Before the WBC junior bantamweight titleholder Juan Francisco Estrada meets Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez in the main event in Phoenix on Saturday, two undefeated junior featherweights, Arturo Cardenas and Danny Flores Barrios, will step into the ring, each eager to gain recognition after proving themselves on the club boxing circuit.
Cardenas, who trains at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy, will face Phoenix’s Barrios in a 10-round fight that will be televised on DAZN. The winner will have a chance to stand out and move toward relevancy – and possibly title contention. Cardenas has been scheduled for a 10-round fight only once, whereas Barrios has never been in a 10-rounder.
Cardenas (13-0, 8 KOs), 23, of Mexico, has been heavily touted by some, but a draw during the Top Rank bubble against Juan Hernandez Martinez saw him start to fly under the radar. He has since been rebuilt with the support of Stockton-based promoter Jorge Toscano. Cardenas also holds the most notable win of the two, having won a majority decision over Alexis De Luna in December 2022. De Luna was unbeaten at the time.
Barrios (15-0, 5 KOs), 26, is a regional attraction who believes he is capable of more but has yet to face a significant step-up in competition. He has only fought five fighters with winning records, none with distinguished attributes. The bout has a ‘sink or swim’ feel for both fighters.
“It is a step-up and I am ready to show what I can do,” Cardenas said. “You are going to see a great fight and a great war between me and Barrios.
Barrios countered: “Styles make fights, and I know for a fact that me and Arturo are going to give everyone a great show. It is massive for me. Not just because it is going to give me big fights, but I’m fighting in my hometown.”
Barrios added that he had manifested this experience in 2022, but Cardenas promises to be at his best.
“Every time we go into camp, we’re always working on improving our style, so you will see a better version of Arturo Cardenas on Saturday,” he said.
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