Los Angeles-based boxing powerhouse Golden Boy Promotions has officially inked a deal with ESPN and the first event between the two entities will occur on March 23 at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Calif. Headlining the marquee will be an intriguing middleweight matchup between unbeaten Jason Quigley and Glen Tapia.
“2017 is going to be a big year for me, and I can't imagine a better way to kick it off than by headlining the first edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN,” said Quigley. “Glen Tapia has faced some of the best in the middleweight and super welterweight divisions, but I am excited to show a huge audience what I'm capable of in the ring.”
Tapia (23-3, 15 KOs) is desperate to get things back on track. After rocketing to an impressive 20-0 star to his career, “Jersey Boy” has faltered and is stuck in a two-fight losing streak. Though his most recent setback was against one of the best in the world at 160 pounds in David Lemieux, that’s not stopping him from aiming to set things back on course.
“I've been in Quigley's position before, so I know exactly what he's feeling. He's trying to prove himself and he's looking at me like his step up,” Tapia said. “At the end of the day, because of my last performances, I feel like I really don't have the privilege to speak on what I'm going to do, but just know that I'll be more than ready to show Quigley and the boxing fans that I am more than just a step up.”
The co-feature will see Randy Caballero (23-0, 14 KOs) take on Victor Proa in a 10-round super bantamweight showdown. 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Marlen Esparza is expected to be featured on the ESPN telecast, though an opponent has yet to be announced.
Golden also announced that a solid undercard will be streamed live on ESPN3 as Mauricio Herrera (22-7, 7 KOs) will stand opposite Hector Velazquez (57-28-3, 39 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight showdown while Azat Hovhannisyan (10-2, 9 KOs) will face Hugo Partida (21-8-2, 16 KOs).
The action goes live on ESPN beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.