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Orozco-Maldonado set for Dec.16th

Super lightweight standout and undefeated contender Antonio “Relentless” Orozco (25-0, 16 KOs) will face one of his toughest challenges to date, taking on the always-dangerous and exciting Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr. (22-3-1, 19 KOs) for the vacant WBC International Super Lightweight Championship in the 10-round co-main event of the Dec. 16 HBO Latino® Boxing tripleheader at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

Tickets are already on sale for the stacked card, which will feature a light heavyweight match-up of top contenders between WBC USNBC Champion Vyacheslav “Lionheart Chingonskyy” Shabranskyy (17-0, 14 KOs) and Cuban standout Sullivan Barrera (17-1, 12 KOs) in the main event and Bronx-born IBF North American welterweight titlist Eddie “E-Boy” Gomez (19-1, 11 KOs) putting his title on the line in a 10-round fight against undefeated Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis (16-0, 11 KOs) of Lynn, Massachusetts.

Orozco has shot to the top of the rankings in the last two years with victories over solid opposition including three-division world champion Humberto “Zorrita” Soto, Emmanuel “Tranzformer” Taylor and Abner “Jaeger” Lopez. In Maldonado, Orozco will see an offensive-minded fighter who has scored knockouts in 19 of his 22 victories.

“My dream of becoming a world champion is getting closer and closer, and I am confident I will keep my undefeated streak alive against Fidel Maldonado, Jr.,” Orozco said. “Fidel doesn’t know how to take a step backwards, and anyone who knows my style know that I don’t, either. Fans should expect fireworks.”

“One guy is nicknamed ‘Relentless’ and the other has knocked out almost all of his opponents — this is a guaranteed slugfest,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Whoever comes out on top in this fight will likely be looking at a world title shot in 2017, so they will both leave it all in the ring.”

Off HBO Latino, but on RingTV.com, WBC Silver featherweight titlist and Santa Ana-born Ronny Rios (26-1, 11 KOs)will seek to grow his three-fight winning streak – including a solid victory against the then-undefeated Jason Velez to earn the belt – against prospect Roy “Pitbull” Tapia (12-1-2, 6 KOs).

Another standout Golden Boy Promotions prospect, San Diego’s Genaro “El Conde” Gamez (3-0, 3 KO) will return for his fourth performance in a four-round super featherweight match against a soon to be announced opponent.

Can’t-miss super lightweight prospect Vergil Ortiz Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs), hot off of two, thunderous first-round knockouts including one in his hometown of Dallas, Texas, will step in against Juarez, Mexico’s Nestor Garcia (0-1) for a four-round fight.

Super welterweight banger Alexis Rocha (5-0, 4 KOs) returns to Fantasy Springs two months after delivering a devastating knockout to take on a yet-to-be-determined opponent in a six-round scrap.

Opening the night, Ryan “Blue Chip” Martin (15-0, 9 KOs) will look to keep his impressive undefeated record intact in an eight-round bout in the Lightweight division against an opponent to be named later.

Local fan favorite Javier Padilla (1-0, 1 KO) will look to build on his successful pro debut at the same venue two months ago when he takes on Christian Lorenzo (2-3, 1 KO) of Los Angeles in a four-round battle of Super Bantamweights.

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Lukie Ketelle

Lukie Ketelle