Fidel Maldonado Jr. to face Gerardo Cuevas Saturday

Jul

Lightweight Fidel Maldonado Jr. returns to action Saturday night, Golden Boy Promotions Robert Diaz confirmed to RingTV on Wednesday afternoon.

Maldonado will face veteran Gerardo Cuevas in an eight-round bout at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Rio Rancho is a suburb of Albuquerque, Maldonado’s hometown.

Maldonado (21-3-1, 18 knockouts) is coming off a 10-round split draw on May 20 against Art Hovhannisyan in Indio, California. Maldonado dropped Hovhannisyan in round eight but was deducted a point in round nine for landing a low blow.

The 24-year-old Maldonado, who is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, enters Saturday’s bout unbeaten in his last three fights since his stoppage loss to Amir Imam in January of last year.

Cuevas (17-17-1, 15 KOs) is the son of former welterweight world titleholder Gerardo “Pipino” Cuevas, who defended his title multiple times during the late-1970s.

Cuevas also fought on May 20, losing by knockout in the fourth round to unbeaten Emmanuel Robles. He has lost nine of his last 11 fights.

Welterweight Brian Mendoza (13-0, 9 KOs) will face Daniel Calzada (12-15-3, 2 KOs) in the six-round co-main event.

Chris Middendorf’s Victory Boxing Promotions will promote the card.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for RingTV since October of 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper, BoxingScene.com and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing.