Former world champion Alberto Machado (22-2, 18 KOs) of Puerto Rico and rising prospect Angel Fierro (17-1-1, 13 KOs) of Mexico both made weight successfully ahead of their 10-round lightweight fight, the main event of a three-fight card tomorrow, Thursday, March 18 on NBC Sports Network (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT), live from Albergue Olimpico (Olympic Center) in Salinas, P.R.,
In tomorrow’s co-main event, Jose ‘Chiquro’ Martinez, (21-1-2, 14 KOs), of Las Marias, Puerto Rico, clashes with three-time world title challenger Israel ‘Jiga’ Gonzalez (26-4, 11 KOs) of Los Cabos, Mexico, in a ten-round bantamweight bout. A six-round light heavyweight fight will round out the main card on NBC Sports Network featuring Irish’ Joe Ward, (2-1, 2 KOs), of Moate, Ireland, who will look to avenge his pro debut setback against Marco ‘El Muneco’ Delgado, (7-1, 5 KOs), of Turlock, Calif.
Headlining the Twitch undercard broadcast, which begins at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT, three-time world title challenger Maricela ‘La Diva’ Cornejo, (13-4, 5 KOs), of Los Angeles, Calif. faces off against Alma Ibarra (7-1, 4 KOs) of Monterrey, Mexico. In an eight-round super flyweight battle, former world champion and knockout artist Angel ‘Tito’ Acosta, (21-2, 21 KOs), of San Juan, Puerto Rico, battles Gilberto Mendoza (17-9-3, 8 KOs) of Modesto, Calif. Also on the Twitch undercard is an eight-round welterweight fight between Jose “Cheito” Roman (10-0, 5 KOs) and Roque Junco (10-7-1, 6 KOs) and a six-round lightweight battle featuring top undefeated prospect Edwin ‘The Chin’ Valentin (9-0, 8 KOs) fighting in his hometown of Salinas when he faces veteran Hector Marengo (7-14-4, 4 KOs) of Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
Official weights and officials from Puerto Rico:
Lightweight Fight – 10 Rounds
Alberto Machado – 135.0 lbs.
Angel Fierro – 134.8 lbs.
Referee: Jose Hiram Rivera
Judges: Robin Taylor, Donald Trella, Hernando Steidel
Bantamweight Fight – 10 Rounds
Jose Martinez – 117.8 lbs.
Israel Gonzalez – 117.0 lbs.
Referee: Melba Santos
Judges: Charlie Ruiz, Gerardo Martinez, Hernando Steidel
Light Heavyweight Fight – 6 Rounds
Joe Ward – 173.8 lbs.
Marcos Delgado – 173.6 lbs.
Referee: Jose Hiram Rivera
Judges: Jose Roberto Torres, Charlie Ruiz, Gerardo Martinez
Middlweight Fight – 8 Rounds
Maricela Cornejo – 158.2 lbs.
Alma Ibarra – 156 lbs.
Referee: Melba Santos
Judges: Charlie Ruiz, Gerardo Martinez, Hernando Steidel
Super Flyweight Fight – 8 Rounds
Angel Acosta – 114.0 lbs.
Gilberto Mendoza – 113.0 lbs.
Referee: Jose Hiram Rivera
Judges: Jose Roberto Torres, Gerardo Martinez, Charlie Ruiz
Welterweight Fight – 8 Rounds
Jose Roman – 146.6 lbs.
Roque Junco – 146.0 lbs.
Referee: Melba Santos
Judges: Hernando Steidel, Gerardo Martinez, Charlie Ruiz
Lightweight Fight – 6 Rounds
Edwin Valentin – 135.0 lbs.
Hector Marengo – 135.2 lbs.
Referee: Billy Rosario
Judges: Jose Roberto Torres, Hernando Steidel, Charlie Ruiz
Calling all the action ringside in Puerto Rico on NBC Sports Network will be former two-time welterweight champion Shawn Porter joined by NBC Sports blow-by-blow commentator Bob Papa. Brian Campbell serves as fight night analyst with Curran Bhatia reporting from ringside.
Catch up on fight week in Puerto Rico ahead of tomorrow’s stacked card, including a look at the Boxing Rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico, “The Story of Alberto Machado” with Curran Bhatia and “The Story of Angel Fierro” with Curran Bhatia.
Subscribe to Ring City USA on Twitch for undercard action and an exclusive post-fight presentation following the evening’s main event. Follow Ring City USA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest updates during fight week in Puerto Rico or visit www.ringcityusa.com for more information.
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Ring City, which launched in 2020, is boxing’s newest sports media platform. Working in tandem with a variety of promoters and talent, its new boxing series places an emphasis on competitive matchups that genuinely test the fighters and excite the fight fans. Ring City provides great fights in the ring and compelling shoulder programming outside of the ring. Ring City is the proving ground where up-and-coming talent can earn their stripes and launch themselves into the upper echelon of boxing stardom.
