Uzcategui-Maderna back on the docket for Sept. 28

Super middleweight Jose Uzcategui (27-2, 23 KOs) has an opponent for his scheduled Sept. 28 non-title bout, but it’ll be the same opponent it was all along — Ezequiel Maderna (26-4, 16 KOs). Maderna had been removed from the card a couple of weeks ago because of his problems securing a travel visa, but now ESPN reports that he’s gotten that issue resolved and has been reinserted as Uzcategui’s opponent.

“Maderna never stopped training and his visa came through so he is the opponent,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN on Monday.

The Uzcategui-Maderna fight will headline and ESPN+ card on Sept. 28 in a scheduled 10 rounder. Maderna, 31, will be headed to Oracle Arena in Oakland where he’ll be fighting out of his native Argentina for only the fourth time in his career. Needless to say, Uzcategui will easily be one of the best opponents Maderna has ever faced and the last time Maderna took on a credible opponent of this level, he was squashed by Artur Beterbiev in mid-2016.

Uzcategui, meanwhile, is coming off a stoppage win over Andre Dirrell early this year, where he became the interim IBF super middleweight titleholder. He’ll be the heavy favorite going into the bout.