Two of Golden Boy’s rising unbeaten prospects will headline Friday’s edition of ShoBox: The New Generation in separate 10-round fights against serviceable opposition. Omar Figueroa (14-0-1, 11 KOs) takes on Ramon Ayala (22-2-1, 10 KOs), and Randy Caballero (13-0, 7 KOs) goes up against Jose Luis Araiza (32-5-1, 23 KOs) at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California. The broadcast goes live at 11 PM ET/8 PM PT.
Figueroa, of Welasco, Texas, is returning after his January 6 technical knockout win over former unbeaten prospect, Michael Perez. In a battle of two untested, but highly-regarded lightweight prospects Figueroa emerged the better man in his first test. Ayala, who has 25 professional fights spanning six years, is a lateral move in terms of level of opposition, if not a slight step back.
Ayala has only lost twice in his career, but both losses were by way of knockout to David Rodela and club fighter Antonio Sanchez (4-5 at the time). Ayala is riding a five-fight win streak against club level opposition, dating back to his 2010 loss to Sanchez.
Caballero, native to nearby Coachella, has fought seven in a row at Fantasy Springs Casino and will be making his first appearance in front of a national audience. The two-year pro holds wins over Francis Ruiz, a perennial bantamweight prospect opponent, and then-unbeaten Alexis Santiago. In his last fight, Caballero outpointed Arturo Santiago over eight rounds to remain undefeated.
Jose Luis Araiza is looking to hand Caballero his first professional loss. The 30-year-old Araiza graduated from the club circuit in 2010, and has lost 4 of his last 5, with three knockout losses coming to William Gonzalez, Christopher Martin, and Jonathan Oquendo. In his last fight, Araiza battled to a draw with once-beaten Puerto Rican prospect Jesus Rojas.
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