LOS ANGELES (Jan. 16) – On February 27, Mexicali’s Diego De La Hoya (8-0, 6 KOs) makes his move up to fight in his first eight-round bout in the evening’s co-main event when he faces Los Angeles’ Manuel “Suavecito” Roman (17-3-3, 6 KOs) at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. Plus, Chinese heavyweight sensation Taishan (2-0, 2 KOs) opens up the FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes telecast in a four-round bout against Roy McCary (3-2, 3 KOs) of Houston. Also, newcomer Nick Arce (1-0, 1 KO) competes in his second professional match in a four-round super featherweight bout hoping to make airwaves and undefeated Oscar Negrete (7-0, 3 KOs) will compete in non-televised six-round bantamweight bout, both against opponents yet to be announced.
In the previously announced main event, IBF Bantamweight World Champion Randy “El Matador” Caballero (22-0, 13 KOs) will defend his title for the first time against Alberto “Metro” Guevara (19-2, 7 KOs) of Mazatlan, Mexico.
“Golden Boy Promotions has for years developed the future stars of boxing – and that proud tradition will continue on Feb. 27,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Founder and President of Golden Boy Promotions. “Just as we worked with Randy Caballero from the beginning and helped him become a champion, I’m confident that many fighters appearing on Randy’s undercard are headed for similar success.”
Tickets for the event, priced at $105, $75, $55, $45 and $35 are on sale now at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
With boxing fans around the world waiting to see what he could do in the ring, 20-year-old Diego De La Hoya (8-0, 6 KOs) has yet to disappoint; impressing audiences from the time of his professional debut in 2013 with poise, power and exciting style. In 2014, the Mexicali native put together six wins, four by knockout and after defeating the likes of Miguel Tamayo and Ali Gonzalez, he’s looking forward to stepping up even more this year as he begins competing in eight-round bouts.
Manuel Roman (17-3-3, 6 KOs) of Los Angeles is a tough fighter ready to prove to critics that he is mainstay in the sport. A professional since 2004 the hard hitting veteran was a former sparring partner to WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz, and also fought Santa Cruz in a title defense bout on the undercard of Mayweather vs. Maidana II. The last time Roman was seen at Fantasy Springs he went up against hometown favorite and current IBF Bantamweight World Champion Randy Caballero and is looking to return to the venue to take on the rising star Diego De La Hoya.
Seven-foot-tall heavyweight Taishan (2-0, 2 KOs) has garnered a lot of attention for being one of the most imposing fighters in his division. His two professional bouts thus far have proven that there’s substance behind the hype as he’s knocked out both Alex Rozman and Tommy Washington Jr., getting fight fans even more excited for the 26-year-old Beijing native’s first fight of 2015 on February 27.
Roy McCary (3-2, 3 KOs) of Houston is a rising heavyweight boxer who has gone up against the hard hitting Mario Herendia and Eric Newell. Looking to continue to build a reputation, the newcomer will face Taishan hoping for victory in February.
A member of the Westside Boxing Club in Los Angeles, 18-year-old lightweight Nick Arce (1-0, 1 KO) is a former amateur standout who entered the professional boxing world in style in November of 2014 with a fourth round knockout over Adalbert Valenzuela. Now, he will attempt to make it two straight as he competes in one of the sport’s most competitive weight classes.
Undefeated bantamweight star, Oscar Negrete (7-0, 3 KOs), will make his third appearance at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino looking to continue his undefeated status. A professional since 2013, the newcomer already has seven wins to his name, quickly climbing the ranks and becoming a feared fighter. Most recently, Negrete faced Salvador Perez in a four-round bantamweight bout. Negrete knocked down the Fresno based fighter in the second round for a technical knockout win.
# # #
Caballero vs. Guevara, a 12-round bout for Caballero’s IBF Bantamweight World Championship is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Mexico, Live It To Believe It! and Golden Ram Group. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the first bell rings at 5:30 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.