap against the previously unbeaten Tina Rupprecht in March and retained her unified titles with a points verdict over Leonela Yudica in July.

Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) seized the vacant IBF atomweight world title by overcoming Ana Victoria Polo in 2016. After an unsuccessful bid for the WBO light flyweight title against Naoko Fujioka in 2017 and an interim title loss to Rupprecht in 2018, she snatched the IBF minimumweight world title from Joana Pastrana in 2019. Valle added the WBO title to her collection with a win over Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen in 2022 and has since defended her unified crown four times, including a decision over Anabel Ortiz in November.

Undercard action begins at 6:10 p.m. ET/ 3:10 p.m. PT.

Calling the action will be Hall of Famer, Timothy Bradley, Jr., Mark Kriegel, and Bernardo Osuna.

Original Program: Talk That Talk” Seniesa vs. Valle

Ahead of the blockbuster Top Rank event on March 29, ESPN will air the original program: Talk That Talk: Seniesa vs. Valle. Hosted by Crystina Poncher, the 30-minute all-access preview debuts ahead of one of the most heated world title bouts of the year. Fight fans will hear both athletes sound off in a verbal war ahead of the Undisputed Minimumweight Championship between undefeated WBA/WBC/Ring Magazine champion Seniesa Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) and unified IBF/WBO queen Yokasta Valle (30-2, 9 KOs). A two-division world champion proudly representing East Los Angeles, Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada is aiming to deliver the undisputed world title to her Mexican-American fans while Valle, the three-division world titlist from Costa Rica, is seeking to extend her winning streak to 18.

Talk That Talk: Seniesa vs. Valle (All Times ET)

Date
Network
Time
Sat., Mar 23
ESPN2
6:30 a.m.
Sun., Mar 24
ESPN2
6:00 a.m.
Mon., Mar 25

ESPN2
1:30 a.m.
Thu., Mar 28

ESPNEWS
12:00 a.m.
3:00 a.m.
Fri., Mar 29

ESPN2
2:00 a.m.
ESPNEWS
9:30 a.m.
*Also available for On-Demand Replay in the ESPN App

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Valdez vs. Wilson(All Times ET)

Date
Time
Event
Fights
Title
Platform
Wed. Mar 27
4:00 p.m.

Main Card Press Conference

ESPN+

Thu. Mar 28
4:00 p.m.

Weigh-in

Fri. Mar 29
11:00 p.m.
(estimated time)

Main

Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson

Co-Feature
Seniesa Estrada (C) vs. Yokasta Valle (C) (Undisputed) WBA/WBC, IBF/WBO Minimumweight
6:10 p.m.
Feature
Raymond Muratalla vs. Xolisani Ndongeni

Undercard
Lindolfo Delgado vs. Carlos Sanchez
Undercard
Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Don Haynesworth
Undercard
Sergio Rodriguez vs. Sanny Duversonne
Undercard
Emiliano Fernando Vargas vs. Nelson Hampton
Undercard
Alan Garcia vs. Gonzalo Fuenzalida
Undercard
Art Barrera Jr. vs. Keven Soto
Undercard
Ricardo Ruvalcaba vs. Avner Hernandez Molina

LOS ANGELES (March 18, 2024) — WBO/IBF minimumweight world champion Yokasta Valle wants to make history for Costa Rica, but standing in her way is a fellow pound-for-pound queen for whom this rivalry has become personal. 

Valle will face WBC/WBA/Ring Magazine world champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada in a highly anticipated undisputed minimumweight showdown on Friday, March 29 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Estrada-Valle will serve as the co-feature to the 12-round junior lightweight main event between former two-weight world champion Oscar Valdez and one-time world title challenger Liam Wilson.

Valdez-Wilson & Estrada-Valle headline a stacked card streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with No Limit Boxing, tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.

Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) claimed the vacant IBF atomweight world title by defeating Ana Victoria Polo in December 2016. Nearly three years later, she moved up and snatched the IBF minimumweight world title from Joana Pastrana in August 2019. Valle added the WBO title to her collection with a victory over Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen in September 2022. Since then, she has successfully defended her unified crown four times, including a decision win over Anabel Ortiz in November. Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs), a 13-year pro and two-weight world champion, looks to end a longstanding rivalry by fully unifying the division.

Following a recent training session at Wild Card Boxing Club, this is what Valle had to say:

“This fight is very important because becoming undisputed champion is a dream of mine and because I’d be making history for Costa Rica and for all Latinos. It’s also important because of the many years of effort in putting women’s boxing where it is now.”

“If she’s not concentrated on this fight and is thinking about other things that have nothing to do with it, then it can be to my advantage. If when she steps into the ring she’s thinking about my trainer or about something else, then I feel she will be distracted.”

“You will see the best version of me in this fight. I’m aggressive, and I’m a warrior. When the bell rings, I like to throw lots of punches. So you will see a Yokasta who is very aggressive and who will throw lots of punches, to the point where she won’t know where they are coming from!”

“My coach {Gloria Alvarado} knows her really well. But aside from that, I have an advantage because she is also an excellent trainer. It’s because of that and not because she’s known her since she was a kid. She knows how to work with me. We have a great connection.”

EAST LOS ANGELES, Calif. (March 13, 2024) —Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada understands the stakes as she approaches the biggest fight of her career. The WBC/WBA/Ring Magazine minimumweight world champion is one victory away from becoming the undisputed champion, one of the few accolades she has yet to achieve during a decorated 13-year professional career.

Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs), from East Los Angeles, will face longtime rival Yokasta Valle (30-2, 9 KOs), the reigning IBF and WBO champion, on Friday, March 29 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The undisputed showdown and clash of pound-for-pound queens will serve as the co-feature to the 12-round junior lightweight main event between former two-weight world champion Oscar Valdez and one-time world title challenger Liam Wilson.

Valdez-Wilson & Estrada-Valle headline a stacked card streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with No Limit Boxing, tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.

Estrada and Valle have engaged in a verbal back and forth on social media over the years, which carried over to last month’s announcement press conference in Las Vegas. Valle’s trainer, Gloria Alvarado, trained Estrada as an amateur. Valle’s current promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, guided Estrada for several years. Despite a shared history, the rivalry is anything but friendly. 

Following a recent training session, this is what Estrada had to say:

“Becoming an undisputed champion is something I’ve been chasing and wanting for a very long time. I can’t wait for March 29.”

“You can’t let any of the emotions or anger from the past get to you. I’ve been in fights before where I was able to experience that. In my fight with Marlen Esparza, there was a huge rivalry between us. It all came down to who was going to stay mentally focused and stick to the game plan with all the tension leading up to the fight. This fight means even more because it’s for undisputed.”

“{During the kickoff press conference}, I was there for business. I wasn’t there to be friendly. This is the biggest fight of both of our careers. In all her interviews and Tweets, she always said I was ducking and afraid to fight her. But during the faceoff, I didn’t hear her say any of that, so that wasn’t expected.”

“I know I want this more than she does. I know she’s going to go in there and put up the fight of her life. And she wants it badly, too, but I want it more. I’ve been doing this since I was 8 years old.”

“Undisputed is in my head all day, from when I wake up in the morning until I go to bed. All day long, whether I’m driving or at the gym, undisputed is on my mind 24/7. That’s the way it has to be. You have to live, think, and breathe undisputed until my hands are raised and those belts are around me on March 29.”

GLENDALE, Ariz. (Feb. 16, 2024) — Unbeaten junior welterweight Lindolfo Delgado, a 2016 Mexican Olympian and one of his nation’s fastest-rising contenders, is set to make his 2024 debut. Delgado will face countryman Carlos “El Tiburon” Sanchez in a 10-round special attraction Friday, March 29 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
 
Delgado-Sanchez is added to a loaded card that features Oscar Valdez against Liam Wilson in the 10-round main event and the undisputed, 12-round minimumweight world title showdown between WBC/WBA/Ring Magazine champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada and WBO/IBF queen Yokasta Valle.
 
The entire card will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with No Limit Boxing, tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.
 
Delgado said, “With every fight, we continue to get better. We train thoroughly in each camp so that I can give the very best of myself in the ring and move closer to a world title. 2024 is going to be a big year, and I can’t wait to perform in front of the great Arizona fans.”
 
Delgado (19-0, 14 KOs) graduated from prospect to contender in August 2022 when he upset the previously unbeaten knockout artist Omar Aguilar by unanimous decision. That eight-round firefight ranked among the year’s best slugfests, and Delgado carried his momentum into 2023. He went 3-0 last year, dominating Clarence Booth over eight one-sided rounds in February, nearly shutting out Jair Valtierra over 10 rounds in August, and starching Luis Hernandez in four rounds in November. The Booth and Valtierra fights took place at Desert Diamond Arena, and Delgado hopes to impress once more.
 
Sanchez (25-2, 19 KOs) is an eight-year pro who has only been stopped once. Last September, he dropped a 10-round decision to Canadian standout Steve Claggett in Gatineau, Canada. Three months later, he got back on the winning track with an eight-round points verdict over Carlos Diaz.

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 7, 2024) —WBC/WBA/Ring Magazine minimumweight world champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) and WBO/IBF ruler Yokasta Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) went face to face for the first time Wednesday in Las Vegas. Their long-simmering feud will be settled Friday, March 29 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, as the division’s first-ever undisputed champion will be crowned in the evening’s co-feature.

In the main event, Mexican former two-division world champion Oscar Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs) will face Australian former world title challenger Liam Wilson (13-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-round junior lightweight battle.

Valdez-Wilson & Estrada-Valle headline a stacked card streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

The undercard will feature the return of lightweight phenom Emiliano Fernando Vargas (8-0, 7 KOs) in a six-rounder.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with No Limit Boxing, tickets are on sale NOW via Ticketmaster.com.

This is what the fighters, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya, promoter of Valle, had to say.

Bob Arum

“This is one of the best fight cards of the year. Really great, talented fighters, very competitive fights. I really think the fans have a real treat in store, particularly those people living in Glendale, Arizona, and the vicinity because they are really rabid fight fans. They’ll turn out like they have before. We expect a full house on March 29.”

Oscar De La Hoya

“It’s great to be working with Bob Arum and Top Rank and making fights happen. I think this fight here was a fight that had to happen. I believe there’s a lot of animosity between the fighters. There’s a lot of competition, and the titles are at stake. History is at stake. Once again, Bob is making history. Bob continues to gives us the best fights, the best events. All I want to do is be like Bob when I grow up. I’m really happy to work with Bob and make this fight happen because the fans deserve it.”

Seniesa Estrada

“It’s not personal for her, but it’s personal for me for many reasons. I’m competitive. I’m hungry to become undisputed. This is the fight that I’ve been trying to make and wanting to make since I was with Golden Boy Promotions around the time they first signed me. I wanted to make this fight happen because I wanted to become undisputed. So, I’m just excited and fuc*ing hungry to become undisputed. I can’t wait for March 29!”

“It’s clear that I was promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. And Valle is always saying in interviews that I was ducking and running from her, which is completely false because there’s never been any effort from her side to make the fight happen. It’s always been from my side since the beginning. I told Golden Boy Promotions about her. That’s how they knew about her. So, I wanted it from the start.”

Yokasta Valle

“Champion versus champion. This is nothing personal. I just want to be a champion. I want to be undisputed. Seniesa has two titles. That’s what I’m looking for. Not her. Simply the world titles is what I’m looking for. That’s what I’ve been working towards for many years. Working hard, moving up divisions. 108, 105 pounds. All to become undisputed, and we’re one step away. We’re here, and I’m excited.”

“I visualize all of my fights, from the music I’m going to have, all the people screaming. And, God willing, all that’s left after that is for them to say, ‘And new undisputed champion, Yokasta Valle from Costa Rica.'”

Oscar Valdez

“I feel blessed to be on this card with these amazing fighters sitting next to me. I feel that I’m on their card. I feel like that’s the main event. It’s going to be a tremendous fight.”

“I definitely learned a lot from my last fight {a decision loss to Emanuel Navarrete}. We made mistakes in the ring. Sometimes, we go in with a game plan. Sometimes, that game plan doesn’t work.”

“I’m trying to become a world champion {again}. That’s every fighter’s dream. Of course he’s taking this fight seriously. So am I…. I respect Liam Wilson as a fighter and as a person. But inside that ring, I’m going to try to knock his head off. I’m going to do my best to win the fight and just win because I know winning this fight will get me closer to a world title shot. I really, really miss being a world champion.”

Emiliano Fernando Vargas

“A kid can dream, and with hard work, they come to fruition. So, I’m very, very grateful to be here. This is another opportunity on March 29 to showcase my skills in front of all my beautiful fans in Glendale, Arizona. Fight by fight, we’ll get there.”

GLENDALE, Ariz. (Jan. 30, 2024) — A historic doubleheader awaits, as a former two-division world champion will make his ring return in familiar territory and an undisputed four-belt queen will be crowned for the first time in the minimumweight division. 

Mexican warrior Oscar Valdez will face Australian former world title challenger Liam Wilson in a special 10-round junior lightweight attraction on Friday, March 29 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Valdez, making his seventh appearance in the Grand Canyon State, joins Wilson in seeking redemption in the arena that hosted their last defeats. 

In the co-feature, WBC/WBA/Ring Magazine champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada and WBO/IBF ruler Yokasta Valle collide in a highly anticipated showdown for the undisputed minimumweight crown. The prolonged war of words between the two world champs will culminate in a milestone 12-round fight presented in association with Golden Boy Promotions and MarvNation Promotions. 

Valdez-Wilson & Estrada-Valle headline a stacked card streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with No Limit Boxing, tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 2 at 10 a.m. MST via Ticketmaster.com.

“The Arizona fight fans are passionate and knowledgeable, and we have an incredible event in store at Desert Diamond Arena,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Oscar Valdez is the consummate Mexican fighter, and he is facing a skilled, all-action Aussie in Liam Wilson. The undisputed title fight featuring two of the sport’s most skilled women is main event-worthy as well. There is no love lost between Seniesa and Yokasta, a long-standing rivalry that promises to deliver in the ring.”

Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs), the fighting pride of Nogales, represented his country at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. As a pro, he won world titles in two weight classes, defeating Matias Rueda to capture the WBO featherweight title in 2016 and knocking out Miguel Berchelt in February 2021 to earn the WBC junior lightweight strap. After a competitive fight against Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceição later that year, Valdez suffered his first pro loss in a unification battle against Shakur Stevenson in April 2022. He bounced back with a decision victory in a rematch against Adam Lopez in May 2023 before suffering a points loss against Emanuel Navarrete at Desert Diamond Arena last August. 

Valdez said, “This fight against Liam Wilson means everything to me. It’s every boxer’s dream to become a world champion, so I have to get past this challenge so I can fight for a world title again. I respect Liam Wilson, but in the ring, I’m going to do everything possible to walk away victorious.”

Wilson (13-2, 7 KOs) is a five-year pro who went 9-0 before his first defeat against Joe Noynay in July 2021. He avenged the loss by knocking out Noynay in March 2022. Three months later, he delivered Rueda his first setback since the Valdez encounter. Wilson then made his U.S. debut versus Navarrete for the vacant WBO junior lightweight title last February at Desert Diamond Arena. Wilson dropped Navarrete and almost scored the upset in the fourth round before being stopped in the ninth. He rebounded with triumphs over Carlos Alanis in August and Jackson Jon England in December. 

Wilson said, “Valdez is exactly the fight I wanted and deserve after what I went through against Navarrete. The history books show that he beat both of us last year, but this time around we won’t need the officials. Valdez is a good fighter, a tough man, but after what I’ve been through already and what I plan on bringing, I believe he’s going to regret taking this fight.”

Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs), a world-class fighter across three weight divisions, claimed an interim flyweight title against Olympic bronze medalist Marlen Esparza in a 2019 bout that was contested with 10 three-minute rounds. Two years later, she secured the WBA minimumweight and WBO light flyweight belts, defeating Anabel Ortiz and Tenkai Tsunami. Estrada vacated her light flyweight title to pursue undisputed glory at minimumweight. She signed with Top Rank in 2022, and following an 11-month layoff, shut out Jazmin Gala Villarino in November of that year. In 2023, she picked up the WBC strap against the previously unbeaten Tina Rupprecht in March and retained her unified titles with a points verdict over Leonela Yudica in July.

“Yokasta is not on my level and undeservingly carried those belts for too long,” Estrada said. “Yokasta, her promoter, and her trainer have had a lot to say. On March 29, I’m going to shut them all up. I’m leaving Arizona with all the belts and will continue to prove why I’m a pound-for-pound champion.”

Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) seized the vacant IBF atomweight world title by overcoming Ana Victoria Polo in December 2016. After an unsuccessful bid for the WBO light flyweight title against Naoko Fujioka in December 2017 and an interim title loss to Rupprecht in June 2018, she snatched the IBF minimumweight world title from Joana Pastrana in August 2019. Valle added the WBO title to her collection with a win over Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen in September 2022 and has since defended her unified crown four times, including a decision over Ortiz in November.

Valle said, “I am over the moon that Seniesa finally said yes to this big fight. In reality, she had no other option because we chased after her so much. She had no alternative but to face me because the great fans of this sport demanded this fight. Boxing fans can expect a great fight. Once I get into the ring, I am going to give the performance of a lifetime.”

The undercard will feature a host of unbeaten contenders and rising prospects, five of whom made appearances at Desert Diamond Arena last year.

Lightweight contender Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (19-0, 16 KOs) will fight Argentina’s Agustin Ezequiel Quintana (19-2-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-rounder. A seven-year pro, Muratalla put the division on notice last year with three stellar performances. He stopped Humberto Galindo with a body shot in March, handed Jeremia Nakathila his first TKO loss in May, and stopped then-unbeaten Diego Torres in eight rounds in November.

U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (8-0, 8 KOs) will look to retain his 100 percent knockout ratio in a scheduled eight-round tilt against Don Haynesworth (18-8-1, 16 KOs). The rising heavyweight earned first-round stoppage victories over James Bryant in February and Willie Jake Jr. in August and a second-round TKO over Tyrrell Anthony Herndon in October. Torrez vanquished veteran Curtis Harper via eighth-round TKO in December. 

Lightweight prodigy Emiliano Fernando Vargas (8-0, 7 KOs), the youngest son of former world champion Fernando Vargas, will lock horns with Nelson Hampton (10-8, 6 KOs) in a six-rounder. Vargas went 6-0 with five knockouts last year, including a second-round knockout against Brandon Mendoza in November.

Phoenix native Sergio Rodriguez (10-0-1, 8 KOs) will take on Sanny Duversonne (12-6-2, 9 KOs) in a six-round middleweight contest. 

Ricardo Ruvalcaba (11-0-1, 9 KOs) will see action in a six-round junior welterweight fight.

LAS VEGAS – Seniesa Estrada retained the WBA/WBC Ninimumweight titles with a unanimous decision over Leonela Yudica at The Palms Casino Resort.

Estrada landed 161 of 549 punches. Yudica was 144 of 506.

Estrada, 104.4 lbs of East Los Angeles won by scores of 97-93 on all cards and is now 25-0. Yudica, 103.7 lbs of San Juan, ARG is now 19-2-3.

“I knew coming into this fight that she was a boxer who would move away from me and not come forward much. In my preparation, I knew I had to show something different in myself. In my last fight, I fought a good champion who came forward and was aggressive, and I easily outboxed her. In this fight, she’s a boxer and a mover, and I showed that I can fight any type of style because my style is very versatile,” said Estrada. 

Going into this fight, I knew she was a natural flyweight so she is a lot bigger than me physically. So I knew she was going to be able to hang in there. She’s fought very good champions before and always went the distance with them.

I definitely had to use my footwork. I have very good footwork. I had to use my feints and movements to make sure I was close enough to land punches and not get countered. I did get countered, of course. It’s a fight, so that’s going to happen. But I just continue to prove that I’m the best in the division. 

I want Yokasta Valle. I’m the best in this division. I want to prove it by beating her. She can just hand me those belts right now because when we fight it’s going to be bad for her. 

Andres Cortes Stops Xavier Martinez After 7

Andres Cortes beatdown Xavier Martinez after round seven of their 10-round junior lightweight bout.

Cortes, 130 lbs of Las Vegas is now 20-0 with 11 knockouts. Martinez, 129.7 lbs of Sacramento, CA is 18-2.

In a competitive eight round lightweight bout, Nahir Albright pounded out ab eight-round unanimous decision over Karlos Balderas.

Balderas, 134.1 lbs of Santa Maria, CA won by scores of 77-75 twice and 76-76 and is now 16-2. Balderas, 135.9 lbs of Santa Maria, CA is 14-2.

“I was feeling myself, and I started finding a groove. When that happens, the fight’s over.” said Cortes.

“It was a good stoppage. His eye was messed up. He was having trouble seeing with the eye because he kept blinking.”

“I want the winner of Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez. I want any champion at 130. If not, I’m going to move up 135 and get all of those champions there.”

Rohan Polanco remained undefeated with a fifth round stoppage over Cesar Francis in a scheduled eight-round super welterweight fight.

At the end of round four, Polanco landed a looping left to the head that was followed by a straight right that put Francis on the canvas.

Early in round five, Polanco dropped Francis again with a right hand and the fight was stopped at 1:05.

Polanco, 142.9 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR 10-0 with six knockouts. Francis, 141.8 lbs of Brooklyn is 12-2.

It was a war while it lasted, but Abraham Nova stopped former world champion Johnathan Romero in round three of their 10-round junior lightweight bout.

After a furious exchange in round two, Nova dropped Romero with a hard left hook. In round three, the two stood toe-to-toe, and Nova uncorked a hard right over the top that sent Romero down face first and he did not beat the the count at 2:47.

Nova, 130.8 lbs of Albany, NY is now 23-1 with 16 knockouts. Romero, 130.8 lbs of Cali, COL is 35-2.

Suburu Murata stopped Juan Centeno after round four of their six-round junior featherweight bout.

In round three, Murata dropped Centeno with a left hook to the body. Murata continued to dominate and Centeno did no come out for round five.

Murata, 121.5 lbs of Tokyo, JAP is 5-0 with five knockouts. Centeno, 123.3 lbs of Managua, NIC is 8-9-3.

Dante Benjamin Jr. and William Langston fought to a six-round majority draw in a light heavyweight bout.

Scores were 58-56 for Langston and 57-57 twice. Benjamín, 170.1 lbs of Cleveland, OH is 7-0-1. Langston, 171.9 lbs of Kenosha, WI is 8-3-1.

Charlie Sheehy stopped Kaylyn Alford in round three of their six-round lightweight bout.

In round three, Sheehy dropped Alford with a vicious left hook to the head. Alford got to his feet, but the referee waved the fight off at 31 seconds.

Sheehy, 134.5 lbs of Brisbane, CA is now 7-0 with five knockouts. Alford, 133.4 lbs of Lafyette, LA is 4-5-2.

   •  Seniesa Estrada 104.4 lbs vs. Leonela Yudica 103.7 lbs
(Estrada’s WBC & WBA Minimumweight World Titles— 10 Rounds)

   •   Andres Cortes 130 lbs vs. Xavier Martinez 129.7 lbs
(Junior Lightweight — 10 Rounds)

•    Karlos Balderas 135.9 lbs vs. Nahir Albright 134.1 lbs 
 (Lightweight — 8 Rounds)

•   Rohan Polanco 142.9 lbs vs. Cesar Francis 141.8 lbs 
 (Junior Welterweight — 8 Rounds)

•    Abraham Nova 130.8 lbs vs. Jonathan Romero 130.8 lbs 
 (Junior Lightweight — 10 Rounds)

•    Subaru Murata 121.5 lbs vs. Juan Centeno 123.3 lbs 
 (Junior Featherweight — 6 Rounds)

•    Dante Benjamin Jr. 170.1 lbs vs. William Langston 171.9 lbs 
 (Light Heavyweight — 6 Rounds)

•    Charlie Sheehy 134.5 lbs vs. Kaylyn Alfred 133.4 lbs 
 (Lightweight — 6 Rounds)

SWING BOUT

•    Jaylan Phillips 139.5 lbs vs. E’mond Driver 142 lbs 
 (Junior Welterweight — 4 Rounds)
 

Top Rank presented by AutoZone: Estrada vs. Yudica will be live this Friday, July 28 at 11 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. PT exclusively on ESPN+. The event takes place at Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada.

In the main event, pound-for-pound dynamo Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada (24-0, 9 KOs) will defend her WBC and WBA minimumweight world titles against Argentina’s former world champion Leonela Yudica (19-1-3, 1 KO).

Seniesa is a 12-year pro who has competed at the world class level in three weight classes. She recently added the WBC belt to her collection in March with a shutout win over the previously unbeaten Tina Rupprecht. Yudica, from San Juan, Argentina, turned pro in 2012 and held the IBF flyweight title for nearly eight years before losing it in a tightly contested split decision loss to Arely Muciño in October 2022. She’s coming off a 10-round decision victory over Tamara Elisabet Demarco in April. 

In the co-feature, unbeaten Las Vegas native Andres “Savage” Cortes (19-0, 10 KOs) will take on Sacramento-born contender Xavier Martinez (18-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-round junior lightweight clash.

Cortes was a standout amateur, defeating Teofimo Lopez twice in the unpaid ranks. Now a seven-year pro, he has built a reputation for engaging in action-packed affairs. Martinez returns to action following an 11-month layoff, intent on proving he belongs in the junior lightweight title conversation.

ESPN’s Joe Tessitore will call the action with Hall of Famer, Timothy Bradley, Jr.  Mark Kriegel and Bernardo Osuna?will serve as reporters.

ESPN.com

• Out Tuesday: Updated women’s divisional rankings

ESPN+, ESPN App Boxing Content: Live and Upcoming, On Demand, Studio Shows, Archives

• Top Rank: Real TimeGo all-access with top fighters throughout fight week as they work their way to fight night
• Boxing
• Top Rank
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All Times ET

About ESPN
ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more. ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst. 

About ESPN+  

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 25.3 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).   

LAS VEGAS, NV (July 14, 2023) – Top Rank’s undefeated Jr. Lightweight, Andres Cortes (19-0, 10 KOs), from Las Vegas, NV, is eager to make a statement against his most dangerous opponent to date, the powerful Xavier Martinez (18-1, 12 KOs), who hails from Sacramento, CA. The scheduled 10-round bout, taking place at Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort, on July 28, 2023, will serve as the co-main event on the Seniesa Estrada (24-0, 9 KOs) vs. Leonela Yudica (19-1-3, 2 KOs) 10-round women’s minimumweight world title main event.

The entire Estrada-Yudica card will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+. On the line for the Cortes-Martinez battle will be the US WBC Silver Jr. Lightweight, with the winner getting one step closer to fighting for a world title.

Andres Cortes, a rising star hailing from the fight capital of the world, has consistently demonstrated his resolve within the junior lightweight division. Boasting an unblemished record, Cortes has shown a combination of skill, power, and determination that has set him apart from his peers. He’s ready to prove his worth against Martinez.

“This is the fight I’ve been waiting for my entire career,” said Cortes, when asked about the significance of this fight and the potential rewards that await him. “A win here would not only prove my worth as a top contender but also open doors to bigger fights and greater recognition. I’m grateful to my promoter, Top Rank, for believing in me and providing this opportunity. This is a very tough fight and I’m ready to seize the moment and show the world what I’m capable of.”

Guiding Cortes’ journey is his brother, Luis, who serves as both his trainer and manager. Luis understands the significance of this fight and the immense potential it holds for Andres’ career. He said, “We’ve put in countless hours of hard work and preparation for this moment. We know Xavier Martinez is a tough opponent, but we believe we are the better fighter. I’ve been told that if we win this fight, we will be on the footstep of fighting for a world title. A victory will solidify us as a top contender in the division.”

“I’ve proven myself over the course of my career that I’ll take on the toughest fights presented to me,” continued Andres Cortes. “Most fighters would never step in the ring with some of the fighters I’ve faced this early in my career. I believe Top Rank will honor the winner of this fight with a world title shot or top ranking. Either way, everything is riding on this fight. I must win and win impressively.”

LAS VEGAS (June 14, 2023) — Pound-for-pound dynamo Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada will defend her WBC and WBA minimumweight world titles against Argentina’s former world champion Leonela Yudica on Friday, July 28 at Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

In the 10-round junior lightweight co-feature, unbeaten Las Vegas native Andres “Savage” Cortes will take on Sacramento-born contender Xavier Martinez.

The entire Estrada-Yudica card will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $50 go on sale Thursday, June 15 at 12 p.m. PT and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.

“Seniesa Estrada is one of the very best fighters on the planet and is only getting better with every fight,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Yudica is an experienced championship-level fighter who will be undeterred fighting on the big stage. I expect a sensational fight on July 28, along with a co-feature between Cortes and Martinez that promises fireworks.”

Estrada (24-0, 9 KOs) is a 12-year pro who has competed at the world class level in three weight classes. In 2019, she beat U.S. Olympic bronze medalist Marlen Esparza to capture the WBA interim flyweight world title. Two years later, she captured the WBA minimumweight and WBO light flyweight titles in fights against Anabel Ortiz and Tenkai Tsunami. Estrada then vacated those belts to pursue undisputed glory at minimumweight. She signed with Top Rank in 2022 and returned from a nearly 11-month layoff in November of that year to shut out Jazmin Gala Villarino. In March, she added the WBC belt to her collection with a shutout win over the previously unbeaten Tina Rupprecht.

“I am willing to fight any woman in or around my weight class, and I respect Yudica for accepting the challenge,” Estrada said. “My goal is to become the undisputed champion at minimumweight, but I can’t achieve that goal without defeating Yudica first. She is standing in my way, and I am coming to Las Vegas to make an emphatic statement.”

Yudica (19-1-3, 1 KO) debuted as a pro in April 2012 and captured the IBF flyweight world title with a split decision win against Gabriela Bouvier in December 2014. She held the title for nearly eight years, fighting to a draw in her first defense against Vanesa Lorena Taborda in 2015 before defending it seven times. The native of San Juan, Argentina, lost the belt in a tightly contested split decision loss to Arely Muciño in October 2022 and is coming off a 10-round decision victory over Tamara Elisabet Demarco in April. 

Yudica said, “I’m taking this amazing opportunity to show the world what Argentinian fighters are made of. I’m bringing the belts back home to San Juan with me.”

Cortes (19-0, 10 KOs) was a standout amateur, defeating Teofimo Lopez twice in the unpaid ranks. A seven-year pro, Cortes made his Top Rank debut in 2020 and has built a reputation for engaging in action-packed affairs. He shined on the Emanuel Navarrete-Liam Wilson undercard in February, shutting out Puerto Rican upstart Luis Melendez in his first scheduled 10-rounder. Martinez (18-1, 12 KOs) returns to action following an 11-month layoff, intent on proving he belongs in the junior lightweight title conversation. He rebounded from a one-sided loss to Robson Conceição with a stoppage win over Alejandro Guerrero last August.

Undercard action includes two competitive matchups featuring talents from four different Latin American countries.  

Puerto Rican-born junior lightweight contender Abraham “El Super” Nova (22-1, 15 KOs) will face Colombian former world champion Jonathan Romero (35-1, 19 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Nova, who fights out Albany, New York, holds wins over Avery Sparrow and William Encarnacion. In June 2022, he suffered his first defeat via fifth-round knockout against two-time Olympic gold medalist and current world champion Robeisy Ramirez. He bounced back in January with a 10-round decision win over Adam Lopez. Romero edged Alejandro Lopez by split decision in 2013 to capture the IBF junior featherweight world title. He is 12-0 since losing the title in his first defense to Kiko Martinez.

Dominican Olympian Rohan “El Rayo” Polanco (9-0, 5 KOs) steps up against Panamanian-born contender Cesar “Rainman” Francis (12-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round junior welterweight fight. Polanco went 4-0 as a pro before losing in his opening Olympic bout in Tokyo in 2021. Polanco returned to the paid ranks in November 2021 and is coming off a six-round decision win against Ricardo Quiroz in April. Francis seeks to regain his momentum following a 10-round decision loss to Jesus Saracho in January. 

The ESPN+-streamed undercard also features an eight-round lightweight fight between 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas (14-1, 12 KOs) and Philadelphia standout Nahir Albright (15-2, 7 KOs).

Former Team USA amateur standout Charlie Sheehy (6-0, 4 KOs) will see action in a six-round lightweight tilt, while hard-hitting Japanese southpaw Subaru Murata (4-0, 4 KOs) returns in a six-round junior featherweight battle.

# # #
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 25.3 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).  

About Palms Casino Resort
Palms Casino Resort is making history as the first resort in Las Vegas fully owned and operated by a Native American Tribe. Palms Casino Resort features two distinct towers with 766 hotel rooms and suites, a diverse mix of bars, restaurants, live entertainment venues, and immersive lifestyle experiences across a 95,000-square-foot reimagined casino. Offering free valet and self-parking, the resort also includes over 190,000 square feet of meeting, convention, and event space; the Pearl, a 2,500-seat theater; an expansive pool, The Spa & Salon at Palms; a wedding chapel; the Brenden Theatre 14-screen cinema and nearly 600 units at Palms Place condominiums. Palms is located just west of the center of the Las Vegas Strip off I-15 on Flamingo Road. Palms Casino Resort is owned by The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority (“SMGHA”) an affiliate of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. For more information visit http://www.palms.com/ or the Palms Press Room. Follow Palms on social media  Facebook Twitter Instagram.

In a battle of former world champions, Jose Ramirez stopped Richard Commey in round 11 of a scheduled to 12-round junior welterweight bout in front of nearly 15,000 fans at The Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

In round 11, Ramirez dropped Commey with an uppercut. Later in round, it was a body that put Commey to his knees at 2:31.

Ramirez, 140 lbs of Avenal, CA is 28-1 with 18 knockouts. Commey, 140 lbs of Accra, GHA 30-5-1.

Estrada Decisions Rupprecht To Unify Strawweight Titles

Seniesa Estrada scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Tina Rupprecht to unify the WBA and WBC Strawweight titles.

Estrada, 104.2 lbs of East Los Angeles won by scored of 100-90 on all cards and is now 24-0. Rupprecht, 104.8 lbs of Augsburg, GER is 12-1-1.

Mireles win Split-Decision over Mailata

6’9″ heavyweight Antonio Mireles picked him self off the deck to win a six-round split decision over Patrick Mailata

In round three, Mailata landed a short right that wobbled and eventually sent the big Mireles to the canvas. Mireles took four-rounds on two cards as he on by scores of 57-56 twice and Mailata took a card 57-56.

Mireles, 265.4 lbs of Des Moines, IA is 7-0. Mailata, 321.4 lbs of Apia, SAM is 6-2.

Raymond Muratalla stopped Humberto Galindo in round nine of their 10-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Galindo dropped Muratalla with a right hand. In round four, Muratalla dropped Galindo with a left to the liver.

In round nine, Muraralla dropped Galindo with a body shot combination that made Galindo stay on his knee for the 10-count at 2:46.

Muratalla, 136.6 lbs of Fontana, CA is 17-0 with 14 knockouts. Galindo, 136 lbs of Riverside, CA is 14-3-1.

Charlie Sheehy remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Angel Rebollar in a lightweight bout.

In round six, Sheehy was cut on the left eyelid from an accidental headbutt.

Sheehy, 134.8 lbs of Brisbane, CA won by scores of 60-54 and 58-56 twice is now 6-0. Rebollar, 133.4 lbs of Los Angeles is 6-2.

Jessie James Guerrero and Eduardo Alvarez battled to a four-round majority draw in a light flyweight bout.

In round two, Guerrero was cut over the right eye from an accidental headbutt.

Scores were 40-36 for Guerrero and 38-38 twice. Guerrero, 109 lbs of Gilroy, CA is the nephew of former world champion Robert Guerrero is 3-0-2. Alvarez, 108.6 lbs of Maywood, CA is 0-2-1.

Ricardo Ruvalcaba stopped Marco Antonio Cardenas in round one of their scheduled six-round junior welterweight bout.

Ruvalcaba dropped Cardenas with a step around body shot, and the fight was stopped at 2:59 of round one.

Ruvalcaba, 140.8 lbs of Ventura, CA is 8-0-1 with seven knockouts. Cardenas, 140.4 lbs of Salem, OR is 9-8-1.

Subara Murata scored a first round stoppage over Jose Negrete in a scheduled four-round junior featherweight bout.

In round one, Murata dropped Negrete with a straight left to the chin. Negrete got to his feet, but he was wobbling all over the place and the fight was stopped.

Murata, 121.8 lbs of Tokyo, JAP is 4-0 with four knockouts. Negrete, 121.4 lbs of Hartford, CA is 2-2.

    •  Jose Ramirez 140 lbs. vs. Richard Commey 140 lbs
(WBC Junior Welterweight Title Eliminator — 12 Rounds)

   •   Seniesa Estrada 104.2 lbs vs. Tina Rupprecht 104.8 lbs
(WBA, WBC & Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Titles — 10 Rounds)

•  Antonio Mireles 265.4 lbs vs. Patrick Mailata 321.4 lbs
 (Heavyweight — 6 Rounds)

(ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT)

•    Raymond Muratalla 136.6 lbs vs. Humberto Galindo 136 lbs
 (Lightweight— 10 Rounds)

•  Charlie Sheehy 134.8 lbs vs. Angel Rebollar 133.4 lbs
 (Lightweight — 6 Rounds)

•   Jessie James Guerrero 109 lbs vs. Eduardo Alvarez 108.6 lbs
 (Light Flyweight — 4 Rounds)

•  Ricardo Ruvalcaba 140.8 lbs vs. Marco Antonio Cardenas 140.4 lbs
 (Junior Welterweight — 6 Rounds)

•    Subaru Murata 121.6 lbs vs. Jose Negrete 121.4 lbs
 (Junior Featherweight — 4 Rounds)

FRESNO, Calif. (March 23, 2023) – Top Rank on ESPN will deliver another action-packed tripleheader this Saturday at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. 

In the main event, former unified world champion Jose Ramirez (27-1, 17 KOs) takes on former lightweight world champion Richard “RC” Commey (30-4-1, 27 KOs) in a 12-round junior welterweight showdown. 
 
In the co-feature, WBA minimumweight world champion Seniesa Estrada (23-0, 9 KOs) will face WBC champion Tina Rupprecht (12-0-1, 3 KOs) in a 10-round unification fight that will also crown a Ring Magazine queen. In the six-round heavyweight ESPN-televised opener, Antonio “El Gigante” Mireles (6-0, 6 KOs) battles Patrick Mailata (6-1, 3 KOs).
 
Ramirez-Commey, Estrada-Rupprecht and Mireles-Mailata will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with DiBella Entertainment, tickets starting at $29 are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com.
 
At Thursday’s press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.

Jose Ramirez 
 
“It’s always an honor for me to fight here in Fresno in front of the people who saw me grow up as a fighter. I hope to go out there on Saturday to showcase my talent in front of the people who love me the most.”
 
“I’ve experienced being at the top with people praising me and me being ranked at No. 1. Then, I became unified world champion when I beat Maurice Hooker. Then, all of a sudden after one loss, people started to walk away from that. But I’m just blessed that I have a beautiful family, a beautiful team, and a wonderful promotional company. That’s all I need. So, I found myself, and I realized who I am. I feel like I’m ready to show that lion that we all saw before I started getting distracted with some of the stuff that comes with being at the top. Now it’s time for me to work.”
 
“We’re focused on Richard Commey. This is a fight that is going to deliver a lot of excitement on Saturday.”
 
Richard Commey
 
“I’m always excited to get back in the ring. This is what I do. It’s going to be an interesting fight on Saturday. I really want to become a two-time world champion, so I’m coming strong this Saturday.”
 
“Like Ramirez said, he’s got the ‘fire’ back in him. So, I think he really wants to get back to the top. Just like me.”
 
“It’s always good to represent people, especially when those people don’t have a lot of eyes on them. So, to be the focal point and represent them is an amazing feeling.”
 
Seniesa Estrada 
 
“I’m so excited. This is the moment that I’ve dreamed of since I was seven years old. It’s crazy to think about how far I’ve come in this sport and how far this sport has come for women. Who would have thought that a little girl from East L.A. would be unifying titles on ESPN? It’s insane to think about how far I’ve come, and I’m just happy to represent all women in sport on Saturday night.”
 
“I expect Rupprecht to come in there at 100%. I expect her to go in there to win. She’s coming to win. She’s a good fighter. She’s a tough fighter. But I know that I’m different. I’m special, and I’m going to show that on Saturday.”
 
“I’ve been wanting to make the fight against Yokasta Valle. But this is the first step in making that fight happen. I have to beat Tina to fight Valle for the undisputed championship.”
 
Tina Rupprecht
 
“I’m very happy to be here. I’m happy to have my first fight in the U.S. I’m excited, and I’m ready to fight. It’s a big honor to fight for both titles. This is always what I wanted. And on Saturday you will see the best version of Tina.”
 
“Of course, I have watched her fight. But I’m not the kind of fighter who only focuses only on the opponent’s style. I also focus on myself. You will see on Saturday.”
 
Antonio Mireles
 
“I’m very excited. I knew this would happen. I just didn’t know it would happen now. It’s going to be nice to finally fight in front of a packed crowd on ESPN. It’s crazy that it’s been over a year since I turned pro. It shows how fast time goes by. But compared to where I was last year, I just feel like a completely different fighter. I’ve improved so much. But, I’m also more confident in my abilities.”

Raymond Muratalla
 
“I’m excited to be here. It’s my first time fighting in Fresno. I’m excited to be on the undercard of Jose Ramirez. I can’t wait. Each fight, I’m getting better and better. You’re going to see me go crazy. I’m just so ambitious. I’m just working hard. And I’m just really trying to stop these opponents.”
 

Saturday, March 25

ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)

Jose Ramirez vs. Richard Commey, 12 rounds, WBC Junior Welterweight Title Eliminator

Antonio Mireles vs. Patrick Mailata, 6 rounds, Heavyweight
 

ESPN+ (7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT)

Raymond Muratalla vs. Humberto Galindo, 10 rounds, Lightweight

Charlie Sheehy vs. Angel Rebollar, 6 rounds, Lightweight
 
Jessie James Guerrero vs. Eduardo Alvarez, 4 rounds, Light Flyweight
 
Ricardo Ruvalcaba vs. Marco Cardenas, 6 rounds, Junior Welterweight
 
Subaru Murata vs. Jose Negrete, 4 rounds, Junior Featherweight

Top Rank presented by Autozone will be live this Saturday, March 25, at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+.  The triple-header features a junior welterweight showdown, a minimumweight title unification fight, and a six-round heavyweight clash. The event takes place at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

In the 12-round junior welterweight main event, former unified 140-pound world champion José Ramírez (27-1,17 KOs) from Avenal, California will meet former lightweight world champion Richard “RC” Commey (30-4-1, 27 KOs).  Following his 2021 decision defeat to Josh Taylor for the undisputed junior welterweight title, Ramírez rebounded last March with a unanimous decision victory over former two-weight world champion José Pedraza. He has been among the sport’s best 140-pounders since winning the WBC world title against Amir Imam in March 2018.

Commey,from Accra, Ghana, made his name as one of the sport’s top lightweights, winning Commonwealth honors before capturing the IBF world title in February 2019. His title reign lasted 10 months, as he knocked out former world champion Ray Beltrán before a stunning second-round stoppage defeat to Teófimo López at Madison Square Garden. Commey’s lightweight run ended with a December 2021 decision loss to Vasiliy Lomachenko. 

The co-feature will be a world title unification clash, as WBA minimumweight world champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada (23-0, 9 KOs) collides with WBC world champion Tina Rupprecht (12-0-1, 3 KOs).

Hailing from East Los Angeles, California, Estrada returns to her home state intent on unifying world titles for the first time in her decorated career. The 30-year-old veteran turned pro nearly a dozen years ago and has competed at the world class level in three weight classes. In 2021, she captured the WBA minimumweight and WBO light flyweight titles in consecutive fights. Estrada then vacated the light flyweight title to pursue undisputed glory at minimumweight. She signed with Top Rank last year and returned from a nearly 11-month layoff in November to shut out Jazmin Gala Villarino.

Rupprecht, from Augsburg, Germany, has made five defenses of her world title after being elevated from interim champion in 2018. Earlier that year, she toppled Yokasta Valle, who is the current IBF and WBO unified minimumweight world champion. In July 2021, Rupprecht edged former world champion Katia Gutierrez by split decision. She is coming off a decision win over Rocío Gaspar in December.

The heavyweight opener will be a six-round clash between Antonio “El Gigante” Mireles and Patrick Mailata.  Mireles (6-0, 6 KOs) is a Mexican-American prospect from Des Moines, Iowa. As an amateur, he won several national tournaments and signed with Top Rank in September 2021. Mailata (6-1, 3 KOs) is a Samoan-born prospect who had a decorated amateur career representing New Zealand.

The undercard will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+.
 

ESPN’s Joe Tessitore will call the action with Hall of Famers Andre Ward and Timothy Bradley, Jr. as analysts; Mark Kriegel and Bernardo Osuna will serve as reporters.  

Original Content: The Dream Americano

Ahead of the March 25 doubleheader, ESPN will air Top Rank’s The Dream Americano, a 30-minute celebration of the Mexican-American fighting spirit, featuring a visit with co-headliners, U.S. Olympian José Ramírez and undefeated world champion Seniesa Estrada. Viewers will also be treated to special guest appearances by actors Danny Trejo and Mario López. 

In addition to the air times below, The Dream Americano will also be available for replay on-demand in the ESPN App and on ESPN.com and ESPN+. 

Top Rank Presents: The Dream Americano 

ESPN.com

Out Friday: How Seniesa Estrada’s love for boxing helped save her father –by Mike Rothstein

ESPN+, ESPN App Boxing Content: Live and Upcoming, On Demand, Studio Shows, Archives  

Top Rank: Real Time Go all-access with top fighters throughout fight week as they work their way to fight night 

Boxing 

Top Rank 

State of Boxing 

Max on Boxing Max Kellerman hosts a 30-minute series weighing in on key boxing news and providing insights on the sport’s top fighters and upcoming events 

Who Do U Fight 4? Get to know the next generation of Top Rank stars and learn what drives them 

Follow @ESPNRingside: Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok

 Ramírez vs. Commey-  Estrada vs. Rupprecht  – Mireles vs. Mailata  (All Times ET)

About ESPN 

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more.? ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.? 

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.9 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).

FRESNO, Calif. (March 21, 2023) — Antonio “El Gigante” Mireles is ready for prime time.

The 6-foot-9, 270-pound heavyweight southpaw will return in a six-round clash against Patrick Mailata on Saturday, March 25, at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. Mireles-Mailata will open the televised tripleheader headlined by the junior welterweight showdown between Jose Ramirez and Richard “RC” Commey and the minimumweight title unification bout between WBA champion Seniesa Estrada and WBC queen Tina Rupprecht.

Ramirez-Commey, Estrada-Rupprecht and Mireles-Mailata will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with DiBella Entertainment, tickets starting at $29 are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com.

Mireles (6-0, 6 KOs) is a Mexican-American prospect from Des Moines, Iowa. As an amateur, he won several national tournaments and signed with Top Rank in September 2021. Mireles made his pro debut the following month on the undercard of the Emanuel Navarrete-Joet Gonzalez main event in San Diego. Under the tutelage of Robert Garcia, he has maintained a 100 percent knockout ratio and is coming off a first-round knockout against Eric Perry last November. Mailata (6-1, 3 KOs) is a Samoan-born prospect who had a decorated amateur career representing New Zealand. Mailata has won two straight since a majority decision loss to Kingsley Ibeh.

Ahead of the March 25 doubleheader at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California, ESPN will air Top Rank’s The Dream Americano, a 30-minute celebration of the Mexican-American fighting spirit, featuring a visit with former U.S. Olympian José Ramírez and undefeated world champion Seniesa Estrada. Viewers will also be treated to special guest appearances by actors Danny Trejo and Mario Lopez.

Fight fans will go inside the training camp and learn about the family and proud Hispanic heart that motivates former unified WBC/WBO junior welterweight world champion José Ramírez (27-1, 17 KOs) who makes his hometown return against former IBF lightweight world champion Richard Commey (30-4-1, 27 KOs).

Next, viewers will get a peek inside the training camp and daily life of the proud Mexican-American, Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada (23-0, 9 KOs), the second female signing in Top Rank’s storied history. In the March 25 co-main event, the Los Angeles native defends her WBA minimumweight crown in a winner-take-all world title unification against WBC minimumweight queen Tina Rupprecht (12-0-1, 3 KOs).

In addition to the air times below, The Dream Americano will also be available for replay on-demand in the ESPN App and on ESPN.com and ESPN+.

Top Rank Presents: The Dream Americano

Date
Network
Time (ET)
Sun Mar 19
ESPNEWS
6 p.m.
ESPN Deportes*
8 p.m.
Mon Mar 20
ESPN2
3:30 a.m.
Tue Mar 21
ESPN2
2 a.m.
Thu Mar 23
ESPNEWS
9:30 a.m.
ESPN Deportes*
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