Home Boxing News Steve Forbes out, John Nater in against Fidel Malnado jr.

Steve Forbes out, John Nater in against Fidel Malnado jr.

Winner of four of his last five bouts, top Puerto Rican prospect John Nater will step up to test welterweight prospect Fidel “The Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr. this Monday, Feb. 10 in the main event of FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes’ Golden Boy Live! series at the Cowboys Dancehall in San Antonio, TX. Nater replaces former World Champion Steve Forbes, who was pulled from the bout due to a failed pre-fight medical exam.

In the eight-round welterweight co-main event, unbeaten 2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence Jr. takes on Florida’s Peter Olouch and opening the televised portion of the card fans will see an intriguing 10-round junior middleweight showdown between rising star Julian “J-Rock” Williams and longtime contender Alex Bunema.

A professional since 2011, hard-hitting Bayamon prospect John Nater (13-4, 10 KO’s) has the fight stopping power in his fists to turn the outcome of any bout in his favor. A 23-year-old starting to come into his own as a fighter, Nater has won his last two bouts against Ruddy Veloz and Wander Guerrero by first round knockout and he’d like to finish his work early once again on Feb. 10 against Fidel Maldonado Jr.  

In the previously announced co-featured fight, Desoto, Texas’ Errol Spence Jr. (10-0, 8 KO’s) will now take on Peter Oluoch (12-6-2, 6 KO’s) in front of his home state fans. Oluoch, a native of Kenya who now fights out of Pahokee, FL., Oluoch is coming off of a big win over 16-1-1 top prospect Jake Giuriceo and he’s seeking the upset once again when he faces Spence Jr.

One of boxing’s top prospects across all weight classes, 23-year-old Philadelphia native Julian “J-Rock” Williams (14-0-1, 8 KO’s) continues to impress with each outing, most recently stopping Orlando Lora in three rounds last December. Already a winner over former World Champion Joachim Alcine, Williams will kick off his 2014 campaign against Congo-native Alex “The Technician” Bunema (31-10-2, 17 KO’s). Now making his home in Memphis, Tenn., Bunema has faced off with some of the best in the business including Sergio Martinez, Vince Phillips, Jermain Taylor and Bronco McKart and now he will attempt to stop Williams’ unbeaten string.

Also in action this Monday will be Spence’s 2012 U.S. Olympic teammate Terrell Gausha (12-2, 6 KO’s), who has won seven straight, five by knockout, since competing in the London Games. On Feb. 10, 26-year-old Cleveland’s Gausha, will battle Trenton, New Jersey’s knockout artist George Sosa (13-5, 13 KO’s) in an eight-round middleweight bout.

In undercard action, Texas’ finest will take to the ring to thrill their local fans. In four-round bouts, San Antonio welterweight Kendo Castaneda (5-0, 1 KO) faces McAllen’s Randy Fuentes (3-1-1), debuting junior middleweight Gibran Ruiz meets fellow San Antonio native John Arrevalo (1-1), promising featherweight up and comer Joseph Rodriguez (4-0, 2 KO’s) of San Antonio battles Dallas’ Jesus Garza (2-3-1), Austin’s Marco Solis makes his professional debut in a junior welterweight match against San Antonio’s Danny Sanchez (0-6) and another hometown favorite, junior featherweight Mario Barrios (1-0) takes on Laredo’s Manuel Rubalcava (1-6).

A six-round welterweight fight will pit Laredo’s Luis Torres (5-3-3, 1 KO) against Waco’s Milton Ramos (9-4-2) and in a six-round junior welterweight contest, Austin’s Travell Mazion (6-0, 5 KO’s), who is trained by former world champion Ann Wolfe, will face an opponent to be named. The junior welterweight opener, scheduled for four rounds, will see 19-year-old phenom Justin DeLoach (5-0, 3 KO’s) of Georgia, Louisiana meeting Agua Prieta, Sonora Mexico’s German Valdez (2-3-1, 1 KO).

Maldonado Jr. vs. Nater is a 10-round welterweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija*Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Cowboys Dancehall doors open at 5:00 p.m. CT and the first fight starts at 5:30 p.m. CT. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/9:00 p.m. CT/7:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced at $100, $65, $35 and $24, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges are available for purchase now by phone by calling Leija*Battah Promotions at (210) 979-3302, [email protected] or text “Tickets” to 210-556-7390. Tables are also available for $260 plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges.