By Steve Kim
With a finite number of television dates available on HBO, Top Rank is planning on taking things into their own hands, once again, with independent pay-per-view events in the same manner as their Latin Fury series from years ago.
"We are working with Fernando Beltran on a big September 26th card in Mexico, in Mexico City or Mazatlan, where we showcase Mexican and Mexican-American stars," Bob Arum told BoxingScene.com on Friday afternoon.
"Oscar Valdez certainly has to be on that card, we expect Gilberto Ramirez to be on that card against one of the Germans (Arthur Abraham or Robert Steiglitz) or taking an interim fight and then fighting for the WBA (super middleweight) championship.
"We also are looking on that card for a (Juan Francisco) Estrada-Brian Viloria rematch that was a 'Fight of the Year' candidate a year or so ago and finally if Jose Zepeda is successful versus Terry Flanagan (for the vacant WBO 135-pound title), to make his first title defense on that card."
Both Valdez and Ramirez fight this weekend.
Arum says this format will also be used to help move along the development of fighters such as Puerto Rican Felix Verdejo and to help ensure that the likes of Terence Crawford get more than two fights a year.
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.