Angel Fierro has promised to take his headline chance with both hands on Saturday night and launch himself into the World title picture when he defends his WBO NABO Lightweight title against Eduardo Estela at Polideportivo Arena in Culiacan, Mexico exclusively live on DAZN.
Fierro (20-1-2 16 KOs) defends his belt for the third time and the 24 year old is sitting pretty at #5 in the WBO rankings at 135lbs – no more motivation is needed for Fierro to keep hold of his title and put pressure on the big names at Lightweight to face him next.
‘Tashiro’ last defended the strap in October in Mexico City on a card topped by Mauricio Lara in ‘Bronco’s’ last fight before he defeated Leigh Wood in Nottingham to become WBA World Featherweight champion in Nottingham, England last weekend – and Fierro is using his friend’s victory as fuel to land his own dream title shot.
“I will show the world that I am a fighter at 135lbs who is ready for them,” said Fierro. “I am looking for my World title shot and ready to hunt the best down. Devin Haney, Vasiliy Lomachenko, Ryan Garcia, Gervonta Davis, Isaac Cruz; they are all on my list to fight next.
“I am focused on Eduardo, but once I win, I will have my hand up asking for my opportunity. I’ve been on the same card as Mauricio Lara and he motivates me a lot, knowing that a fellow Mexican friend got his shot and became World champion, and I know my chance will come soon.
“Being another World champion that’s crowned from Mexico would make you a legend like so many of the great fighters from Mexico, and it would motivate the next generation looking to achieve their dreams, by showing that with sacrifice and discipline, your dreams can come true.
“It’s my third defense, I know he is a strong and brave fighter, with a lot of character in the ring. I think he is one of the best fighters I have faced so far, and it’s one of the most important fights of my career so far.
“The moment I knew I would be fighting him, I’ve been watching and analyzing him, because I know it’s a tough test. I think it will be a fight where we trade, we will see in the middle of the ring, looking for our chance. Neither of us want the fight to go to the judges.
“It motivates me even more to fight at home, to be able to put on a great show for the people of Mexico. Everyone knows that Mexican fighters are brave and give everything in the ring, and I think that is what Mexican people and everyone likes to see, that a Mexican fighter goes to the ring and is not afraid of a tear-up.”
Eduardo Nunez will provide the co-main event action as he meets unbeaten Jesus Ceyca over ten rounds at Super-Featherweight. KO merchant ‘Sugar’ Nunez (23-1 23 KOs) has won all of his bouts inside the distance, and the 25 year old comes into the bout on the back of a tenth round stoppage win in Culiacan in September, his only fight of 2022. The Los Mochis man will be eager to keep his streak going on March 4, but will need to take the ‘0’ of local man Ceyca (17-0 8 KOs) to do so, who will be on home turf for his first action in 2023 and in his first ten round contest.
Elsewhere on the stacked card, 2016 Mexican Olympian Misael Rodriguez (12-0, 7KO’s) who will take on Aaron Guerrero (10-1-1 6 KOs) over eight rounds at Middleweight, and teenage sensation Yair Gallardo (2-0 2 KOs) is looking for a third straight first round KO and takes on KO artist Bernardo Jimenez (9-1 9 KOs) over six at Light-Heavyweight and the second pro fight for Uzbek Olympian Dilshodbek Ruzmetov (1-0) who meets Jesus Palomares (7-1-1 4 KOs) over eight at Super-Middleweight and there’s a pro debut for Eddie Hearn’s latest signing, Critic Bazaldua.
Quotes
Eddie Hearn
“We have a huge card here in Culiacan, live on DAZN around the world. This Mexican adventure has been incredible for Matchroom, some of the best cards we’ve seen from top to bottom and Saturday is no exception. We have a fantastic main event and a deep card with some exciting young fighters.
“What a night in Nottingham when Mauricio Lara beat Leigh Wood to become World champion and he’s a great example of the young talent here that needs to be unearthed and given an opportunity, and all we do as promoters is make great fights and deliver value for fight fans, and these cards see hot prospects and World rated fighters continuously step up and fight the very best in the business.”
Angel Fierro – defends WBO NABO Lightweight title against Eduardo Estela
“I am delighted to be here in Culiacan. All my fights are guaranteed to be wars. God willing, we come through Saturday, it will out me in a wonderful position to fight for a World title, so I am extremely motivated.
“I have fought in many different places in Mexico and it’s nice to become known and to be a favorite with people. I boxed in Mexico City in front of my home fans and that was special, I feel the fans like me and that makes me very happy.
“I’m calm, I’m motivated, I’m close to that shot of getting a World title fight. He is confident and I respect him, but it will be a complete war in the ring, and I will be ready to give what I need to give.”
Eduardo Estela – challenges Angel Fierro for the WBO NABO Lightweight title
“We’re totally prepared for Saturday; it’s a big fight and it’s going to be a war. I hope all the Latin fans enjoy it as when you get two Latin fighters in the ring together you are guaranteed a war and that’s what’s going to happen.
“We’re confident because we’ve trained so well and we’ve put the work in, day in, day out. We have clear objectives, we understand that victory would catapult us to get the big fights, those are what all boxers want so we are so ready.
“We’ve studied him, we know he hits hard but can also take a shot, we’re completely ready for it.”
Eduardo Nunez – takes on Martin Ceyca over ten rounds at Super-Featherweight
“It’s a great opportunity and an important one, and I won’t let it pass me by. I’ve prepared really well; I have a great opponent in front of me and I have put the work in and everything is on the table to do what I need to do.
“I have no issues with weight, I control it well and I can fight at 126 and 130. I would love the chance in the short term to fight for a World title and I think it’s something I will do very soon.
“I’m just excited to be on such a fantastic card, it’s a small step in my career but I want to show that I am ready and for people to know my name on Saturday.”
Martin Ceyca – takes on Eduardo Nunez over ten rounds at Super-Featherweight
“I want to thank Matchroom and BXSTRS for putting on a show in Culiacan, we could never imagine a show of this magnitude happening here. For Saturday, I feel I belong on this card, and I am ready to perform.
“Every show that’s happened here, we’ve always had a great atmosphere and that’s down to the fights being 50-50, and I expect something similar on Saturday, and the fans will be happy.”
Criztec Bazaldua – Matchroom’s latest signing making his professional debut
It’s an honor to be part of such a great company with Matchroom, it’s the best and it’s truly a blessing.
I have the best trainer in the world in Manny Robles, the best teammates and I think I have the best team around me, I have shared the ring with great pros and amateurs already and I can’t wait for Saturday.
Misael Rodriguez – unbeaten (12-0 7 KOs) Middleweight facing Aaron Rocha
“It’s a big challenge in front of me but we’re ready for big things. I am taking this year as one to grow and I am hoping to put on a show in Culiacan.
“We have plans and I am looking to do great things with Matchroom, I am proud to be fighting on this card and will give the fans the fight they deserve.”