Omar Trinidad looking to secure shot at Angelo Leo

Featherweight Omar Trinidad has fought 17 times since his return to boxing in February 2020 and a title shot might be closing in.

Trinidad fights Mike Plania on Friday at the Commerce Casino, Commerce, California in a 10-round main event. The contest is promoted by 360 Promotions and telecast on UFC Fight Pass.

Trinidad, 28, fought three times in 2024 and has high hopes for the new year after becoming a staple of fight events at the Commerce Casino.

Though his Los Angeles home is the inspiration behind his “King of LA” moniker, the “King of Activity” might be a better fit.

During a time when fighters from the United States are finding it increasingly difficult to stay active, Trinidad has learned on the job and is now ranked No. 2 by the IBF,  No. 6 by the WBC and No.14 by the WBO. Given those lofty placements, a shot at one of the beltholders is firmly in his sights.

Trinidad’s road is unique. He had a draw in his pro debut in 2018. Then he returned right before the COVID-19 pandemic. He defeated unbeaten Javier Padilla and Adan Ochoa in good regional fights and has continued to ramp up his level of competition. His most recent outing, which occurred in October and took his record to 17-0-1 (13 KOs), was the culmination of his hard work and achievement as he won a 12-round unanimous decision over Hector Andres Sosa.

“I’m the King of LA Boxing and I’ll be ready to put on a show headlining again in the main event,” Trinidad said. “This is my year. I’m ready to challenge and defeat any of the featherweight world champions.”

Trinidad didn’t have an illustrious amateur career. His career started rather anticlimactically, but after years of training in L.A. gyms he carries the lineage of Daniel Roman and Arnold Barboza Jnr, who both took a hard road to the top. Trinidad is following suit like the L.A. boxers who came before him.

“He reminds me of a throwback, blue collar fighter,” Charles Bosecker, the matchmaker for 360 Promotions said. “He’s just smashing these guys with national amateur titles and fighters with undefeated records. He has continued to impress me time and time again.

“Omar Trinidad delivers time and time again,” Bosecker said. “I have been matching him ever since he has made his USA debut in the States on Fight Club OC. This kid continues to check off  all the boxes.”

Plania, 27, enters on a two-fight knockout streak as the Filipino fighter holds a record of 31-4 (18 KOs). Plania’s losses come to go fighters, current IBF titleholder Angelo Leo, Elijah Pierce, Ra’eese Aleem, and Juan Carlos Payano. He also upset Joshua Greer Jnr in 2020.

So with a win this week, what is the promotion potentially considering as a future fight for Trinidad? The two names that came up were Angelo Leo and Luis Alberto Lopez.

“Angelo Leo is the titleholder with the IBF, and Omar Trinidad is ranked number two in that sanctioning body,” Bosecker said. “If not that, then maybe Luis Alberto Lopez, who Leo fought in the past as well. Either way, in 2025 as long as Omar comes out victorious and healthy this week, there is no doubt in my mind he’s fighting for some sort of a world title in 2025.”