On Friday night, April 3, Boxcino 2014 Lightweight champion Petr Petrov will take on former world champion Gamaliel Diaz in a 10-round fight that will headline an ESPN Friday Night Fight’s card at the Omega Products Outdoor Arena in Corona, California.
The show is promoted by Thompson Boxing and Banner Promotions, and the telecast will begin at 9 PM ET. on ESPN 2
That card is a prelude to the following week’s Boxcino 2015 Heavyweight and Jr. middleweight semi-finals that will be televised live on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on April 10 at 9 PM ET. on ESPN 2
In the 8-round co-feature, 2012 Olympic Bronze medal winner Taras Shelestyuk will make his national television debut against Juan Rodriguez Jr.
Petrov of Madrid, Spain has a record of 35-4-2 with 17 knockouts. He is the Boxcino 2014 Lightweight champion as he won fights over Fedor Papzov (14-0), Chris Rudd (13-1) and a title winning 8th round stoppage over Fernando Carcamo in the finals that took place on May 23, 2014 at the Turning Stone Resort Casino.
Diaz of Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico has a record of 38-11-3 with 17 knockouts and is the former WBC Super Featherweight world champion.
Diaz won the WBC Super Featherweight world title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Takahiro Ao on October 27, 2012 in Ao’s home country of Japan.
He holds wins over three-division world champion Robert Guerrero, future world champion Elio Rojas & former world champion Cesar Soto.
Diaz is coming off a three round technical draw with Anthony Crolla on September 13, 2014 in Manchester, England. The bout was stopped due to an accidental headbutt that caused a bad cut over Diaz’ left eye.
Shelestyuk of Sumy, Ukraine was a 2012 Olympic Bronze Medal winner. The twenty-nine year old has a record of 11-0 with eight knockouts and has a big win over previously undefeated Travis Hanshaw on June 28, 2013 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Shelestyuk moved to Los Angeles and trains at the Wild Card Gym and is trained by Hall of Fame trainer, Freddie Roach.
Shelestyuk has stopped his last two opponents, which most recently includes a third-round stoppage over Francisco Reza on February 20 in Ontario, California.
Rodriguez of Union City, New Jersey has a record of 12-1 with five knockouts.
The twenty-eight year old won his first eleven fights and is coming off a four-round technical decision over previously undefeated Greg Jackson on October 25, 2014 in North Bergen, New Jersey.
“We expect tremendous performances from both Petr Petrov and Taras Shelestyuk,” said Alex Camponovo, matchmaker and general manager for Thompson Boxing. “They have crowd-pleasing styles that make for exciting fights, which the fans in attendance and those watching on ESPN will absolutely love. Plus, the outdoor setting at Omega Products Arena is among the finest in boxing.”
Said Banner Promotions President Artie Pelullo, “We look forward to a great night of boxing. We expect Petr to come through with a great performance against a former world champion in Gamaliel Diaz which will catapult himself to a world title opportunity. We are also pleased to give Taras his national television debut, and we know based on his style and personality that he will quickly become a fan favorite and a major player in the 147 pound division.”
Also on the card, undefeated welterweight prospect Sukhrab Shidaev(12-0, 7 KOs) of Hollywood, Calif. will fight an opponent to be named later (6-rounds).
Former Colombian Olympian and undefeated lightweight Cesar Villarraga (6-0, 4 KOs) will look to stay unbeaten against an opponent to be named later (6-rounds).
Making his professional debut is junior lightweight Michael Norato facing fellow novice Sopuan Rin (1-1-1) of Pomona, Calif. in a fight scheduled for 4-rounds.
Humberto Rubalcava will also step inside the squared circle for the first time as a professional. Rubalcava, a super bantamweight from Riverside, Calif., will face an opponent to be named later (4-rounds).
Opening the event are junior welterweights Emanuel Robles (12-0-1, 3 KOs) of San Diego and Wilberth Lopez (5-4, 1 KO) of Tucson, Ariz. (6-rounds).
Tickets are priced at $40, $60, & $100 and can be purchased by calling (714) 935-0900, or online at www.ThompsonBoxing.com.
The 1st bout is at 5:15 PT, Doors at 4:30 PT and 1st TV bout at 6 PM PT.
