The Boxeo Telemundo Ford summer season wraps up with a ten round bantamweight showdown between local favorite and WBO Latin bantamweight champion Daniel “Alacran” Lozano (15-4, 11 KOs) of Bowling Green, Florida, and Ricardo “Hindu” Espinoza (20-2, 17 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico. The site of the event will be the beautiful ballroom at Brian Glazer JCC, the new home for All Star Boxing in Tampa, Florida.
Lozano’s career has seen its share of ups and down. A move up in weight saw him land two big victories in a row avenging previous defeats. Lozano now faces a hungry and younger opponent in Espinoza. Lozano also informed Fightnews.com® that he is an alternate for the WBSS bantamweight tournament. He will be fighting in Tampa for the 12th time and have the crowd backing him.
What are your thoughts after viewing footage of your opponent?
He has a nice record but he is taking a huge step up in class versus me. I am not taking him lightly at all as this a major opportunity for him as it is for me.
Physically Espinoza appears to be on par with you. Do you expect him to come right at you?
I do expect him to come right at me actually as he is the visiting fighter and is coming to win. I am not sure if he will continue this after feeling my power.
Do you feel it’s an advantage fighting at home?
I have fought in Tampa many times as professional. I see so many of the same supportive people each time I fight there. This will be a tough atmosphere for him to try and beat me in.
How do you attribute the change in your career coming off of two big wins?
The David Carmona rematch was really a special circumstance. I was in the Dominican Republic for a fight that fell through. Carmona´s had a fight that same week which fell through at the last minute. We were able to come to an agreement on the weight as I was already in shape. It was a big risk looking back on it now but worked out.
You mentioned in the past that moving up a weight class would be different for you. Do you stand by that?
Absolutely and you can see it in recent results. It seems like only a few pounds but makes a huge difference.
Do you feel 118 is your best weight?
I beat Carmona at super bantamweight but bantamweight is the right division for me. If I got a world title fight offer I could make 115 as well.
How much added pressure is this fight for you, knowing you’re an alternate for the WBSS bantamweight tournament?
I do not see it as pressure. A world title fight is something I have been hoping to get for a while. I have to win Friday and remain ready. You never know if I will get that call, and if I do, I’ll be ready. I am coming to impress as well as I know a lot of international viewers will see me on Telemundo. I wont disappoint.
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Also on the card are undefeated prospects Jean Carlos “Chapito” Rivera (14-0, 9 KOs) of nearby Kissimmee, Florida, Cuban contender Hairon “El Maja” Socarras (18-0-3, 12 KOs) and local bantamweight Santiago Arroyo (6-0-1, 3 KOs) in separate bouts.
5 More fights are scheduled, doors open 7:30 PM with the first bell at 8:00 PM. Tickets are already on sale by calling (813) 758-4800 and also at the Brian Glazer JCC the night of event. Telemundo Network will televise the main event live at 11:35 PM. The show is being presented by All Star Boxing, Inc.