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2016 U.S. Olympian and current lightweight prospect Karlos Balderas will open the February 17 FOX card from El Paso, Texas, facing Jorge Rojas of Mexico in the opening bout of a three-fight card.
The show will be headlined by a make-or-break sort of fight between former welterweight titleholders Victor Ortiz and Devon Alexander. The co-feature is a super middleweight matchup between prospect Caleb Plant and veteran Rogelio Medina.
Balderas (3-0, 3 KO) turned pro in April of last year, and has yet to have a fight make it out of the first round.
“It means more people can see that I’m here and I’m ready and I’m in great shape. We’ve been doing a bunch of different things in my training camp -- like biking and swimming -- that I know will help me. My first three fights have finished very fast, so people haven’t seen my true speed and power. I have an explosiveness that I’d like to showcase more.”
Rojas is 4-2-1 (2 KO) in his own young career, but the hope will be that he can give Balderas at least a few rounds. If he can’t, then Balderas will have showcased that explosiveness, probably, and everyone will get a look at a promising young fighter.