by Luis Sandoval

If you haven’t heard of Edgar Alvarado Jr., you’ll more than likely be hearing his name soon. The highly touted amateur recently signed a deal with top promotional firm Top Rank last month and will also be making his professional debut this Saturday at the Pomona Fairplex in Pomona, CA on the undercard of the junior flyweight title clash between Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and Ramon Hirales fight.

Hailing out of San Bernardino, CA, Alvarado had a stellar amateur career and he made it all the way to the 2011 Olympic Trials where he lost by one point in his final match. Even without making the Olympics team, Alvarado was so impressive he was still able to get a contract from one of the biggest promotional firms in the sport.

“I feel awesome because [Top Rank] doesn’t really look at people that much. They had been looking at me since I was an amateur. They saw me those five years that I was boxing and went all the way to the Olympic trials. I was beating everyone and dominating. They thought if I did that in five years, what would I do in five more years from now. They thought I would be something big” explained Alvarado.

The 23 year old trains under the tutelage of his trainer Ian Franklin and his father Edgar Alvarado Sr at the F.I.G.H.T.S. gym in San Bernardino where he’s trained since the beginning. His debut will be at 163 pounds but Alvarado plans to get down lower in weight and will ultimately be fighting as a middleweight.

While his amateur background is extensive, Alvarado has also had his share of experience against true professionals as he’s already sparred with the likes of Librado Andrade and Sugar Shane Mosley up in Big Bear, CA. It’s an experience Alvarado not only enjoyed but was able to learn from.

“It was good to actually spar with Mosley and his son and the other guys. It was a good experience because I get to learn a little bit more about them. How they move and the different styles” said Alvarado.

The transition from amateur to professional is always different for all fighters. The amateur style is very different as everything is based on points and not necessarily hurting or stopping your competition. For Alvarado, the transition may be one that will benefit him even more as his style seems more adequate for the pro rankings.

“I’m a puncher and I keep coming forward. I was more of a puncher as an amateur. They always told me I had more of a professional style. I really don’t jump around and pity pat to get points. Sometimes I like getting in there and trading punches but I also use my distance because I have long arms and I’m tall. I use my jab and distance” said the San Bernardino native.

Alvarado grew up being a fan of Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya and hopes to be able to reach the same level of success as them. His goals are like most young fighters and that’s to become a world champion one day and be on top of the sport. He will embark on his journey on Saturday but he assures he’s not nervous; if anything he’s excited.

“Going into my first fight I don’t feel nervous from being scared or anything. It’s more that I’m excited for my first fight. I had a lot of fights in the amateurs but it’s not the same as a pro debut”.

Edgar’s friends and family will be in attendance to cheer him on and he plans to put on a great performance in his first fight as a boxing professional.

You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @Truewest007. You can also tune in to The Boxing Lab, Boxingscene’s official audio show every Tuesday from 6-8PM PST with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.