Miguel Angel Garcia (25-0, 21 KO) and Miguel Beltran Jr. (24-1, 17 KO) will face off on Saturday June 4. This 10-round featherweight bout will open HBO’s World Championship Boxing telecast that will feature Julio Cesar Chavez Jr’s challenge of Sebastian Zbik’s middleweight title, and will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
Garcia passed on his first title shot in order to appear on the televised portion of HBO’s broadcast. He was originally set to challenge Australia’s Billy Dib for the right to claim the vacant IBF featherweight title, but the bout was not approved by HBO. Garcia, who earned his shot at the title with a 10-round TKO victory over undefeated prospect Matt Remillard in March, opted for a non-title bout and television exposure.
Miguel Beltran Jr. will be facing the toughest test of his 4-year career, and will be fighting outside of Mexico for the first time. Beltran owns a victory over Miguel Roman, a former featherweight title challenger.
UPDATE: Miguel Beltran has pulled out of the contest, citing injury. Rafael Guzman (28-2, 20 KOs) will replace Beltran.
— Tim Harrison
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