Featherweight Ruben Villa, one of the top prospects in boxing, will face Luis Alberto Lopez on May 10 at Omega Products International in Corona, California, co-promoters Thompson Boxing and Banner Promotions announced on Tuesday.
The fight will headline a tripleheader on “ShoBox: The New Generation” (Showtime, 10:30 p.m. ET/PT).
Villa (15-0, 5 KOs), 22, a southpaw from Salinas, California, who was a two-time National Golden Gloves champion and two-time Junior Olympic national champion, will be competing in his first scheduled 10-round bout. Villa is coming off a shutout eight-round decision win over then-unbeaten Ruben Cervera on the Jan. 11 edition of “ShoBox.”
“I am very excited to get the opportunity to headline on ShoBox after being the co-feature earlier this year,” said Villa, who owns amateur wins over Shakur Stevenson, Devin Haney and Gary Antonio Russell. “I have been working really hard and getting good sparring in Riverside. My opponent is 17-1, and he has won some regional titles. He is no stick in the mud. I know he comes forward and that should make for an exciting fight. I am looking to put on a great performance because I know a win will open doors for bigger fights.”
Lopez (17-1, 8 KOs), of Mexico, has won five fights in a row but got the assignment against Villa largely based on his most recent victory, an eighth-round technical decision over Ray Ximenez on Feb. 28. Lopez will be making his United States debut against Villa.
“I have a (regional) belt for a reason and I’m going to defend it proudly on May 10,” said Lopez. “I know Ruben Villa is regarded as a top prospect, but I know I’m better than him and I’m planning to show the world on May 10th.”
Also on the card, lightweight prospect Michael Dutchover (12-0, 9 KOs), 21, a Midland, Texas, native, will fight Ramon Mascarena Jr. (10-0, 5 KOs), 25, a Chile native, who trains in San Diego, in the eight-round co-feature.
“I know my opponent is tough and durable. Being on ShoBox is a great opportunity and it is the next steppingstone to reach my ultimate goal, and that is to become world champion,” Dutchover said.
Said Mascarena, who will be fighting outside of Chile for the first time: “I’ve been in top shape for a while now. I was set to fight in February but my fight got canceled. I come from a family of boxers and we take the sweet science very seriously. On May 10, I will not only be fighting to make a good impression in my U.S. debut, I will be fighting for my family and my entire country. I will make them proud.”
In the opening bout, bantamweight prospect Saul Sanchez (11-0, 6 KOs), 21, of Encino, California, who is trained by top trainer Joel Diaz, will face Brandon Leon Benitez (14-1, 6 KOs), 21, of Mexico, in an eight-round bout.