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Unbeaten Amir Imam to face Walter Castillo on April 18

Fighters Network
08
Apr
Amir Imam (L) heads to a neutral corner after knocking down Fidel Maldonado Jr. in the fifth round of their super lightweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on January 17, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Imam won by fifth-round TKO.  (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

Amir Imam (L) heads to a neutral corner after knocking down Fidel Maldonado Jr. in the fifth round of their super lightweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on January 17, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Imam won by fifth-round TKO. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

Unbeaten junior welterweight contender Amir Imam will aim to move one step closer to a world title opportunity when he faces Nicaraguan puncher Walter Castillo in a 10-round bout, scheduled to take place as co-feature to the light heavyweight clash between Julio Cesar Chavez and Andrzej Fonfara, on April 18, in California.

The 24-year-old Imam is 16-0 (14 knockouts) and is coming off an fifth round stoppage of Fidel Maldonado Jr. The talented boxer, puncher was floored for the first time in his career but bounced back to score four knockdowns in a wildly exciting affair.

“I know Walter is a tough fighter, he comes forward and throws a lot of punches,” Imam said. “But I will figure him out quickly once I get inside the ring. I’m working on a lot of different things for this training camp, lots of tricky moves that are going to excite the fans. I’m here to entertain and prove I’m ready for that title shot.”

Castillo, 25-2, 18 knockouts, has fought mostly at home but the only blemishes on his record are split decision losses, one in his pro debut and the other against former WBA super featherweight titleholder Vicente Mosquera.



“I’m very excited for this fight,” Castillo said. “Where I’m from we have a history of great warriors like Alexis Arguello and ÔÇÄRosendo Alvarez and on April 18 I’m looking to moving one step closer to adding my name to that list. Imam may be undefeated but I’m ready for a war.”

 

Previous “New Faces Feature” on Amir Imam.

 

Tickets for the event, which is co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Chavez Promotions, are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, are on sale now and are available for purchase online at AXS.com.

Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara, is a 12-round bout that takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

 

Tom Gray is a member of the British Boxing Writers’ Association and has contributed to various publications. Follow him on Twitter: @Tom_Gray_Boxing

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