Karlos Balderas Looks Ahead After Fight With ‘Unprofessional’ Opponent Falls Through

Lightweight Karlos Balderas will make his 360 Promotions debut on July 26 at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, California, but he has his eyes set on future revenge against Rene Tellez Giron – the first man to defeat him as a professional.

Balderas, a 2016 U.S. Olympian, had anticipated a homecoming fight just 30 minutes from his hometown of Santa Maria, California. However, his bout was canceled after his opponent, Gilberto Espinoza Zarate, came in overweight on the unofficial test scale and did not make it to the official weigh-in. Despite the cancellation, Balderas attended the event.

Balderas (14-2, 12 KOs) expressed his frustration with the situation while interacting with local fans who had hoped to see him compete.

“My opponent was super unprofessional. I was on weight and ready to fight since Wednesday night,” Balderas told BoxingScene. “It is a disrespect to the promotion and a disrespect to me.”

Balderas, looking to rebound from a disappointing majority decision loss to Nahir Albright in July on a Top Rank show, has been out of the ring for 11 months. Despite this setback, he remains optimistic about securing a rematch with Giron, who handed him his only career stoppage in December 2019. After that marquee names in the division.

“I will be getting my rematch soon,” Balderas said. “That is a fight a lot of people want to see.”

Balderas’ new promoter, Tom Loeffler, acknowledged Balderas’ desire for a rematch with Giron.

Balderas’ promoter, Tom Loeffler has heard the same thing from Balderas and stated the following. 

“Probably not this next fight, but we will look for the rematch for Karlos,” Loeffler said.

Balderas, once considered one of the best from his amateur class, has yet to fully establish himself as a professional. He believes that with his new promoter, he can achieve his dreams and reach the top of the lightweight division.

“I feel like I am flipping the page and excited for this new journey in my life,” Balderas said. “Give me the best 135-pounders, I am ready.”