Top Rank revealed additional details about Friday's undercard at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. The entire show will be streamed on ESPN platforms. In the ten-round junior middleweight co-feature, Puerto Rican junior middleweight Xander Zayas (16-0, 10 KOs) faces Mexico’s Roberto Valenzuela Jr. (21-4, 20 KOs). In the six-round lightweight ESPN-televised opener, Emiliano Fernando Vargas (6-0, 5 KOs) steps up versus Spain's Alejandro Guardado (5-0, 1 KO). The Luis Alberto Lopez vs. Joet Gonzalrz main event plus Zayas-Valenzuela and Vargas-Guardado will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
The ESPN+-streamed undercard (6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT) features Omar Aguilar (25-1, 24 KOs) and Julio Luna (20-1-2, 11 KOs) in an all-Mexican eight-round welterweight tilt... Corpus Christi native John Rincon (7-0, 2 KOs) takes on Puerto Rico's Bryan Ismael Rodriguez Rivera (4-1-1, 2 KOs) in a six-round welterweight clash, and Jamaine Ortiz (16-1-1, 8 KOs) fights Antonio Moran (29-5-1, 20 KOs) in his first fight since last year's valiant effort against Vasiliy Lomachenko... Featherweight contender Ruben Villa (20-1, 7 KOs) will look to notch his second win of the year in an eight-round battle against Brandon Valdes (15-3, 7 KOs), while U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson (9-0, 5 KOs) makes his third appearance of 2023 in an eight-round junior welterweight fight against Ricardo Quiroz (13-2, 7 KOs).
Here are quotes from Zayas and other undercard participants
Xander Zayas
“It’s been a great journey. I’m 16 fights in. I’ve been growing. I’ve been learning. I’ve been getting better in and outside of the ring. And I’m excited to put on a show this Saturday night.”
"We’ve been training for the last three or four fights for a ten-rounder. Now I get the opportunity, and I’m going to take advantage of it. I’m facing a Mexican warrior who is ready to put on a show."
"He has a lot of things behind him. Mexican Independence Day is the day after. His family is here with him. He’s probably going to have the crowd behind him. But I’m excited to put on a show and win over the crowd.”
Roberto Valenzuela Jr.
“It is a very important date for me and for Mexico. So, we will do our best to get a good result. This is my opportunity to let everyone know who Roberto Valenzuela is.”
“We have been studying him. He is a great boxer. He actually doesn't have many flaws. But I believe that my hunger to win and move forward in my career is going to be the difference. I know that if I win this fight, we will be on the path to very big fights;.”
Omar Aguilar
“I feel very excited and happy. It is a great date for Mexico and for boxing. So I feel honored to fight on these dates, and what better way to do it than with these people around me? I'm going to give my best in the ring."
“I learned a lot against Lindolfo Delgado. I matured with that fight. It was a very interesting fight. I hope to take all the experience that I’ve gained and apply in this fight. We are ready."
Julio Luna
“I've come very well prepared, whether it lasts eight rounds or if it ends before. If it ends earlier, even better. But I’ve come prepared either way. Whenever two Mexicans get into the same ring, it is a guaranteed war. I think this will not be the exception.”
"The fight with Giovani Santillán gave me a lot of experience. And now I'm trying to get rid of that thorn in my side. I was not happy with that decision, and now I am grateful for this second opportunity.”
Emiliano Fernando Vargas
“It’s a blessing to be here. It’s a great opportunity for me to bring that excitement back to Corpus Christi. It’s definitely something special for me and my father. He fought here, and now I’m fighting here almost 20 years later. It’s very special for us.”
“I’m insanely excited to make my ESPN debut. This is definitely a step up with the opponent I have. It’s only going to make it more of a show. The best comes out of me when I’m facing better opposition. At the end of the day, to get to that world championship level where I know I can compete at and dominate, I’ve got to get through the Spaniard come Friday.”
John Rincon
“I’ve been dreaming for a moment like this since I was a kid. I’m finally here. The hard work is done. Friday night I’m going to put on a great show. I’ll see you all then.”
Friday, September 15
ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)
Luis Alberto Lopez vs. Joet Gonzalez, 12 rounds, Lopez's IBF Featherweight World Title
Xander Zayas vs. Roberto Valenzuela Jr., 10 rounds, Zayas' NABO/NABF Junior Middleweight Titles
Emiliano Fernando Vargas vs. Alejandro Guardado, 6 rounds, Lightweights
ESPN+ (6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT)
Omar Aguilar vs. Julio Luna, 8 rounds, Vacant WBC USA Welterweight Title
John Rincon vs. Bryan Ismael Rodriguez Rivera, 6 rounds, Welterweights
Jamaine Ortiz vs. Antonio Moran, 10 Rounds, Junior Welterweights
Ruben Villa vs. Brandon Valdes, 8 rounds, Featherweights
Tiger Johnson vs. Ricardo Quiroz, 8 rounds, Junior Welterweights
