By Jake Donovan

While the networks are beginning to shape up their boxing schedules for the first quarter of 2011, the folks at Telemundo have taken it a step further and have filled out the entire year.

The long running ‘Boxeo Telemundo’ series returns on January 21, 2011, and will run once a month throughout the year. As has been the case in recent years, Florida and Mexico will serve as the primary hosts, presenting six shows each on a balanced alternating schedule.

Promoter Felix ‘Tutico’ Zabala, Jr of All-Star Boxing comes out swinging for the 2011 season premiere A series favorite is mixed in with an undefeated fighter, as Johnny Garcia takes on William Urina in a regional super flyweight title bout live from Salon Jose Cuervo in Mexico City.

Garcia (9-2-1, 5KO according to Boxrec.com; listed as 16-1-1, 8KO elsewhere) is coming off of a promising 2010 campaign that included back-to-back career best wins over previously unbeaten Henry Maldonado (KO5, July 10) and veteran Jesus Ruiz (DQ6, September 25).

The win over Ruiz aired on Telemundo and in the very same venue in which he faces an opponent who for Garcia once again fits the suggested tagline ‘Toughest test of his career.’

A quick glance at the resume of Urina suggests more of the same in regards to diminutive Colombian prospects – undefeated record (17-0, 14KO), but an unproven commodity who has never fought outside of his native country.

However, there appears to be some substance to his record. A pair of seventh round knockout wins over the best two fighters he’s faced – Devis Perez and Genilson Jesus Dos Santos – has placed Urina in contention for an alphabet super flyweight title, although it’s doubtful he’s pushed in that direction too soon into the future.

That said, both of the aforementioned wins came amidst a busy 2010 campaign in which he went 7-0, including six straight knockouts entering the January 21 bout with Garcia

Also appearing on the show is another Telemundo regular, resurging bantamweight contender William Gonzalez (25-3, 21KO). The Nicaraguan contender has won four straight since his heartbreaking title loss to Joseph Agbeko two years ago.

Waiting in the wings for Gonzalez is another title shot, this one to come against the winner of the highly anticipated February 19 bout between Fernando Montiel and Nonito Donaire. His appearance on the January 21 show serves as a stay-busy bout, though an opponent has yet to be secured.

Rounding out the undercard is 18-year old featherweight prospect Josue Vereza, who makes his third straight appearance at the venue and perhaps on the network, time permitting.

The full schedule for 2011 appears as follows:

January 21 – Salon Jose Cuervo, Mexico City, Mexico
February 25 – Cocoa, Florida (venue TBD)
March 18 – Salon Jose Cuervo, Mexico City, Mexico
April 29 – Kissimmee Civic Center, Kissimmee, Florida
May 20 – Salon Jose Cuervo, Mexico City, Mexico
June 24 – Florida (city and venue TBD)
July 29 – Auditorio Plaza Condesa, Mexico City, Mexico
August 26 – Kissimmee Civic Center, Kissimmee, Florida
September 30 – Auditorio Plaza Condesa, Mexico City, Mexico
October 28 – Florida (city and venue TBD)
November 18 – Auditorio Plaza Condesa, Mexico City, Mexico
December 9 – Kissimmee Civic Center, Kissimmee, Florida

As has been the case in the past, all Boxeo Telemundo telecasts will air live at 11:35PM ET.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter at twitter.com/JakeNDaBox or submit questions/comments to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com