Ricardo Sandoval Has Come a Long Way as Eliminator Nears

Ricardo Sandoval has come a good distance because the days of preventing in dimly-lit and half-filled venues in Mexico. 

Regardless of the uncertainty of the place his profession was headed early on in his profession, Sandoval now has the backing of a significant promoter and is on the cusp of turning into one of many prime flyweights in boxing right now.

Sandoval will face former world title challenger Jay Harris Friday evening at Bolton Whites Lodge (previously De Vere Whites) in Bolton, England. The 12-round bout, together with the co-feature bout between former world bantamweight titleholder Paul Butler and Willibaldo Garcia, will stream dwell on ESPN+ (2 p.m ET/ 11 a.m. PT).

At Thursday’s weigh-in, Harris weighed in at 111.7 kilos. Sandoval weighed 111.25 kilos.

Sandoval (18-1, 13 knockouts), who resides in Rialto, California, made his professional debut on the age of 17 5 years in the past this month. He fought 10 of his first 12 fights in Mexico, largely preventing on membership reveals at gyms, eating places and evening golf equipment. He suffered his solely lack of his professional profession in his fifth combat by the hands of Alonso Ceja by majority choice in November 2016.

After preventing and successful on two combat playing cards in 2017 and 2018 that have been promoted by brothers Tommy and Terry Lane, Sandoval caught the attention of Golden Boy Promotions. On his first card below the Golden Boy banner in July 2019, Sandoval overcame two knockdowns to knock out Marco Sustaita of Mexico in spherical 5. 

The 22-year-old will take a step-up in opposition in opposition to Harris (18-1, 9 KOs), who resides in Swansea, Wales. The 30-year-old challenged WBC flyweight titleholder Julio Cesar Martinez on February 29 of final 12 months, shedding by unanimous choice in a combat that noticed him get knocked down in spherical 10.

In his final bout on October 18, the 30-year-old Harris defeated Marcel Braithwaite by unanimous choice. 

Sandoval has fought opposition of their respective hometowns early on in his profession, however is the underdog going into Friday’s bout as Harris has confronted the higher opposition between the 2. Robert Diaz, who’s the matchmaker for Golden Boy and is in Bolton, believes Sandoval can get the job executed and are available out victorious.

“He’s a really gifted and devoted younger man,” Diaz informed BoxingScene Wednesday morning. “I like him out and in of the ring. Friday is an important combat in his profession. Harris has residence turf (and) has expertise, however I like Sandoval’s demeanor. (I) consider that after within the ring, (Sandoval’s) expertise, work fee, willpower will overcome all obstacles.”

Sandoval has proven extra energy and aggression in latest combat, having stopped his final 5 opponents. 

Additionally on the MTK World card, Hosea Burton (25-2, 11 KOs) of Newcastle, England will sq. off in opposition to Liam Conroy (18-6-1, 9 KOs) in a 12-round mild heavyweight bout. 

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September of 2012 and has lined boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He will be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing.