By Edward Chaykovsky

On September 13th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Alfredo Angulo (22-4, 18 KOs) will move up to middleweight to face James De La Rosa (22-2, 13 KOs) in a ten round bout. The fight will be part of the Showtime Pay-Per-View undercard to the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Marcos Maidana rematch.

After suffering back to back TKO defeats to Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Erislandy Lara, Angulo felt it was time to move up the middleweight ranks.

"I'm happy fighting at 160 (middleweight). It's a lot better than 154. I wasn't having trouble making weight, I just feel better at 160. I'm ready to take over the division at 160," Angulo said.

"I don't even know who the fighters are at 160. Honestly, I don't focus on the names. I don't even know the names at 154. What is most important to me is the fans. Whoever they put in front of me is fine."

The first step will come against De La Rosa, and that fight is taking place at a catch-weight of 162-pounds. De La Rosa made his way in the lower weight division and it's no surprise he's a huge underdog in this contest. 

"I honestly don't focus on my opponent. I focus on the work I have to do. Virgil (trainer Virgil Hunter) grades them and tells me what I need to do," Angulo said.