By Jake Donovan

Adrian Estrella will return to the ring on May 16 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, according to his promoter Promociones del Pueblo. The unbeaten junior lightweight contender will face Philippines’ Eden Sonsona in a 12-round bout with potential title fight implications. 

The bout will mark Estrella’s second appearance of 2015 as he continues to move in position to challenge for a major title. The former TV star began his surge from bruising knockout artist to rising contender beginning with a 12-round win over countryman Dante Jardon last summer. 

The bout was his first to go the distance, but also proof that he was more than just another pretty face and hype job. The 12-round win over Jardon was the first of two consecutive step-up fights to go to the cards, as he was equally impressive in a 12-round decision over former two-division titlist Celestino Caballero last October.

Estrella (22-0, 20KOs) has since rediscovered his knockout ways, scoring stoppage wins in each of his last two starts including a 10th round knockout of Adones Aguelo this past Valentine’s Day. The fight was the latest he’s had to go in order to secure a stoppage, after which he openly campaigned for a showdown with 130 lb. titlist Takashi Miura. 

Sonsona (33-6-2, 11KOs) is unbeaten in his last nine starts. The 26-year old southpaw hasn’t had much luck on the road, however; he is 2-4 in fights outside of Philippines, with the upcoming clash versus Estrella marking his first career fight in Mexico.

The bout will air live on Televisa. Also included on the card, super middleweight contender Marco Antonio Periban and Jairo Lopez appear in separate bouts. Lopez—who trains with Estrella—will face Fermin de los Santos; Periban’s opponent has yet to be announced. 

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox