Boxeo Al Maximo Series Returns February 6. Machado To Headline

By Jake Donovan

Unbeaten super featherweight prospect Alberto Machado will headline the 2016 season premiere of the Emmy-nominated Boxeo Al Maximo series on Univision Puerto Rico, which will take place February 6 at Coliseo Roger L. Mendoza in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

An opponent has yet to be determined for Machado (12-0, 10KOs), who appears in a televised main event for the first time in his young career.

“It's a great opportunity to be in the main event,” Juan de Leon, Machado’s manager told BoxingScene.com. “This first show (in 2016) that Miguel Cotto Promotions is doing in Puerto Rico gives Alberto the chance to showcase his talent and ability, and to move towards becoming a contender.”

The event will mark the one-year anniversary from when Miguel Cotto Promotions and Hector Soto’s H2 Entertainment first launched the Boxeo Al Maximo series. Machado appeared in the second installment, taking place last March at the very same venue he will return in February.

The 25-year old from San Juan comes in riding a seven-fight knockout streak, with all three of his fights in 2015 ending inside of the first round. A lack of activity – as well as rounds – is something on which his handlers are keen on improving in the current calendar year.

“It all depends on competition level, because we really want this kid to start moving towards a world title,” De Leon notes. “In a perfect world, we’d love to see 4-5 fights this year, maybe more. But if we can get him the type of fights that move him towards a world title, that will be a successful year.

“For now, it all starts with February 6. After that, we can focus on what’s next and keep moving forward from there.”

Machado is coming off of a 1st round knockout of Tyrone Luckey, coming last November in Las Vegas. His bout came on the non-televised undercard of his promoter, Miguel Cotto in his World middleweight championship-losing effort to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

While Cotto’s ring return has not yet been determined – or even formally discussed beyond casual suggestions – he continues to stand behind one of the island’s more promising young prospects.

“We are very happy with the way Miguel Cotto and Hector Soto have promoted Alberto,” states de Leon. “They’ve supported him since day one and have been active in getting him on this show as the main event, also working on his future as everyone has high hopes for him.”

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox