An Exciting Night of Boxing
About 400 punches in just three minutes, eight fighters, and two different boxing events. The bursts of jabs, hooks, and powerful punches will flood the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California, and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, in two thrilling nights that will keep boxing fans on the edge of their seats. Tonight, super featherweight champion Francisco Vargas, who has been the main attraction in two Fight of the Year battles, will step into the ring at Fantasy Springs to defend his World Boxing Council title, just minutes after Miguel Roman takes on former universal champion, Takashi Miura, in an eliminator bout.
Vargas Ready to Defend Title
Vargas is not willing to give up his space and ensures that even though the fight is challenging, he will go to great lengths to defend his title, because the more than two months of preparation have been adequate.
"Being a champion is a great commitment, at this level there are no easy fights, because everyone who steps up has the intention of taking your head off. It won't be any different with Berchelt, but I know I have what it takes to keep him at bay," Vargas told La Aficion.
Leo Santa Cruz vs Carl Frampton
445.7 kilometers away from Indio, in Las Vegas, and eager to even the scores, Leo Santa Cruz will try to overcome the dangerous Carl Frampton and take away the World Boxing Association featherweight crown, as well as the World Boxing Council diamond championship.
"This fight will be crucial for my career. I want to prove that what happened against Frampton, the first time, was just a bad night. The circumstances have changed and I am willing to show a significant difference. He doesn't know what awaits him," said Santa Cruz, who aims to erase the feeling of having a defeat on his record.
Mikey Garcia vs Dejan Zlaticanin
Mikey Garcia knows that a world title is all he needs to officially mark his comeback and begin what he calls the second and most productive stage of his professional career.
After being away from the ring for over two years, the former champion will face the only famous fighter in the history of Montenegro and knows it won't be an easy challenge, as Dinamita Zlaticanin is fully committed.
Garcia relies on his experience and skill to prevail over a relatively unknown fighter internationally who still has everything to prove.
Mikey declares not to have any problems with the champion's punching power, because his strategy will be suitable to find a resolution.
Miguel Roman vs Takashi Miura
With the opportunity to become the challenger for the World Boxing Council super featherweight crown, Miguel Roman is determined to go through any means necessary to defeat the hard-hitting Japanese fighter, Takashi Miura.
Miura aims to eliminate anyone in his path as he wants to make the Mexican fighter Francisco Vargas grant him a rematch after the ninth-round knockout he suffered two years ago.
For Roman, it will be his third chance at winning a world title, which is why he predicts a relentless war in his quest to get closer to a world championship, regardless of the momentum possessed by the hungry Japanese fighter. The distance traveled by Roman is an element he hopes will have an impact on the Japanese.
Francisco Vargas vs Miguel Berchelt
With two consecutive Fight of the Year awards, Francisco Vargas from the State of Mexico returns to defend the title he took from the Japanese fighter Takashi Miura and successfully defended against the hard-hitter Orlando Salido.
On this occasion, The Bandit will face Miguel Berchelt in what will be the 151st fight for a world title between Mexicans. Despite the long period of inactivity needed to heal his battle wounds, Vargas insisted they will not interfere with his performance, and he will be able to leave the ring without any issues and with his hand raised in victory against The Scorpion.
Without fear of his opponent's powerful punches, Francisco Vargas will enter the fight against his mandatory challenger with the confidence that he has overcome great challenges in the past, thanks to the experience and skill acquired during his time as an amateur boxer.